Solo travel in RIO – Oh the things that you see!

By Guest Blogger: Kathleen Tanner

I went on my first solo travel vacation a couple of weeksago and it was exciting!  I had traveledinternationally before for work but never for fun.

I had traveled to Brazil twice before and knew that there was a need to pay attention to security, especially if I was going to travel alone.  My coworkers in Sao Paulo also warned me that Rio was very dangerous and told me to be careful.  So – I was a little scared walking into a city that had such a reputation.  However, I wanted badly to see this city. Have you seen pictures of Christ the Redeemer looking down over Rio? Yes, it is beautiful, but so much more incredible in person!

Day One (Saturday)

Arrived in Rio around 12:30pm.  I had been travelling around 24 hours at that time and was ready to get to my hotel.  I had set up a car service through Viator that cost me $29.  I stayed at a wonderful hotel on Copacabana Beach (Mirimar Hotel).  It was a reasonable rate, $155 per night because I went in October, which is spring in South America – and if you join their hotel program online, they may upgrade you a level if there is availability.  They welcomed me with a chilled glass of champagne which was wonderful way to start my long weekend!  Check in was easy and they ushered me to my room. 

I thought I would sleep for a few hours – but the pool deck was calling.  I decided to soak up the view and relax with a couple of glasses of champagne and a late lunch poolside.   The view from the rooftop will be one of my top memories of the trip.

I had booked a Caipirinha  making experience through Airbnb  (Cachacaexperience) that evening.  I took an Uber (very safe and very cheap so go ahead select the black service) to the meeting point.  This was Luciana’s first tour of this type, but she did an excellent job showing me around the Lapa district and giving me some history.  We met at the Opera house square and we walked the neighborhood.

We stopped at Sambabar which had props from carnival and you can try on the different costume hats!  We continued, and I had a taste of Cachaça at a local walk up bar that had a specialty Cachaças – bottled with snakes,apples, etc.  The one I tried numbs your mouth and is unique and pretty good! 

We ended up at the Cachaça SocialClub where they showed me how Cachaça was made and how to make a traditional caipirinha.  I had a blast –I took the sugar cane and put it through the processing machine.  (This is what Cachaça is made from).  I made my own drink and while sipping it, the owner sat with us and shared some pork rinds (traditional to eat with caipirinhas), we watched a soccer game on TV and enjoyed the Lapa district coming to life. 

Day 2 (Sunday)

The weather worked with my mostly as I had planned a morning at the beach across the street.  It was sunny and in the 70’s – but humid, so it felt very comfortable and warm for me.  The hotel has towels, chairs and umbrella service.  I think I was the first guest out there and the beach was not that crowded yet!   I was warned as I left that I should not have expensive electronics or my passport in my ragtag bag going to the beach.  This is important for tourists to know – make a copy of your passport and carry that with you.  Don’t bring electronics to the beach (I brought my phone but did not take it out of the bag).  I wore no jewelry, I dressed down and had a small bag to carry my water, phone, just a few reals ($)).

I settled in to relax and sunbathe for a few hours.   Vendors would come by every few minutes trying to sell blankets, bikinis, corn on the cob and cheese on a stick which they cooked in a grill they carried right in front of you!  I did not mind very much with all he requests for me to buy things as I was people watching and had expected it as this a very popular tourist beach.

I headed back to the hotel to get ready for my afternoon tours which I booked through Airbnb.  I had booked a Tuk tour and then a sunset sailing cruise. I again used Uber to the meeting point and met my Tuk tour guide. Tuktour

This Tuk was an electronic assisted bike and we rode along a path in the park next to a beach.  My tour guide grew up in Rio and explained all that I was seeing and answered all my questions throughout the 1.5-hour ride.  People would stop and stare as this is an unusual way to travel along the path.  I paid $17 plus a 10% tip for this great experience.   Views of Sugarloaf and the coast were fantastic.

I then caught an Uber to my next adventure which was wonderful, (SunsetSail).  Matheus and Pedro were wonderful and patient as the Uber driver did not know exactly where the moorage was as it is not public but reserved for Navy folks.  **Big tip to message/call people in South America is to download the app, WhatsApp. This is cheaper than international phone calls and everyone uses it**.

The cruise served fruit, caipirinhas and champagne as they motored around the bay.  The weather was cloudy, but the scenery was wonderful.  I met a couple the captain had asked at church to come on the sail and another solo woman traveler that was a human rights activist decompressing from her latest post in Africa and taking a vacation.  Brazilians are very warm and welcoming and those that work in the tourist industry speak English and want to connect with you. 

Day 3 (Monday)

This was my full tour day!  I researched tours and wanted a smaller van tour that hit all the popular highlights.  I booked this through Viator, All day Rio tour.  They picked me up at my hotel around 7:05AM, then picked up a few more folks and then we headed up to see Christ the Redeemer first thing before all the crowds got there.  And we were the first ones up – it opens at 8AM.  This was the view everyone thinks of when they think of Rio.  Again, it is spring in Rio de Janiero, so it was a bit cloudy, but it was AMAZING! 

We then headed to see the parade grounds for carnival and the exterior of the soccer stadium.  We visited several other cathedrals that were wonderful.  The Selaron Steps was another highlight for me on this tour.  The artist Escardia Selaron lived about halfway up the stairway which connects the Santa Theresa and Lapa neighborhoods. 

The final stop on the tour was Sugarloaf.  You rode 2 hanging cable cars to the top and the views are wonderful.  There is a Havianas (Brazil flip flops) store halfway up the mountain that you should stop at and buy a pair or two for everyone you know (HA!).  At the top I recommend staying a while.  Grab another caipirinha and admire the expansive views.

I had a wonderful time in Rio and I am glad I picked it for my first solo international trip.  I felt safe and I think it was because I did my homework, and stayed in highly populated areas.  I did not get to see everything I wanted to and did not spend all the time at the beach that I would have liked, so plan a couple more days! 

Obrigada!