Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 🇧🇷
Nomad Score:
65%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Rio de Janeiro is a vibrant city known for its stunning beaches, lively nightlife, and cultural diversity. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 6.7 million inhabitants. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 30-50 Mbps. Some coworking spaces offer higher speeds. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD ≈ 5.30 BRL. Availability of ATMs and major credit cards is widespread. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable, bottled water is recommended. |
| 🔌 Power | 220V, 60Hz, Type N plugs. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include Vivo, Claro, TIM, and Oi. Tourist packages available. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Banking options include Itaú, Bradesco, and Santander; foreign banks are also present. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, hostels, and short-term rentals in neighborhoods like Copacabana and Ipanema. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are widely accepted, but some small vendors may prefer cash. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Platforms like Airbnb and local agencies for short-term housing are widely available. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Options include hostels like Mellow Yellow Hostel and Casa CoolBeans. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WeWork (multiple locations), coworking spaces like Casa Bossa in Ipanema. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café do Mercado in Praça XV offers a calm atmosphere and Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetups and events hosted by Startup Rio and other expat groups. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Facebook groups like 'Rio de Janeiro Expats' host regular meetups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and 99 are popular and widely used. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Bike Rio offers a bike-sharing service in popular areas. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Copacabana Beach is the main beach, easily accessible by public transport. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | GOL Linhas Aéreas is a major carrier for domestic travel. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | LATAM Airlines and GOL offer international flights. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Access to major highways like BR-101 leads to other cities in Brazil. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Galeão International Airport (GIG) is the main airport. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | RioCard for buses and metro, offering discounts for single journeys. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses and van services connect Rio to nearby cities like Petrópolis and Búzios. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Hospital Copa D'Or is a top facility with emergency services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga and wellness centers like Studio de Yoga in Ipanema. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Popular gyms include Bodytech and Smart Fit across the city. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lava Rápido offers laundry services throughout the city. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | iFood and UberEats are the go-to apps for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Feijoada, a traditional black bean stew with pork, is a must-try. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Restaurants like Vegan Burger and Green Cloud Cafe serve great plant-based meals. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Confeitaria Colombo offers a selection of traditional Brazilian pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Feira de São Cristóvão is a market with affordable food and souvenirs. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Mercado Livre and Americanas for a variety of products online. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Farmácias and Supermercado offers grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Lapa is known for its nightlife with many bars and clubs. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Cervejaria Devassa has multiple locations for local brews. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wine House in Botafogo is a popular spot for wine lovers. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Explore the street food stalls at the famous Copacabana Beach promenade. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like 'Sushi Leblon' serve excellent international dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain are iconic attractions. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museum of Tomorrow and MAR (Museum of Art Rio) for cultural experiences. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Visit the historic district of Santa Teresa for colonial architecture. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Catedral Metropolitana de São Sebastião, a stunning modern cathedral. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Carnival in Rio, a world-famous festival held every February. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Lapa and Santa Teresa for vibrant arts and music scenes. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Teatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro hosts various performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Feira de Antiquários in Ipanema is great for vintage finds. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Visit bars in Lapa for live samba and bossa nova music. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Explore the vibrant street art in the neighborhoods of Lapa and Santa Teresa. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Casa da Feijoada offers cooking classes focusing on traditional Brazilian cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galeria Fortes Vilaça showcasing contemporary Brazilian artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Teatro Municipal and Palácio da Alvorada are architectural landmarks. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The Afro-Brazilian heritage is prominent in local culture and festivals. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Tijuca National Park is one of the largest urban rainforests in the world. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Serra dos Órgãos National Park offers hiking and stunning views. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The beachfront promenade along Copacabana and Ipanema is great for walking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Mirante Dona Marta offers breathtaking views of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Tijuca National Park is ideal for birdwatching enthusiasts. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Barra da Tijuca Beach has designated areas for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Correios is the national postal service with parcel delivery options. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Locally specialized shops in places like Rua da Carioca for tech support. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Public parks often have tables installed for play. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Schools like Cultura Inglesa offer classes for English and Portuguese. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Biblioteca Nacional offers reading and study facilities. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Centro de Referência da Juventude provides various community services. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gaming Café in Copacabana has facilities for video games. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Grand Casino Resort is the main casino in Rio. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. R$10,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = R$400,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. R$7,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = R$300,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. R$12,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = R$720,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. R$9,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = R$540,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. R$11,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = R$880,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. R$8,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = R$680,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 34% standard corporate tax rate. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% on dividends distributed to shareholders. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Worldwide income basis for residents. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 27.5% maximum personal income tax rate. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard VAT rate is 17% (ICMS). |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Brazil has strict rules on taxation of foreign subsidiaries. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property taxation is based on property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Approximately 2-3% applied during property purchases. |