It had always been a dream of mine to visit the Marvelous City, and while Rio de Janeiro sometimes gets a bad reputation, I’m here to tell you why Brazil should be on your 2025 bucket list! From stunning beaches and lush forested mountains to incredible food, vibrant culture, great shopping, and welcoming people, Rio truly has something for everyone.
Luckily, there was a direct flight from Miami to Rio de Janeiro, which took about eight hours. Most long-haul flights from the U.S. to South America are red-eye flights, meaning you arrive in Rio in the morning. Since my boyfriend and I only had four days in this magical city, we wanted to make the most of every moment. We also visited the week before Carnival, so I should warn you—traffic can be crazy around this time! If you’re visiting during the festivities, your best bet for getting around is walking, biking, or using electric scooters.
Transportation: Uber! We primarily used Uber Black throughout our trip—for airport transfers, getting to dinner, and even heading to our helicopter tour. When traffic was heavy along the beach and in Ipanema and Leblon, we either walked along the beach path, took electric scooters, or even biked.
Where to Stay: I highly recommend staying on the southern end of Copacabana Beach, in Ipanema, or in Leblon. The closer you are to the beach, the easier it is to walk!
Safety: This is where I think Rio de Janeiro gets a bad reputation. Personally, I felt very safe throughout my trip. Before visiting, many Brazilian natives in Miami warned me to be cautious with my phone, watch out for pickpockets, and avoid walking alone at night. As for my phone, I had it out most of the time. As a full-time content creator (and someone who just loves capturing every moment), I was constantly recording and taking pictures. To feel more secure, I used a phone strap case so my phone was always secured around my neck or wrist, and I carried a fanny pack across my chest. When it came to jewelry and designer items, I didn’t even bring them. Rio is a very casual city, especially by the beach. Most people wear Havaianas, T-shirts, and swimsuits, so I didn’t wear anything that would make me stand out. As for walking at night, we stuck to well-lit areas along the beach, where plenty of people were still out and about. We avoided empty, dark streets and never felt unsafe. I will say, I don’t know if it was just because it was the week before Carnival, but we noticed military police, local police, and tourist police on almost every block. With that being said, you should NOT be afraid to visit Rio de Janeiro based on what you see or hear online. Like any big city—whether it’s London, New York, or Paris—unfortunate things can happen, so staying vigilant is always important.
The Language Barrier: I honestly thought more people would speak English, but that wasn’t the case. The hotel staff and our helicopter tour guides spoke English, but only two of our Uber drivers knew some English. Most restaurant waiters, beach vendors, and locals didn’t speak English at all. However, we managed just fine by using Italian and a little bit of Spanish to communicate. If not, I’d definitely recommend having Google Translate handy for your trip.
Things to do:
- Visit Christ the Redeemer: One of the Seven Wonders of the World! I highly recommend experiencing Christ the Redeemer via a helicopter tour—you’ll get breathtaking views of the entire city from above and avoid the crowds.
- Helicopter Tour: A fantastic way to see Rio, as long as the weather is clear! We booked with Rio2Fly, and they were amazing. I highly recommend the Doors Off experience—it’s truly once in a lifetime!
- Sugarloaf Mountain: The best time to visit is at sunset on a Friday or Saturday to catch the DJ set from 4 PM to 6 PM. To reach the top, you’ll take two cable cars, with the DJ set happening at the first stop. If you’re visiting during a busy time of year, fast-pass tickets are worth it!
- Leblon & Ipanema Beach: We preferred these beaches over Copacabana because they felt more local and less touristy.
- Havaianas Store: The land of Havaianas! I grew up wearing these sandals, so visiting one of their many stores was a must. Not only are they cheaper here, but you can also customize them with charms! This was such a fun experience, and they have endless colors and styles to choose from.
- Copacabana Fort: A military base at the south end of Copacabana that’s open to the public. Inside, there’s a museum and a few great spots to grab a drink and some food with a view.
- Pedra do Arpoador: A scenic rock formation between Copacabana and Ipanema Beach—one of the most popular spots to watch the sunset.
- EAT: The food in Rio is incredible, and there’s a strong Italian and Japanese influence as well. Some must-tries are:
–Caipirinha – Brazil’s national cocktail, made with cachaça (sugarcane rum), lime, and sugar
–Pão de queijo – Chewy, cheesy Brazilian cheese bread
–Açaí – Açaí bowls in Brazil taste different 🙂
–Feijoada – Brazil’s national dish, a hearty black bean stew with pork, served with rice, farofa, and greens.
–Brazilian Steakhouse – A traditional Brazilian barbecue experience!
More things to do: (that we didn’t have time for)
- Botanical gardens of Rio
- Soccer Game: a game at Maracanã Stadium (if you’re there during the soccer season)
- Santa Teresa (a hilltop district)
- Escadaria Selarón (famous steps covered in colorful mosaics)
- Rocihna Favela Tour
- Baía de Guanabara Boat Tour
- Visit more beaches: The three main beaches in Rio are Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon but I would love to visit Praia dos Amores and Barra da Tijuca next time.
Where to eat: (all these restaurants were recommended to me by friends)
- Malta Beef Club
- Academia de Cachaca
- Mocellin Steakhouse
- Jobi
- Oakberry Acai or Casa do Acai
- Braseiro da Gavea
During my stay in Rio de Janeiro I stayed at the Fairmont Hotel located on the south end of Copacabana. I wrote a whole review on the hotel that you can read HERE!
Overall, the only regret I have about Rio is not staying long enough. I highly recommend staying at least a week minimum because there is so much to see and do. Plus, it’s a beach city where you can easily spend an entire day just relaxing on the beach if you wanted to!
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