Brazil’s Marvelous City
One of my most unforgettable summers was spent in Rio de Janeiro. Anytime I share travel experiences it always stands out to me because I’ll never forget the way it made me feel. The natural beauty, the food, the people, the music, the language…it’s a special place.
Sure it gets a bad rep for the crime and poverty, and I don’t try to downplay that at all. But what foreign adventure doesn’t involve some degree of risk? Get yourself down to the “Cidade Maravilhosa” and those fears will soon become an afterthought.
I applied for my visa with the intention of only a few weeks’ trip split between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. But the timing was suited for something much bigger than that. The 2014 World Cup was about to commence and I had no responsibility to get back to the US anytime soon. So when the opportunity presented itself to stay a while with local friends, I made the very easy choice to stay in Rio.
The week spent in Sao Paulo was a lot of fun…mostly eating and partying. But my heart lies in the land of the Cariocas, and I want to share the most memorable ways in which Rio de Janeiro became my favorite city in the world.
Pão de Açúcar
The English translation is Sugarloaf Mountain. Overlooking the iconic city landscape, this is one of the biggest draws for visitors. Take a cable car up or brave the steep hike (only 1300ft). I must’ve taken no less than a few hundred pictures the first time my buddy Mike and I explored this spot, because the panoramic views are silly.
The second visit was even better…my Brazilian friend got us up there for a massive and insanely fun watch party of Brazil v Cameroon. My memories of that night are pure joy manifested through me running all over the place with a Brazilian flag on my back, which is crazy cause I wasn’t even a soccer fan the first half of my life!
Maracanã
The 2014 FIFA World Cup final was held at the world famous Maracanã stadium, which is just a few blocks away from where I stayed that summer. An event like this draws visitors from all over the world. Thanks to some good Cariocas, I got to catch 3 games…Russia v Belgium, Ecuador v France, and Colombia v Uruguay. The energy spilling out of Rio’s streets and beaches was exhilarating to say the least.
The Brazilian national team was a widespread favorite to win. As the tournament progressed through the group stage and into knockouts, the fairytale of winning it all in its most beautiful city seemed destine to become reality. While the Seleção is the most successful team in FIFA World Cup history, they’ve never won a World Cup at home.
If you’re a true soccer fan you know what happened. To put it lightly, the semifinal loss to Germany was heartbreaking. All of the joy and goosebumps that riddle my memories of the previous watch parties had been erased in a 7-1 embarrassment. It was a major bummer, but the pain I truly felt was for the Brazilians who had so much pride riding on what could’ve been.
Copacabana Beach
You can’t talk about Rio without a mention of Copacabana, and it will always frequent the topic of discussion for world’s most iconic beaches. Visitors make an entrance walking the hand laid, wavy promenade of Portuguese inspired design, which I also had a chance to admire at the Lisbon boardwalk.
Notched along the nearly 2.5 mile stroll are cafes and vendors serving up refreshments of all kinds. Acai smoothies, coconut water, and caiprinhas are best enjoyed amongst the action that lies below the surrounding mountains…it’s heavenly.
To say Brazilians in Rio maintain an active lifestyle would be an understatement. Surfers, footballers, and volleyballers congregate everywhere. Others run or lift weights at Arpoador’s version of Muscle Beach. But maybe the most fond memory was getting a taste of the Brazilian innovation footvolley, which is a challenging blend of football and volleyball.
Pedra Bonita
One of Rio de Janeiro’s best hikes is up the monolith of Pedra Bonita. Certainly the best time to go is when the weather is cooperating and you’re afforded coastal views to the north and south for miles. But even if you show up to a layer of clouds obstructing the view below, it’s still quite a sight. And it’s quiet. The few times I went there were barely any others up there.
If you’re feeling crazy, set yourself up for a unique in the world paragliding experience. In my opinion it’s the better alternative to skydiving. With better planning I would’ve been all over it because I can’t imagine there’s a better place to do it. Hopefully I make it back there before these old bones can no longer handle a thrill like that.
Christ The Redeemer
Very few cariocas would dispute that the main tourist attraction that isn’t a beach, it’s at Christ The Redeemer. This 100ft art deco statue of Jesus Christ is perched above the heart of Rio, and rightfully named as one of the new seven wonders of the world.
Access to the area is available by car, but parking is limited. It’s best to catch a taxi or hike up Corcovado Mountain to admire the nearly 100 year old phenomenon.
Ipanema
Just down the coast from Copacabana is another popular beach. With its proximity to the wealthy Leblon district, Ipanema tends to be thought of as “higher class” compared to Copacabana. Here visitors are afforded even more incredible views, of both the mountains and meticulous plastic surgery. Yes, the rumors are true.
Ipanema is loosely segmented into different zones to guide locals and visitors accordingly. Segmentation criteria varies between sexuality, social class, and affinity for sports. It was without a doubt my favorite spot for a run. When a long night of dancing left fumes in the tank, my energy was restored by the ocean, the mountains, and of course…the beautiful women.
Lapa
Carioca culture is about living life beautifully. Dancing is a big part of that. Two of my personal Brazilian favorites are samba and forro. If you’re brave enough to move those feet, Lapa is the place to be. Down a few rounds of sugarcane-derived Cachaça and you’ll be ready for Carnaval in no time.
The old architecture in Lapa sets the tone for this musically diverse neighborhood. Its pedestrian streets serve as a confluence of parties amongst doctors, construction workers, and gringos to share drinks and laughs. Delightedly there are nightlife options for all types, including the chill and intimate live music venues, smart casual dress and looking to dance venues, and all bets are off and everything goes venues.
If you’ve made it long enough for sunrise, walk over to Escadaria Selarón. Vibrantly colored mosaics that ascend over 200 stairs create some marvelous eye candy while you contemplate what’s for breakfast.
Ilha Grande
All that partying in Lapa will prompt you for a tranquil adventure to a nearby island. Invest the few hours between car and boat and head to Ilha Grande. What’s now a largely undeveloped and uninhabited UNESCO World Heritage site once served as a holding place for a colony of lepers, a refuge for pirates, and most recently home to a maximum security prison for Brazil’s most dangerous criminals.
But don’t let its strange history be cause for reluctance. It’s a fantastic spot to do some day hikes, chase the wildlife, or relax at the beaches without the craziness of Rio.
