How I fell in love with Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Not difficult to imagine yourself living in Rio de Janeiro
I first went and fell in love with Rio de Janeiro some years ago, and was so impressed, I always promised I would go back. It took me 5 years – 5 years too many.
This place is all mine – says Mrs. O on top of the Sugar Loaf
To say that Rio de Janeiro is stunning, it is an understatement – it is sexy, “heartbreakingly” beautiful and elegant. Everything a girl wants to be!
Something changed during the time between my visits – I can’t point out exactly what it is, but it left an incredible impression. So much so, Mr O and I started toying with the idea that “we could really live there”. We sometimes play that game, but not everyday. And we did. Oh yes!
The stunning Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon – and Ipanema on the right
We didn’t always see the sun, but it didn’t matter – there’s something about the light in this city that makes you want to start tiptoeing and dance to the bossa nova sounds (it isn’t all about Samba!).
I am a great believer that you should start the year the way you intend to continue, so guess where we landed on the 30th of December 2011? Oh yes, I felt like the Girl from Ipanema (or Leblon, to be more precise!!)
Ipanema Beach – a bit too busy for me. You can just see the Sheraton Rio on the left of the image
I have so many things to say about Rio, that I will have to write a few posts – one on the address book, so you can just print it and take with you, and others.. well, you will just have to wait! This is the teaser – to give you a feel for the place, its stunning people (I can’t forget the smiles) and the incredible food and drinks (not wine, actually).
Caipirinhas – Brazil’s national drink. Pictured here, my favourites: watermelon with pepper and pineapple with mint!
Rio is divided into various neighbourhoods and in my opinion Ipanema and especially Leblon are the best. You can tell by the lack of English heard in the streets, namely in Leblon, the most upmarket neighbourhood in the city. This is where we stayed for 9 days, which could have easily turned into 90 – there’s a lot to see and we didn’t get a chance. So we have to go back!
Our beach in Rio – need more words?
We stayed at the Sheraton Rio, around 400m from Leblon beach. Why? Because it is the only hotel in Rio that offers you a semi-private beach and is easy to get to anywhere in the city. A small detail – the beach is shared by the hotel guests and the locals from one of the Favelas (Vidigueira). I could swear that we had armed guards on our first visit, but they were no where to be seen this time.
The “calçadão” – or long sidewalk – by Ipanema and Leblon beaches
The “pacification” of the slums is a great win for the local police, and Rio feels safe – and it is safe, which is possibly why the whole place felt different. Rio will be one of the host cities of the upcoming Football World Cup and the 2016 Olympics, and this is certainly important.
We slept for 10 hours each day, bought way more clothes and shoes than anticipated, ate incredible delicacies – from the “salgadinhos” (savoury pastries) to incredible meat barbecues (“churrasco”), but most importantly, came back to England looking healthier and happy. For Mrs O’s Rio de Janeiro address book, click here.
Smart Fox (seriously) – the delicious orange, pineapple and mint beach drink!
And that’s not a bad way to start 2012, is it?
Me apaixonei (I fell in love)
Mrs O.
PS. To continue and read Mrs O’s Rio de Janeiro address book, click here.
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Oh, I so loved Rio, too! I’d been bracing myself a little bit because of the crime warnings, but I felt so at home when we arrived… Breezy weather, lovely greens and blues, delicious food, irresistible music..it’s a great thing our visas are valid for so many years. I’d jump at the chance to go back. Thanks for sharing the lovely pictures.
Bethany ~ twoOregonians recently posted..Frogs and Eels and Pig Heads
My pleasure, would love to go back myself!
You are so blessed to travel like you do! It has always been a dream of mine. I am fairly new to your blog, and I am in love!! Thank you for sharing with us.
Logan Cantrell recently posted..Take Me Back to Jacksonville
Oh thank you, very sweet of you! Thanks for stopping by!
Great post and some amazing photos – am heading there in February and really can’t wait to see it for myself.
Ad-lib Traveller recently posted..*Limelight* Offbeat quirks at Aynhoe Park, Oxford
You will love it! It is a special place indeed
i really want to see Rio for myself one of these days! those cocktails look delicious!!
lola recently posted..go Greek next summer
You would love it! I can totally promise you!
Rio looks amazing! We have been talking about planning on going there for the World Cup in 2014, but we will see! It’s not all that far away!
Christina recently posted..The Parisian Catacombs
It is an amazing place, but I’d suggest go before, if you can!
great photos and now all i want is a smart fox!
the lazy travelers recently posted..laws to travel by – #22
Fabulous photos! I hope to visit Rio sooner rather that later. Of course, going there for the 2014 World Cup would be a dream come true.
Pola (@jettingaround) recently posted..The Green Mill – Chicago’s landmark jazz club
It’s going to be mad! Surely the atmosphere will be amazing!
One of the most beautiful city we’ve been too. Best view, for sure!
Kieu ~ GQ trippin recently posted..GQ trippin’ Turns 1 Year Old!
Can’t wait to go back
I have a feeling I too will fall in love during the World Cup and Olympics…maybe I don’t need to wait that long to visit:)
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..Check Out Time – The Week in Travel
I wouldn’t if I were you
seriously, go before 
Great post and stunning pictures, you need to go back to Rio and explore a little more, I am sure you fell in love even more!
Too many places, not enough time
but I like your thinking!
Beautiful photos and yes, you need to go back and do a lot more! If you stay longer, a trip to the mountains (Itaipava, Petropolis, Araras) is pretty nice too. http://luciana.misura.org/2010/08/18/friozinho-em-araras/ And you have to go to Prainha if you haven’t yet (pretty far from Zona Sul, drive all the way across Barra and Recreio to get there, but it’s beautiful). And I always recommend a day trip to Niteroi, starting with Itacoatiara Beach, lunch in Sao Francisco and then a visit to MAC (the contemporary art museum that looks like a flying saucer).
http://luciana.misura.org/2010/08/20/mac/
Hi Luciana – so many places I need to go to! Prainha was on my list, but sadly didn’t make it
I think I need 3 months in Brazil to explore just a bit. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment 
I absolutely fell in love with Rio myself when I visited about 10 years ago. The people are warm and friendly, the food was great, the beaches were fantastic. The beach is such a huge part of that culture. I also spent some time in Leblon as well, I could have stayed a lot more. nice post, and love the pictures.
Hi! Thank you for your kind words
Rio is indeed special. Can’t wait to make up a credible excuse to go back!
Rio is on my list of places to visit. I’ve missed it a few times but definitely will make it for Olympics 2016 if not before…Great photos, btw.
you look amazing
I’m totally going to have one of those smart foxes when I’m there for Carnival. This will be my first trip to Rio and my husband’s millionth (or so it seems). We’re visiting friends that I’m confident will show us the ropes. Thanks for the beautiful pictures and the introduction. Yay!
oh that is the best way to go
and you will love the city! has some amazing energy and it is truly stunning 
Remarkable photos! Thank you for sharing them with us! I would so love to visit Rio. Maybe someday I’ll make it there!
my pleasure! certainly should be on everyone’s bucket list
thank you for your kind words 
Wow I’ve never been but it looks incredible and now I want to go! Beautiful pictures!
thank you! it is an amazing place indeed
do subscribe if you can so you don’t miss the upcoming posts!
Thanks so much for your bday message honey!!
http://absolutelyfaaabulous.wordpress.com/
pleasure! loved how you did that – mine is in April hahaha watch out!
Great post and great pictures of one of the most stunning cities in the world. Looks like you haven’t been hiking around the Tijuca forest
I havent, and to be honest I feel I havent seen half the city yet.. need to go back!
Yes you do!!! let me know if you need a hiking guide. /i know the place pretty good
Lovely pictures. Personally I’m happy that Rio de Janeiro the city is changing for good. It’s about time because RJ deserves it. RJ will never be perfect, but because it’s beautiful nature and people it’s close to perfect
Greetings,
Nick
http://www.brasilinteractivemap.wordpress.com
thank you for your comments, Nick! I saw a great improvement
With photo opportunities like that I’m not surprised you fell in your love. I was thinking ‘wow’ just when I saw your first photo never mind the rest
thanks Toni! It was a pretty special trip indeed!
Amazing…I’m going in March and I can’t WAIT!
Oh you will love it! There is another post with some of our recommendations – bars, shops, restaurants, hope it helps!!
Very nice pictures. I’ve been there a few times. It’s not someplace I’d want to live, but certainly great to visit.
Thanks Adam! I never considered it myself… until this last visit! But may be a 10-15 year project!!
amazing!
i wanna go there now!