Departure
Return
Loading
Choose a country or city
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Since April 10, 2025, Canadian citizens must obtain a Brazilian e-visa before departure. The application is online only at brazil.vfsevisa.com, costs about US$80.90, and the visa is valid for 5 years with multiple entries and stays of up to 90 days. Allow 2 to 3 weeks for processing.
Air Transat's direct flight from Montreal takes about 10 hours 20 minutes, departing Thursdays; from Toronto, Transat flies twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Both routes are seasonal winter services launched in February 2026. With one stop (São Paulo, Panama or Atlanta), plan on roughly 14 and a half to 15 hours total.
Rio's winter, June to September, brings dry weather, 18 to 25°C and excellent value. Local summer (December to March) is hot and humid at 30 to 40°C, and prices peak during Carnival. Remember the seasons are the reverse of Canada's.
The Government of Canada advises exercising a high degree of caution in Brazil. In Rio, avoid the Maré and Penha complexes and never enter a favela without proper guidance. At the beach, bring no valuables, stay on supervised beaches and never go at night; after dark, use Uber or official yellow taxis.
As a guideline, budget $70 to $100 CAD per person per day for an economical trip, $150 to $220 CAD for a mid-range stay (3-4 star hotel in Copacabana, churrascaria, Uber) and $300 CAD and up for high-end comfort in Ipanema or Leblon. Add the round-trip flight, typically $1,000 to $1,700 CAD.
The difference is small for Eastern Canada: Rio is 1 hour ahead during the Canadian summer and 2 hours ahead in winter. That makes Rio a rare long-haul destination with virtually no jet lag on arrival.
Christ the Redeemer stands at the top of Corcovado, 710 m above the city. A cog train climbs through the Tijuca forest in about 20 minutes. Tickets are timed, so book your slot ahead, ideally in the morning.
Copacabana (4 km, mosaic promenade) is the liveliest and most practical for a first visit. Ipanema is famous for the sunset watched from Arpoador rock, while Leblon is the most upscale and family-friendly. On all of them, use the postos, the numbered lifeguard stations, as your landmarks.
The metro (lines 1, 2 and 4) is clean and safe and uses a rechargeable card. Uber is everywhere, inexpensive and recommended in the evening. Official yellow taxis are another reliable option. A rental car is rarely useful for a city-focused stay.
It is a one-of-a-kind experience, but it is also when prices hit their maximum, in the full heat of the local summer (30 to 40°C and humid). If value is your priority, aim for June to September instead. If Carnival is the goal, book flights and hotel far in advance.
