Rio de Janeiro - the city of fun, sin and redemption

Rio is an amazing city. No matter which time of the year you go, you will enjoy yourself. For me, the best time, unless you’re going for the Carnival, is in June-August while it’s a bit cooler. In the summer months of December-March it reaches 35c minimum every day, and for me that’s too hot.

There’s so much to do in Rio. There are many beaches, and the famous Copacabana Beach is 4km of golden white sands and lashing Atlantic waves, and is packed every day with beautiful people sunning themselves up. Whether they’re playing beach volleyball, using the beach gyms, stand-up paddling, or just chilling out with a beer, beach life is everything in Rio. It’s a bit crowded and there are many tourists there, but it’s such an iconic beach, you have to go there.

The last time I was at the Copacabana, I went to the FanFest for the 2014 World Cup Final between Germany and Argentina. About 10,000 people (about 9,500 Argentinians) there watching the big screen, praying their team would win. The atmosphere all day was fantastic. Groups of fans were on the beach playing all different types of Latin music, while dancing, playing football and just having a great experience.

Rio has many more beaches, but for me Ipanema Beach is where it’s at. It’s where the young and trendy hang out. It’s walking distance from the southern end of Copacabana and it’s a bit shorter than its more famous sibling, but so worth the venture. Both beaches can get crammed at weekends, but if you want to be seen amongst the hip and trendies, Ipanema is the place. The cafes and bars around Ipanema are classier than the tourist trap of the Copacabana, too.

Staying in and around the Copacabana and Ipanema areas can be expensive, especially if you go for the New Year or carnival. You can, however, do it on a budget. And make your trip much more interesting and real. I have stayed in one of Rio’s favelas. If you’re not sure what a favela is: think very dangerous ghetto and you’ve got the picture.

These favelas are mainly situated on the many rocky mountains in Rio, and make for some of the best views in Rio. They’re very steep, and that’s why the poor people were originally pushed out to these areas to set up communities. There are tours to see them, but there are now hostels and hotels in some of the favelas close to the main tourist areas. These favelas have been ‘pacified’, which means all the gangs have either been killed or moved on to another favela, and now they, the favelas have become a tourist attraction.

You probably don’t get the full favela experience – there’s no war with the police going on – but you do get a feel for how they live, and there are still many locals living there. It’s a good and safe way of seeing how the working class people of Rio live.

Cristo Redentor is an must when in Rio. You can see it from everywhere and it’s so iconic, you tend to try and look for it wherever you are. It’s high up and it really is an impressive sculpture. Going up to see it and earning redemption from Christ is a wonderful experience. Again, it gets full during the weekends of the peak season, but its one of those things that you just have to do.

Rio is a geographical gem. With all of its rocks jutting up out of the ground hundreds of metres high, it makes it such a photogenic city. The best place to see the panoramic views is from Sugar Loaf Mountain. It’s like all the other mountainous rocks in Rio but its positions allows for some of the best views the beauty of Rio has to offer.

Rio Carnival is something else. I have been to many places and experienced many celebrations but the Carnival at Rio is as good as it gets. There are believed to be 2 million people out on streets of Rio every carnival. At the actual Samba Dome, you get an emotional ‘wow’ feeling when you first get there and see the kaleidoscopic colours of the crowds and decoration of the floats parading down the avenue.

It’s a big competition and each Samba school has its own float and they’re all competing to be the best. It’s big money and it can make or break the schools. There are different divisions within the competition, and each day gets progressively more impressive. Like anything in Rio, it’s not cheap, but it’s a must for any visitor.

But as good as the carnival parade is, the real carnival is out on the streets. Wherever you go in Rio you’ll see mini parties everywhere. Groups of people make their own carnival party with the sound of the samba drum and the amazing Brazilian women shaking their ass, makes it a more memorable experience. We floated from group to group, drank beer and danced all night.

Be careful, though. If you go, don’t just wander anywhere. Make sure you’re in “safe” areas. Luckily, I was with a local friend, who knew where to go. But if you go to the Samba Dome you’ll be fine, but partying on the streets, I recommend Ipanema and Copacabana.

Rio is amazing. No two ways about it. If you like to have fun, if you like to party, Rio is the place for you. It does have its cultural gems, too, and I’ve been to Rio quite a few times, but I’m always too busy having fun to do anything cultural. Next time, I promise.