Guide to Rio de Janeiro with kids

In our latest travel guide, we’re sharing an inside look at exploring Rio with kids from content creator and mom Imane Touati. From family-friendly places to visit and things to do to tips for getting around the city, Imane shares her favorite ways to experience Rio with little ones. Whether you’re planning your first family trip or looking for new places to explore, her guide is full of inspiration and practical tips for making the most of your time in the city. Keep reading to discover Imane’s guide to experiencing Rio with kids!

How was your trip to Rio de Janeiro? What were some of the highlights, and what was your favorite part of the experience?

This was actually our second time in Rio as a family, but our very first trip as a family of four since our daughter was born, which made it feel extra special.

What I love most about Rio is the lifestyle and the warmth of the people. There’s such an easygoing, joyful energy to the city, and I was reminded of how incredibly welcoming it is for families. Whether we were at the beach, in a restaurant or staying at a hotel, we always felt genuinely welcome with our children. That feeling of being able to experience the city without ever feeling like having a baby was a limitation was probably my favorite part of the trip. 

Many parents feel anxious about flying with a baby. What are your top tips for making flying smoother and less stressful for both parents and little ones?

I think my biggest tip is to let go of the idea that everything has to go perfectly. Babies are unpredictable, and the more relaxed you are about the flight, the easier the experience tends to feel. I always try to choose a flight that works around my baby’s sleep schedule when possible, and I keep all the essentials within easy reach: a change of clothes (for baby and for us!), diapers, snacks, milk, and a few toys to keep her entertained.

One thing that also made our life so much easier was traveling with a 2-in-1 stroller that converts into a car seat. It meant that the moment we landed, we could simply get into a taxi without having to worry about finding a car with the right baby seat. After a long flight, having one less thing to think about makes such a difference!

For older children, I also think a flight is the perfect time to relax the usual screen-time rules a little. Letting them enjoy a cartoon (or two!) on the plane can make the journey much more enjoyable for everyone, no guilt needed! I also find that feeding during takeoff and landing really helps with the pressure in their ears. And most importantly, give yourself plenty of time and don’t put too much pressure on yourself.

A long flight with children might not be the most relaxing journey, but it’s only a few hours, and the memories you make once you arrive are so worth it. 

What are your must-have baby travel essentials? Are there any items you never leave home without when traveling with your baby?

The stroller, obviously! We traveled with our Doona and it made everything so much easier. I also always bring a really good lightweight baby carrier.
Another thing I swear by is packing cubes in different colors for each member of the family. It makes packing and unpacking so much easier, especially if, like me, you like to change hotels and move around during a trip.

Other than that, I really try to travel light. I don’t pack huge quantities of diapers, snacks, baby food, sunscreen or toiletries because I prefer buying all of that once we arrive. Especially in a city like Rio, you can easily find everything you need pretty much everywhere.

For little ones, another tiny essential is a mini night light. It takes up no space and is so useful to keep next to you in a hotel room for nighttime wake ups. And finally, one of my most important travel essentials has nothing to do with practicality: a film camera. Even a disposable one is perfect. And if your children are a little older, give them one too!

There is something so special about coming home, taking the films to be developed together and discovering all those memories through their eyes. It has become one of my favorite parts of traveling as a family. 

How did you balance your baby's routine with exploring Rio? Did you have to adjust your itinerary, or did you find ways to incorporate sightseeing around your baby's schedule?

I’m definitely part of the “your children adapt to your life, rather than the other way around” team. Of course, we always respect my baby girl’s need for sleep, but we also make sure the rest of the family gets to enjoy the trip and do the things they love.

In Rio, we naturally found a rhythm that worked for everyone. We would go to the beach in the morning, have a long breakfast, then head back to the hotel so my baby girl could have a proper nap while I spent time at the pool with my four year old. We often had early dinners, and some nights we simply stayed in and ordered room service. Actually, one of my favorite evenings of the entire trip was having room service at the Fasano, watching the sun set over Ipanema from our room. It was simple, but absolutely magical.

I think you have to accept that traveling with young children is going to look different from traveling as a couple or with friends. You might do less, you might go to bed earlier, and plans will sometimes change. But if you learn to really enjoy those slower, simpler moments, they can become some of the most special memories of the whole trip.

What would you recommend to do in Rio de Janeiro? Are there any activities, attractions, cafés, or restaurants that were especially enjoyable or convenient for traveling with a baby?

First, I would really recommend staying in a kid friendly neighborhood and choosing a hotel where you have plenty to do within walking distance. A beautiful pool is also a big plus.
As much as I love the beach, with a baby, having a pool just a few steps from your room makes life so much easier. Some of my favorite places to stay are Fasano in Ipanema, Emiliano Rio in Copacabana and Chez Georges in Santa Teresa.

Of course, the main activity in Rio is the beach! Ipanema is wonderful for families, Praia Vermelha is absolutely beautiful at the foot of Sugarloaf Mountain, and I love going to Arpoador early in the morning to watch the surfers. Rasta Beach is another favorite if you want more atmosphere and energy, for both children and adults.
The beach culture in Rio is an experience in itself. Forget laying a towel on the sand. You rent chairs and an umbrella for a few reais, sit back and watch the world go by. The beach is a show all day long and I think children enjoy the people watching just as much as we do.

Rio also has some amazing museums. Museu de Arte do Rio and Museu do Amanhã are both worth visiting, and the Botanical Garden is beautiful with children and such a lovely way to start the day.

For breakfast, I love Dainer, an açaí at Bibi Sucos, or ARP Bar, which is one of the few restaurants where you can sit right by the beach. For lunch, Terra Brasilis is such a special spot. They serve Brazilian food with an incredible view over Praia Vermelha and Sugarloaf Mountain. For dinner, Siubi and San are both delicious Japanese options, and Ferro e Farinha is perfect when everyone just wants a really good pizza.

And finally, you can’t leave Rio without seeing the city from above. Take the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain around sunset, or visit Christ the Redeemer very early in the morning or later in the day once the sun has gone down. The views over Rio are unforgettable. 

What surprised you most about traveling in Rio with a baby? Was there anything that exceeded your expectations or challenged your assumptions?  

I wouldn’t say I was surprised by how welcoming Brazilians are with children, because we had already experienced that when we came to Rio with our son when he was little. But it was definitely something I appreciated all over again. As a family, we felt welcome everywhere, even in some of the more sophisticated restaurants, and you never really feel like having young children with you is an inconvenience.

What I loved most this time was realizing again that you don’t necessarily need to plan your days around “kid activities” in Rio. Children naturally become part of the experience. A morning at the beach, watching the surfers at Arpoador, walking through the Botanical Garden or simply having a long breakfast can be just as exciting for them.

I’m also always fascinated by how green and beautiful Rio is. The beach is right in the city, nature is everywhere, and even something as simple as taking your baby for a stroll in her stroller to grab a coffee can feel like an escape. There’s music everywhere, this incredible joy of life at the beach, and spectacular nature all around you. It makes even the simplest moments feel special, which is probably one of the things I love most about Rio.

What advice would you give to parents considering their first international trip with a baby?  

My first piece of advice would be to choose the trip that makes the mom dream. Happy wife, happy life! She gave birth only a few months or maybe a year ago, and I think that first big trip should feel like a gift to her too. It might be one of the first moments where she can really step away from the routine, breathe a little and feel like herself again somewhere completely different. I also wouldn’t be afraid of long haul flights. I’ve traveled to Los Angeles, Rio and Zanzibar with babies or children under two, and in my experience, the flight always feels much more intimidating before you do it than once you’re actually on your way.

When it comes to choosing a hotel, my two non-negotiables are a pool and a really good breakfast. I love taking our time at the hotel as a family, especially in the mornings. A long breakfast, some time by the pool, letting the baby nap while one of us stays nearby and the other spends time with our older child. Those slow moments are part of the holiday for me, not just the time in between activities. And finally, I would choose a destination where there are lots of restaurants, cafés and beautiful things to do close by, without needing to spend hours in a car every day. With a baby, being able to simply step outside and enjoy where you are makes such a difference. The trip doesn’t need to be perfect or overly planned. Pick somewhere that genuinely excites you and go. Babies are often much more adaptable than we give them credit for.

Looking back, is there anything you would do differently on your next family trip?  

I would probably stay in fewer hotels. I used to love changing hotels every two or three nights when we only had one child, because I really enjoy experiencing different neighborhoods within the same city or exploring several places in one country.

Now that we are traveling as a family of four, I think I would limit myself to one or two hotels per trip. There is something really nice about properly unpacking, settling in and making a place feel like home for a few days.

Traveling with two young children also made me realize how precious every little moment of rest is! So next time, I would probably move around a little less, slow down and enjoy every minute of downtime we can get.

Imane Touati is a creative director and content creator, with a focus on travel. Stay connected with Imane through her Instagram @imanektouati (opens in a new tab).

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