For years, I dreamed of visiting Rio de Janeiro. I needed to lounge on the world-famous Copacabana Seaside, see the Christ the Redeemer statue, eat Brazilian meals, and a lot extra, however yearly I’d say one thing like “Effectively, I’ll get there at some point… possibly subsequent 12 months!” However then the subsequent 12 months would come and I nonetheless wouldn’t have any plans to go to Rio. Nevertheless, I lastly determined to make 2024 the 12 months that I visited Rio de Janeiro and I’m SO extremely completely satisfied that I did! I’ve visited some wonderful cities all through South America, together with Buenos Aires, Quito, Bogota, and Santiago to call a number of, however nowhere can evaluate to the power of Rio.
In March 2024, my mother, our pal Kayla, and I packed our luggage and headed to Rio de Janeiro on a nonstop flight from Atlanta. Within the months main as much as our journey, I communicated extensively with the great workforce behind Rio Accessible Tour to plan the right journey. From reserving the perfect-for-me lodge to planning enjoyable actions and arranging wheelchair accessible transportation, Rio Accessible Tour did an outstanding job and our journey was really flawless from begin to end.
Over the course of eight days, we had the journey of our desires and had been capable of get pleasure from the very best wheelchair accessible Rio de Janeiro sights with ease. On this accessible journey information, I’ll begin by telling you all concerning the biggest issues to do in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as a wheelchair person, after which I’ll inform you concerning the improbable lodge we stayed in. By the point you end studying this information, I’ve little doubt that you simply’ll be itching to plan your individual accessible journey to this nice South American metropolis!
Wheelchair Accessible Rio de Janeiro Points of interest & Issues to Do
There are such a lot of spectacular issues to do in Rio de Janeiro and you possibly can most likely spend weeks and even months exploring town, however we had been capable of cowl plenty of floor in eight days. I found that Rio is formally one in every of my favourite cities on this planet, and the ten wheelchair accessible Rio de Janeiro sights and actions that I point out under are a part of the rationale why. Listed here are among the greatest issues to do in Rio as a wheelchair person –
See Christ the Redeemer up-close
As one of the vital well-known landmarks on this planet and the image of Brazil, it’s not possible to go to Rio de Janeiro with out seeing the Christ the Redeemer statue. And I do imply that actually as a result of it’s seen from all around the metropolis. Christ the Redeemer stands on the high of Corcovado Mountain and the statue itself is a whopping 98 ft tall!
When you can see Christ the Redeemer from all around the metropolis, I actually needed to get up-close and private with the statue throughout my journey. It’s fairly a journey to get to Christ the Redeemer, particularly as a wheelchair person, but it surely’s effectively price it. I did this on the primary full day of my time in Rio and it was a magical begin to the journey!
To get to Christ the Redeemer, you first have to make your method to the highest of Corcovado Mountain. You are able to do this a number of alternative ways, however the best choice for wheelchair customers is the Corcovado Prepare. The prepare is wheelchair accessible because of a conveyable ramp that the prepare station offers, so I used to be capable of simply get onboard in my powered wheelchair. Throughout the 20 minute prepare trip to the highest, you’ll undergo Tijuca Nationwide Park, which is gorgeous.
As soon as I reached the highest of the mountain, I exited the prepare and rolled a brief distance to an escalator. Sadly, there isn’t an elevator to achieve Christ the Redeemer. You truly must take two completely different escalators, which I used to be undoubtedly nervous about, however I used to be determined to make it to the statue. In spite of everything, I didn’t journey all the way in which to Rio de Janeiro to let an escalator maintain me again!
Fortunately, a guide wheelchair was out there to make use of, so I transferred from my powered wheelchair to the guide wheelchair that they offered. My mother and Kayla transferred me with my ableSling Lite and it labored like a allure. As soon as I used to be within the guide wheelchair, a pair workers members bought me on the escalator and up we went. It was definitely a bit nerve-wracking, but it surely went a lot smoother than I anticipated. The guide wheelchair dealt with the 2 escalators with ease, fortunately.
After the marginally scary, however simple trip on the escalators, we reached the bottom of the Christ the Redeemer statue and it was a lot bigger than I anticipated. I used to be instantly in awe of how huge it was. The arms on the statue are 92 ft large from fingertip to fingertip, and the statue is 98 ft tall. I couldn’t consider that I used to be lastly right here and searching on the statue in-person.
Normally, you may see all of Rio de Janeiro from right here, but it surely was fairly foggy on the morning that we visited, so we didn’t have a lot of a metropolis view. However I used to be simply completely satisfied that we might see Christ the Redeemer and regardless of it being foggy, we managed to get many photographs with the statue and our information from Rio Accessible Tour, Ursula, did a improbable job of explaining the historical past of Christ the Redeemer.
We stayed on the statue, and took about 1,000,000 photographs, for 45 minutes or so after which it was time to go again down the escalators. Once more, the workers members assisted your complete time and it was a easy course of. For those who go to Rio as a wheelchair person and wish to see Christ the Redeemer, it’s completely attainable if you happen to’re keen to have a little bit of an journey.
Go to the highest of Sugarloaf Mountain
At practically 1,300 ft tall, Sugarloaf Mountain is among the greatest locations to soak up the views of Rio de Janeiro. Whereas it was too foggy to see the views at Christ the Redeemer for us, we had wonderful climate throughout our Sugarloaf Mountain tour, so I used to be tremendous excited to see the wonderful views from right here!
Wheelchair accessibility at Sugarloaf Mountain is great and you’ll not have to switch out of your individual wheelchair or trip an escalator to get to the highest. As a substitute, you’ll take a pair completely different cable vehicles to the highest and they’re fully wheelchair accessible. The cable vehicles have ramps that bridge the hole between the station platform and the cable automotive, so it was a seamless course of for me to get on the cable vehicles.
With the primary cable automotive, you’ll attain Urca Hill, a midway level between the bottom station and Sugarloaf Mountain. Urca Hill has a wide range of outlets and eateries, and also you’ll wish to spend a while having fun with Urca Hill’s choices and unimaginable views. We grabbed some lunch at Urca Hill from a sandwich store and even noticed some monkeys whereas we had been consuming.
After a tasty lunch and a few buying, we hopped on the subsequent cable automotive and went to Sugarloaf Mountain. On all the cable vehicles, I used to be impressed by how a lot house there was inside them and the way accessible they had been. The cable automotive rides had been pretty fast and as soon as we reached Sugarloaf Mountain, I used to be excited to test it out.
From Sugarloaf Mountain, we might see all of Rio de Janeiro. There have been mesmerizing views of Copacabana Seaside, town, and we might even see Christ the Redeemer within the distance. Indubitably, these had been among the greatest views I’ve ever seen and I used to be simply in awe your complete time.
There have been elevators and ramps out there at Sugarloaf Mountain, so I used to be capable of attain the assorted viewpoints. It doesn’t matter what your skills are, visiting Sugarloaf Mountain is a must-visit whereas in Rio de Janeiro. Plan a minimum of 3-4 hours to expertise all of it.
Tour the well-known Maracana Stadium
In Brazil, soccer (or soccer, as they name it) is a lifestyle and an enormous a part of Brazilian tradition. I’m probably not a soccer fan, however whereas in Brazil, I needed to embrace the game and be taught extra about it, and the most effective methods to do this was by touring Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
Maracana Stadium is the most important soccer stadium in Brazil, and was the most important one on this planet for a very long time. Actually, I wasn’t extremely enthusiastic about touring the stadium since I’m not the largest soccer fan, but it surely truly surpassed my expectations and was a very nice tour. I realized a lot about soccer and the historical past of it in Brazil.
The tour is predominantly self-guided and in the course of the tour, we had been capable of see the locker rooms, the gamers’ warm-up room, the press convention space, and we even went on the sector. Whereas on the sector, we loved some picture ops, in fact, and it was actually cool to go searching and picture what it could be prefer to have hundreds and hundreds of followers cheering for you from the stands.
Our whole tour at Maracana Stadium was wheelchair accessible and the workers members had been completely satisfied to point out us the place the accessible restrooms had been. They had been very accommodating and whether or not you’re a giant soccer fan or not, I’d recommend doing this tour. I’m certain you’ll acquire a higher appreciation for the game and notice its significance in Brazilian life.
Attend a soccer recreation
Touring Maracana Stadium was good, however nothing might’ve ready me for the expertise of attending a soccer recreation in Brazil. We had the possibility to observe a soccer recreation at Maracana Stadium between two of Rio’s greatest groups, Flamengo and Fluminense, and it was undoubtedly a spotlight of our journey.
Rio Accessible Tour organized our wheelchair accessible tickets for the sport and our information, Ursula, attended the sport with us. Ursula is a superfan of Fluminense, so all of us determined to put on Fluminense attire and cheer on the workforce. Flamengo ended up successful the sport, however we had the very best time watching the sport for a number of hours.
The power inside Maracana Stadium was in contrast to something I’ve ever seen. Individuals had been cheering nonstop, fireworks had been being set off from contained in the stadium (from folks’s seats), everybody was singing and dancing, kids had been screaming and cursing (I even noticed a younger 5 or 6 12 months previous child put his center finger within the air at one level when the opposite workforce scored)… it was wild, to say the least, however in the very best/most entertaining method.
You really haven’t skilled Brazil till you’ve skilled a soccer recreation, and I used to be thrilled that we had been capable of attend whereas in Rio de Janeiro. I didn’t see very many non-locals on the recreation, so I cherished that we had such an genuine expertise with locals.
Get pleasure from a seashore day on Copacabana Seaside
Earlier than visiting Rio de Janeiro, I hadn’t been within the ocean in over eight years. Getting within the water often isn’t a straightforward course of for me as a wheelchair person, however I used to be excited once I heard concerning the group Praia para Todos in Brazil.
Praia para Todos means “Seaside for all” and this group is set to get anybody on the seashore and within the water. Each Saturday and Sunday from about September till early Could, they arrange on Copacabana Seaside and make it accessible. They’ve an entry mat, seashore wheelchairs, and a workforce of volunteers on-hand to supply help to these with disabilities.
Upon arriving to the Praia para Todos tent on Copacabana Seaside, their workforce helped switch me from my powered wheelchair to an amphibious seashore wheelchair. As soon as I used to be sitting within the seashore wheelchair, they helped me get comfy with pool noodles and different gadgets to maintain me secure within the chair. They had been actually modern and did a exceptional job of constructing me comfy and protected.
Then, a number of of the volunteers rolled me towards the water and for the primary time in over eight years, I used to be capable of really feel the water of the Atlantic Ocean. They stayed with me all through my time within the ocean and it was such a enjoyable expertise. I stayed within the water for some time after which simply relaxed on the sand for about an hour and soaked up the solar.
Praia para Todos is doing wonderful work in Brazil and I’m actually grateful to them for giving me such an excellent seashore expertise. If you may be in Rio de Janeiro in the course of the summer time season (roughly September-early Could), plan an accessible seashore day for your self and revel in a while on the world-famous Copacabana Seaside!
Learn to cook dinner Brazilian meals
One in every of my favourite issues to do in any nation I go to is a cooking class. It’s a bizarre selection contemplating the truth that I can’t even actually cook dinner, however I all the time say that if I wasn’t a journey blogger (and disabled) I’d could be a chef. I like attempting new meals and studying about fashionable meals in numerous locations. Whereas in Rio de Janeiro, we had an opportunity to get pleasure from a cooking class and check out among the nation’s hottest cuisines.
Over the course of a pair hours, we tried a wide range of Brazilian meals, together with cheese bread, tapioca pancakes, fried cassava root, Picanha steak with banana farofa and rice, and we had brigadeiro (little chocolate fudge balls which might be DELICIOUS!) for dessert. I appreciated every part that I attempted, apart from the farofa, and completely cherished attempting so lots of Brazil’s greatest meals in a single place.
Chef Flavio Jandorno truly had this cooking class for us in his own residence, so it was an extremely distinctive expertise and so particular. It was organized by Rio Accessible Tour and by far, this was the very best cooking class I’ve ever attended. I’ve by no means achieved a cooking class in a chef’s house till this, but it surely definitely made it extra particular and I’m grateful that Chef Jandorno invited us into his house for this.
For those who’re a foodie, or if you happen to simply wish to strive some scrumptious Brazilian meals, I’d extremely advocate doing a cooking class with Chef Jandorno whereas in Rio. My mother, Kayla, and I all agreed on the finish of our journey that it was one in every of our favourite wheelchair accessible Rio de Janeiro actions that we loved.
Roll across the lovely botanical gardens
I’m all the time excited to go to a botanical backyard in any vacation spot, however after touring round Rio for a number of days, I knew their tropical gardens could be spectacular. And after visiting, I’m completely satisfied to say that I couldn’t have been extra proper! As quickly as we drove as much as the doorway, I might inform this place was going to be particular.
The Rio de Janeiro Botanical Backyard is legendary for the fantastic thing about its landscapes. Moreover being full with lush and tropical vegetation from Brazil, it additionally showcases vegetation from all around the world and it’s full of stoic monuments, beautiful buildings, and paintings. There are round 7,000 species of vegetation right here that span throughout a 350-acre website. I additionally love the truth that there are areas across the gardens which you could get an important view of the Christ the Redeemer statue.
All through the botanical gardens, I used to be capable of roll in my powered wheelchair pretty simply. There have been pathways for everybody to take that had been exhausting packed grime and included the tiniest of pebbles. I had some points with solely a pair spots being slightly uneven and bumpy. It undoubtedly wasn’t unhealthy sufficient to discourage me from persevering with to discover all that I might see. The gardens are so lovely and I cherished each minute of my go to.
One in every of my favourite areas was the 2 800-yard lengthy rows of towering palm bushes. This is among the most photographed areas of the park, so that you don’t wish to miss this! Rolling by way of the center of those hovering palm bushes was a spotlight of the day and made me really admire all the magnificence that encompasses Rio de Janeiro.
The Botanical Backyard is open each day of the 12 months besides December twenty fifth and January 1st. It’s the good spot to get away from the bustling metropolis and wander by way of nature. I discovered it very stress-free and satisfying, and if you happen to’re fortunate, you could even get to see some monkeys taking part in excessive up within the bushes throughout your go to.
Admire the majestic Taunay Waterfall
Do you know that Rio de Janeiro is the one metropolis on this planet that has a rainforest inside its metropolis limits? Neither did I, till my latest go to. This part of rainforest is called Tijuca Nationwide Park. Right here, you will discover not solely a tropical oasis, but additionally some beautiful cascading waterfalls. Situated within the Tijuca Forest, Taunay Waterfall is the most important within the park and undoubtedly the most well-liked spot to go to.
The trip from the park entrance to Taunay Waterfall is bumpy and curvy, not even kidding. Since I’ve a neuromuscular illness with low muscle tone, I had to make use of a head restraint connected to my headrest simply to assist my head to remain upright. However as soon as our tour van pulled in to the world of the well-known Taunay Waterfall, I forgot concerning the journey and was able to discover.
The car parking zone at Taunay is paved and there’s additionally a paved path that results in the right viewing spot. Right here, I realized that Taunay Waterfall was named for a French painter who as soon as owned land across the falls, and it’s 114 ft lengthy and the tallest waterfall within the park. It’s breathtaking to take a seat within the accessible picket platform viewing space and watch because the cascading stream of water rushes by.
It could be a good suggestion, particularly if mosquitoes love you as a lot as they love me, to spray your self with mosquito repellent previous to rolling towards the falls. Bear in mind, that is the rainforest and mosquitoes thrive in a moist place.
Store on the Ipanema Hippie Market
I like visiting markets once I journey to a brand new place. That is the place I can get a real feeling of the tradition, the types, and tastes, and likewise meet the native folks of the vacation spot. As quickly as I heard there was an area market in Rio de Janeiro, I instantly mentioned, “Let’s go!”
Open each Sunday from 8am to 6pm, the Ipanema Hippie Market is positioned in an space that was referred to as a hippie hangout within the Nineteen Sixties. On the night that I visited, the Ipanema Hippie Market was completely full of each buyers and distributors. I couldn’t wait to go searching and see what souvenirs, together with arts and crafts and handmade native gadgets, that I might discover.
The pathways right here between the road distributors had been simple for my powered wheelchair to maneuver. I had no points in any respect visiting the cubicles and seeing all of the stuff that had been made in Brazil. I noticed among the most beautiful Brazilian work showcasing landmarks across the metropolis, rope woven parrots and animals, which my mother couldn’t resist, and handcrafted jewellery, t-shirts, trinkets, and a lot extra. The environment was very chill and relaxed, and I actually loved speaking with the native distributors, as they had been all genuinely pleasant and good.
When visiting the Ipanema Hippie Market, bear in mind this isn’t a retail store. These are folks promoting their handcrafted gadgets that they’ve taken effort and time in making. It’s okay to haggle on the pricing a bit, however all the time be respectful and admire the hassle that the making of it entailed.
Dance like a Brazilian on the Ginga Tropical Present
For those who’re seeking to have an thrilling night, ensure that to go to the Ginga Tropical Present, positioned contained in the Teatro Vogue Mall. Working for over 10 years, this enthralling present presents tradition from all areas of Brazil, showcasing the completely different rhythms, dances, and clothes alongside the way in which. Elements of this dance spectacular had me on the sting of my wheelchair seat, clapping my palms, tapping my ft, and wanting extra!
I discovered the Teatro Vogue Mall to be simple to roll round in, as it’s all accessible with concrete, tiled flooring. There have been loads of outlets and eating places to spend the night exploring, however I used to be too anxious to get to the Ginga Tropical present. Situated on the second flooring of the mall, an elevator was out there to the theater entrance. This present runs each Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 9:15pm. Which will appear late, however by the point the present began and I noticed all the dancers up on that stage, I used to be conscious and didn’t wish to go away when it was over.
As soon as contained in the theater, a workers member fortunately led me to my wheelchair accessible seating space, which was good. I used to be parked in my wheelchair on the tip of a row close to the center of the theater. I might see your complete stage and was capable of sit beside my mother and Kayla.
Because the present started, the viewers first had the chance to be taught the Samba. Among the viewers members had been even invited to return up on stage and present everybody what they’d realized. Because the present continued on, the dancers captivated the viewers by even popping out into the group and persevering with the dance strikes. This present is so colourful and undoubtedly filled with power, because the dancers took us by way of tons of songs and dance strikes, all with a Brazilian theme.
The Ginga Tropical Present is a particular must-see when visiting Rio de Janeiro. Lasting an hour and 45 minutes, this present blew me away for your complete time and I’d completely go see it once more subsequent time I’m in Rio.
Watch my brief video under to see among the greatest wheelchair accessible Rio de Janeiro sights in motion –
The place to Keep: Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana
Whereas in Rio de Janeiro, we stayed on the lovely Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana. I’m not exaggerating once I say that that is one in every of my favourite resorts I’ve ever stayed in (in my high 5 for certain!).
The workers on the lodge had been tremendous pleasant, there have been a number of eating places on-site (together with a espresso/gelato store that I visited each single day of my journey), and the lodge was in an important location. It’s proper throughout from the well-known Copacabana Seaside and we might simply stroll/roll to varied wheelchair accessible Rio de Janeiro eating places within the space.
We stayed in an accessible ocean view junior suite and it was very spacious with AMAZING views (try my picture under!).
In our room, there was one king sized mattress and it had clearance beneath for a hoyer carry. It was additionally an important top for self-transferring into mattress at 21 inches tall. The mattress was truly too low for my wants although, so the workers kindly added a unique mattress to lift the mattress to about 25 inches, after which it was good for me.
Within the toilet, there have been 2 pull-under sinks, seize bars by the bathroom, and the most important roll-in bathe I’d ever seen. The bathe had easy entry, a fold-down seat, a handheld bathe wand, and seize bars. To be sincere, this was essentially the most accessible toilet I’ve seen in a looooong time and I fell head over heels in love with it.
For those who’ll be visiting Rio, the Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana is the place to remain! Be taught extra about it and e-book a keep of your individual by clicking right here.
We fell in love with town of Rio de Janeiro and already look ahead to returning at some point within the not too distant future. With so many wheelchair accessible Rio de Janeiro sights and issues to do, we undoubtedly noticed as a lot as we presumably might in eight days, however there’s all the time extra to get pleasure from on this magical vacation spot. For those who haven’t been to Rio, belief me once I say that it’s time to start out planning your journey!
.
.
