One week in Rio de Janeiro: A Tuesday Outdoors

One of the things that makes Rio de Janeiro so unique is how the city and the surrounding nature co-exist. At one moment you are on a busy street full of noise and traffic, and the next you are in the middle of a calm rainforest. Today you are going to experience it first hand!

Eat Like a Local

Everyone eats but each country has their own way of cooking. That said, Brazil is the home of unique and delicious food. Most tourists feel that by eating three meals a day over the course of one week in Rio they will automatically cover all their food bases. That is not the case. Many times the best Brazilian food spots are in places that tourists wouldn’t even think of looking. The key to experiencing the real taste of Brazil is by going out with a local. Of course not everyone knows a resident of Rio de Janeiro. That is why the Eat Rio Food Tour was created, to bring tourists to the culinary soul of Rio.

The best part is that you will get a true taste of Brazilian food while also experiencing Rio de Janeiro as locals do — on foot. An added bonus, all the walking around will allow you to enjoy the food without expanding your toosh.

Sugarloaf: A One Week in Rio Must See

Now it is time to leave the craziness of the city and enjoy the calmness of nature. Continue your day outdoors with a hike up the hill of Pão de açúcar. The trail can be slick at times so it would be wise to bring along a pair of tennis shoes. This kid friendly 30 minute trek is easy enough to not leave you too winded, merely exhilarated.

Sports enthusiasts should look into the Sugarloaf Hiking Tour. Utilizing a different route, this tour offers a 20 minute hike followed by an 80ft (25 meter) rock climb up the side of the mountain! Another 40 minute trek follows the climb, bringing you to the top of Sugarloaf.

After enjoying the view and having a much deserved beverage and/or snack, you will head down the highest mountain by bonde and then cool off by trekking down the smaller one via the above mentioned path. Talk about an adventure! All equipment is included as well as the bonde ride down and bilingual instructors!

A Sunset You Will Remember

After an adventurous day outdoors, you deserve a delicious snack, cold refreshments, and an amazing sunset. Bar Urca is the place to do exactly that. Located across the street from the Marina, Bar Urca is where the locals go to relax and take in the beauty of Rio de Janeiro.

Grab something to drink and eat, their pastels are amazing, and then find a spot on the stone wall running along the bay. Watch the sun slip behind the mountains as you reflect upon the effect a day in Urca has had on your mind, body, and soul.

Anyone can say that they have visited Sugarloaf, but how many of them can say that they climbed the mountain itself? So pack some tennis shoes, bring extra deodorant, and throw in another bottle of sunscreen since we all know you are going to need it. Not only will this outdoor adventure give you something to brag about, it will help keep those pesky vacation pounds (or kilos) off!

Now that day two of your one week in Rio is done, it is time to look at day three. Tomorrow promises a view of Brazilian style and two classic childhood activities that transcend culture. Make sure to come by and check it out!

By Rachel Loerch, an American freelance writer living in the beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. When she is not writing about life in Brazil, Rachel enjoys summing up her life in 3 sentences and having her Portuguese pronunciation corrected by her 7 year old son.