Overview
Finally, after a year of a delay, I have visited Brazil and one of the world’s most famous city – Rio de Janeiro! This seaside city is known for its beaches such as Copacabana and Ipanema, Carnival, Sugarloaf Mountain, and statue of Christ the Redeemer. I was in Rio in March, I haven’t seen this year’s Carnival (which was held in April), but there are so many things to do beside it. So let me tell you about my journey in a short blog post.
Where to stay
In Rio de Janeiro I stayed in two hotels: Hilton Copacabana and Sheraton Grand Rio. If you are staying in the city for more than a week, I advise you to split your stay between two different neighborhoods, so you will be able to discover more. Also, I recommend you to choose your hotel or Airbnb in the touristy areas like Copacabana, Ipanema, Botafogo, Leme, or Leblon.
My stay at the first hotel, Hilton Copacabana, was good, despite the hotel feeling dated. It has a prime location on the Avenida Atlantica, with gorgeous views over the beach and Copacabana neighborhood from my room. It is the one of the liveliest neighborhood of Rio, that draws locals and tourists.
The other hotel, Sheraton Grand Rio, is located in Leblon, and it is the city’s only beachfront resort. I had a room with a balcony overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It’s truly amazing to fall asleep and wake up with the sound of waves. Sheraton was recently renovated and had all the amenities you would expect from a 5-star hotel. By taking Uber you can get to the neighboring Ipanema in a matter of minutes, another lively neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro.
Things to do in Rio
Helicopter tour
The highlight of my stay in Rio de Janeiro was a 45-minute helicopter tour throughout the city at sunset time. For me, it was the most spectacular and memorable experience in Rio. The stunning views from the sky over the city and nature took my breath away. In just one flight I’ve seen all the attractions of the city and beyond. I highly recommend you such an activity at the beginning of your stay. It is worth your money a 100%. There are different companies that are handling scenic flights in Rio, just check their reputation online before purchasing a tour.
Christ the Redeemer
One beautiful morning I went to the statue of Christ the Redeemer, the most famous place in Rio de Janeiro. The statue was completed in 1931 and stands 30 m (98 ft) tall. It is the largest art deco style sculpture in the world. The statue of Christ was built on top of the 704 m (2,310 ft) summit of Mount Corcovado. Travel websites recommend visiting statue before 10 am due to large crowds. I’ve been there between 9 and 10, and the space was full! From here you can see almost all of Rio, I even spotted my hotel and couple of restaurants where I’ve eaten.
Sugarloaf Mountain
The place where I went twice, just to witness a sunset and stunning views over the city, is Sugarloaf Mountain, which has the height of 396 m (1,299 ft). Its name is said to refer to its resemblance to the traditional shape of concentrated refined loaf sugar. It is known worldwide for the Sugarloaf cable cars, that was opened in 1912. It was only the third cableway to be built in the world. From the top of this landmark peak, you can spot many places of Rio, including the statue of Christ the Redeemer. There are some restaurants, so it’s a great place for lunch or dinner.
Botanical Garden
Another location to visit is botanical garden of Rio de Janeiro. This amazing garden was created back in 1808 and has a collection of more than 7,000 species of tropical plants, one of the world’s largest collections of flora. It’s a perfect place to hide from the midday heat and indulge in the peacefulness of the nature. By the way, from here you can see the statue of Christ. I’m pretty sure you can see it from almost anywhere in the city.
Selaron Stairs
One of the most important touristic sites of Rio de Janeiro is the colorful staircase, called Escadaria Selaron. It is the artwork of Chilean artist Jorge Selaron, which he started in 1990. There are 215 steps measuring 125 meters (135 yards) long, that are covered in over 2000 tiles collected from over 60 countries around the world. I visited this spot in the middle of the day and it was overly crowded, especially at the footsteps of the stairs, there were a line of people to take a picture with a sign “Escadaria Selaron”. You can just skip that sign and walk up, or come earlier in the morning to avoid the crowds.
Food and drinks
I don’t know much about Brazilian traditional food, but I do know about great meat in the steakhouses of Brazil. I often attended those buffets with unlimited meat selection. I definitely recommend you to try churrascaria steak houses in Rio, they can be found in every neighborhood. As well as a Brazil’s national cocktail – caipirinha, is a must to drink, while you’re in Rio. Caipirinha is made of local liquor cachaça, fresh lime juice and sugar. Simple and delicious, and by the way, it is one of my favorite cocktails.
Safety
Is it safe to visit Rio de Janeiro? Not really. When it comes to safety you should be watchful and vigilant throughout your stay. In Rio you can be pickpocketed, mugged, scammed, etc. At all times use your common sense and leave your valuables at home. It is best for you to stick just to touristy areas of the city and visit them at daytime.
Also, use Uber over other transportation methods. By the way rates of Uber or taxis in the city are affordable, and it’s easy to get a ride. Rio de Janeiro is a great place to visit, but unfortunately there are some drawbacks, but it will not stop me from recommending you to go to this wonderful city.
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