Rio de Janeiro, is the second most populous city in Brazil and sixth most in the Americas. It’s a popular visitor destination, owing to its setting on the west Atlantic Ocean with surrounding mountains, famous beaches, and festive atmosphere. The beauty and and warm, sunny climate make for some wonderful running in Rio, particularly in some of the scenic waterfront areas.
In the Centro area, running highlights include wonderful waterfront paths anchored by Flamengo Beach, and a ‘runseeing‘ tour showcasing the city’s architectural & historic highlights. Other beach areas that are great for running include Copacabana, Ipanema, & Barra. The Lagoa route is a path around a lagoon with great views of the iconic Christ The Redeemer. Head to the lovely Urca neighborhood for a run skirting the base of Sugarloaf Mountain, with gorgeous Bay views. On a hot day, we recommend the lush canopy of the Bosque da Barra. We’ve also designed route showcasing the venues of the 2016 Olympics, including the Maracara Stadium & Quinta da Boa Vista and the Parque Olímpico Area. The Tim Maia Ciclovia, is an elevated bike path along the rocky coast. And for even more beachfront running and great views, we have two routes in Niterói, just across the water by ferry.
Some notes about running in Rio: Buses are the main form of public transportation, though there are also two Metro lines. Rio’s weather is consistently warm to hot and humid, and there can be periods of heavy rain. Also, crime is an issue in Rio — use the right precautions.
