My friend and I decided on a whim on a Tuesday evening in February that we were going to spend our New Years in Rio de Janeiro. Mind you we had no money in our bank accounts, and we were living off delusions. Here is how we made our delusion a reality.
General Recommendations
- ACCEPT that you are not going to see everything the first time, the soon you expect that the better.
- Highly recommend getting a eSIM because it is so affordable and you are not left vulnerable looking for Wi-Fi. I bought my eSIM through the app Airalo for R 403 which included 10GB and 100 mins.
- Do not come to Rio with a full suitcase. There is so many notable and affordable markets that you will regret coming with a full suitcase. Rio will turn you into a shopaholic.
- I would suggest staying in Rio for 7+ days especially after the new year.
- Please learn a few phrases of Brazilian Portuguese, this was something that elevated our experience because the locals appreciated the effort and they would laugh at our pronunciation which helped break the ice in a lot of situations.
- There is no need to carry a lot of cash, a lot of places have card machines even street vendors. I had R 2000 cash and that lasted me 10 days.
- For places closer to the beach stay in Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon, Botafogo is an affordable area that is not too far from the beach.
- Do not wear any jewellery on your neck or on your wrist, it makes you an unnecessary target.
- Be street smart, check the price on the card machine you tap. Check your surroundings before pulling out your phone. If you are South African, the precautions you take here are the same that you should apply there.
Timing
We wanted to spend as much time as possible in Rio. We spent 9 nights in Rio and 1 in Sao Paulo. It was possible to travel to another parts of Brazil however the country is massive, It is the 5th largest in the world and we were short on time and money. We didn’t want to spend the limited time we had travel catching trains, buses or planes. Departing South Africa right on the 28th of December was perfect for us because we spent Christmas at home and we got experience Rio days leading up to New Year’s. I don’t regret going during this busy because I had mentally prepared myself for the influx of tourists. I expected it to be busy and crowded at attractions but that was the price I was willing to pay.
Visa & Vaccinations
Great news for South Africans is that we do not need a visa to visit Brazil. It is advised that you get the yellow fever vaccine depending which region you go to. The vaccine cost me R 1 406.19 without medical aid, and this includes the compulsory consultation before and the vaccine itself. The vaccine is available at travel clinic. I highly advise that you get the vaccine at least 14 days before your trip because it requires 10 days for it to be effective. The vaccine is a lifetime vaccination; you will receive a yellow book which serves as legal evidence that proves that you have been vaccinated.
Weather
The days prior to New Years the temperature was around 29C – 31C paired with intense humidity. However, after New Years the temperature dropped slightly, and it was cloudier. We also experienced days of rainfall however the temperature was still warm. I would recommend packing 1-2 warmer outfits to not be caught off guard by the sudden change in weather.
Flights
I booked my flights through Discovery Travel. I have a transaction account with them and receive a discount of selected flights. I booked my flight on the 13th of July and paid R 10 485 for my round trip with TAAG Airlines from O.R Tambo (Johannesburg) to Sao Paulo with a layover in Luanda, Angola. I would not recommend this airline; in future I would pay slightly more for a better travel experience.
My friend paid R 12 165 in September, and she flew with SAA departing from Johannesburg to Sao Paulo. It was a direct flight that was just under 9 hours. The flight does not have in-flight entertainment so you must keep yourself occupied.
We flew from Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro and paid R 1 357.67 for my flight excluding luggage. Other South Africans we met opted for the bus from Sao Paulo to Rio which cost them between R 400 – R700.
Accommodation
We stayed in 4 different places. One hotel in Sao Paulo and 2 hostels and 1 hotel in Rio de Janeiro. We stayed Mercure Airport Hotel at in Sao Paulo which was close to the airport and offered an airport shuttle service at an extra cost of 20 BRL which R 61. The shuttle service started at 03:30 which was very convenient for our early flight. There is not much to say as we arrived in the evening and left early in the morning.
The Mercure was Is R 1 476.21 which was R 738.11 pp.
Our first hostel in Rio was Socialtel (Selina) Lapa. We stayed in the neighbourhood of Lapa. We specifically wanted a social hostel, and we couldn’t afford those in Copacabana and Ipanema. We did opt for the private rooms when we stayed in hostels.
Pros
- Beautiful, clean facilities, it felt more like a hotel than a hostel.
- The private room had an ensuite bathroom and balcony.
- They offer amazing caipirinhas at their rooftop bar.
- The breakfast buffet has so many options and is so good!
- They have a doorman 24/7 which made us feel safe and the staff was so welcoming and helpful.
- The hostel is 200m away from the Selaron steps and there is a market right outside the hostel.
Cons
- There was not much of a social scene at the hostel. They had a group chat however no events were communicated and even though the bar had good there was not much of a vibe at the bar.
- The hostel has a wide demographic which is great for families however we wanted to meet travellers closer to our age demographic.
- Far from the beach.
The total for a private room for 2 was R 10 616.25. Divided by two = R 5 308.13 per person for 4 nights.
Books Hostel was our second place and spent 4 nights there. This hostel is a backpacker which secretly tucked away in Santa Teresa. Socialtel and Books Hostel are located 600m away from each other.
Pros
- The hostel has a great atmosphere which is great for solo travellers. The hostel has a group chat that posts information regarding the events that are happening in and around the city every day.
- It is walking distance from the Lapa bars and clubs and is close to a number of restaurants.
- The hostel has a communal kitchen and fridge.
- It also has a bar that has happy hour from 7-9pm every night that serves beer and 2-for-1 caipirinhas. It is a great place to meet travellers and a few locals. Even if you don’t stay in the hostel, you can still come to the bar.
- The hostel has a security door and has a 24/7 receptionist.
Cons
- The communal facilities aren’t the best; it has more of a student commune kind of feel.
- The private room does not have an ensuite.
- Far from the beach
The total price for our private room was R 4 953.71 which came out to R 2 326.71 per person for 4 nights.
Our final stay was at the Ritz Copacabana which was 300m from Copacabana beach and has a beautiful rooftop pool and bar.
Pros
- Very close to one of Rio’s iconic beaches
- Beautiful hotel that is located close to restaurants and shops.
- The hotel has 24/7 reception and is very safe.
- Great breakfast buffet!
- The rooms are big and spacious.
Cons
- There is not much of a social atmosphere because it is a hotel.
- It is a bit pricey if you are travelling alone.
The room was R 2 681.76 which was R 1 340.88 per person for 1 night.
Transportation
Transportation around the city was not a challenge. Uber is affordable and the difference between the prices of Uber X’s and Uber Blacks are minimal. Certain time of the day there is an influx of traffic. A uber moto is a perfect mode of transport if you want to cut your travel time however the wait time for a moto is 5-9 minutes longer than getting an Uber.
The city also has a metro which is efficient, clean and easy to navigate. A train ride from Lapa to Copacabana cost us R 61.43
Activities
The activities and tours we did were
The Museum of Tomorrow
- Is a science museum with neo futuristic design built next to the waterfront.
- R 247.78
Sugarloaf Mountain
- Sugarloaf Mountain or locally know as Pao de Acucar is a mountain that has panoramic views of Rio. There are two mountains and at both mountains there is refreshment stores, restaurants and even a Havaianas store. There is a fast pass ticket allows to skip the queues to all the cable cars.
- R 616.35
Christ the Redeemer
- Not much needs to be said about this world wonder. I would suggest arriving early (06:30) and purchasing your ticket at the train station. The train will take you straight to the statute and it offers some beautiful views of Rio on the left had side of the train. Tickets were R which include the train ride there and back. Do not leave this till the end of your trip as the weather plays a huge role on the overall experience. When it is cloudy, you are not able to see the statute clearly.
- R 417
Havaianas Store – Ipanema
- The famous store that features the havaiana wall is quite small and slightly more expensive than stores around the city. Different stores have different colourways and sizes.
- Free
The Rio Carnival Experience
- The carnival experience is a tour through one of Rio top league samba school that displays the behind the scenes of the planning and production of one of the world’s biggest Carnival.
- R 390.89
Selaron Steps
- The Selaron steps are the famous colourful steps that are located in Lapa. This place is famous for being the location where Snoop Dog and Pharrell shot their “Beautiful “ music video
- Free
Feria do Gloria Market
- The market is the largest Sunday market in Rio and features stalls that sell fresh produce & fish, clothes and other small trinkets. The market a.so features several food stalls that sell fresh sugarcane juice, acai and other local staples.
Little Africa Tour
- Is a walking tour that explains the history of Afro-Brazilians and highlights important monuments such as Pedro da Sol and Cais do Valongo which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Free walking tour but we tipped R 306
Samba class
- The instructor who is also a former samba queen teaches the foundation of samba. Pictures and videos are taken throughout the lesson and at the end you are given an opportunity to try on some carnival outfits.
- R 394
NYE Concert
- The biggest NYE celebration is a completely free experience. There is no need to pay for a ticket. Just be prepared to walk 2km + to the beach if you are not stay in Ipanema, Leblon or Copacabana. There are street vendors selling drinks and street food throughout the night.
Night boat party
- The boat party is on a catamaran with a DJ and happy hour for caipirinha’s. If we were to do this again, we would opt for a sunset cruise. The night was very limiting as you could not swim due to low visibility.
- R 489.86
Beaches
The beach culture in Brazil is insane, you can purchase costumes, towels and food on the beach. There is a variety of foods that are sold by the beach such as caipirinha’s., acai, mate Leao (Brazilian ice teas) and other street foods. You can purchase meals! My friend and I ordered steak strips with fries on the beach. It cost us a pretty penny however it was worth the experience. You are also able to hire umbrellas and beach for the entire day.
Nightlife
The neighbourhood of Botafogo has really good bars that spill out into the streets. For more of a dance/club vibe the pace to be, they are numerous clubs and has a few bars for those that prefer a light drink and conversation. Lapa has several food carts where you can purchase something to eat after a late-night dancing the night away.
Pedro da Sal is a samba music event that happens every Monday and at certain time in the seasons Friday as well. I would definitely recommend seeing a live band play Samba. There are also food and drink available. If samba is not your vibe, if you walk along the streets of Pedro do Sal you will hear Brazilian funk which I loved. Some bars if play some western artist as Lady Gaga, Beyonce and Rihanna.
Casa Black Rio is a club which is about 35 minutes from Santa Teresa. It is in the predominately black area of Rio. There is a good mix of Brazilian funk and great remixes. The club also hosts live performance. This also a very LGBTQ friendly place and if you come, dress to impress. The club closes at 04:00 but the vibe starts around 01:00. I would highly recommended particularly for people of colour or people who are a part of the queer community.
Be prepared to pay an entrance fee to clubs, a well-known club called Bosque bar charges R 460 for women and R 1 071.56 for men which is r respectively. That is a considerable amount of money for a night out.
If you are travelling alone or within a small group, I would recommend apps like Tripbff or Hostelworld which have a group chat function. This helps by connecting people that are also travelling and keeps you up to date with events that are happening around the city.
If meeting people digital is not for you, I would suggest that you go to Hostel’s happy hours. This is a great way to meet people before a nightout. Certain hostels have bars that bring locals and fellow travellers together.
Food
The food was disappointing. The street food was amazing. Food such as churros, acai and pastel, I dream about every day. However, our food experiences at restaurants were either a hit or miss. We did not have a good experience in restaurant’s that were recommended by social media, the best food we had were places that we just stumbled across. So, take the restaurant recommendations from social media with a pinch of salt and remember that part of travelling is discovery new places and things.
Total Costs
eSIM R 403
Accommodation R 9 713.83
Vaccine R 1 406.19
Food & Drinks R 3 910.53
Flights R 11 842.67
Ubers R 3 546.65
Shopping/ Souvenirs R 4 944.22
Experiences R 2 861.88
Cash R 2 101
Total R 40 729.97
Asked Questions
Is there still a heavy Catholic presence in Rio?
- As someone who was raised in a catholic household, I didn’t feel much of a catholic presence. It is possible that other parts of the country have more of a catholic presence. There are several cathedrals and churches you may visit.
Is Rio share any similarities to Cape Town?
- Yes, yes, YES! I felt like the vibes were very similar to Cape Town. The mountains, beaches and city all together gave a sense of familiarity due to the close comparison to Cape Town. Even though they have similarities, Rio has its own cultural and historical experiences that are worth the trip!
Was Brazil black and queer friendly?
- Yes, I felt welcomed as someone who is black and queer. However, you come across more black and queer spaces the further you move away from the tourist neighbourhood. Rio is the queerest friendly city I have been to. It was so refreshing seeing queer couples out and about. I genuinely had a good time, and Brazil should be top of the list of places to visit especially if you are queer.
Shoutout
To all the amazing people from all over the world, thank you for making this experience an unforgettable one!
Links
Accommodation
Experiences
Carnaval Experience, visit Rio’s carnival backstage!