A Week in Rio de Janeiro: What to Do

A Week in Rio De Janeiro: My Break From Reality

I recently got back from an amazing trip to Rio de Janeiro. Before heading there, I'd heard so much about the city, but experiencing it firsthand was something else altogether. It definitely exceeded all my expectations.

Day 1: Copacabana Beach and Feria da Gloria

My trip kicked off with a day at Copacabana Beach. We soaked up the sun, enjoyed some delicious açaís, and really got into the vacation spirit. In the afternoon, we went to Feria da Gloria, which happens every Sunday. The feria is ideal if you are looking for local food and clothing. There, me and my friends tried fruits I'd never seen before and tasted a typical Brazilian lunch in a park next to the feria. Later, we went to Ipanema Beach, which was just as beautiful.

Day 2: City Sights and Samba Nights

The next day, we explored the city center. We started with the colorful Escadaria Selarón, then walked up to Santa Teresa, where we found a mirador with stunning views of Rio. By night, we were at Pedra do Sal, famous for its Monday samba nights. The music and the atmosphere were so worth it but it was extremely crowded. That is why we went to a place in Lapa, another hotspot for nightlife.

Day 3: Praia Vermelha and Pão de Açúcar

Day three took us to Praia Vermelha, a smaller, more secluded beach. From there, we took a cable car up to Pão de Açúcar and enjoyed the sunset. From there we could also see how the sunset reflected on Christ the redeemer that was extremely beautiful. 

Day 4: Christ the Redeemer and Surfing

On day four, we got up early to visit Christ the Redeemer. Getting there at 7 AM was good since we avoided the crowds.  It's one of the 7 wonders of the world for a reason; the view of Rio was beautiful and seeing the statue from so close was breathtaking. After that we went surfing, where I made some local friends.

Day 5: More Surfing and a Night of Pagode

The fifth day, we went surfing again and there I made a new friend, Gabriel, who invited us to a local pagode night with live music. This was one of my highlights. The place was very local which made our experience in Brazil very authentic. 

Rio was everything I hoped for and more. The beaches, the music, the food, and the people made this trip the most memorable one of my life. I can't wait to go back!