Business trips needn’t be boring, particularly if you are in a city as exciting as Rio de Janeiro. “There is a good reason why the city welcomes over two million visitors each year,” says Amanda Sousa from reviewbox.com.br. With a huge number of attractions, museums and world-class restaurants, Rio is a feast for the senses, and there is absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy yourself in your free time. All it takes is a little planning and forethought. Here are a few travel tips to make the most of your next business trip in this fascinating city.

Do your research

Even if your workplace is organizing your accommodation and itinerary, it is still worthwhile to go on TripAdvisor, Google, and social media to get an idea of what to expect once you arrive in Rio. Reading hotel reviews on TripAdvisor can provide you with useful tips about your hotel—perhaps they offer a free shuttle service or a day tour that you might be able to do on the weekend. Go on Twitter and Instagram, as posts and photos of people that have visited Rio can give you a pretty good idea of what to expect once you are in the city. Googling “best things to do in Rio de Janeiro” is also a great way of accessing information about the city’s top attractions.

Explore

Hotel employees are usually fairly knowledgeable about local attractions. Depending on what area of the city you are staying in, it might also be a good idea to ask if it is safe to walk within the vicinity of the hotel. If not, you can always ask for recommendations about the best areas of the city to explore and head there in a taxi. Exploring an area on foot is one of the best ways to stumble upon its hidden gems, from local markets to hole-in-the-wall coffee shops.

Take a guided tour

If you don’t have a lot of free time, a guided tour can be an excellent way to see a part of the city in a couple of hours—in many cases it can also be more cost efficient. Local guides are experts at providing interesting information about each place that you visit, and it can be nice not to have to worry about getting lost. Guided tours can also be a great way to meet other travelers from around the globe. To get an idea of your options, ask for tour recommendations at your hotel or google “tours in Rio de Janeiro.”

Don’t put pressure on yourself

While sightseeing in between meetings can be a lot of fun, it can also take a toll on your body. If you are tired or under the weather, don’t feel that you have to push yourself to explore. Are you really interested in seeing the city’s attractions or is it something that you feel you have to do? If all you want is to cozy up in your hotel room bed with a good book in your downtime then this is exactly what you should be doing.