Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Rio de Janeiro is a very dangerous city.  We were told by multiple people to be very careful.  You should never walk around with your cell phone out because someone could run up to you, grab it, and run off.  You should have a lock on your purse or a clip to prevent it from being unzipped.  You shouldn't walk around at night.  Etc.  

The beaches are beautiful though, and you have a group of people that will take care of you the whole time you're there.  Depending on where you sit, you'll be near a numbered tent.  The people that run that tent will being you chairs, tables, umbrellas, and drinks all day long.  Whatever you need, they're your people.  Then, you pay for everything at the end.  Some of them take credit cards too.  

The Statue of Christ is the most touristy spot of the city, and it's expensive to get to.  It's extremely hot in the middle of the day with the sun shining on you and all the other sweaty tourists crowded around you, but it is a cool sight to see from the top.  

We were there during an intense gang war, so we were warned not to hike to any of the other pretty sights, but that was okay because we spent a few days relaxing and watching Netflix, and a few days on the beach.  We were in need of some down time.  

I do suggest definitely going to Cafe do Alto - Santa Teresa.  The food is AH-MA-ZING, and it's traditional Brazilian food so you get a taste for the culture.  Go there hungry because the portion sizes are huge :)

​See our Brazil photos here.