🇧🇷 A Guide to Brazil: What we did, where we stayed, what we ate
It might be my new favorite country in the world??
Last month, we headed to Brazil with some of our good friends. We really wanted to book a trip to South America, but we could only be away for a week. With the limited time window we had, we knew we couldn’t check Peru off of our bucket list (even though we all desperately wanted to, a week isn’t enough to properly explore Lima and Machu Picchu), but we still wanted a trip that hit the following criteria:
Relatively easy to fly into (think, direct flight)
An adventure vacation (a combo of visiting a new city, beaches, and experiencing new nature)
Finding a place rich with culture we weren’t familiar with
Somewhere none of us have visited
And we pivoted to Brazil, because it hit all of these marks!
Although it was a lot of travel, the 12 -hour red eye flights both ways meant we weren’t wasting valuable daylight on an airplane, which was an incredible hack. I’m not the best airplane sleeper, but the flights were long enough that I actually fell asleep on both flights for the first time in forever!
Originally, we planned on only going to Rio de Janiero, but then I really tested the limits by adding Iguazu Falls to the end of our itinerary, and I am SO glad I did— it was such a magical place, and perhaps the highlight of the trip? We spent 3 days in both locations, and we all agreed that it was just a “scouting trip” and we will definitely be back to Brazil as fast as possible. We fell in love!!
Buckle up, as this is a long post, but it’s as detailed as you can possibly imagine with everything we did!
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro, known as the Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City), dazzles visitors with its stunning natural landscapes, including the iconic Sugarloaf Mountain and the majestic Christ the Redeemer statue that overlooks the city. Its world-famous beaches, such as Copacabana and Ipanema, offer golden sands and a vibrant atmosphere that epitomizes the lively spirit of Brazil. Beyond the beaches, Rio's rich cultural heritage shines through in its colorful Carnaval, samba dance halls, and a plethora of historic sites, making it a captivating destination for travelers seeking a mix of natural beauty, culture, and excitement.
Where we stayed:
Emiliano Rio — Across from Copacabana beach, this was the perfect home base while visiting the stunning city and experiencing all it had to offer. The attentive staff, wonderful breakfast buffet, delicious Brigadeiro chocolate cake (tell them it’s your birthday 😉), quiet rooms, and stunning rooftop pool and views make this a location a must if you plan on going to Rio. I had briefly considered two other hotels, the iconic Copacabana Palace and the Fasano, but the Copacabana Palace had a pool with no view (ground level) and apparently the Fasano can get rather noisy (that said, I’ve heard great things about both, and I’d stay at either for *research purposes* the next time we are in town).
Just an FYI that if you decide to stay here and book through me, the Emiliano offers the following perks to Fora clients:
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Daily Continental Breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom (this was the best hotel breakfast we’ve ever had, the pastries were to DIE for)
Complimentary lunch or dinner for up to two guests per bedroom, once during stay, excluding alcohol, taxes and gratuities (the four of us got a free 3 course dinner with dessert, and it was heavenly)
Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Other Options:
Chez Jeorges, Santa Teresa — I’m desperate to stay here the next time I return to Rio! In the jungly hills of the Santa Teresa neighborhood, this design forward hotel has views of the ocean and Sugarloaf.
What we did:
A private and custom all day tour of Rio— We covered a ton of ground through this private tour, and saw Christ the Redeemer, Santa Teresa, Escadaria Selarón, the Rio Cathedral, and went to a farmer’s market and sampled a ton of fruits native to Brazil that we had never tried. It was a cloudy day so unfortunately we didn’t get to take the cable cars to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain.
Private boat tour of Guanabara Bay — I booked a private boat through Paradise Trips and they were affordable and wonderful! It was rather cloudy out, but we still enjoyed this. Also, the barbecue they prepared on board was incredible!
Visited the Botanical Gardens — this was a highlight and isn’t to be missed! We only had 2 hours to dedicate to this, but we were saying we’d go back the next time we are in Rio for a half day. The orchidarium was INSANE.
Shopping in Leblon — definitely pop into one of the Farm Rio stores while you’re in Brazil! There are over 100 locations, and the clothes are different and much cheaper than the locations in the states.
Beach time in Copacabana and Ipanema. Our favorite beach between the two was definitely Ipanema, which felt more local and less touristy. Since we were only in Rio for 3 days, we really only had a few hours to dedicate to this, and I want to go back for longer so I can luxuriate and people watch all day there!
Where we ate:
Honestly we didn’t get to try many restaurants, as the hotel had an excellent breakfast situation and we were mostly on the move for lunch. But I’d highly recommend all of these places!
Arp Bar de Praia - great spot for a late lunch on Ipanema Beach, or for sunset
Sushi Leblon - great sushi and people watching
Zaza Bistrô Tropical - Moroccan and Asian fusion in Ipanema
Emile - the restaurant in the Emiliano, highly recommend even if you aren’t staying there
Cafe Ao Leu - the very best coffee in Copacabana
Iguazu Falls
Iguazu Falls, straddling the border between Argentina and Brazil, offers an unparalleled natural spectacle with its awe-inspiring array of cascades that plunge into the Iguazu River, making it a must-visit for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. The surrounding Iguazu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, provides visitors with the unique opportunity to explore lush rainforests teeming with exotic wildlife, enhancing the overall experience of the falls. With its panoramic views, thrilling boat rides under the spray, and the chance to walk on trails that offer vistas of breathtaking beauty, Iguazu Falls promises an unforgettable journey into the heart of nature's majesty. We were seriously blown away by the beauty of Iguazu Falls— I was moved to tears!
Hotel das Cataratas, nestled within Brazil's Iguazu National Park and uniquely positioned as the only hotel within walking distance of the breathtaking Iguazu Falls, offers an exclusive and immersive experience in one of the world's most spectacular natural settings. Guests can enjoy unparalleled access to the falls outside of regular park hours, allowing for serene views and private moments amidst the thunderous beauty of the cascades, especially at sunrise and sunset.
The colonial-style accommodation, combined with first-class amenities, including a luxurious spa, gourmet dining, and beautifully landscaped gardens, ensures a stay that is as comfortable and indulgent as it is memorable, making it a top recommendation for those seeking a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with nature's magnificence. We saw toucans fly overhead at the pool, there were butterflies everywhere, and some of the smallest monkeys we’ve ever seen.
To me, this was the only hotel I even considered near the falls, as the before and after hours access to the park meant we didn’t have to fight thick crowds (trust me, it gets busy).
Due to the nature of where we were, we only ate on property, but most of the food was delicious! I’d say the best food was at Itaipu Restaurant (their fancier one) and at Bar Taroba (the best cocktails and bites on the veranda where you can watch the sunset). The pool food was fine, but nothing to write home about.
Just an FYI that if you decide to stay here and book through me, the Belmond offers the following perks:
Complimentary upgrade upon arrival at time of check-in, based on availability (all of us got upgraded on this trip!)
Complimentary Internet
Buffet or full breakfast for 2, daily
Fully flexible hotel or resort credit up to $200 per stay
Special in-room welcome amenity
Top-of-the-waitlist priority for high demand properties and experiences
What we did:
Twice a day, before the park opened and after it closed, we took advantage of the hotel guest only access to the falls. This time with the falls felt special and spiritual— it was just us and the nature, and I cried every single time!
We took a boat tour through the falls (literally they drive you under them so you can feel how powerful they are, and you get DRENCHED). This was such a crazy experience, but it’s good to note that this does take up a good three hours of the day, even though you’re in the boat for less than an hour. There’s a lot of waiting around, but we are still glad we did it!
We visited Parque das Aves, the bird sanctuary on the Brazil side of the falls. We almost didn’t book this, but we ended up really enjoying our time there. The park is so well thought out and most of the birds are being rehabilitated, and they are very focused on conservation. They had so many cool bird species we wouldn’t have seen otherwise!
We were supposed to take a guided astronomy tour, provided by the Belmond, but unfortunately it got cancelled due to clouds. But the clouds that night cleared up, so we did a self guided tour using the Night Sky app and had a lot of fun sitting by the Belmond pool and contemplating the existence of extraterrestrial life forms.
Overall, I would say that we were extremely impressed with the natural beauty of Brazil and we left fantasizing about our next trip. Everyone is so friendly, everything is so affordable, and the lifestyle is so relaxed!
Next on my list is swimming in the Brazilian desert lagoons (the pools are only there July - September), visiting Paraty, and visiting Búzios, known for its stunning beaches.
See ya next week!
Love,
Bella