Rio De Janeiro had always been on my bucket list for places I wanted to visit. My desire to take a trip to Rio was mostly fueled after seeing the Snoop Dogg video “Beautiful” in the early 2000s. The vibe looked incredible. The beaches, the music, and the atmosphere of the video made the city look like heaven. It was a place I knew I had to see at least once in my lifetime. I flew into Sao Paulo and after spending a few days there I eagerly made my way to Rio. I was wary of visiting certain places in the city after reading online reviews but did not run into any precarious situations during my time there.
I spent a week in Rio and could easily have spent another. There are numerous world-famous attractions in the city that would make even the most-seasoned traveler excited. From the Christ the Redeemer statue to Escadaria Selarón: also known as the ‘Selaron Steps’ or ‘Snoop Dogg Steps’, to Sugar Loaf Mountain, there is a bit of everything for people visiting Rio.
The nightlife in the city is also incredible. I went out on Friday and Saturday which are the busiest nights, and both days were phenomenal. Live music playing along with DJs spinning in various bars and clubs created an electric atmosphere. The Lapa district is the hub for nightlife in the city and it definitely did not disappoint. Every weekend the streets come alive with the young and old alike, enthusiastically dancing and drinking the night away. I went to a pub crawl on the Saturday I was there and was able to experience the nightlife with a local from the city. I would recommend joining a pub crawl to anyone traveling solo since there are certain dodgy areas that should be avoided.
Most of my non-sight seeing days were spent at Copacabana. This renowned beach, which is referenced in the Barry Manilow song, “Copacabana”, was a sight to behold. Playing foot volleyball with elders, watching residents stroll along the tranquil boardwalk, and eating the local delicacies occupied most of my time every afternoon. One of the things I enjoyed the most was walking from Copacabana to Ipanema Beach during the sunset and observing the intricacy of sandcastles being built. The time and effort these maestros of sand and water put into building these masterpieces were a sight to behold.
Brazil was one of the last places left on my travel wish list, and I am extremely fortunate I got to visit the city also known as “January River”. Have you ever been to Rio? Leave a comment below and let me know what you thought about this beautiful city. If you like the article, make sure to share it!