Hotels near Santos Dumont Airport - SDU, Rio de Janeiro

1) 3 nights Ihla Grande (reachable with Uber - around 50 euro one-way for 4 people + 50 euro ferry 1 way/4 pers) - Pousada Albatroz (highly recommended) 2) 5 nights Rio de Janeiro - NID Aigle 3 Suite (highly recommended) a) Para or hang gliding (expensive but so worth it) b) Christ Redeemer early morning (pending on the weather) c) Santa Teresa d) Ipanema + Copacabana e) Vidigal Favela tour + 2 brothers hike (both so great!!) f) Sugar Hut at night (fabulous views) 3) Have a different experience with a stay at the eco farm Eco Caminhos next to Nova Friburgo (5 nights): great programme where you can learn, experience the community life, discover the wonderful mountains/hikes.

Niteroi is about the same distance from the International Airport as the more famous South Zone (Copacabana. Ipanema). The Niteroi Palace Hotel is in town, walking distance from Shopping Centre and the 30 min relaxing ferry boats to Rio City Centre. Very Good nearby "home cooking by weight" lunch only restaurant - ask Desk for simple direction. Few central night-time restaurants, but there are some within (secure) taxi distance. Avoid sitting street side for snacks/coffee and not to attract attention to multiple hand/carry bags.

Cristo Redemptor & Sugar Loaf a must - breathtaking panoramic views. Queue's are unavoidable but use the hotel or affiliated excursion services - they are very helpful and gain better access. We visited everything we possibly could from Botanic garden to the Maracana & all are great memories (unfortunately). I would go back regularly if I could - the people and vibe are special. Just to add - not once did we feel unsafe or vulnerable.

Niteroi is different from Rio. Is not as touristy or big as Rio de Janeiro, but it preserves much of the good things Rio has. For instance, food can be very cheap or expensive and still you can be surprised with great flavours. The park of the city is a must to visit and see the landscape from the hill, the fortaleza is also worth visiting. From Niteroi you can go to Rio by boat in a one day or two-day trip. But also you can visit other beaches towards the ocean not as populated or touristy as copacabana or Ipanema. If you are looking for a place more quiet and less touristy than Rio de Janeiro, then Niteroi and San Francisco are going to be good choices. No metro or stadiums in Niteroi

Amazing Rio, what a great holiday. Beautiful people, stunning beaches !! So many trips to choose, Christ the redeemer and Sugar loaf mountain are a must, as is the jeep tour into the rain forest. Coconut water on the beach is truly delicious !!!

I love going to Sugar Mountain and Christ The Redeemer. The only problem was that I picked Easter weekend so the crowds were heavy and long lines even with tickets, So only saw at night. Next time we'll pick different dates and see it during the day. Was there with my daughter-in-law from Rio de Janeiro and my son so had many visits with friends, ate at many restaurants. Visiting and eating on the rooftop at Copacabana is also a big plus.