Cruises to and from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio de Janeiro cruises: where coast and culture collideRio de Janeiro cruises: where coast and culture collide
It’s nicknamed Cidade Maravilhosa – the Marvellous City – and a cruise to Rio de Janeiro soon shows why. A kaleidoscope of vibrant neighbourhoods spills down to stretches of white sand, while the granite peak of Sugarloaf Mountain rises in the bay and the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue surveys the scene from Mount Corcovado.
This is a place that knows how to throw a good party, at its liveliest when the legendary Rio Carnival sees sequined revellers parading the streets. But whenever you set sail on a Rio de Janeiro cruise, there’ll be plenty to entertain you, from soccer matches to samba schools.
Sip an ice-cold caipirinha and sway to the bossa nova beats on Copacabana beach or check out the surf spots and stylish boutiques of Ipanema.
When it comes to nature and culture, Rio has an embarrassment of riches. Its eclectic architecture sees colonial mansions vie with Art Deco apartments and modernist museums, while hiking trails weave up its green slopes and the sprawling Botanical Garden provides an oasis of palms, orchids and lily ponds.
Best Rio de Janeiro cruises
Cruises from Rio de Janeiro in 2024
As one of the world’s largest natural bays, there are few more spectacular places to set sail from. Dotted with lush islands and framed by lofty Sugarloaf Mountain and the Tijuca hills, this was the main hub for Portuguese traders in colonial times, shipping coffee and sugar back to the Old World. Today, Rio de Janeiro cruise port is your gateway to an unforgettable holiday.
Our cruises from Rio de Janeiro 2024-25 include voyages north to the Brazilian beach resort of Búzios, the luscious and architecturally rich coastal city of Ilhéus, and history-steeped city of Salvador. Or journey south, to the volcanic island of Ilhabela – a favourite playground for Paulistas. And it doesn’t end here. Another cruise from Rio de Janeiro sweeps down the Atlantic Coast to Uruguay’s Punta del Este and capital city Montevideo, as well as Buenos Aires, the sultry, flamenco-filled metropolis that might just steal your heart before the cruise circles back to Rio de Janeiro.
Discover the best of Brazil and beyond with cruises from Rio de Janeiro.
Cruises to Rio de Janeiro in 2024
Ready to immerse yourself in this fun-loving Brazilian city? A Rio de Janeiro cruise can take you from beach to verdant landscapes to fine dining in a single day. Catch some rays on the sandy, wave-lashed playgrounds of Copacabana Beach and Ipanema Beach – no doubt there’ll be lively rounds of beach volleyball underway – before ascending the mighty Corcovado for a close-up with the Christ the Redeemer statue.
Football fans should cruise to Rio de Janeiro to make a pilgrimage to Maracanã, the record-breaking 180,000-seat stadium where the atmosphere is second to none. Another spot that has seen some lively times is the Sambadrome. This gargantuan parade runway is the epicentre of Rio Carnival, designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer for samba schools to strut their stuff. Among the many green lungs in this urban forest, Tijuca National Park is perhaps the most epic – a biodiversity hotspot of waterfalls and caves within city limits.
All this and more awaits on a cruise to Rio de Janeiro.
Rio de Janeiro excursions: thrilling city sights await
Explore the beating heart of this electric city with MSC Cruises Rio de Janeiro shore excursions.
Our Rio de Janeiro tours can whisk you to the heights of Sugarloaf Mountain and Mount Corcovado, the breezy waterfront of Olympic Boulevard, or the mind-expanding exhibitions in the Museum of Tomorrow. After dark, sample Rio’s buzzing nightlife and observe glittering city lights from Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon.
Nature-lover, beach lounger, culture vulture – there’s an itinerary for all tastes. Led by knowledgeable local guides, our Rio de Janeiro excursions are the best way to get to know this vast, vibrant city.
Book before departure and save up to 20%.
How to reach Rio de Janeiro cruise terminal
Where do MSC Cruises’ ships dock in Rio de Janeiro?
MSC Cruises dock at Pier Mauá, Avenue Rodrigues Alves, 10 – Center/RJ. At the eastern edge of the city at Guanabara Bay, Pier Mauá is part of the Porto Maravilha (‘Marvellous Port’), a modern urban development that is home to several museums, an aquarium and lots of seasonal events.
How do I reach the car park at the Rio de Janeiro cruise port?
Coming from the west (São Paulo): Enter Rio on the BR116, merge onto the B101, continue on Avenida Brasil. Then take Avenida Rodrigues Alves before turning into Via Binário do Porto/R. Arlindo Rodrigues, continue on Avenida Venezuela, take a left on Praça Mauá, then a left on Avenida Rodrigues Alves and the cruise terminal is on your right.
Coming from the north (Galeão International Airport): Take Estrada do Galeão, then the Expressa Presidente João Goulart. Use the left lane to exit towards Centro/Copacabana. Merge on to Viaduto do Gasômetro. Keep right at the fork and follow signs for Tijuca/Tn. Rebouças/Centro/Maracanã. Take a slight left on to Via Binário do Porto. After the Rio Art Museum, take a left on Praça Mauá, a left on to Avenida Rodrigues Alves and the cruise terminal is on your right.
How do I get to the Rio de Janeiro cruise port from the train station?
Brazil Central Station (Central do Brasil) is located around three kilometres from the cruise terminal. There is a taxi stand outside the station and it is approximately a 10-minute ride to Pier Mauá. By bus, the journey takes around 15-20 minutes. To catch the bus, walk to 10 Avenida Presidente Vargas, take bus 7721D to 53 Rua Sacadura Cabral, from where it is around a four-minute walk to Pier Mauá.
How do I get from Rio de Janeiro Airport to the cruise port?
From Galeão-Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG), the cruise terminal is about 15 kilometres away, but it is wise to leave a lot of time for the journey, since traffic can cause delays. Taxis are available from the airport and the journey takes around 50 minutes, depending on traffic. To reach the cruise port by bus, take the airport bus number 2018 to Avenida Venezuela, from where it is only a short walk to the port. The bus journey takes approximately one hour and 15 minutes.
From Santos Dumont Airport (SDU): although the port is approximately five kilometres from this airport, make sure to leave adequate time for the journey, in case of heavy traffic. The taxi journey takes approximately 15 minutes. If using public transport, the journey takes around 20 minutes on the L1 metro (blue line) to Parada dos Museus, which is almost directly in front of Pier Mauá.
What is the weather like in Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro lies within a tropical climate, with warm temperatures all year and mostly sunny days. Because Brazil is in the Southern Hemisphere, summer falls between December and March while winter runs from June until August.
Between December and March, Rio is hot and can get humid (temperatures can reach 38°C), with a chance of quick bursts of rain. In the winter, temperatures can range from an average of 15°C to 25°C. Spring temperatures (September to November) range from approximately 20°C to 28°C, while autumn temperatures (March to May) are around 20°C to 30°C.
Is there a beach in Rio de Janeiro?
Rio is renowned worldwide for its beaches, particularly the two that hug the city’s southern corner. Famous Copacabana Beach is the most popular amongst both locals and tourists. Soak up the sun, watch waterfront games, buy drinks and snacks from beachside vendors and kiosks, and stroll the sprawling boardwalk, the Calçadão.
Fashionable Ipanema Beach is a little calmer and more upscale. The sandy stretches of Ipanema are divided into different ‘postos’ that each attract a different crowd. Arrive early on weekends if you want to secure a sunbathing spot. Then there’s gorgeous Tijuca Beach, located south-west of central Rio, but worth the trip out to make the most of its bustling, upmarket vibe and great waves for surfing.
What can I do in Rio de Janeiro in one day?
Get the lay of the land and incredible views at two of Rio’s most iconic sights. In Tijuca National Park, Mount Corcovado is topped by the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, which can be reached by a scenic train journey. North of Copacabana Beach, Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain) is accessible by a panoramic cable car – sunsets from Sugarloaf are spectacular.
Head to the city centre to visit Rio’s architectural wonders and key sights, including the pyramid-like Catedral de São Sebastião, São Bento Monastery, the lavish, European-style Municipal Theater and the Museu do Amanhã (Museum of Tomorrow). Wander the artsy Santa Teresa neighbourhood and explore its restaurants and bars, where you can try traditional foods such as feijoada (black bean stew) and pão de queijo (small, cheese-bread buns). Accompany your meal with a caipirinha, made with cachaça, a Brazilian sugarcane spirit.
