Why we love Rio

When my baby.. When my baby smiles at me I go to Rio….

Keep those shakers moving because the Rio Olympics are here and we are in total admiration of the vibrant and energetic city. Here is why…

The Beaches

The beaches are by far the highlight of Rio and there are many a blog and debate as to which is the best beach and why. The famous Copacaba is a must, purely for the views and the fame, but you should definitely check out a few others! If you want a to explore more than just the beach at the beach 😉  – Ipanema is the beach for you, renowned not only for for the beach itself, but for the beautiful people who occupy it! Ladies…  P L E N T Y of eye candy to go around, just don’t forget your skimpy bikini’s and ensure you do 10,000 squats prior to getting there. Before Kim K, there was a little place called Rio, and don’t you forget it.

Handy Tip: The beaches are lined with restaurants and bars, so if you need to eat or cool down, it’s only a few feet to the ambient strip! Did someone say Caipirinha’s?

Escadaria Selarón – The Spanish Steps

Whether you’re into the arts or not, this is not to be missed. Chilean born artist Jorge Selarón, spent 23 years constructing this spectacular work of art, it would be rude not to check it out.

It is comprised of more than 2000 tiles from over 60 countries, covering 215 steps. (Yes, very impressive)

As the story goes, Selarón originally started this as a side project to cover the eyesore of the run down steps next to his house, but it soon became the painter’s life work and evidently, his obsession. He started with tiles from old building sites and scrap yards around Rio, but over the years, visiting tourists and art lovers from around the globe began donating tiles and money to his cause to help fund his project.

Handy Tip: The steps are situated in the suburbs of Lapa and Santa Teresa

Pedra da Gávea ‘Crow’s Nest Rock’

If you have a day to spare, my personal favourite was Pedra da Gávea ‘Crow’s Nest Rock’ which has been nicknamed ‘The King’s Face’ after erosion caused the face of the rock to take on the structure of a human face.

This hike, which is technically mountaineering, is located in the Tijuca Forest and not for the faint hearted! It is a difficult hike, but well worth the view from the top. Be prepared for the rock climbing section where your tour guide will provide you a safety harness if required  (it is recommended, but not compulsory). You will endure a vertical distance of 844 metres which will take you around 2 hours to reach the top. It is worth every minute of sweat, blood and tears. Organise this one with a tour guide as they will transport you from your accommodation to the forest and ensure you make it safely to the top and back home again.

Sugarloaf mountain

This is the famous mountain in the heart of Rio which you will see in all the areal photos of the famous city. Aside from the phenomenal views from the top, Sugarloaf offers helicopter rides around Christ the redeemer and around Rio. If it’s in your budget, a worthwhile experience! You catch a cable car to the top of the mountain and if you’re lucky, the local buskers will have a jam session in your cart guaranteed to get your hips swinging – no wonder the Brasilians love to dance so much, the music makes them do it.

Brazilian BBQ

Last but not least, who would dare visit Brasil without experiencing the famous Brazilian BBQ? Ok, well, besides the vegans/vego’s **sound crickets**

Handy Tip: biggest tip here is to wear a baggy top long enough to hide the fact you have to unbutton your pants, or alternatively wear something with a comfortable elastic waist to accommodate your new food baby.

There will be meat sweats.

There will be break times where you’re not sure if you can push on just a little more.

Forget the salad bar, fries and bread… it’s a trick so you don’t eat as much meat! You can have salad any time.

Top 3 recommendations are:

Porcão, the number 1 Churrascaria in Rio.

If you are on a tight budget, Churrascaria Palace is a more affordable version.

Fogo de Chão is another great option which you will find in several cities. This one has adopted a Southern style of grilling their meat (from the city of Porto Alegre) and here you turn a card over from Red to Green when you are ready for more meaty goodness to come your way.

There is so much to see and do in Rio. Just follow your nose, talk to the locals and find out about which clubs or bars are the hot spots of the night. Get down to the Favela’s for the hip bars, clubs, DJ sets, warehouse parties and Sunday Jazz sessions. Just watch your pockets and use your common sense and you’ll have the time of your life!

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