Looking for places to visit in Rio de Janeiro State?

Popular Tourist Destinations in Brazil

The state of Rio de Janeiro is certainly most famously known for the city of Rio de Janeiro, which is home to the famed giant statute of Jesus - Christ de Redemeer (pictured), and the famed Copacabana beach.

beautiful beaches to visit in Northeast Brazil

Besides the city of Rio de Janeiro, there are many other interesting places where you'll find some of the idyllic beaches and pristine surroundings anywhere on South America. Here it is a list of places and things to do in Rio de Janeiro state that you can add to your itinerary:

Angra dos Reis

Literary translated, Angra dos Reis means Creek of Kings and it is one of the most beautiful places you can visit in Rio de Janeiro state because of the unspoiled coastline. Angra is surrounded by stunning scenery and pristine beaches, and it’s one of the most popular day trips destinations from Rio de Janeiro.

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Angra is just a couple of hours drive south of the capital city, and this place is a water-sports enthusiast paradise. You can do anything from parasailing and surfing to fishing and sailing trips to nearby IIha Grande which boasts hundreds of hiking trails.

Niteroi

Niteroi is located across the bay from Rio de Janeiro and it’s linked to Rio by the Rio-Niteroi Bridge which makes Niteroi easily accessible to get to on a day trip.

Niteroi is only 10 minutes drive from Rio, yet it has the "off the beaten path" feel to it. There are many attractions and things you can do in Nisteroi such as taking walking tours of the city center, relaxing by the beach, shopping and enjoying a bit of surfing.

There are also many look-outs that offer memorable views of Rio’s bay and the sea. If you’re interested in fun tours, you can take a guided tour of Santa Cruz Fort and learn more about its history. The MAC Niteroi is also one of the most interesting places to visit in Rio de Janeiro state as it boasts many exhibitions and collections by the best Brazilian contemporary artists.

Petropolis

The town of Petropolis is another of my favorite places to visit in Rio de Janeiro state because of the Imperial Museum. The Imperial Museum is an incredible place because of the Royal memorabilia found belonging to Brazil’s emperor. you'll find items such as an Imperial carriage, a portrait of the emperor himself and other interesting artifacts.

Besides the Imperial Museum, exploring the city on foot is also a joy because of the beautiful mansions, houses and architecture such as the Cathedral of Peter de Alcantara - home to the emperor’s mausoleum.

If you’d like to visit Petropolis on a day trip, the town is located 60 minutes drive north of Rio de Janeiro.

Buzios

If you’re looking for an ideal place to spend a quite beach vacation away from the large crowds that the capital Rio de Janeiro and other nearby beach spots bring, you’ll absolutely love spending time in Buzios.

Buzios has to be on your list of interesting places to visit in Rio de Janeiro state because of the stunning white sandy beaches and clear waters, ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving trips. Buzios is also a popular place to visit because of the fun schooner boat tours that take you out to explore all of Buzios’ 20 beaches.

Buzios is over 2 hours drive east of Rio and around 30 minutes drive from Cabo Frio. However, if you do plan on visiting Buzios, I’d suggest spending 2 or 3 nights there to get the most of out of the place.

Paraty

Paraty is located on the southernmost part of the state, and it is another charming and beautiful Brazilian town. Paraty is definitely a “must” on the list of interesting places to visit in Rio de Janeiro state because of the forest protected areas and Paraty’s historic center, which is filled with beautiful colonial buildings and cobblestone streets.

There are many things to do in Paraty such as enjoying a schooner boat trip to explore the beaches and Paraty bay, as well as Jeep tours to explore the remote areas of Paraty. Apart from water related activities, you can hop on a horse-drawn carriage for a fun tour of the town.

Also, taking a walking tour on foot is also a great way to soak in the sights and admire the houses, forts and churches found nearby such as St. Rita Church – the oldest church in Paraty.

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro, known as the City of God, it’s the home to the famed Christ the Redeemer landmark, Copacabana and the Rio Carnival. Rio de Janeiro is, without a doubt, the most popular city in the state and the whole of Brazil for that matter.

There isn’t a place quite like the city of Rio de Janeiro and it’s not surprising why many travelers make Rio their prime destination.

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There are lots of attractions and things to do in Rio de Janeiro but some of my favorite ones include a visit to the look-out points of Corcovado Hill and Sugar Loaf Mountain to get amazing views of Rio’s downtown area, the favelas and Copacabana beach.

People-watching and enjoying the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema are also a popular thing to do.

If you enjoy walking tours, downtown Rio boasts many neighborhoods such as Flamengo and Botafogo where you’ll find many restaurants and museum such as the National Museum of Arts and the Carmen Miranda Museum.

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Belize (Central America) is perhaps most famously known for its stunningly crystal clear waters and sandy beaches, as well as Maya archeological sites.

Belize top Tourist Sites

However, if you’re an outdoors enthusiast and nature lover, you’d be glad to hear that Belize also boasts underwater caves that you can explore, and three reserves and a wildlife sanctuary where you can explore fauna and flora.

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If you’ve never been on a Belize vacation before, you’ll love everything that the country has to offer. The people are super friendly, the food is delicious and the vast amount of attractions will make a vacation in Belize a memorable one.

Here it is a list of some of the top places to visit in Belize that you may add to your itinerary:

Caye Caulker

Caye Caulker is one of the top places to visit in Belize, especially if you’re traveling to Belize to enjoy snorkeling and scuba diving tours.

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The sandy beaches are stunning and the crystal clear waters filled with coral are just ideal to enjoy a bit of snorkeling on the side.

Caye Caulker is the nearest island to mainland Belize and can be reached by plane. However, if you’re on a budget and want to soak in the views, I’d suggest hopping on a fast boat, and it’d only take 45 minutes.

Ambergris Caye

Ambergris Caye is Belize’s largest island, located further north from Caye Caulker.

Ambergris Caye also boasts amazing beaches but what makes Ambergris Caye one of the top places to visit in Belize it’s the majestic Belize Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world.

You can reach Ambergris Caye from Belize City by plane (through Tropicana Air), and fast boat taxi service, though it takes around 90 minutes.

Things to do in Ambergris Caye include enjoying snorkeling tours at Hol Chan marine reserve, exploring the national parks and visiting the Maya archeological sites.

Xunantunich Site

Xunantunich is one of the four main Maya archeological sites in mainland Belize, and also one of the furthest from Belize City.

Xunantunich is located close to the Guatemala border, near the town of San Ignacio, and it is home to the second biggest Mayan temple-pyramid in Belize –El Castillo.

Caracol Site

If you’re planning on visiting the Xunantunich Maya site, the Caracol Maya site is just nearby Xunantunich Site, so you may want to plan for a visit here as well.

The Caracol site boasts the tallest Maya step-pyramid in Belize – El Caracol - as well as an interesting open-air museum displaying Mayan artifacts.

Altun Ha Site

The Altun Ha ancient Maya site is also one of the top places to visit in Belize because of the extensive Mayan ruins found here.

The site boasts large temple-pyramids such as the Temple of the Masonry Altars which is an excellent vantage point for overlooking of the Site.

Altun Ha Maya Ruins are also the most accessible in the country since they are located in the heart of Belize City.

Lamanai Site

Lamanai Site (pictured) is another important Maya Sites in Belize, though only accessible with an organized tour due its location along the river.

Lamanai Site is located northwest of Belize City and it’s one of the most amazing Maya Sites in Belize because of the intricately-detailed stone carvings found on the temples.

If you do plan on visiting the Lamanai Site, or any other Maya Sites in Belize for that matter, I’d suggest booking in advance or as soon as you arrive in Belize.

You can reach the Lamanai Site by plane, though you have to land first at San Jose Palmar airstrip, and then taking a connecting bus.

Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary

The Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the top places to visit in Belize, and if like me, you enjoy wildlife spotting and getting up close with nature, you’ll love this attraction.

You can hike the trails by yourself, though you can hire a local guide at the sanctuary’s visitor center who will also take you on a boat tour on the park’s lagoons.

If you’re not using car rental, there is a bus from Belize City that runs directly to the sanctuary, if you're wondering how to get there.

However, if you book a Crooked Tree eco-tour in Belize City, your transportation and meals will also be covered, so it’s worth thinking about this option also.

Hopkins

A visit to Belize wouldn’t be complete without spending a few nights at one of the local villages to soak some culture.

For instance, the fishing village of Hopkins, which is on my list of top places to visit in Belize because it offers a great opportunity to soak in the real Belize.

In Hopkins village, you’ll be able to see traditional Belizean way of living, and you’ll be able to purchase very affordable hand-made goods such as bags and baskets.

Hopkins village is a fair long shot from Belize City (around 2 hours by bus), which is why I recommend spending a couple of nights in the village.

There isn’t a direct bus from Belize City to Hopkins village, so you’ll have to take a connecting bus from the town of Dangria.

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