Whenever someone would ask what’s one country I haven’t been to that’s at the top of my list, Brazil was ALWAYS at the top. And after traveling to 26 countries, I finally made it to Brazil to celebrate my last birthday in my 20s. I stayed in Rio de Janeiro for one full week and it was definitely worth the wait and now my favorite trip ever for more reasons than one (more on that later). The energy, the culture, the nature, and the overall joy I experience on this trip is unmatched! Let’s cover the top 7 things I loved during this trip and some ideas for you to add to your itinerary for the ultimate travel experience in Brazil.
Immersive Activity in the Favela of Rocinha
If you’re looking for an immersive experience into the real neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro then this tour booked with Airbnb Experiences is for you! We started off with a motorcycle ride all the way up the hills to the favela of Rocinha in a small group of about 6. The tour guides shared authentic stories and information about life in a favela in regards to schooling/education, historical aspects of favelas, resources and disparities, and the overall culture/unique aspects of the community. I especially enjoyed watching the capoeira performance from the kids in the neighborhood as part of a non-profit organization. Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that combines dance, acrobatics and music. I got to learn a few samba steps as well! We walked through some alleys of the favelas, saw some beautiful views, and I even got to taste some from acacia as a tasty treat!
Pedra do Sal Block Party
Pedra do Sal is definitely the place to be if you love nightlife and want to experience an iconic Brazilian night out. It’s a place where people go to dance, listen to live music, and have the time of their lives especially on Monday nights but also Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. As I stood outside in the warm weather in the huge crowd listening to live music and hearing the audience sing back in a call and response type of format I thought to myself “this is exactly what I thought Brazil would feel like.” It felt like I could feel the vibrating energy of the entire crowd.
Key tips: Wear closed-toed shoes on the floors considering there’s a lot of drinks/liquids around, bring a fan (or purchase one while there) and be prepared for crowds!
Discovering Rio Little Africa: A Cultural and Historical Journey
I absolutely love learning about the Black culture when I am traveling to a country apart of the African diaspora so this tour was definitely on the list. Coming to Brazil, I knew it was the country that had the highest population of Black people outside of Africa so I was excited to learn more about the history and journey towards freedom after the slavery and how it may have differed than in the United States. One thing that is true across the diaspora, no matter what, we as Black people always make a way to create something beautiful, special, and unique to call our own. For those in Brazil, Samba was one of those things originated from Brazilians with African roots that went on to influence the entire country.
This tour was a three-hour walk booked on TripAdvisor and we got to know important points such as Pedra do Sal, Morro da Conceição, Largo da Prainha and Jardim Suspenso do Valongo. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and attire.
Rio Bar Food Tour
I definitely stepped outside my comfort zone with this tour and tried so many new dishes! A popular Brazilian food called ‘pastel’ stood out to me the most and I enjoyed it for the rest of my trip! It’s like an empanada but the dough is fried so it has a crispy taste which I absolutely loved! If you’re a foodie and love trying new dishes, definitely add a food tour to you itinerary.
Beach Day in Copacabana
After some busy days of excursions, a relaxing beach day was much needed! I stayed at the Ritz Copacabana Boutique Hotel which was just a block away from the beach which was perfect. I of course had to rock the iconici Brazil flag themed bikini. The waves were chilly at first but after a while warmed up. Nice beach day to relax and enjoy Rio! If you have more time in Rio there are tons of other highly recommended beaches to visit such as Ipanema Beach and Praia do Arpoador.
Must See Attractions in Rio de Janeiro
To get several main attractions in Rio checked off in one day, consider a cohesive sightseeing tour. I went on the Rio Main Attraction Tour and it covered all of the key landmarks that are a must see when in Brazil such as:
- Christ the Redeemer:
- Ticket included to skip the lines and capture great photos.
- Santa Teresa Neighborhood:
- Explore dthis artistic area with its exclusive tram.
- Selarón Staircase:
- The picturesque site and one of Rio’s most iconic landmarks. The line for the central photo area was almost 30 minutes so make sure to factor this into your itinerary.
- Metropolitan Cathedral:
- Toured the unique architectural landmark in downtown Rio.
- Tijuca Forest:
- Beautiful nature experience with the largest waterfall in rio, wildlife, and scenic beauty.
- São Conrado Neighborhood:
- It was foggy this day but this stopping point was to observe delta wings landing on the beach.
During the 7 hour tour we of course had a bite to eat at a buffet. I found buffets were very popular in Brazil. An honorable mention to coconut cakes which I discovered this day at the Ritz hotel but again at the buffet which cemented that it is an incredible dessert in Brazil. I couldn’t get enough of it!
Best Spa in Rio de Janiero
This spa day at Spa Holístico Alex Lisboa was such a treat for my 29th birthday. I saw why it’s rated the top spa in Rio as soon as I walked into the room and saw rose pedaled soak tubs and aromatherapeutic salts sprinkled over me in the water. The massage was so divine, I am pretty sure I was awake one moment smelling lemongrass essential oils and the next I was in a slumber until it was time to turn over. It was a rejuvenating way to enter a new year around the sun. HIGHLY recommend Spa Holístico Alex Lisboa as a spa day to add to your Rio itinerary.
Best Place for Photos in Rio: Parque Lage
For the Instagram photo lovers, this spot is the place to capture a truly picturesque photo. And capturing that photo was pretty much the sole purpose of coming to this location and once that was done I left lol. It’s located in the Jardim Botânico neighborhood so right after visiting you can head to the Botanical Garden.
Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden offered a stunning glimpse into the incredible diversity of Brazil’s natural beauty. A slow moving pace was ideal for this visit. This was a guided tour book with Viator Tours which first started with Parque Lage and ended at the Botanical Garden. I discovered the origin of Brazil’s name, which comes from the Brazilwood tree (Paubrasilia echinata). This tree has a vibrant amber-red core that inspired the country’s name. During the November time frame there were a little bit of sprinkles but I was relieved the rain went away during my visit to the garden. About 1 hour is a sufficient amount of time here.
Lapa Nightlife
For another fun night out, Bar de Lapa should definitely be on your list! There was a live band that played the entire night, people dancing, food that was delicious, and a truly lively atmosphere. I had an absolute blast during my last night in Rio and danced the night away!
It took a while to get to Brazil but this trip was right on time! A 10/10 experience that I will remember forever.
As always,
Take it step by step and DaibyDai
