If Rio de Janeiro isn’t on your travel bucket list, it totally should be! We all remember seeing the sights of Rio on our television screens during the 2016 Olympics but seeing them in person is, quite simply, even better.
The city may not have the reputation as the safest in the world, but apply a lil common sense and you can enjoy everything it has to offer. Right now it’s one of the hottest places to go on a gap year in South America – and we’re not just speaking literally.
Rio de Janeiro has so much to offer, from unique cultural sights to exciting nightlife – we guarantee you’ll love the vibes.
Here are five reasons why you should travel to Rio asap.
1. It has iconic sights and beaches
From the expansive 12-meter Copacabana Beach to the chic area of Ipanema, you won’t find yourself with nothing to do or see in Rio.
Make sure to check out the iconic Christ the Redeemer status on Corcovado Mountain, Rio’s beautiful national park. From here, not only will you be blown away by the 100-foot statue, but you’ll see the city from one of the highest peaks of the mountain – a great spot for your Instagram snaps.
Other great sights to check out include Sugar Loaf Mountain, where you can get a sick view of Copacabana beach and Botafogo.
For a less touristy spot, head to the town of Lapa to see the beautiful Selaron Steps, a sight made up of multiple mosaics from the artist Jorge Selaron, who traveled the world to gather unique mosaic tiles.
2. It celebrates diversity through art
Rio De Janeiro has an interesting history and you can really experience it throughout the city. One spot for this in particular is the Olympic Boulevard.
While relatively new (built for the Olympic games), you can see a graffiti wall designed by local artist Brazilian street artist Eduardo Kroba, who made a gigantic mural to celebrate Brazil’s culture and people of the world. At 30,000 square foot, the mural depicts five indigenous faces from five different continents.
Another spot that celebrates diversity is in Santa Teresa and Lapa, near the Selaron Steps.
As you make your way to the colorful steps, you’ll also find another graffiti wall that celebrates the local art and culture. One mural celebrates the local bohemian music and another celebrates the numerous travelers that make their way to Rio each year.
3. It has delicious food and drinks
There’s plenty of good food to go around in Rio De Janiero.
Whether you like meat or seafood, you simply have to check out one of the many Brazilian steakhouses in Rio. Two popular ones are Fogo De Chao, which sits on the water of Botafogo, and Churrascaria Palace. Here you’ll encounter abundant meat, seafood and vegetables to satisfy any appetite.
In Rio, you can also enjoy classic Brazilian dishes, such as Pao de Queijo (cheese bread), a refreshing açaí bowl, and a boozy Caipirinha drink made with sugarcane liquor (be careful, it’s a strong one!)
4. It supports healthy and active living
In Rio, the locals are HUGE fans of football, so whenever there’s a game you’ll want to head out to a nearby bar and share the enthusiasm with the crowd.
As you’ll quickly notice, everyone is also super healthy in Rio. Every Sunday the city closes the main street, Avenue Atlantica, to allow people to walk, run or bike from Copacabana to Ipanema.
The good news is you don’t have to wait till Sunday to get some activity in – all year-round you will find people enjoying some sort of activity by the water. As you visit the numerous beaches of Rio, you’ll see volleyball courts and gym equipment used up practically 24/7 by locals.
5. It has tons of great parties
Rio has a lively culture that you can’t help but want to be part of. Each year, Rio hosts the largest carnival in the world bringing in two million people out on the streets to celebrate the life and culture of Brazil. Aside from the biggest party of all there are also plenty of clubs and bars to choose from year-round.
Whether you go to Ipanema, Copacabana or Lapa to party it up, you’ll surely find something to suit your fancy. And whether you choose to go to a low-key samba dance bar or a heart pumping, music-blasting nightclub, Rio is so diverse with options, you’ll have plenty of fun either way.
Plan a trip to Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro certainly has it all with beaches, festivals, history, and legends of music all calling Rio home. Check out our guide to gap years in Brazil for more inspiration.