Some History

Discovered by Portuguese explorers on 1st January 1502, who mistook Guanabara Bay for the mouth of a massive river and named it ‘River of January‘ (Rio de Janeiro). The city was officially founded in 1565 by the Portuguese.

Rio became the capital of colonial Brazil in 1763. It briefly served as the capital of the entire Portuguese Empire in 1808 when the royal court fled Napoleon’s army.

Brazil officially declared its independence from Portugal on 7th September 1822. Portugal officially recognised Brazil’s independence with the signing of the Treaty of Rio de Janeiro on 29th August 1825.

It remained the Capital until 1960 when the Capital moved to Brasilia.

What Can Rio De Janeiro Offer?

Rio is rich in culture were you’re never too far away from something.

Christ the Redeemer

Christ the Redeemer is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Built in 1931 on Mount Corcovado’s peak, it’s become the cultural icon for both Rio and Brazil.

The best time to check out the statue is early morning before the crowds become too heavy. From where I was staying in Botafogo Beach, I caught an Uber for roughly R$20 (GB£3/US$4) who navigated the streets and dropped me off at the train station.

You have the option to take the 20 minute funicular railway up the mountain to Cristo. If you feel the queues are too long, take one of the vans that offers group rides to the last stop before taking an official van to the top, but, if I’m honest the views ascending the mountain are beautiful.

I used the official website (that took some navigating). Tickets cost $R87 (GB£13/US$17).

Sugar Loaf Mountain

The Sugar Loaf Cable Car will take you from Praia Vermelha to Sugar Loaf Mountain. It reaches the summit of 1,300 feet with a stop at Morro da Urca along the way.

Opened in 1912, the Sugar Loaf Cable Car has been in continual use and was even the site for the 1979 James Bond film Moonraker. The cars run every 30 minutes. The queues to ride the cable car get lengthy so avoid the afternoons and hit the mountain early.

At the Urca station, you’ll find a credit card-friendly cafe, snack bar, restaurant as well as some souvenir stands.

As an added bonus, the mountain has monkeys roaming freely.

Tickets can be purchased via the official website. Prices start from R$260 (GB£38/US$50.50).

Click image below to hear a small audio snippet titled ‘The Pioneers Viewpoint’ taken from the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain

Copacobana, Ipanema and Botafogo Beaches

When people think of Rio they usually picture one of these two iconic beaches decorated with rainbow umbrellas and swarming with tan, oiled up people in bikinis and speedos.

Copacobana Beach

That’s actually pretty accurate of both Copacabana and Ipanema beach and one of the few travel destinations that really lived up to my expectation of what one might imagine. Nonetheless, most tourists don’t think of Botafogo beach. The much quieter sister of the sandy shores. Here you are less interrupted by tourists and more likely to bump into the locals as they take exercise along the promenade.

Ipanema Beach

At all three beaches you can eat, drink, play volleyball, sunbathe, and swim. Both Copacabana and Ipanema are a must visit, and while I personally prefer Botafogo for it’s more laid back appeal, all three beaches are comparable.

Botafogo Beach

Selaron Steps

The Selaron Steps are a tourist favourite for instagrammable images, and in my opinion, a must visit even if you’re not interested in photographs.

Once a diminishing staircase, the rainbow steps were decorated with tiles by a Chilean traveller who moved to Brazil. He began with the colours of Brazil and Chile, then other travellers came and provided unique tiles from their home country. Therefore, if you look closely you’ll notice cultural images from around the world represented. It’s pretty amazing to see and the staircase has become a central space for tourists drinking, dancing and eating.

Jardim Botanico

The Jardim Botanico is a great place to take your camera. The garden is huge and has hundreds of plants from all over the world. Founded in 1808, the gardens now house around 6,500 species, including orchids, cacti and carnivorous plants. You’ll spot a lot of animals too: squirrels, monkeys, hummingbirds, toucans and marmosets, just to name a few.

Tickets to enter cost $R40 (GB£6.30/US$8) that can be purchased from the entrance.

Centro Rio District

Having a walk around Centro (city centre) is definitely worth the time. There are walking tours of the city. This is were you find a different kind of hustle and bustle to that of coastal Rio. Ensure you take time and stop at the following:

Catedral Metropolitana de São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro

The Catedral Metropolitana de São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro is a modern Roman Catholic cathedral built between 1964 and 1979 in the heart of Rio de Janeiro.

Designed by architect Edgar de Oliveira da Fonseca, its distinctive 75m high (246 ft) conical structure was inspired by ancient Mayan pyramids. Inside, four massive floor-to-ceiling stained glass panels rise toward a cross shaped skylight, creating a vivid, calming space that can accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers. It’s free to enter, however, donations are always welcomed.

Carioca Aqueduct (da Lapa)

The Carioca Aqueduct, known as Arcos da Lapa, is an iconic 18th century colonial bridge located in the Lapa neighbourhood. Built around 1750 under Portuguese rule to supply fresh water from the Carioca River to the expanding city, it features Roman-inspired architecture with 42 double tiered arches stretching roughly 270 metres (885 ft) long.

However, since 1896 the top of the aqueduct has served as a viaduct for the Bonde de Santa Teresa tramway, turning the historic infrastructure into a central landmark of Rio and a vibrant focal point for Lapa’s nightlife.

Fundação Biblioteca Nacional

The Fundação Biblioteca Nacional, or the National Library of Brazil, located at Cinelândia square, is the largest library in Latin America. The institution holds over 10 million items including rare manuscripts, historic maps and photographic archives, serving as the central space for the nation’s documentary and literary history.

Theatro Municipal

The Theatro Municipal located in Cinelândia in the centre of Rio is one of Brazil’s most prominent landmarks and grandest performance venues. Opened in 1909 the theatre was heavily inspired by Charles Garnier’s Palais Garnier in Paris, featuring marble staircases, intricate stained glass windows and a copper roof with golden detailing.

Lapa District

Lapa is a super nightlife district. It was once known as a seedy area of crime and bars but after an influx of nightclubs and hip hangouts, Lapa has revamped into Rio’s most fun option for nightlife. Located in Rio’s historic centre, it’s become a favourite people to dance and laugh the night away.

Surrounding Neighbourhoods

Rio is home to various colourful and distinct neighbourhoods. It’s nearly impossible to explore them all. The city is divided into three zones: the Zona Norte, the older Centro (mentioned above), and the beach-lined Zona Sul. Take a few days to check out funky, picturesque Lapa (mentioned above), the bohemian Santa Teresa, Botafogo, or the trendy Leblon which is home to high-end fashion brands.

Hire a Scooter or Bike

The Rio bay area is extensive stretching for miles, and taking it all in will either wear the soles from your shoes, or cost in Uber rides. A fun way to navigate Rio is to rent an electric scooter/bike like Whoosh to cruise the coast.

Download the Whoosh mobile app (below), attach a payment method, and riders can unlock dockless electric scooters on demand to navigate Rio’s extensive network of paved bike paths. These smooth dedicated pathways line the famous waterfronts stretching around Guanabara Bay, sweeping past Botafogo, and tracing the iconic curves of Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, offering a fun way to take in views of Sugar Loaf Mountain and the surrounding ocean without dealing with urban traffic.

(Play Store Version) | Whoosh App | (Apple Store Version)

… when in Rome!

…or in Rio, Do as the Brazilians do and pair a cafezinho with a pão de queijo (cheese bread).

Caipirinha! –The Caipirinha is Brazil’s national cocktail. Cachaça, hard liquor distilled from sugarcane, is blended with sugar and lime to create the masterful and succulent Caipirinha. The name originates from the word caipira, or “hillbilly.”

Take a Favela Tour

Favelas are all over Rio and mostly you’re told to avoid them due to crime. However, the culture within favelas is a massive part of Rio and in a guided tour you’re safe to go and experience it. Now although I didn’t take a tour I did pass the largest Favela: Favela Rocinha. This is the largest favela in all of South America and its pretty famous from the film City of God.

Food And Drink

Rio is not short of places to grab a snack, meal or a drink to watch the world pass by. Here are a few places I visited:

Braseiro Da Alice –braseirodaalice.com

Located at 35 Alice Street in Laranjeiras district, a short stroll from the Christ the Redeemer Corcovado train station, is a fantastic 3 level restaurant with outdoor seating. The staff are great, venue clean and food plentiful. Try the Brazilian steak dinner – yum!

Bom de Copo – instagram.com/bomdecopo

This is a small chain of bars darted around the city: two at Copacobana and one at Botafogo. Bom de Copo offer cocktails, beers and bar food all in a lively atmosphere.

Aipo Aipim – aipoeaipim.com

Located at R. Visc. de Pirajá 145, Ipanema, is a fantastic buffet restaurant. Simply fill your plate with what’s being served. Have your plate weighed. Sit. Enjoy; And pay when you leave. A very cosy effective way to eat and save money.

Xepa Bar – instagram.com/xepa.bar

Located at R. Arnaldo Quintela, 87 in Botafogo is a very cool and trendy bar offering drinks and snacks on a street corner. It’s a great place to people watch.

Boteco Belmonte – instagram.com/boteco_belmonte

There are three of these venues around the city and I had lunch at the the Copacobana site at R. Domingos Ferreira, 242. Lunch was delicious serving steak and cheese sandwich with a Coxinha. Whilst lunch was a quiet affair I could sense at weekends the venue could become rather more lively.

Street Food

If, like myself, you enjoy and trust street vendors then Rio is brimming with street food. It’s all cooked whilst you wait, and the majority accept card payments. Why not try the Salami and cheese sandwich or the ‘Coxinha‘, a delicious local snack, shaped like a pear, filled with mashed potato and shredded chicken or beef.

Globo Snacks

Globo have been a beloved local snack from the 1950s. It’s an iconic ring shaped crisp that serves as the ultimate beach snack of Rio de Janeiro. Sold fresh by wandering vendors shouting “Biscoito Globo!” across the sands of Copacabana, Ipanema and Botafogo. These light, airy snacks come in traditional salty or sweet varieties.

Conclusion

Rio De Janeiro was my first taste of Latin America and oh boy did it do justice. Despite my visit during the rainy season, and at every opportunity once the sun came out raced to obtain that photo, it didn’t dampen (no pun intended) my spirits.

The Brazilians are proud of their nation. They’re friendly and polite. Yes, a degree of speaking Portuguese will definitely help you in situations, it didn’t prove difficult to converse with the locals.

The Caiprinia cocktails are refreshing and the Maracuja snacks tasty. The general food is delicious and plentiful.

The scenery, that Rio is known for (as well as Carnival in February), is breathtaking. There is a constant view of the jungle covered mountains and beaches overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The promenade stretches the entire coastline from Rio international airport through to Leblon.