One of my most memorable and magical summers was spent in Brazil, and an entire month of it in Rio de Janeiro.
Don’t be fooled by Rio’s bad reputation. As with any city, it’s important to follow certain guidelines to stay safe. With tact and knowledge, you will come to love Rio for all the beauty and unique culture that gives this city life.
Warm summer nights filled with music, food, dancing, beaches, markets and endless adventure is what comes to mind when I look back on my time in South America. Below you will find my list of favorite “must-do’s” in Rio De Janeiro. I hope this helps you see the endless beauty of Brazil!
Felicidades!
NEED TO KNOW
Language: The official language of Brazil is Portuguese. No, that does not mean Spanish. There are some similarities between the two but don’t be fooled they are still different.
Currency: The local currency in Brazil is the Brazilian Real. When I was there the exchange rate was roughly 4 Brazilian Real for every 1 US dollar. That can fluctuate greatly so just keep an eye on the exchange rate before and during your trip.
Where To Get Money: There is A LOT of credit card fraud in Brazil. Be careful to only use ATM’s that are at a bank branch. HSBC has a big presence in Brazil and I never had a problem using their ATM’s. With-drawl a decent amount of money to limit the amount of times you need to use your card. Carry enough cash for the day and leave the remaining cash in a safe place like the safe in your hotel.
Transportation: Taxis will be your primary form of transportation in Rio. They are very inexpensive, which is great, but they do come with a few words of caution.
Throughout the city there are taxi stands where taxis will queue to wait for passengers. It is advised that you take these taxis as they are a bit more reliable. Only take taxis that are clearly marked as such. Before you board a taxi, have a map loaded on your phone and a fairly good idea of where you are going. Some taxi drivers will “run the meter” by taking longer, unnecessary routes to charge the passengers more money. This happened to me several times.
Where To Stay: The most important part of your accommodations is the location. Stay somewhere that is easily accessible and most importantly is safe. The hotel I stayed at was in Barra, a small area outside of Rio, and although it was very safe it was too far for convenience. I also spent a few nights at a hostel near Copa Cabana Beach, which was clean and in a great location, but not ideal for leaving things (like money) behind. Read reviews, do your homework and do your best to find the best of both worlds!
Climate: The temperature is moderate year round in Rio. It’s generally in the 70’s and 80’s but it’s not impossible for the temperature to go down to the 60’s in the cooler months (May-October). Also, keep in mind that Rio is very humid!
Safety: It’s my biggest recommendation to never travel alone in Rio; male or female. I was in Rio for a month with fifty colleagues and there were a few unwanted situations that occurred. All of them happened to men because they thought they would be fine traveling by themselves.
Although Rio de Janeiro is a beautiful city filled with some really delightful people, it is a place that has a higher crime rate than others and it’s best to do what you can to avoid unwanted attention.
And now on to my Rio de Janeiro favorites!
Cristo Redentor
Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) is an Art Deco sculpture of Jesus Christ situated atop Mount Corcovado. Perhaps the most iconic landmark in Rio, the statue was on top of my must-do list! The drive up the mountain is quite the adventure itself but it’s all worth it when you get to see the incredible views of Rio at the top of Mt. Corcovado! This statue is legend for a reason!
Pão de Açúcar
The Portuguese name, Pão de Açúcar, is translated to “sugarloaf” in English (how cute!) and Sugarloaf Mountain is one of the few mountains that raise straight from the waters edge of Guanabara Bay in Rio. You can reach the summit via a glass-walled cable car and it’s seriously a view worth making the trek for.
I made my way up this sweet mountain several times during my stay in Rio. One trip I got super lucky and saw nothing but fog at the summit (haha!) and one trip I stayed at the top of Sugarloaf for sunset, which is what I recommend to you. Get up there with a little bit of time to kill (no one likes to be rushed), grab a cold one or some snacks and watch the sun cover the entire city of Rio in a gold hue as it says goodnight.
Escadaria Selarón
This is a world famous set of steps designed by Artist Jorge Selarón in Rio de Janeiro. The Individually painted tiles, all telling a story, create this masterpiece in the neighborhood of Lapa. The hour I spent at the Selarón steps was one of my most memorable. The colors the make up this special sight are what comes to mind when I think of Brazilian culture; so colorful, full of life and filled with stories. Note that it’s VERY busy so be patient if you’re trying to get a good picture!
Jardim Botânico
The Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden has been named one of the greatest tropical botanical gardens and arboretums in the world! Walking through the gardens I felt as though I were in a rainforest as we were surrounded by lush, green foliage and stunning views. There is also a monkey walk, which we found so entertaining! But hold onto your things… They’re sneaky little buggers with sticky fingers. This is a relaxing way to spend an afternoon and not far from Lapa. It’s easy to cross the botanical gardens and the Selarón Steps off your list the same day.
The Beaches
Grab a cold bohemia, your sunscreen and your Brazilian bikinis! (Really though… get a Brazilian bikini! When in Rio right?!) Rio de Janeiro is best known for it’s beaches and for good reason. There’s delicious food, all the cold coconuts you could ask for, street vendors, beautiful white sand, refreshing ocean water and not to mention THE BEST people watching. From Ipanema and Copacabana to the lesser-known Prainha, these beaches will make for a good day on your South American adventure!
Botafogo Market
No matter what city I was in I had so much fun visiting the markets, and Rio had two of the best markets I experienced in Brazil! The first, was the night market at Copacabana beach. You can’t miss it! It’s in a giant white tent right where the road meets the sand.
The second, was Botafogo Market. Full of flowers, fresh produce, wine tasting rooms and coffee shops we had such a fun afternoon here! We literally spent nearly 90 US dollars on fruit and flowers, and with prices being so low for produce in Rio, that’s A LOT of flowers and fruit. Worth it! Brazil has tons of tropical fruit that I’ve never tried before and haven’t had the chance to enjoy ever since. Dive in my friends!
Nightlife
Rio de Janeiro is a city that never sleeps. There is almost as much to do at night as there is during the day and going out dancing with my friends was one of my favorite parts of South America. Some of the most extravagant clubs I’ve ever been to were in Brazil. There were clubs that were four stories high, some had LED screens that ran from floor to ceiling, some where literally built into the side of a mountain, some were filled with lasers and chandeliers and all were packed wall to wall with those dancing. Rio really knows how to do it right when it comes to nightlife. It’s an experience to go out dancing with your friends in Rio! Enjoy a few caipirinhas (a yummy Brazilian cocktail) and lets see your moves!
Rio de Janeiro is a vibrant city bursting with culture and is filled with heritage and history. I have nothing but the fondest memories of those summer nights spent walking the beautiful black and white mosaicked sidewalks.
Rio is often referred to as Cidade Maravilhosa or the Marvelous City; it more than lives up to it’s name and I wish nothing for than for you to experience it yourself.
Até breve, amigo!
