Best free things to do in Rio de Janeiro?

Hi Katie, how are you ? I suggest you go to the beach because nowadays in Rio de Janeiro we are in the summer,  but depends the hotel where you intend to stay. Here in Rio we have beautifeul beachs to go, like Copacabana, Ipanema or Leblon beach (all of them on south zone), Barra da Tijuca beach (on west zone). Please, if you need more informations or doubt please contact me (pprado50@yahoo.com.br)

Nice to meet you

Hi Katie! I will start with the obviously thing: Beaches!

As a californian, I guess you like it. But you have to take care: Although going to the beach in Rio is "free", you must consider indirect costs, as food, for example - if you travel with someone else or a group, pass in a supermarket and buy some drinks, snacks to consume at the beach (as we brazilian do hahaha).

For other activities, I recommend you go to the Botanical garden (in Rio) and Niteroi Contemporary Art Museum (20 km of Rio), it's so nice!

My english is not good yet, so sorry for any mistake hahaha

Have a nice trip!

Do like the Cariocas do and go to the beach! It's free (or cheap if you rent a chair and umbrella), and people watch. Hiking in the Tijuca Forest is great - you can see monkeys and toucans, and you'll be rewarded with some of the best views in Rio: http://www.venturists.net/rio-de-janeiro-pico-da-tijuca-hike/ A very cheap ferry ride to Paquetá, and island in the middle of the bay, is a nice way to spend half a day too.

Hi Katie, it isn't free but am thinking that you may enjoy the Rio Scenarium. This multilevel nightclub is located in the Lapa District but is considered one of the best bars in the world so would be ideal for a night out. Most of the main attractions - Cristo Redentor, Sugarloaf Mountain and even favela tours come with a cost. The best free thing I did there was grab a coconut from a beachside stall and people watch on Copacabana Beach :)

Go do a 30 min track in Pedra Bonita The perfect way to get a Free view of the whole city! On sundays, Aterro do Flamengo closes and you can rent an Itau bank bike (same as Citibanks' in US) and go from Zona Sul to downtown and see the Monumento Nacional aos Mortos da Segunda Guerra Mundial and go to the MAR and CCBB. Also in Santa Teresa, Centro Cultural Municipal Parque das Ruínas and drink a beer and see the sunset at Bar Urca. Other beautiful places are Copacabana Fort and Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas

You should visit parks such as Parque Lage (which is free) and Jardim Botanico (for this one you have to pay a little, but the experience is worth it). A free and nice museum is the CCBB in the center of the city. Besides that, the only free things that come to my mind right now are the beaches.