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If you are here, you might be considering Brazil as the next stop in your adventures. I recently spent a week in Brazil and it was everything I thought it would be and more! Firstly in terms of safety, if this is something you are concerned about, I have a few tips below that helped me feel safe.
I visited Rio, Paraty, Ilha Grande and Iguazu Falls (on both the Brazil and Argentinian sides), let's get into it.
I know safety is definitely a concern for many people travelling to South America, and it is something I wanted to prepare for to feel as safe as possible. Here is what I did to keep myself as safe as possible.
Ubers! Take an Uber everywhere! My partner and I felt safest taking Ubers, don't take the local taxi's. We heard some stories about getting scammed, so we opted for Ubers. We took these to and from tourist spots as well as in the evening. If you are planning on going out in the evening, take an uber and take all the normal precautions you would in an unfamiliar city. For the most part we found people really nice and hospitable. Plus asking the reception of where you are staying where the safest walking streets are, and where to avoid.
Hidden Bum Bags These were really helpful for putting your cash and phone under your clothes when you are in unfamiliar areas, and then you get to be hands-free too. I bought this one off Amazon and it works a charm. Some people I met also had a cross-body bag (like the viral Uniqlo one) for their basic items, like santiser and then had their valuables hidden in this bum bag.
Self-defence alarm key chain I'll preface this by saying, I didn't use this during my trip but having it made me feel a lot more confident and safer in places I wasn't feeling super comfortable in. It is really loud, so will attract a lot of attention and has a light/torch as well. The key-chain can be charged through a USB cable and from what I have tested, works pretty well.
Alright, so let's get into my recommendations across Brazil ⬇️
Rio de Janeiro
My adventure began in Rio, a city bursting with energy and colour. I stayed at the Selina hostel at Copacabana, which was perfectly located in front of Copacabana beach, can't complain with that. I found the area safe with security and police in the evening, filled with markets, nicely priced restaurants and a good vibe along the beach. I decided not to take valuables to the beach, purely so I wouldn't have to worry about them. If you do want to take them with you, don't have your phone hanging about. I used one of these waterproof bum bags for similar situations - worked a treat! I squeezed in Christ the Redeemer, the famous Lapa steps and Sugarloaf Mountain in one day - it was a super long day, but if you are strapped for time this is a great way to do it. This is why I found Ubers the most convenient form of transportation to be efficient and safe too. I'd definitely recommend all three as places to visit, they are the highlights after all.
Starting off with Christ the Redeemer, it is always going to be jam-packed with people so I'd recommend going either early or late in the day. The lines were huge when I was there, I did a bit of research and found you can buy skip the line tickets to get to the top as quick as possible. They are a little expensive but was definitely worth it, it probably saved me and my partner around 1.5hrs. Here is where to get a skip the line ticket.
Coming back down, you do have to wait in line but they are quite efficient given the number of people at the top. When we got back to the bottom, we got an uber and headed to the famous Lapa steps or Escadaria Selarón.
The artwork is so funky and cool and the steps can get busy but everyone is quite respectful if you are trying to get a good shot. Each set of stairs is different, so I would definitely recommend taking the walk up there.
To explore and see the steps is free and you can take as much time as you'd like here.
The last thing we did on this day (after taking a nice nap), was go and visit Sugarloaf Mountain for sunset. Again there are lots of people here, but the line was efficient and not too painful. We bought the tickets online through their website. I'd definitely recommend going just before sunset to get the view during the day and at night. There are two cable cars to get to Sugarloaf Mountain. After the first cable car, you can stop and have a drink or something to eat, there is a really nice vibe with music and food/drinks for you to chill and watch the sunset at. You can decide to go all the way to Sugarloaf Mountain as well if you'd like to, the views are great from either!
During the rest of our time in Rio, we also took a Samba class and went to a Samba club which was really fun, it's called Scenarium with eclectic, vintage accents for pub fare & cocktails, plus live music & dancing!
Paraty: A Journey Back in Time
We took a long bus ride (about 5 hours) to Paraty, an old colonial fishermen's town. It was really hot when I was there. I booked bus tickets off Busbud.
Paraty is a cute little town in between mountains and the sea. It feels a little like you are stepping back in time, with cobblestone streets, colourful colonial buildings, and a relaxed pace of life.
I would have spent an extra day there if I had a bit more time or was to go there again. You can spend a few hours on the old streets exploring and going into the little hole in the wall stores.
The highlight of Paraty for me was a lunch at Fazenda Bananal which I couldn't recommend enough. The property itself is stunning, it is a an original 17th century farm with 180 hectares of conserved land. The food was INCREDIBLE! The flavour combinations were so unique to anything I've tried before with really fresh tasting ingredients.
You do need to book, so keep that in mind while you are planning your trip.
Ilha Grande: Uninterrupted Bliss
From Paraty, I had a day or so in Copacobana before heading to Ilha Grande, a pristine island paradise off the coast of Brazil. With its lush rainforests, secluded beaches, and crystal-clear waters, Ilha Grande is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the mainland.
I had limited time here, but you can spend a few days doing day hikes, boat days and relaxing beach days too.
Hot tip, make sure you take the fast boat to the island, or you'll be waiting till the slower boats have enough people to set off.
My partner and I wanted extreme bliss and to slow down while we were there, so we explored the markets, ate at some yummy restaurants and lazed around by the beach.
Iguassu Falls: Nature's Majesty Unleashed
My final stop in Brazil was Iguassu Falls, one of the most surprising and majestic natural wonders I've seen. Extremely underrated! I was told the falls had to be seen from both the Brazil and Argentina sides, and yes I'd recommend that too. You'll get some cool perspectives from seeing it from both sides. You can easily cross the border by taxi or air too. The falls are easy enough to book online and on the Argentinian side I booked it at a self-serve counter on the day.
The falls itself are absolutely breath-taking, the huge cascade of water stretching as far as the eye could see, with mist rising high into the air. I explored the falls from every angle, marvelling at the power and beauty of nature's handiwork. You can really take your time here, don't forget a raincoat or poncho if you want to avoid getting wet! There is one main trail on the Brazil side, it took me around 1.5/2 hours all up. I then drove over to the Argentina side and stayed overnight before doing it all again on the other side.
The Argentina side of the falls brings a completely different experience and perspective. This side can take a little longer as there are multiple trails you can walk through, to see different parts of the falls. I would recommend spending half a day here. Maybe the whole day if you are doing a boat tour too.
A few things I did find with both towns the falls reside in (on either side of the border). They are quiet, sleepy towns with very limited Ubers. So I would recommend asking your hotel lobby to call for a taxi and get them for the day/ask them how much it'll be to cross the border with you, if you are doing that.
From the vibrant streets of Rio to the tranquil shores of Ilha Grande and the thundering majesty of Iguassu Falls, Brazil was everything I had imagined and more.
So if you're looking for your next adventure, why not pack your bags and explore the wonders of Brazil for yourself? Trust me, you won't regret it. Obrigado, Brazil - until we meet again!