MORNING · 7–11AM

Dois Irmãos (Two Brothers) Hike – via Vidigal

The best view in the South Zone: Ipanema, Leblon, the Lagoon and Christ the Redeemer all at once. Take a moto-taxi from the Vidigal entrance (~R$10) up to Campinho, then it's ~1h of hiking. Moderate and free.

AFTERNOON

Leblon Beach

You come down from Vidigal right into Leblon — take advantage. Lunch at a beach kiosk, a swim, rest your legs.

LATE AFTERNOON

Sugarloaf Mountain at sunset

Cable car with views over Guanabara Bay. Go up with about 1h30 to spare before sunset to watch the city light up. Buy tickets online ahead of time.

9:30–12:30

Christ the Redeemer via the Parque Lage trail

Much better than the tourist train — about 2.5h of moderate climbing through the Tijuca Forest, starting in a beautiful historic garden. Bring water and have your Christ the Redeemer ticket already bought (the trail gets you to the base; access to the lookout itself is paid).

AFTERNOON

The Lagoon or Ipanema Beach

Coming down from Christ the Redeemer you land near the Botanical Garden / Lagoon. Late lunch, walk or bike around the Lagoon, then late afternoon on Ipanema Beach with a cold beer and snacks.

NIGHT · WRAP UP EARLY

Dinner in the South Zone

A boteco in Copacabana or Botafogo. Don't push it too late — Sandro has a 1h30 trip back to Padre Miguel and works Wednesday.

MIDDAY

Lunch at Rosa & Bruno's place

No rush to start — something light to eat, catching up, seeing their place. Take the metro to Glória or Cinelândia, then a tram or car up; Santa Teresa is a real hill, you don't walk up it.

AFTERNOON

Wander around Santa Teresa

Their neighborhood is the sightseeing: Largo dos Guimarães, the yellow tram, Parque das Ruínas (open city views, free entry) and Bar do Mineiro. Let them lead — they live there.

LATE AFTERNOON / NIGHT

Down the Selarón Steps into Lapa

The Selarón Steps connect Santa Teresa to Lapa on foot — it's the natural way down for anyone living up there. At the bottom: the Arcos, Rio Scenarium, and Carioca da Gema. Wednesday is a strong samba night in Lapa.

MORNING · BACK BY NOON

Pedra Bonita Hike

Short on purpose: 30–40 min of easy climbing, with a straight-on view of Pedra da Gávea and São Conrado. It's the hang-gliding launch ramp — you can tag along on a tandem flight if you want. Back with time to eat and shower.

NIGHT

Last Rio night – Lapa

Thursday has roots samba at Carioca da Gema. Go with the tattoo covered, in loose clothes, and go easy on alcohol for the first few hours — the skin is still open and Lapa is hot and packed.

MORNING · NO SUN

Shaded goodbye

With yesterday's tattoo, I swapped the beach for something covered: breakfast at Confeitaria Colombo downtown, the Museum of Tomorrow and MAR at Praça Mauá, or the Botanical Garden, which is almost entirely shaded. An early walk on the boardwalk also works, as long as you stay covered.

BY 7PM

Head to the airport

At least 3 hours ahead for an international flight, and Rio traffic on a Friday late afternoon is the worst of the week. Leave with real margin.