Rio de Janeiro, twice: Rock in Rio and friends I still have
2 trips2024 and 2025Copacabana and Ipanema
I've been to Rio de Janeiro twice. The first time was for Rock in Rio and the second left me friends I still have. This is what I remember from both. Brazil was country 5 of my challenge of 30 countries before turning 30.
Christ the Redeemer, the obligatory postcard of any visit to Rio.
The first time, Rock in Rio
On my first trip to Rio, in September 2024, Rock in Rio was part of the plan. We went on Friday, when Tyla, Katy Perry, Karol G and Gloria Gaynor performed. That Sunday was Mariah Carey's show and we were left wanting to get into the festival. The next day we were already going back to Peru, so that was the goodbye of the trip: with the show we wanted most still pending, but with the festival as a memory.
Rock in Rio, part of my first trip to the city.
Trip facts
Duration2 trips
Trip dateSeptember 2024 and May 2025
Approx. temperature~20-26 °C
What I loved mostThe friends I made at the beach
The second time, friends I made at the beach
On my second trip, in May 2025, something I didn't expect happened. One night, at the beach, my friend started talking with a guy and a girl who were nearby. We all ended up talking together right there, at night, and we became friends. Afterward they walked us to our Airbnbs.
We're still friends. Brazilians are among the kindest people I've met while traveling.
Sometimes the best plan of the trip is the one that wasn't on any itinerary.
Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf
I couldn't miss Rio's two big classics. Christ the Redeemer looks over the city from Corcovado hill, inside Tijuca National Park. Sugarloaf is reached in two cable car sections, first to Morro da Urca and then to the summit.
Sugarloaf at night.
Lapa and a full day in Arraial do Cabo
The historic center of Lapa is also part of the route; in the area are the Arcos da Lapa and the colorful Selarón staircase, two postcards of the city. And to close the itinerary, a full day in Arraial do Cabo, about three hours from Rio by road, known for its turquoise beaches.
Copacabana, Ipanema and how to get around
I stayed between Copacabana and Ipanema on both trips. The streets are lovely to walk and the public transport seemed very efficient and super calm to me, ideal for such a big city. And of course, the caipirinha is practically mandatory at some point of the trip.
My tips for Rio
01
Stay between Copacabana and Ipanema. It was my base on both trips and from there everything is close by.
02
Use public transport. I found it very efficient and it let me move around calmly.
03
Talk to people. My best memory of the second trip was born from a conversation on the beach.
04
Leave a full day for Arraial do Cabo. It leaves the city, so it's best to organize it well.
What I take away from Rio
From Rio I keep two very different things, the festival's energy the first time and those unexpected friendships the second. Neither was in the original plan, and they're exactly the ones I remember most.
Travel map
Going to Rio de Janeiro soon?
This is the map from my two trips, with Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, the historic center of Lapa and the full day in Arraial do Cabo: the complete route, ready for you to follow as is.
I stayed between Copacabana and Ipanema on both of my trips, with lovely streets to walk and public transport very close.
Is it easy to get around Rio by public transport?
It seemed very efficient and super calm to me; I used it to move around the city.
How many days do I need in Rio?
Between my two trips I visited Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, the historic center of Lapa and a full day in Arraial do Cabo. Allow about 4 days if you want to cover all that calmly.
How do you go up Sugarloaf?
In two cable car sections: the first reaches Morro da Urca and the second the top of Sugarloaf.
What do I have to try in Rio?
The caipirinha, which is the classic. Then talk to people: Brazilians are very kind.
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