Best Things To See And Do In Rio De Janeiro This Spring

For those leaving spring behind to visit Brazil it’s important to note that it is, of course, autumn in Rio, which brings a mix of hot and cooler days. Despite the unpredictable weather, it’s a wonderful time to visit Rio, thanks to an array of seasonal events and a host of experiences that are best enjoyed in the cooler temperatures.

Comida di Buteco

A typical Brazilian custom is to end the day at a boteco (Brazilian bar) and sip on cold beers accompanied by various snacks. This tradition is such a significant part of the cultural fabric that a competition between the botecos – known as Comida di Buteco – has been running for the last 17 years. This year brings the 18th edition and ignites the competitive spirit among local bars who each produce their best boteco snack to impress the panel of judges. Rio has 20 competing botecos and this is one of the best times of the year to try the most delicious boteco food around, ranging from traditional pastels to complex dishes of seafood and other interesting ingredients.

1th April – 14th May

Paraty Yoga Festival offers a four-day yoga retreat with various related activities that will certainly appeal to yoga lovers or those curious to test the waters. The idyllic setting of the colonial town of Paraty provides a serene environment that complements the purpose of the event perfectly. For four days, there will be yoga sessions, meditation, music, dance, seminars, and energetic therapies. Stalls will sell locally-produced items including organic and homemade products, and freshly squeezed juices.

25th – 28th May

Wine-tasting

The cooler weather provides the perfect opportunity to try some of Brazil’s finest wines. Brazilian wine is often overlooked as the majority of people lean towards the classic Italian or French beverages, or the new world wines. However, some of Brazil’s vineyards are producing quality produce that defy the nation’s unfavourable reputation for wine. Head to Canastra in Ipanema that sells only Brazilian wine and has a superb selection of red, white, rose and sparkling options, or Winehouse in Botafogo where they are building up a solid menu of accomplished Brazilian wines.

Canastra Bar Edifício Paranoá – R. Jangadeiros, 42 – G – Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22420-010

Wine House R. Paulo Barreto, 25 – Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22280-010

All spring

Bourbon Festival

The Bourbon Festival takes place in sleepy Paraty – yet for three days, the town becomes a bustling hub of jazz, blues, R&B and soul music. Now in its 9th year, the whole town transforms into a venue for a variety of shows, food trucks and bars open throughout the night as it welcomes an expected 150,000 visitors for the weekend.

June 9th – June 11th

Festa Junina

The Festa Junina celebrates the approaching winter and the harvest period throughout June, an annual tradition that has taken place since the first Portuguese settlers came to Brazil. The festival, in particular, celebrates three important figures – Saint Anthony, Saint John the Baptista, and Saint Peter. During the celebrations, people typically wear checkered shirts, straw hats, and girls may paint freckles on their cheeks, and important festivities such as dancing, eating hearty, countryside food, and drinking mulled cachaca take place throughout the city.

June 13th – June 29th

Rio de Janeiro Marathon

The Rio de Janeiro marathon provides an opportunity to test your stamina and endurance in one of the world’s most beautiful running routes. The course follows the coastline and passes iconic landmarks such as Copacabana beach and the Sugarloaf mountain. There are three race options – 6km, 21km (half marathon), or 42km (the full marathon).

18th June

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.