5 Best Cultural Experiences to Do in Rio de Janeiro
Last Updated: August 14, 2023
When you’re visiting Rio de Janeiro, you may be wondering the best ways to experience the culture of Brazil. After you’ve gone to the top sites like Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer, it can be difficult to know where to start to get a true cultural experience in Rio. After spending several weeks in Rio, we got the opportunity to explore some of the cultural hidden gems of Rio, and we curated that list for you. Here are some of the top cultural experiences in Rio to really get to know Brazil!
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1. National History Museum
If you’re a history buff, or just a traveler who wants to be in the know of the things you’re experiencing and the sites you’re seeing, you’ll enjoy the National Historical Museum. It’s impressively large, and you can spend over 4 hours here if you wanted. We came on a rainy day and took our time learning about the history of Portuguese Colonization, African enslavement, and the blends of culture that make Brazil, Brazil. Conveniently, the museum had a bag and coat check, so we didn’t have haul our wet coats around all afternoon.
2. Municipal Theater of Rio de Janeiro
Other travel sites will tell you how to walk around the theater district to take photos, but we recommend you genuinely do as the locals do and go see a show! Don’t let language be a barrier. That’s the beauty of the arts – they transcend language. Depending on the season, the Municipal Theater is home to ballets, symphonies, and various other shows. Many shows are purely instrumental, which don’t require you to understand Portuguese. And beyond instrumental shows, they often do familiar classics that you may be able to follow even if they’re speaking Portuguese.
We went to the Municipal Theater and watched a professionally choreographed play with award-winning ballerinas and an incredible orchestra. Plus, you get to see the interior of the theater, as well as score first row seats if you’d like. We don’t usually do this in the US, but tickets are significantly cheaper when you convert from US dollars. Here, a first row seat might be a once in a lifetime opportunity, where you can enjoy the rawness of seeing the sweat running down an actor’s chin or the intricate ruffles of a ballerina’s skirt.
3. Maracanã Soccer Match
Did you know Brazil has won the most World Cups ever? The country prides itself on being the best, because frankly, they are! So if you want to see what all the fuss is about, we recommend doing more than just a tour of Maracanã Stadium (home to the Rio Olympics). Instead, buy a ticket for a soccer match! 
Perhaps you’re not a huge soccer or sports fan, but do it for the snacks and people watching. Brazilians have anthems and songs that they WILL sing for the ENTIRETY of a game. You’ll learn to sing along, we promise.
We got to see the home team, Fluminense versus Avaí in the playoffs for the Campeonato Brasileiro (Brazilian Championship). And if you want our seats, ask for ‘Leste Inferior.’ Though the word inferior is in the name, we promise it’s a good thing!
If you’re worried about not being able to secure ticket, you could also buy in advance and go with a local guide who may offer historical and contextual perspectives along the way!
4. Fort Copacabana
Fort Copacabana was built in the early 1900’s as a military base at the south end of Copacabana beach. For the history buffs out there, you’ll enjoy stopping at the historical museum, but many come here to enjoy the sunset perfectly disappearing into the mountains.
Plus, you can enjoy a coffee or hot chocolate at the Cafe 18 Do Forte. We spent about 1.5 hours here, and it was a nice relaxing time for less than $1 US Dollar to enter (6 Brazilian Reals).
5. Bank of Brazil Cultural Center
If you’re looking for an affordable activity in Rio, the Cultural Center is your best bet, because all of the exhibitions are free. You can either get your ticket at the ticket booth in person, which is what we did, or you can plan ahead and get it online. They also have seasonal theater performances and movie screenings for about $5 a person. Just make sure you eat before/after visiting because food is not allowed.
If you’re also looking for a remote working space in Rio, the Cultural Center does have a well lit room with tables, desks, and outlets where you’ll see people working for the day. People come in and out, so you’ll feel like you have the hub and energy of an in-office setting.
Lastly, we’ve referenced our love for the Confeitaria Colombo before, and the Cultural Center just so happens to have another, smaller location on its upper floor!
Looking for more experiences in Rio de Janeiro off the beaten path? Check out these unique experiences in Rio as you plan your trip.