Hello!
Below are the things to do and see in Rio.
Tourist spots: Cristo Redentor, Sugarloaf Mountain (you can walk up both if you’re brave), match at the Maracana if you like football. Vista Chinese for the view of Tijuca Park. The famous Santa Teresa stairs or an opera or Municipal Theater if that’s your thing.
Nice neighborhoods to walk around: Santa Teresa (a sort of local Montmartre), Ipanema for its little village side, Lagoa for the landscapes, the centro to see the heart of the city. If you want to see a more or less peaceful and quiet favela go to Vidigal. The view up there (bar da lage) is crazy. You can do the trek that takes you to the top of the two brothers, it’s a 40-minute walk that’s really worth it. There is also the Pedra de Gavéa but it is 1h30 of climbing and it is more physical and even dangerous.
Beaches: the most mythical is obviously Copacabana. There are also the beaches of Ipanema, Leblon or Joa Tinga and the most natural because without any buildings is 45 minutes by car and is called Grumari.
Restaurants:
Ceviche carioca in Jardim Botanico and Ipanema. It is one of my favorite restaurants because it is good and not too expensive. The Salomé bistro in Leme and the small bistro Humaitá and Le Pulê in Ipanema are delicious (they are friends of mine so go there for me, my name is Charlie). They also opened a night bar in Botafogo called Canastra Rose. Go there it is magnificent. They also have two delicious pizzerias in Ipanema and Leme: Pizza Canastra. You can go to each of these places with your eyes closed.
In Italian restaurants there is Sult in Botafogo which is extraordinary, you have to have the. Lasagna as a starter and share it. In Ipanema there is Nino, the best carbonara. Posi is also a very good option. Finally there is Babbo Osteria which is also great.
In Asian, sushi leblon, spicy fish in Ipanema, San leblon and Xian for its breathtaking view.
Otherwise there is also Garota de Ipanema for its history and its picanha, Fogo de chão and especially Le Assador’s Rio if you like all-you-can-eat meat. TT brasserie and Chez Claude (Trois Gros restaurants, good and expensive), Satyricon for fish (quite expensive and very good, the best fish in Rio).
Aprazivel in Santa Teresa for the view and the famous Colombo bakery in the center which also has a restaurant with a terrace at the Copacabana Fort, great for having breakfast with a beautiful view.
I forgot one of my favorite restaurants: Sabor Peruano in Lapa, near the arches and the famous Selaron stairs. A must!
The best bakery in Rio is called Talho. There are three in Rio, one in Gávea, one in Leblon and one in Ipanema.
The best coffee in Rio is from an Australian friend called Aussie café. He also does brunch all day, it’s always full of gringos
Bars: All the Canastras and S Bistrots have delicious cocktails, Jobi in Leblon for late nights, Pavão Azul in Copacabana (small), hotel rooftops for the views. Bar Urca at sunset. Bar do Mineiros for their Feijoada (national dish), Bar do Gomez, terrace of the Santa Teresa hotel, etc.
Music: Rio Cenarium (to do at least once, it is the temple of Brazilian music and dance), Lapa (neighborhood near the center) very lively in the evening on weekends. Circovador for concerts or a samba school in the northern zone but it is better to go accompanied!
All the names mentioned above are easy to find on the internet!
My number if you need anything when you are there +5521975100656.
Enjoy your stay in Rio!
