Our flight landed on Rio’s floating runway, which, from the air, feels as if you’re about to nose dive into the ocean. Even from the offset, the birds eye view gives you a glimpse of what a complete concoction Rio really is: a city of beaches surrounded by rainforest. A combination that proves to work very well. As the airport doors opened we were engulfed by Rio’s heat - it’s peak summer here at the moment which means temperatures are reaching 40 degrees. Luckily, Rio’s not short of beaches to help you escape the scorching weather. We quickly realised, on our journey from the airport, that Carioca life revolves around their beaches. From the early hours of the morning until late at night, the beaches play host to a whole range of people; locals and tourists alike.
So this is me atop a mountain in Rio. The weather may not always be bright and colourful, but the locals certainly are
Rio at first glance is predictably full of energy, and having arrived with not only my parents but also my great-uncle, there was slight apprehension as to whether Rio would be too fast paced. However, although Rio might seem fast in reality, it couldn’t be more laid back. My parents particularly loved the combination between the bustle of the sophisticated city and the relaxed beach atmosphere. Their top moments included the views from Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer, not to mention the friendliness of the local residents whose ethnic variety reminded them of London. As for my great-uncle, we found him dancing samba with a young group of Brazilians at two o’clock in the morning on the beach, so I think we can safely say he enjoyed his stay.

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WHAT TO DO

Having been here a short while I’ve obviously barely skimmed what Rio has to offer but there have been a few unmissable moments.

Watching the sunset at Ipanema Beach

Beachgoers often see the beginning of the evening as a sign that it’s time to pack up and head home, but on Ipanema Beach, it’s the opposite. As the evening draws in, a whole new crowd approaches the beach in order to watch the sunset. They applaud and cheer as the sun goes down, creating an ambience full of joy and appreciation for something many take for granted everyday. As my mum and I sat there, with a Caiprinha in hand, we were both covered in goosebumps because we had the chance to be part of such a magical atmosphere.
The beachside boardwalks of Rio are vibrant places that add to the very relaxed atmosphere

Experiencing a proper Boteco

Brazil is famous for its Botecos - casual bars often serving Brazilian snacks. We’ve been to a fair few but one that particularly stood out for it’s authenticity and unbelievable food was the renowned Bar do David. Sitting right on top of the hill in Leme, in the Chapéu Mangueira district, the bar’s recent fame for being one of Rio’s best Botecos has not spoilt its casual charm. It’s a tiny place with no more than 8 tables but the food, which you can see being prepared by three non-stop chefs at the back, is incredible. Fresh fish, feijoada and more delicious Brazilian classics are served, whilst we also had the pleasure of being greeted by David himself with a huge grin and a warm handshake. We only ducked in by chance to escape the heat and grab a beer but it was one of the best decisions we made.

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WHAT NOT TO DO

Embrace the midsummer heat

Rio is a city made for summer, however in such high temperatures, it is best to avoid wandering around during peak heat hours as it can become a real hard graft. We realised that we couldn’t hack the heat and so decided to do all of our sightseeing in the early morning or early evening, avoiding the hottest time of the day. During which we’d take a well-deserved nap or relax by the sea.

Pack lots of cover-ups

To my complete delight after a dip in the sea I didn’t have to slide on sandy shorts or a hot summer’s dress in order to leave beach. It appears to be totally acceptable to walk through the city, after your day at the beach, in flips flops and a bikini or swimming trunks. In such heat it is hardly surprising that no one expects you to cover up, and there’s a certain freedom in not doing so as well.
My family (all dressed in white as in custom) during our New Year's Eve party on the beach

BEST THING SO FAR

The Cariocas (Rio’s residents)

It was New Year's Eve, and the family in front of us on the beach had laid out an enormous picnic: a huge array of fruits, meats and pastries whilst we sat sheepishly behind with slightly rumbling stomachs. It was not long before they insisted on sharing all of their food with us. We managed to share some stories even with my fairly broken Portuguese. Their generosity was unbelievable - they gave me their phone numbers and assured me and my family that I had a place in their home whenever I needed. We all hugged and wished each other a very happy New Year. What a welcome it was into my new year in Rio.

By: Lucy Gavan, student of Spanish and Portuguese culture at the University of Bristol in England, currently living in Rio as part of an exchange programme with Rdj4u.