Rio De Janeiro is a vibrant city full of diversity, hosting people from all corners of the world, where everybody can feel accepted and at home. It is a place that truly has something for everyone. Known famously for being the city home to Carnival, the city lives up to its vibrant, chaotic and ‘good vibes’ atmosphere year round, not just during the festival season. Rio is often a first stop for travellers in South America due to its geographical location and subsequently cheaper flights compared to other countries on the continent. Rio also draws in a lot of holiday goers and families for their vacations, therefore making Rio a place of first impressions for many in Brazil and South America. So let me tell you a little bit about this jungle of a city.

I had the pleasure of visiting Rio early this year with my husband when we were nearing the end of our trip in Central and South America. We weren’t there for the period of Carnival so we got to experience the city in its ‘normal’ state. My husband and I also got to experience staying in both a hostel and with a local friend who showed us around, so we had both the tourist experience as well as getting the opportunity to be shown around by someone living in the heart of the city.

Out of all the places I have visited Rio was possibly the most important one to research beforehand. Which admittedly my husband and I did very last minute on a bus journey coming from the state Minas Gerais which was further North in Brazil. However we were still very happy we did that last minute bit of researching as it is crucial to know which is the right suburb of Riobefore going ahead and booking accommodation. We soon realized why this was so important as the bus drove into the city, which took a good hour, passing by some rather poorer and rougher areas of the outskirts of Rio before heading into the more modern and chaotic bus terminal. Rio immediately felt different to the state we had just come from with its vast expanses of wild areas, open fields, agricultural land and smaller towns and cities. Driving in to Rio you could sense it was a large city just by how far the residential parts stretched, many people cramming in to the surrounding area in hopes of a prosperous city life.  We had received many warnings from other foreign travellers and citizens of neighboring countries, like Bolivia and Paraguay, about the dangerous side to Rio, but like many other travellers, it did not put us off visiting at all. However we knew to be vigilant and take care of ourselves and our belongings, like you would anywhere in the world.

So where should you stay? There are two suburbs of Rio – Copacabana and Botafogo- that are recommended, both for the safety factor and for the location and vibe. They are right next each other and make up the area of the city that is most known for tourism. The two suburbs make for the perfect location to explore Rio as they are along the coast line, boasting some of the best beaches in the city, as well as being centrally located to the popular tourist destinations: Sugarloaf mountain and Corcovado mountain, home to the wonder of the world, Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer).

Nestled between these two magnificent sights, lays the main town of Copacabana which stretches into Botafogo. Here you will find lively streets with bars, restaurants and many shops, as well as shopping malls and quieter and fancy suburban residential streets. It’s the perfect area to find either a party hostel, a quiet Air Bnb or something in between. During our first stay in Rio my husband and I stayed in a quieter area of Botafogo in a hostel called Hospedaria Rio. The hostel was a perfect mix of social while having enough quiet areas and private rooms to make it a great place to escape to in the heat, or after a night out. The private rooms go from $25, usually including breakfast. Served buffet style, the breakfast was a continental breakfast consisting of tea, coffee and a juice option, a fresh fruit platter, a cold meats and cheese platter served along with various breads and a cake. The rooms were fully air conditioned and the bathrooms were shared, both male and female bathrooms were provided and they were cleaned daily. The décor was trendy but with a vintage vibe from big bookshelves and cozy sofas with an old typewriter on display. The main social area was a courtyard garden which even had a Netflix room at the back. I would highly recommend the hostel for both single travellers and for couples as it had the perfect atmosphere for both.The hostels provides a social atmosphere for solo travellers wanting to meet other people, as well as a quiet vibe that allowed for couples to spend time in their rooms or to also enjoy the communal spaces. It is also within walking distance of everything you could possibly need like restaurants, shops and pharmacies, and the main strip of Botafogo beach.It is also a short 5 minute walk from a large shopping mall called Botafogo Praia which has the best views over the bay and Sugarloaf Mountain from the top restaurant floor. My husband very much enjoyed staying in these suburbs. When you are travelling and you do not have your own form of transportation, it is nice to know that just by stepping out of your accommodation, you don’t have to go far to find whatever you desire.

During our time in Copacabana my husband and I stayed with a friend on a street one block away from the beach, and just off the main road that runs parallel to the beach.After staying there and talking to some locals, we quickly realized why Copacabana is such a popular spot for people to live in. The locals also very much enjoy having everything they need right on their doorstep, and the vibe of the town seems to have been attracting people from all over Brazil and the world for a long time. It creates a ‘vacation’ like atmosphere that never goes away and I think the people that live there enjoy not just tourism factor, but the feeling that they live in a permanent ‘vacation’. Especially having the beautiful beaches and the stunning weather, I know I would feel like I was living a holiday lifestyle. To stay in this popular area your choices won’t be limited. We passed by so many types of accommodation that you are sure to find what you are looking for. The main Copacabana beach is where the more well-established hotels can be found, all overlooking the sea and being just a step away from the hustle and bustle of the main street and all the night life and restaurants it has to offer. Just a few blocks back from the beach you will find quieter Bed and Breakfasts and I’m sure there are plenty of Air Bnbs in the many apartment complexes that make up most of the tree lined streets. As I said I the beginning, Rio has something for everyone.

Anything can be found in these suburbs of Copacabana and Botafogo. All your favourite and well-known fast food restaurants like MacDonald’s and Domino’s Pizza are always a stone’s throw away. Like many other metropolitan cities, a vast array of different cuisines can be found throughout these popular suburbs, attracting both locals and foreign tourists. But a must try when in Brazil and in Rio are the many snack style bakery restaurants. It is hard to recommend just one as there are so many in Rio and you won’t struggle to find these local places. They always have a large glass bakery style display cabinets and sell empanadas, pao de quejo (stuffed bread with cheese) and a variety of pastels, which is fried dough often stuffed with meat, although sweet items can be found too. These local delicacies are very common, the locals eat them as snacks, as breakfast or for late night munchies, there are so many to try so you will never go hungry in Rio.

If you are wanting something a bit more substantial than fried snacks, and you are looking to try something authentically Brazilian, then head to the restaurant Pensao Mar Rico located just off the main road in Copacabana. This restaurant was one of the places my husband and I were shown by our local friend who frequently eats there, along with many other locals. We went there twice and both times it was very busy, but for the local crowd it is more of a ‘eat and go’ type place so tables are usually available. Although they have a few typical staples on the menu like beans, rice and chicken, the menu changed daily so there was always a few specials to try. Although one particular dish famous to Brazil that you must try is: feijoada, a hearty bean stew, sure to be found all over the country, but probably best tried in local restaurants such as this one. With prices around just 15 Real (about $2.90) and everything you order comes with a large portion of rice and beans, some also including chips or salad, as well as whatever the main meat or dish is. It’s safe to say that one meal can easily feed two hungry mouths making this restaurant a very reasonably priced place amongst the high end more expensive parts of the city.

For those wanting something more familiar or maybe you have been travelling for a while in that side of the world and are getting a little sick of rice and beans. A famous favourite in Copacabana is the 24 hour pizza haven called Stalos (Café e Bar Stalos). Italians probably wouldn’t call it a pizza, though. The majority of the pizzas are not traditionally made and many come with the crusts stuffed with cream cheese, which is also drizzled over some of the pizzas. An absolute cheese overload. However the restaurant itself has a great atmosphere, at any time of the day you will see all of the tables full of people eating huge pizzas, either with coffee or with cocktails, and the front counters are always stocked with pizzas ready to eat by the slice. It is definitely worth a visit to Stalos, even just to grab a slice to eat on the beach.

Finally for the sweet tooth, in the intense heat of Rio De Janeiro, an absolute must try is Acai. Again Acai is very popular among both locals and foreign tourists, so it can be found literally anywhere. Even on the beach there are a few vendors carting their Acai up and down the beach for hungry and overheating people. Acai comes from a berry and is meant to be packed with antioxidants and lots of goodness. It is found in the more tropical regions in Brazil and some other parts of South America, so some will argue you can only find authentic Acai in those places. However, it is delicious and refreshing so don’t let them stop you. They make it like an ice cream or sorbet and usually you can add all sorts of toppings to it, ranging from healthy fruits and nuts to sweets and chocolates. Honestly, if you leave without trying Acai why did you even visit Rio?

People always say there are loads of things to do in cities, this is especially true for Rio, due to the location and unique natural landscape, this is a city with a LOT to do. Firstly, the beach! Not many cities around the world have beaches like Rio has beaches. Usually, to go on a beach holiday you wouldn’t think to go to a major city but you can in Rio. It has the sun, the sea, the sand and so much more. There are beautiful beaches stretching between Botafogo and Copacabana, all safe and clean and accessible (providing you stick to the main areas). Botafogo has a large beach where a large walkway stretches right around the bay, making it a popular spot for runners and cyclists. There is a smaller beach tucked right below the Sugarloaf Mountain which is popular for swimming and as a stopping area for small private yachts. Copacabana beach is the largest stretch with bustling evening markets, many vendors, and lots of parasols and loungers for hire making it a great spot for your beach day. When you have had enough of the beach, you should also be sure to check out some of the many museums and art galleries that Rio has to offer. The areas both boast a number of museums and galleries like the Favela Museum in Copacabana which provides a more unique museum experience (do be weary of wondering into the favela itself that sits just a few blocks back from the main street of Copacabana.) However there are also many historical and cultural museums, as well as art galleries that will be sure to keep you busy. Try the National History Museum (MuseuHistóricoNacional) or for something a little different and in keeping with the modern atmosphere in Rio, try the Museum of Image and Sound (Museu da Imagem e do Som).

An absolute must do in Rio De Janeiro is the famous Christ the Redeemer statue which gathers huge crowds of eager tourists every day, each squinting up at the bright sky to gaze upon the huge Jesus Christ statue. The famous monument is located at the peak of the Corcovado Mountain 700 meters up, overlooking the sea and the vast city below. Even on a cloudy day, which is unfortunately the weather we had while visiting Christ the Redeemer, the crowds are never ending and the top is always covered in people stretching out their arms to get that perfect photo. However it is well worth the visit up the mountain to see this wondrous site.

The other famous mountain Rio has to offer is Sugarloaf Mountain, perching right on a corner of the city at the edge of the water, Sugarloaf Mountain stands out for its unique shape and location and it also provides an incredible view over the city with a different perspective of Christ the Redeemer statue standing tall and proud over the city. I mentioned before that Rio has a unique natural landscape and that is because of the mountains like Sugarloaf and Corcovado. Throughout the city are tall mountains that seem to stick up randomly all over the place, with steep cliffs and jungle surrounding them and covering the peaks. Sugarloaf is much the same, it provides a steep hike up to the first mountain through the jungle, although it only takes about 40 minutes and provides a beautiful nature escape from the city. However if you are not feeling up to a hike in the heat, there is a cable car that goes from the very bottom to the first mountain, as well as the main cable car that takes you to the top of the otherwise inaccessible Sugarloaf peak. There is a bar and small snack restaurant and shops up at the peak, so it is really worth going up to the very top, although it is free to just go to the first mountain point. All in all, Sugarloaf Mountain is a unique thing to do in this rather unique city.

As for getting around, my husband and I used Uber to get around the city. This was a personal choice for us, mostly for the safety issue of Rio as we would not have felt safe walking around the city at night off the busy main roads. There is a metro available in these areas and we were informed by our local friends that it would be perfectly safe to use during the day to get around. Otherwise walking is a great way to get around each suburb if you don’t need to go too far and it is a great way to explore the streets and perhaps find some interesting spots.

There are many more things to do and see in Rio De Janeiro but if you can take away one thing from this guide, let it be that this is not your normal city and that you need some time to take it all in before you start to fall in love with the place. A trip to Brazil would not be complete without visiting Rio, so go for Carnival or just go! You will not be disappointed with everything Rio has to offer.