Overview
Escadaria Selarón is an outdoor public art installation created by Chilean artist Jorge Selarón over more than 20 years, from 1990 until his death in 2013. The 215 steps connecting Lapa and Santa Teresa are covered in over 2,000 tiles collected from 60+ countries, predominantly in the green, yellow, and blue of the Brazilian flag. Featured in countless music videos, films, and ads, it's one of Rio's most Instagrammable spots.
Travel Tips
Visit in the morning for relatively crowd-free photos. Watch for pickpockets, and combine with a trip to the samba bars of Lapa.
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🇰🇷 Tips for Korean Travelers
Practical info for Korean travelers heading to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from Seoul (ICN).
Korean Passport · Visa
Check visa rules for Brazil on the Korean MOFA travel advisory site before flying — visa-free, visa-on-arrival or e-visa rules change often. Keep at least 6 months of passport validity.
Flight from Incheon (ICN)
Compare direct and connecting flights from Incheon (ICN) to Rio de Janeiro on Skyscanner or Google Flights. Early-morning departures from Korea are usually the cheapest option.
KRW ↔ Local Currency
Check the live FX widget above for the latest KRW rate. Korean travel cards like Travel Wallet, Hana EZ and Toss FX offer free local ATM withdrawals and competitive rates.
Korean Community · Korean Food
Many cities have an active Korean community in Rio de Janeiro with Korean restaurants, mini-marts, and Korean-speaking guides. Search Naver Cafe or KakaoTalk open chats for "Rio de Janeiro 한인" before you go.
Attractions near Escadaria Selarón
Tap a pin on the map to jump to that attraction.

Sugarloaf Mountain
Ride the cable car for sweeping views of Rio's coastline and skyline.
📍 4.5km away

Quinta da Boa Vista
The former royal palace gardens, landscaped in French style with grottoes and lakes.
📍 4.6km away

Copacabana Beach
A world-famous 4km beach, with its iconic wave-patterned promenade.
📍 6.2km away

Ipanema Beach
The trendy Rio beach made famous by the bossa nova classic 'The Girl from Ipanema.'
📍 8.2km away
Things to Do in Rio de Janeiro

Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car
Ride a two-stage cable car to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain for 360-degree panoramic views of Rio. Visiting at sunset rewards you with the city's most spectacular golden-hour views.

Samba Dance Class
Learn samba basics from local dancers at a Rio samba school. Open to beginners, and some classes include a follow-up visit to a Lapa samba club to dance for real.

Favela Community Tour
Visit a favela community with a local guide to experience community projects, street art, and local food. Tours run in Rocinha or Vidigal, with a portion of proceeds going back to the community.













