Rio de Janeiro travel blog, written by a local
Lapa, Rio de Janeiro: Samba, Nightlife and What to Know Before You Go
What to do in Lapa, Rio de Janeiro, by day and night: samba, concert venues, the Selarón Steps and how to stay safe.
Where to stay in Downtown, Rio de Janeiro: Best areas and hotels with safety tips
Best-value hotels, easy public transport and safety tips: a guide to where to stay in downtown Rio de Janeiro, by a local who worked there for years.
15 Best Things to Do in Downtown Rio de Janeiro: Architecture, Museums and Samba
The best things to do in downtown Rio de Janeiro: baroque churches, museums, historic cafés and samba.
6 Best Hotels in Lapa, Rio de Janeiro: From Budget Stays to Rooftop Pools
The best hotels in Lapa, Rio de Janeiro, by budget, with tips on noise and safety, including the historic mansion with a pool where I stayed.
Best Rooftop Bars and Restaurants in Rio de Janeiro: 9 Places with the Best Views
From Sugarloaf to Christ the Redeemer and the ocean: 9 rooftop bars and restaurants in Rio de Janeiro with the best views.
What to Wear at the Beach in Rio de Janeiro (And After)
In Rio, your beach outfit lasts all day. What to wear at the beach in Rio de Janeiro, from swimwear and cangas to Havaianas, and how to go straight to lunch.
Rio de Janeiro Beach Tips: 12 Things First-Time Visitors Should Know
From cangas to altinha, coconut water to posto landmarks - discover what makes Rio's beach culture truly unique.
9 Best Things to Do in Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro
From the historic tram to samba nights and Instagrammable ruins, here’s what to do in Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro.
Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro: Where to Stay, What to Do, Eat and Drink
Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro, is where I choose to eat, drink and live, with the city’s most famous view of Sugarloaf. Here’s why it’s worth a visit, or even your stay.
Best Breakfast and Cafés in Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro
Botafogo is home to great and affordable breakfast spots. Here’s my pick of the best breakfast and cafés.
Best Bars in Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro: Cold Beer, Cocktails, Live Music and Dancing
Botafogo has more bars than I can count. Here are the best bars in Botafogo, my favorites for cold beer, cocktails, live music and dancing.
9 Things to Do in Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro: Views, Samba, Gardens and a Favela Tour
From Sugarloaf views and a hidden viewpoint to live samba and lively bars, Botafogo surprises most visitors
Where to stay in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro: Best areas and hotels for every budget
Copacabana combines convenience, a wide range of hotels, and the classic Rio experience most visitors expect. But it comes with a downside that's worth knowing before you book.
What to Do in Leblon, Rio de Janeiro: Beach, Viewpoints and What to Eat
Leblon lives the Rio lifestyle best. Here's how to spend a full day there, from morning beach to dinner on Rio's official Gastronomic Hub.
Where to Stay in Rio de Janeiro: 9 Best Areas, Safety Tips and My Favorite Hotels
A local's guide to the best neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro: where to stay, the safest areas for tourists, and hotel picks for every budget and travel style.
Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro: The Beach and What to Know Before You Go
Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro: the beach Lonely Planet ranked the world’s second-best, plus where it is, where to stay, what to do and Carnival.
Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro: Beach, Things to Do, Where to Stay and Eat
Everything about Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro: where it is, how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to eat and the big beach events.
16 Things to Do in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro: Day and Night
Beyond the world-famous beach, Copacabana has historic forts, a forest trail, sunset spots, and live samba. Here are the best things to do in Copacabana, day and night.
Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro: How to Enjoy It (and Stay Safe)
Want to know if Copacabana Beach is safe, good for swimming, and what to wear and bring? Here are all the answers from a Rio native.
Best restaurants in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro: Churrascarias, botecos, and Brazilian classics
Copacabana's food scene is full of classics, from sidewalk bars to luxury rooftops. Here's a guide to the best restaurants in Copacabana, written by a local.