Rockin’ Rio

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil should definitely be on your bucket list, especially during CARNAVAL time! My past experience during carnival was so great I didn’t want to leave. The people, culture, food and beaches where just out of this world! There is just so much to do in Rio, you can stay there for weeks but if you follow my routine you can save hundreds of dollars! The most important thing to include in your suitcase is sandals, sunscreen and a bathing suit!

I had the pleasure of staying in the World-renowned Copacabana Palace located in the center of Copacabana Beach. The Copacabana palace offers every amenity a human possibly needs from a perfectly heated 85-degree pool to a state of the art gym facility and a top notch Spa with endless treatments.

The Copacabana Palace

Copacabana Palace houses the multiple Michelin star restaurant recipient Ciprianis. Start your lunch off with a basket of assorted gourmet breeds accompanied by a splash of Italian EVOO. Before your appetizer, indulge yourself with one of the Chefs special dishes. My personal favorite is the Tuna Tar Tar topped with Caviar and thick Salt (Pictures in Gallery). After you have devoured the delicate plate try the softest fried Calamari you will ever taste! When it comes to the main course, it is difficult to recommend something because everything is simple an enchanting delicacy. And as always, you must end with their creamy and smooth tiramisu.
rio9Once Lunchtime is over and it is time to kick back and relax, enjoy a freshly opened coconut by the pool. If the pool isn’t your thing, just cross the beautiful boulevard towards the beach and let one of the friendly staff set you up with a thick tanning bed. Like royal treatment, well just lie down and tan while welcoming hotel staff pass by and provide you a complementary foot massage and water down your feet to avoid burning them because of the hot sand!

If the beach isn’t your thing and you desire to go out into nature and explore the beautiful forest of Rio, take a tour to the astonishing Corcovado (Christ Redeemer). I must warn you that if you are afraid of heights, the trip up the mountain on cable carts isn’t for you. Once you are at the top, appreciate the view of the city from the eyes of God himself!
rio

Still have energy for more? Make your way towards the Pao de Azucar (Sugar Loaf Mountain). This journey also requires cable carts and is done in two segments. Once your at the top of the mountain, you’ll notice little monkeys with there clan having fun and chilling on the trees while they eat their Jax fruit, which is native to the land!

If you are hungry for more, you may visit Copacabana’s and Ipanema’s market places. Here you may find amazing paintings, artisan works and Brazilian stone for a bargain price. After you have done some shopping ask some of the local tourist for the best lunch hot spots and grab a bite!
rio12If you are lucky enough to be in Rio during carnival time, you must go to the San Bodromo and spectate 12 of the best samba schools of Brazil dance the night away. The event last 2 days and each day the event runs from 9pm to 4am. I must warn you, people get very crazy so it is always good to go with precaution and never go alone!

As any other enormous metropolitan city, Rio’s nightlife is just out of this world. There are clubs and bars all along Copacabana’s main boulevard and if you’re not feeling Copacabana is the place for you, head on to Ipanema Beach, another famous tourist area full of great food, people and nightlife.