Buses

Fast, frequent and cheap, buses in Rio are a good way to get around as long as you are vigilant (see Health and Safety). Given Rio is long and narrow, it’s easy to find the right bus and it’s not a problem if you get the wrong one as most buses going south will pass through Copacabana and vice versa. Bus conductors sit at the back requiring you to get on from the back and exit from the front. The money collectors sit at a turnstile in the back, where the fare will be displayed.

There are also mini-buses (Cariocas call them vans) which provide a faster service between Avenida Rio Branco in Centro and the zona sul as far as Barra da Tijuca. Destinations can be found displayed on the front of the mini-buses and the flat rate is $1.50.