Ah. Rio.
Rio De Janeiro is one the most beautiful and most picturesque cities in the world, no doubt. Azure water and white sand beaches snakes around lush green hills as far as you can see in horizon with colorful neighborhood in almost every valley. It looks almost too perfect to be real, when you look from above. We had three nights in Rio, it is so much to see and do here, but even two full days was enough to see main attractions and feel a bit of city's spirit.
Hike to Christo.
Hike to Christ the Redeemer starts in the beautiful Parque Jardin. Path is not marked, but clearly visible on Google Maps. There is a checkpoint to sign in and you get notified of the dangers of hiking alone, however as it was early in the morning, everything seemed safe. The hike was really nice, with beautiful views of the city and lagoon, short leg going by the train rail and a little bit of really steep hike where you need to support yourself with the ropes on a side. Although the hike was nice, the crowds at the top made the end experience quite poor. But hey, you can't visit Rio, and not see Christ the Redeemer, right?
Jardim Botânico.
Jardim Botanico is a perfect place to hide from the afternoon's heat with a picnic basket. This park impressed us with the diversity of flora, long alleys, gigantic straight palms, collection of orchids in conservatory. We even met Tuqan birds playing around in the trees.
Pão de Açúcar
Here we saw the best sunset seen ever anywhere. We went up in the afternoon with the cable car, walked around, had caipirinhas in the bar overlooking Ipanema & Copacabana and then show began! I don't know if we were lucky or it's always like this. But the sunset was worth a million. I remember I was rubbing my eyes to check that I am not dreaming and all these colors and views are real and, oh, yes to hide that tear of beauty in my eye. It's shame Roman's camera battery ran out, so he couldn't catch it with lenses. Anyway probably no photo would express this beauty and the feeling you have standing here on a top on a Sugar Loaf mountain during this perfect sunset. No wonder Cariocas always applaud at sundown.
Santa Teresa & Lapa.
Climbing 215 tiled stairs from Lapa to Santa Teresa, and wondering around this laid-back bohemian neighbourhood might sound like a perfect plan. Just we went too far following wrong tram rail and ended up somewhere in a very dodgy place close to favelas. Thanks to random taxi car passing by just after we heard gun shoots from favela, he brought us back to civilization safe. Rio it's not the place where you want escape from other tourists, if you don't see them anymore means something is wrong...
Visiting legendary Confeitaria Colombo was a highlight of the day in Centro. Opened in 1894s and haven't change since then. Place worth waiting a table for shot of espresso and pastries.
In short.
During our visit in Rio we stayed at an Airbnb apartment in Ipanema beach and it couldn't have been a better choice. The atmosphere here is vibrant. Sundowner with a caipirinha in your hand is a must!!! Even if you live in another area, you need to come here just for the sunset.
Places we liked to eat in Ipanema:
Breakfast. Gringo cafe. Try pancakes.
Dinner. Garota De Ipanema. Cafe where song "Girl from Ipanema" was written and peruvian restaurant Le Carioca.
Most of our trips including the trip from airport to Ipanema were done with an Uber and it worked perfectly even though drivers don't speak English. If you are taking an Uber from the airport - wait for it in departures level and message (preferably in portugese) which doors are you standing next to. We traveled from central Rio to Ipanema cia metro as well and felt completely safe.