Vacation Apartment in Rio De Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is a region where you can plan coast, islands, city and mountains in the same trip. For families, the holiday base here has a strong influence on the daily rhythm: more water and excursions, more sights and short distances, or quieter days in the Serra?

Panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro with Copacabana Beach, Morro da Urca, and Christ the Redeemer seen from Sugarloaf Mountain.
Sugarloaf Mountain overlooking Copacabana Beach and Rio de Janeiro. Photo: Arian Zwegers from Brussels, Belgium · Commons file · CC BY 2.0

If you want to see the bigger picture, start with Accommodation in Brazil; there, Rio de Janeiro is placed as a separate choice between coast, city and inland.

Quick facts about Rio de Janeiro

  • Regional variety: Rio de Janeiro combines coast, islands, city and mountains.
  • Practical city base: In Rio de Janeiro, the Zona Sul is especially practical for many visitors.
  • Local flavour: Feijoada and caipirinha are among the region’s distinctive names.
  • Choosing a base by trip type: Comparing beach, island, city and mountain options helps with the decision.

Which holiday base suits Rio de Janeiro?

For families, the main thing here is the right mix of beach, city and peace and quiet. The region can be read well by coast, islands, city and mountains, and that is exactly what helps when choosing the right base.

Coast, beaches and islands

Angra Dos Reis is the closest fit for a water- and excursion-focused base. If water, beach days and outings set the tone, the coast is the obvious direction.

This choice includes Armação Dos Búzios, Arraial Do Cabo, Cabo Frio, Ilha Grande, Mangaratiba, Parati, Rio Das Ostras, São Pedro Da Aldeia, Saquarema, Tamoios, Tarituba, Trindade and Vila Do Abraão.

City and bay bases

In Rio de Janeiro, the Zona Sul is considered a practical base for many visitors, with easy access to both beaches and sights. Rio De Janeiro and Niterói expand the city-based selection as further points of comparison.

Copacabana Beach with the neighboring city skyline in Rio de Janeiro.
Copacabana Beach, one of Rio de Janeiro’s best-known beachfront areas. Photo: David Berkowitz from New York, NY, USA · Commons file · CC BY 2.0

Other urban bases include Belford Roxo, Duque De Caxias, Itaboraí, Itaguaí, Magé, Mesquita, Nova Iguaçu, Queimados, São Gonçalo and São João De Meriti.

Serra, mountains and inland

Cachoeiras De Macacu belongs to this quieter Serra side of the region. If you are looking for less bustle and a slower rhythm, the Serra is the quieter counterpart to the coast and the big city.

Greener inland locations include Guapimirim, Itatiaia, Nova Friburgo, Petrópolis, Resende, Teresópolis and Volta Redonda.

Food and local atmosphere

Rio de Janeiro can also be experienced through taste: feijoada and caipirinha are distinctive names that make the stay feel more concrete at once. Anyone who includes food and culture in the day’s plan gets a very everyday way into the region, alongside beach and city.

A plate of feijoada served in a restaurant.
Feijoada, a classic Brazilian dish enjoyed in Rio de Janeiro. Photo: Alex Rio Brazil · Public domain — Public domain

More places in Rio de Janeiro

Abadia, Araruama, Areal, Banquete, Barra Do Piraí, Barra Mansa, Barra Mansa, Boa Vida, Bom Jardim, Campos Dos Goytacazes, Cantagalo, Carapebus, Cardoso Moreira, Carmo, Carmo, Casimiro De Abreu, Conceição de Macabu, Cordeiro, Engenheiro Paulo De Frontin, Frade, Guandu, Guriri, Iguaba Grande, Ipiabas, Iriri, Itabapoana, Japeri, Lumiar, Macaé, Macuco, Manguinhos, Maricá, Mendes, Mendes, Miguel Pereira, Morro Azul, Natividade, Paquequer Pequeno, Paracambi, Paraíba do Sul, Paraíba Do Sul, Paty Do Alferes, Penedo, Ponte Coberta, Porto Real, Quatis, Resende, Rio Bonito, Rio Claro, Rio Das Flores, Sacra Família Do Tinguá, Sana, Santa Maria Madalena, Santo Antônio de Pádua, Santo Antônio do Imbé, São Fidélis, São João Da Barra, São Pedro De Nova Friburgo, Sapucaia, Silva Jardim, Sumidouro, Tanguá, Trajano de Morais, Valença, Valença and Vassouras.

For family planning, the basic question remains the same: should the base be by the coast, in the city, or in the Serra area?

Frequently asked questions about Rio de Janeiro

Is Rio de Janeiro more of a beach, city, or nature destination?

Rio de Janeiro combines coast, islands, city and mountains. It is precisely this mix that makes the region so varied.

Which base is best for families in Rio de Janeiro?

That depends on the daily rhythm: near the city for short distances and sights, near the coast for water and islands, or in the Serra for quieter days.

Which typical dishes should you try in Rio?

Feijoada is one of the region’s distinctive local dishes, and caipirinha is a typical drink.

What is especially practical about the city of Rio de Janeiro as a family base?

In Rio de Janeiro, the Zona Sul is considered a practical base for many visitors, with easy access to both beaches and sights.