First things first, if you haven’t been to Brazil it’s an absolute must. While there I visited Rio de Janeiro and Búzios and fell in love with the country. I’m happy with our decision to split time between a more major city (Rio) and a smaller coastal town (Búzios) and would recommend doing the same if possible. There’s truly so much to do and see, one week wasn’t nearly enough and I’ll be back in the future!
Things to Know When Traveling in Brazil
- It’s helpful to know basic phrases in Portuguese. We ran into a language barrier occasionally during our time in Brazil, but luckily, I had the necessities down (obrigada, cafe, banheiro, etc.)
- Most hotels, restaurants, bars, and activities accept credit cards. Having some local currency on hand is helpful if you’re planning to visit street markets or vendors.
- Rio and Búzios were both very Uber-friendly. Our friend who grew up in Rio recommended Ubers over local taxi companies.
- Tipping isn’t customary.
- Our hotel warned us to keep any valuable jewelry behind when walking around Rio. We didn’t run into any issues with pickpocketing or theft, although it’s probably best to err on the side of caution.
Rio De Janeiro
Where to Stay in Rio
Hotel Emiliano
Hotel Emiliano is a five-star standout located right on Copacabana Beach. It’s on the smaller side (which I personally love), but delivers on every luxury detail. The rooms are sleek yet comfortable, and the rooftop pool is just as stunning as you’d hope. I only stayed one night, but it was more than enough to know I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a high-end stay in the area.
Hotel Fasano
Fasano is another iconic luxury stay, perched along Ipanema Beach. Location-wise, I actually preferred it to Copacabana because it felt less touristy, while still just a short walk (less than a mile) from Emiliano. You can easily bounce between the two neighborhoods on foot.
Designed by Philippe Starck, the hotel leans into a mid-century aesthetic, pulling influence from the glamour of the ’50s and ’60s. It’s undeniably beautiful and thoughtfully designed, but I couldn’t quite get past how dark the hallways and rooms felt. The low lighting and moody interiors felt a little mismatched with the vibrant, tropical energy of Rio.
That said, the real showstopper at Fasano is the rooftop pool. The panoramic views over Ipanema Beach are absolutely breathtaking—so much so that we spotted Alicia Keys casually posing for photos during her stay.
Things to Do in Rio
Copacabana and Ipanema Beaches
Both beaches are iconic and absolutely worth exploring. Copacabana and Ipanema sit side by side, so you can easily stroll the beachfront boardwalk and experience each during your stay. Be sure to stop along the way for a Caipirinha—Brazil’s national cocktail—made with cachaça (a local sugarcane spirit), lime, and sugar. We also spotted fun twists with mango, pineapple, and other tropical fruits. The perfect refreshment between beach stops.
Hang Gliding or Paragliding
If you’re up for a little adrenaline, carve out a morning to go hang gliding over Ipanema Beach – it’s an unforgettable way to take in Rio from above. While the actual flight lasted just six minutes, the full experience takes about two hours. That includes the scenic drive up the mountain with your guide, getting fitted with gear, and a few practice runs on land. We went first thing in the morning and had the rest of the day free to explore (or recover from the adrenaline rush).
Christ the Redeemer & Sugarloaf
Someone in our group organized a four-hour tour to see two of Rio’s most iconic landmarks: Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain. The guide was knowledgeable, covered a lot of the history behind each site, and handled all of the logistics, which made things incredibly easy. I don’t have the exact company name, but there are plenty of great options on GetYourGuide if you’re looking to book something similar.
There are two main ways to reach Christ the Redeemer at the summit of Mount Corcovado: by train (our choice) or on foot via a hike. The train is a scenic, no-stress option, which I’d recommend, especially since we were advised that tourists have occasionally encountered safety issues on the hiking route.
With Christ the Redeemer officially checked off, we continued on to Sugarloaf Mountain, home to the famous cable car system. The cable car connects Rio to two rocky peaks just off the coastline, offering stunning panoramic views on a clear day. Unfortunately, we went on an overcast afternoon and didn’t see much. My biggest takeaway: try to time your visit for when the skies are clear.
Sunset Cruise on Guanabara Bay
We couldn’t leave Rio without spending time on the water, and a sunset cruise offered the perfect sendoff. Our group met the crew just outside Bar Urca (grab a beer and an empanada beforehand), then set sail for a three-hour cruise around Guanabara Bay. The ticket included light snacks and drinks, and the whole experience was relaxed, scenic, and such a fun way to take in the city from a different perspective.
Explore Santa Teresa and Lapa
Santa Teresa is an artsy, bohemian neighborhood in Rio. We took an Uber from our hotel and first stopped in Explorer Bar for a drink. From there, we wandered through the neighborhood before heading to Aprazível for dinner. As you’d expect from a Michelin-starred spot, the food was great — but truthfully, the sweeping hillside views may have been the real standout. After dinner, our waiter suggested we check out the nightlife in nearby Lapa. The bars were relatively quiet (it was a Tuesday after all, but we still had a great time.
Tijuca National Park
Tijuca is the largest urban rainforest in the world and part of what makes Rio so special. Christ the Redeemer rests atop the park, however, the Botanical Gardens and Parque Lage are also located within Tijuca National Park.
Hippie Market
Every Sunday, the Feira de Arte — better known as the Hippie Market — sets up shop in Ipanema. Conveniently for us, it was just around the corner from Hotel Fasano. We grabbed a coffee and wandered through rows of outdoor stalls filled with art, handmade jewelry, leather goods, and colorful clothing. The selection was impressive, and the prices were even better… I snagged a beautiful pair of earrings for just $12 USD.
Jardim Mistico
As the name hints, Jardim Místico is an outdoor pop-up music event held at a secret location somewhere in Rio. The concept took root during the pandemic and has stuck around thanks to its growing cult following. We were lucky enough to experience it with a close friend from Rio, and it turned out to be one of the most unique (and seriously fun) nights of our trip.
Once tickets are confirmed, you’re given a meeting point for pickup. From there, vans shuttle guests to the mystery venue — in our case, a forest just outside the city. The place was packed, with what felt like well over a thousand people dancing under the trees to a live DJ, sipping drinks, and grabbing bites from local vendors. It had the energy of a massive party tucked into the wild.
Having a local with us definitely made the night smoother; navigating the logistics (and the language) would’ve been tricky otherwise. And since we didn’t have cell service once we arrived, I’d highly recommend downloading your tickets in advance.
Búzios
Where to Stay in Búzios
Casas Brancas
If you’re heading to Búzios, Casas Brancas is an absolute must. I’ll go as far as to say Casas Brancas is my favorite hotel that I’ve stayed at. This small boutique gem, just steps from downtown, impresses with stunning architecture and impeccable service. Much to our surprise, the front desk manager upgraded us to the master suite at no extra charge. Walking into the room, my jaw nearly dropped as I stepped onto the private balcony with sweeping views of Armação Bay.
Free breakfast was also included in our stay at the hotel’s restaurant, 74. From freshly squeezed juices to indulgent croquette breakfast sandwiches, every bite was a delicious delight. Encouraged by our great breakfast experience, we decided to return for dinner — more on that below.
Things to Do in Búzios
Explore Downtown Búzios
Downtown by Armação Bay, you’ll find a charming mix of restaurants, shops, and bars. Be sure to set aside time to wander the cobblestone streets and enjoy some leisurely window shopping during your stay in Búzios.
Madame Bardot
Perched right on Armação Bay, Madame Bardot is an ideal spot to pause for an afternoon cerveja. Our waiter recommended the local brew, Brigitte, which was light, crisp, and perfectly refreshing. While we didn’t sample the food ourselves, friends who dined there one evening found it decent but nothing to write home about.
Water taxi
Why Uber when you can take a water taxi? There are several water taxi stops within Armação bay and it’s a great way to visit multiple beaches within a day. We opted to start downtown and ended at Joao Fernando Beach. The beach was lively, thanks to the nearby hotels and beach clubs, but fortunately, we had no trouble securing chairs.
Brava Beach
Brava Beach quickly became my favorite in Búzios. If you’re looking to escape the crowds and soak in some tranquility, this peaceful stretch is exactly that. The dramatic green cliffs surrounding the beach only add to its breathtaking charm. Our friends couldn’t recommend Rocka enough (a restaurant perched just above the shore) though, ironically, it was closed the very day we planned to go.
74
One final nod to Casas Brancas because, honestly, it deserves it. The food and cocktails at 74 kept things refreshingly simple—and dangerously delicious. Between the sashimi platter, appetizer sampler, and steak, I was left wondering if I should move in permanently. Can’t wait to make a return trip… or two.
Mistico
We didn’t make it here for dinner, although it came highly recommended by the concierge. Figured I’d pass along!
Until next time, Brazil!