Ships dock at the main cruise ship terminal Pier Maua located close to downtown Rio de Janeiro. It is approximately a 20-minute taxi ride to Copacabana. It is not recommended to hang around the area close to the port! Not very safe.

Currently passengers are processed in warehouses 1, 2 and 3. That is set to change as well as plans are on the table to turn those buildings into an event area with shops and restaurants by the 2013/2014 season. Warehouses 4, 5 and 6 would take over passenger processing.

Printable map to take along.

Cruise calendar for this port.

Check here for festivals and events in Rio de Janeiro when you are in port.

Please note: To enter Brazil, U.S. travelers must have visas, which cost $160. The fees are much less for other nationalities. Most European citizens do not need a visa.

Watch a destination video.

A sight that every visitor to Rio de Janeiro should not miss is Corcavado. The statue of Jesus Christ was constructed by the Catholic Church and sits some 2,200 feet above sea level and can be seen from just about every vantage point throughout the city. If you want to you can visit the monument (just take a taxi), but it can be very crowded.

Pão de Açúcar - the Sugar Loaf mountains (one taller, the other shorter), Brazil's top landmark, with an aerial tramway to the top; unmissable. A ticket up is R$ 35. The buses number 591 and 592 and the subway buses bring you to the base station.

Beaches such as Copacabana and Ipanema are a must, you will never forget it.

The central part of Rio de Janeiro where the major sights are located is very walkable. Taxis are also readily available. While Rio has an excellent public transportation system (buses and metro), it can be difficult to figure out. The metro extends along Copacabana beach and includes Ipanema.

First time visitors might want to opt for an organized tour.

Plans are underway to start a hop on/off service.

It pays to compare your cruise line shore excursions here.

The streets of Copacabana and Ipanema Beach are lined with stores. It is in general safe to walk around in these two areas and if you use common sense. Other areas of Rio are often not so safe.

Brazilian Real

Currency Converter

Portuguese spoken.

There are many internet cafes around the city, especially around Copacabana and Ipanema.

Basic hours for most stores and businesses are from 9am to 6pm, with an extended lunch hour from around noon to 2pm.

Many museums are closed on monday.

National holidays:

January 1
Carnival - the five days leading up to Ash Wednesday
Good Friday
April 21 - Remembrance of Tiradentes
May 1 - Labour Day
Corpus Christi
September 7 - Independence Day
October 12 - Nossa Senhora Aparecida
November 2 - Dia dos Finados (the Day of the Dead)
November 15 - Proclamation of the Republic
December 2

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