02 Jul Visiting the Colorful Stairs of Rio de Janeiro: Escadaria Selarón
A quick Google search of “what to do in Rio de Janeiro” will show you the rainbow stairs known as Escadaria Selarón or The Selaron Steps. These stairs are a tourist favorite for instagrammable photos, but in my opinion a must-visit Rio, regardless of the snaps.
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The story behind Escadaria Selarón is that a Chilean traveler moved to Brazil and outside his house was a basic, paved staircase. An artist himself, Jorge Selarón began to renovate the steps with tiles colored yellow, green and blue for Brazil and red for Chile. Eventually other travelers began to bring tiles from their own home countries which is why if you look closely you’ll notice cultural images from around the world.
The Selaron Steps are a quick visit for a photo and to walk up and down the steps, noticing the different tiles.
During the day, the stairs are pretty crowded with tourists, so if you hope to have a clear photo on the staircase, either practice those photoshop skills or go early in the morning. I went right after visiting Mirante Dona Marta for sunrise and it was perfect timing. You can also visit at night when people will be out in the street drinking, dancing and eating around the steps.
Cost?
Visiting the Selaron Steps is completely free other than any transportation or tour costs.
Where is Escadaria Selarón?
The Selaron steps are in Lapa near to the white aqueduct.
Getting to the SELARÓN Steps
Getting to Escadaria Selarón is easy. If staying close by, you can just walk there. If you Uber or take a taxi, they will most likely drop you on Rua da Lapa from which you’ll just walk down one block to the steps. The other option is to take public transport like the metro (which is a safe, easy and super affordable) to Cinelândia or Gloria and then walk to the stairs.
Is it safe around Escadaria Selarón?
The Selaron Steps are a safe enough destination to visit, after all, thousands of tourists go. That being said, popular tourist locations usually attract sketchy characters. Therefore, in this area I suggest being extra careful of your things to avoid pick-pocketing, being mindful when pulling your phone out, and not wearing overly flashy items.
Also read: 21 Do’s and Don’ts to stay safe in Brazil
Visiting Escadaria Selarón as a solo traveler
In terms of safety, Escadaria Selarón is fine to visit as a solo traveler. Just watch out for your belongings same as everyone else like I mention above.
As for getting photos, this is tricky if you don’t want anyone in it (like the photos I have). Full disclosure, I wasn’t alone for this destination. My friend who also solo travels met up with me in Rio and she took my photos for me.
If you’re completely alone what I recommend is trying to make friends in a hostel or in other ways so that you can go with someone. The other options are to visit at a time when other tourists are there so you can ask someone to take your photo or to take a tour. There’s a lot of fantastic package tour options on GetYourGuide if you want to combine other Rio destinations such as Sugarloaf mountain & Christ the Redeemer (see below).
What I do not recommend though is going alone and using a tripod for photos. As useful as a tripod and clicker combo is for getting photos as a solo traveler, I really think you’re at risk for someone snatching your phone/camera while you’re posing on the stairs. Maybe I’m paranoid, maybe I’m wrong but I personally would not risk it Rio.
Also read: The Ultimate List of Things to Do in Rio
I hope this post was helpful! Make sure to save it on Pinterest so you know where to find the information when in Rio and check out my additional resources for planning your trip below.
More Resources for Your Trip to rio:
Planning your own trip? Here’s everything I used to book and coordinate my itinerary through Brazil.
Hostels
If you’re a budget traveler or looking for an easy way to meet others, Hostelworld is the best place to search. Discovery Hostel is the highest rated in Rio, but if you’re a digital nomad like me I suggest Selina Lapa or Selina Copacabana. Search for more hostels in Rio here.
Hotels
Booking.com has so many options from affordable stays to more luxurious. If you’re looking for stunning views, I recommend Rio 144 and Vila Santa Teresa.
Flights
Flights to Brazil and within Brazil can be pricey if not booked ahead of time. To get the best prices I recommend using Skyscanner. You can fly directly to Rio at GIG (Tom Jobim International Airport). There is another airport in Rio but it’s only domestic flights.
BUSES
No matter the destination, I always check Rome2Rio to see options on how to travel. However I found using Brazilian bus companies to book could be a pain because you need a CPF often. The most useful sites to me were BusBud & FlixBus.
Insurance
Travel insurance is a must for every trip, and I highly recommend it for Brazil. My go to is always WorldNomads which is made for backpackers. You can search for coverage here.
Tours & Experiences
There’s a lot of free thing to do in Rio but joining a tour does have its advantages, and if you’re a solo traveler looking to meet people then tours are a great option. In Rio you can find awesome experiences on GetYourGuide, Viator, & Airbnb Experiences (hit or miss but mostly good).
Safety
Read this blog post with 21 do’s and don’ts to stay safe while in Brazil
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Posted at 16:00h, 17 JulyWow, your post about the Selarón Steps is fantastic! Your vibrant photos and engaging narrative really bring the stairs to life. I love how you shared the history behind the steps and the artist’s vision. Did you find any favorite spots or angles for capturing the best photos? And are there any other must-see attractions nearby that you recommend? Thanks for the great tips and inspiration!