Rio de Janeiro

• Stay

  • ​Pura Vida Hostel: Link

  • Ubirajara's Airbnb: Link

  • Next time: Would 100% stay at both again!  Pura Vida has a great social atmosphere with events every day of the week and Ubirajara's is great apartment right near the Aproador

• Things to Do and Reviews

  • Beaches

    • Copacabana

      • More restaurants along the beach with lots of people selling stuff along the walkway, much more lively

    • Ipanema

      • Safer and cleaner area with a view of Two Brothers Mountain

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• • Christ the Redeemer

    • 100% a must, beautiful view from the top

    • Two ways to get up to the structure

      • Train

        • 20 minute beautiful ride to the top through the forest

        • Costs about 120 real

      • Hike

        • I heard this is an extremely difficult two hour hike

        • Also it is apparently dangerous with people hiding in the jungle and then robbing people as they hike

        • Go at you own risk from the entrance at Parque Lage

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• • Parque Lage

    • Beautiful park to walk through and hosts the entrance of the hike to Christ the Redeemer

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• • Lagoa

    • So beautiful to just walk around the lagoon and see all the outdoor activities locals are partaking in

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• • Dos Irmãos

    • One of my favorite hikes I have ever done

    • Definitely not an easy hike but by no means challenging

    • A little complicated to get to the entrance so here are the exact directions

      • 1. Uber to Praca Vidigal

      • 2. Walk up the stairs and get on a mototaxi and just say “Dos Irmaos”, everyone will understand and go to the same place

        • a. They may be asking if you want to ride in a van, totally safe but not nearly as fun as being on the motorcycle

      • 3. Walk across the soccer field and there will be someone there (maybe with an AK) but just give him 10 reals and you’re good to go

    • BIGGEST NOTE: bring bananas with you as there are monkeys throughout the trail that would love to be fed and will come straight up to you

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• • Sugarloaf Mountain

    • Another absolute must of Rio

    • Two ways to get to the top

      • 1. Take the gondola up all the way from the bottom, stopping at Morro da Urca

      • 2. Hike Morro da Urca which only takes about 25 minutes through the jungle, and then take the gondola Morro da Urca to the top of Sugarloaf

        • Getting on the gondola off the hike closes at 5pm so make sure you allow yourself time to get to the top

    • Gorgeous view from the top, absolutely incredible for sunset

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• • Boat Party

    • Try to get on a boat party at some night as they are so much fun

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• • Sunset at Aproador

    • Most famous place to watch sunset in Rio

    • Right at the intersection of Ipanema and Copacabana is this giant rock structure where you will see crowds of people all there for sunset

    • It will not disappoint, incredible view

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• Breakfast Places and Reviews

  • ​Maria Acai

    • I got this acai every single morning in Rio, so delicious and cheap

    • Multiple locations around Rio but the best one is the one at Ipanema

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• • Hiper Mate

    • My favorite thing to pair with the acai each morning, a ham and cheese croissant

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• Dinner Places and Reviews

  • ​Restaurante Mondego

    • Solid food along the Copacabana road but definitely better food elsewhere

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• • Botekim do Japa

    • Actually delicious sushi was considering going back the next night

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• • Djalma Burger e Bistrô

    • Great american burger if you need a break from the seafood and grilled meats

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• • Galeto’s Copa Rio

    • LOVE this place

    • Always packed and the best thing to get is the Ribeye piranha steak, the broccoli rice, and the polenta fries are a must

    • You’re welcome