Fernanda & Colin
Things To Do
Cristo Redentor
This is one of the most recognizable landmarks on earth, probably #1 in South America. A 20min trolley ride will get you to the top where they have a cafe and a view of the entire city - it's surreal. As expected it's also a tourist trap so you might want to get there early to beat the crowds and the heat. Be sure to check out the museum you'll pass on the way back so you can get a glimpse of Brazil's unmatched biodiversity.
Museu do Amanhã
You can spend a good chunk of the day seeing each exhibit - our favorite was the mesmerizing silk cloths swirling in the wind vacuum display, kinda like the plastic bag scene in American Beauty but better. We had fun just walking around the perimeter of the museum, sampling each vendor: açaí, pastel, pipoca, tapioca and cerveja. Finally, you can walk by the impressive graffiti murals of the Boulevard Olímpico all the way to AquaRio, the largest marine aquarium in South America.
Pão de Açúcar
Fernanda took me here first after I arrived on NYE 2018. I was extremely jet-lagged because of missing my connecting flight in FL and being re-routed through Peru. It's another tourist trap but more spacious than Cristo Redentor (and not as high up). Two quick cable car rides will get you between the tiny mountains and up there you can enjoy the some really tasty acai w/the local birds and monkeys.
Jardim Botânico
We packed two huge ice cold water bottles and probably sweated them all out before getting through half of what this place has to offer. We had to buy a third by the time we left. You could easily survive off of one jackfruit a day that fall off the trees here. There is also Parque Lage and the lagoon nearby to make for a wonderful day outdoors. It's just a magical place!
Damah Tour
Dani is one of Fernanda's best friends and has been privy to our relationship since the beginning. She is an amazing person and tour guide, super friendly, infectious smile and energy, is fluent in English, and knows everything there is to possibly know about the city: it's culture, history and it's attractions. If you are looking to discover the real Rio then you'll want to do a tour with her. She has a special plan to take you to the dope spots you may not know about with everything you'd want: music, food, art, nature and wildlife.