EasyTaxi
EasyTaxi is the most downloaded taxi App in the world, and for good reason. With just the click of a button you have a taxi coming your way, it makes things so easy.
ATM’s in Rio close at 10 PM, and no matter how responsible you think you are, there is a decent chance that you will find yourself out late in Rio with no cash.
Also, taxi drivers are notoriously picky about correct change. If you pay with a 50 reais bill, they will be grumpy to say the least. Once again, EasyTaxi solves this problem. This app is really a must-have for anyone coming to Rio (or anywhere in South America).
Rio Bus
Taxis are relatively cheap Rio, but if you are here for more than a week or two, you will want to save some money by taking the bus.
However, finding the right bus and knowing when it will arrive can be a daunting task. Luckily, there is an app for that. Rio Bus is a free app that tells you which buses go where and when they are arriving. I would go crazy without it.
BikeRio
Despite all the talk about taxis and buses, my favorite way to explore Rio is by bike. Rio has an incredible bike share program, where you can rent a bike from almost any point in the city.
All you have to do is download the app, pay 10 reais a month (about 3 dollars) and you are good to go. Check out one of our older posts for a more detailed review of how to use the bikes. This app has completely transformed how I get around the city.
If you have international friends, the odds are you probably already have Whatsapp. But in Brazil, Whatsapp usage is on a different level. Once getting your sim card for your iPhone, you are free to use Whatsapp anywhere in the city.
Brazilians almost exclusively use Whatsapp for communication. Because of its low bandwidth usage and high text messaging rates, Brazilians never send texts and almost always use Whatsapp to call as well. Oftentimes, Brazilians ask me for my Whatsapp rather than my telephone number.
Porta Dos Fundos
If you’re not watching Brazil’s most famous Comedy Group, you are missing out. They come out with two hilarious videos a week, as well as a host of other entertaining ventures. With the app, you can watch the videos and get in some engaging Portuguese practice whenever you want.
Brazilians are famously furious Instagrammers. If you didn’t catch our post last week, take a look at 10 Instagram Feeds That Will Show You Brazilian Culture.
Melhores Destinos
If you are in Rio, the odds are you are going to want to take advantage of being in Brazil and travel around a bit. Melhores Destinos is a travel app that post the best deals and promotions in South American airfare.
Ingresso.com
Ingresso.com is the most popular site for tickets in Brazil. Here you can find tickets for movies, shows, theatre performances and a variety of other events. It is a great way to stay up to date with what is going on the city.
ChefsClub
ChefsClub is essentially the Yelp of Rio de Janeiro. It provides ratings and reviews of all the restaurants in your area. It is a valuable resource for finding new places to eat around you.
Which of these apps do you use? What else would you add to this list?
