התמלול המלא של 20 Things You NEED to Know Before Visiting Rio de Janeiro

--> 00:02:15.840 When I searched Empanima, there were way more Airbnb options than hotels that worked for me. 00:02:16.000 --> 00:02:22.159 My flight also landed at 4 in the morning, so I booked the Airbnb starting the previous night. 00:02:22.319 --> 00:02:27.199 I can go directly there, leave my luggage securely in my room, and start exploring. 00:02:27.360 --> 00:02:35.360 I basically paid for an extra night just to avoid dealing with my suitcase at four in the morning and baggage storage worth it. 00:02:35.520 --> 00:02:38.159 How do you get from Rio Airport to your hotel? 00:02:38.319 --> 00:02:41.120 What's the best way to get from Rio Airport to your hotel? 00:02:41.360 --> 00:02:41.840 Uber. 00:02:42.000 --> 00:02:49.599 I landed at the International Airport at four in the morning, followed the airport signs to Uber pickup area, and had no problem getting a ride. 00:02:49.680 --> 00:02:56.719 You'll probably have people approach you offering you transportation and a taxi and asking you if they're or telling you they're better than an Uber. 00:02:56.879 --> 00:03:01.439 No matter how friendly they are, politely say no and order your ride through the app. 00:03:01.599 --> 00:03:04.240 What is the best way to get around Rio de Janeiro? 00:03:04.479 --> 00:03:05.120 Motorbike. 00:03:05.280 --> 00:03:11.039 You need to get comfortable riding on the back of a motorcycle because Rio traffic can be brutal. 00:03:11.280 --> 00:03:16.000 A motorcycle can cut a long trip sitting in traffic just dramatically. 00:03:16.159 --> 00:03:20.639 And even if you're traveling with someone else, have each person order their own motorcycle. 00:03:20.719 --> 00:03:23.360 They give you a helmet, you hop on, and you go. 00:03:23.520 --> 00:03:33.439 The expectations, it's a little crazy, but maybe the metro for a huge event like a football match, and obviously ride with your driver if you hired a private guide. 00:03:33.599 --> 00:03:41.520 But other than that, or to get tuned from the airport with their suitcases, I wouldn't waste my time sitting in a regular Uber car in all that Rio traffic. 00:03:41.680 --> 00:03:43.520 Is Rio de Janeiro expensive? 00:03:43.680 --> 00:03:46.080 Not compared with a major US tourist city. 00:03:46.240 --> 00:03:54.800 A typical lunch can run$5 to$14 US dollars, dinner$10 to$24 US dollars, and coffee maybe$3 US dollars. 00:03:54.960 --> 00:04:00.159 For hotels, a typical double room averages around$130 a night. 00:04:00.319 --> 00:04:04.960 Although you can find options significantly cheaper or much more expensive. 00:04:05.199 --> 00:04:07.919 Transportation is also relatively inexpensive. 00:04:08.080 --> 00:04:14.159 You can absolutely spend a fortune in Rio if you want luxury hotels and expensive activities. 00:04:14.319 --> 00:04:18.160 But normal day-to-day travel can be surprisingly affordable. 00:04:18.319 --> 00:04:20.079 How many days do you need in Rio? 00:04:20.399 --> 00:04:25.920 Seven days, five days to actually explore, and two days as weather backups. 00:04:26.079 --> 00:04:32.000 Rio has too many weather-dependent experiences to book yourself solid for five straight days. 00:04:32.240 --> 00:04:35.600 Give yourself seven and move things around depending on the weather. 00:04:35.759 --> 00:04:38.639 What is the best time of year to visit Rio de Janeiro? 00:04:38.800 --> 00:04:42.879 I would go during Rio's winter, roughly summertime in the United States. 00:04:43.040 --> 00:04:45.600 I went in August and it was already pretty warm. 00:04:45.839 --> 00:04:52.560 Rio's summer is hotter, more humid, and includes carnival, which means massive crowds and higher prices. 00:04:52.720 --> 00:04:56.800 Unless you're specifically going to Rio for carnival, go during the cooler months. 00:04:56.959 --> 00:04:59.199 Do you need to speak Portuguese in Rio? 00:04:59.279 --> 00:04:59.600 No. 00:04:59.759 --> 00:05:06.399 Rio is a major tourist city, and I got by perfectly fine with English and all the major tourist areas. 00:05:06.560 --> 00:05:09.279 But learn a few basic greetings in Portuguese. 00:05:09.439 --> 00:05:12.160 It takes five minutes and locals appreciate the effort. 00:05:12.319 --> 00:05:17.839 Once you leave the tourist areas, that's when having someone who can translate becomes much more useful. 00:05:18.079 --> 00:05:19.920 Do you need a tour guide in Rio? 00:05:20.079 --> 00:05:21.839 Yes, but only a good one. 00:05:22.000 --> 00:05:31.920 A great guide lets you see more in less time, removes a lot of logistical stress, and gives you access to local interactions you'd probably never have on your own. 00:05:32.160 --> 00:05:37.439 For me, Miguel translated so much and just was a huge, huge advantage. 00:05:37.600 --> 00:05:38.800 But do your research. 00:05:38.959 --> 00:05:45.199 You want someone who helps you experience Rio, not someone who simply drives you between tourist attractions. 00:05:45.439 --> 00:05:49.920 I would 100% recommend my guide, Miguel, his information's in the description. 00:05:50.079 --> 00:05:52.399 Where should you go for authentic Rio nightlife? 00:05:52.560 --> 00:05:54.160 Get outside the tourist areas. 00:05:54.319 --> 00:05:58.639 One of my favorite nights was Ballet Charme de Marunia. 00:05:58.720 --> 00:06:03.680 It's an RB hip hop, soul, and just a huge group of locals dancing together. 00:06:03.839 --> 00:06:06.480 And personally, I'd skip Pedro de Sau. 00:06:06.720 --> 00:06:09.199 When I went, it was unbelievably crowded. 00:06:09.360 --> 00:06:14.639 There was barely enough room to move, and I did not feel comfortable in a crowd that dense. 00:06:14.879 --> 00:06:16.720 Ballet was much more memorable. 00:06:16.879 --> 00:06:20.000 Which Rio Beach is better, Ipanima or Copa Cabana? 00:06:20.240 --> 00:06:20.879 Ipanima. 00:06:21.120 --> 00:06:21.600 Easily. 00:06:21.839 --> 00:06:26.959 You absolutely need to visit both, but Ipanima felt more relaxed and less touristy. 00:06:27.120 --> 00:06:33.839 Copacabana

was fun to experience, especially at night, but it was much busier and more chaotic. 00:06:34.000 --> 00:06:36.879 Go see Copacabana, then go back to Ipanima. 00:06:37.040 --> 00:06:38.639 What food should you try in Rio? 00:06:38.959 --> 00:06:43.360 Start with Brazilian coffee and then go to the local market and start eating. 00:06:43.519 --> 00:06:48.319 Try the street food, fresh tropical fruit, and Portuguese-style egg tarts. 00:06:48.480 --> 00:06:52.800 And at least once, go to a real Brazilian steakhouse. 00:06:52.959 --> 00:07:00.800 It's basically an all-you-can-eat, just mega, mega steakhouse where the meat doesn't stop coming until you surrender. 00:07:00.959 --> 00:07:04.079 Is Guanabara Bay sunset cruise worth it? 00:07:04.240 --> 00:07:06.000 Yes, 100% worth it. 00:07:06.160 --> 00:07:13.279 Guanabara Bay, Rio's famous harbor, is commonly included on the list of the seven natural wonders of the world. 00:07:13.439 --> 00:07:18.399 My sunset sailing trip was around 50 US dollars with drinks and snacks included. 00:07:18.560 --> 00:07:22.560 We sailed through the bay, watched the sunset, and even jumped in for a swim. 00:07:22.879 --> 00:07:25.279 Don't just look at Rio's Harbor from above. 00:07:25.439 --> 00:07:27.920 Get out on the water and see it firsthand. 00:07:28.160 --> 00:07:30.879 What should you know before visiting Christ the Redeemer? 00:07:31.040 --> 00:07:35.839 Book the earliest tram ticket you can get on the clearest day possible. 00:07:36.000 --> 00:07:38.560 Even first thing in the morning, expect crowds. 00:07:38.879 --> 00:07:42.480 For pictures, have your photographer get extremely low on the ground. 00:07:42.639 --> 00:07:47.040 It'll help frame you with Christ while cutting out most of the people behind you. 00:07:47.199 --> 00:07:49.759 But once you have your pictures, put the phone away. 00:07:49.920 --> 00:07:57.199 You know, Christ the Redeemer is one of the new seven wonders of the world, and the spiritual energy was something I wasn't expecting. 00:07:57.439 --> 00:08:00.000 Get your photos, then actually experience it. 00:08:00.079 --> 00:08:02.319 And don't leave without giving Christ a hug. 00:08:02.480 --> 00:08:04.879 What are the best adventure activities in Rio? 00:08:05.279 --> 00:08:09.600 Three, doors off helicopter, paragliding and repelling. 00:08:09.759 --> 00:08:13.519 The helicopter was around$350 and easily the least scary. 00:08:13.680 --> 00:08:16.319 Pay extra for the doors off and a window position. 00:08:16.480 --> 00:08:21.839 Then paragliding, which was around$300 with all the extras like uh video. 00:08:22.079 --> 00:08:29.519 Definitely scarier, but sunrise repelling at Mordo Dozy Moes or Two Brothers was the craziest. 00:08:29.680 --> 00:08:36.799 Lowest fear factor was the helicopter, middle was paragliding, highest was repelling, but all three were worth it. 00:08:36.960 --> 00:08:39.120 Can tourists visit Rio's favelas? 00:08:39.279 --> 00:08:42.960 Yes, and I think you should, but only with a reputable local guide. 00:08:43.120 --> 00:08:52.960 I visited four Travises Bastos, some others, but Sidra Dija Dijos, the City of God, was a completely wild experience. 00:08:53.120 --> 00:09:00.799 So City of God is much further away, but if you want to see a side of Rio most tourists never experience, I thought it was worth the trip. 00:09:00.960 --> 00:09:07.600 Very little filming is allowed, but lots of culture, lots of drug dealers with guns, and lots of unique memories. 00:09:07.840 --> 00:09:10.159 Just don't wander into these communities alone. 00:09:10.320 --> 00:09:15.519 Use somebody who lives there, follow their rules, and know when the camera needs to disappear. 00:09:15.679 --> 00:09:17.440 Should you go to a football match? 00:09:17.679 --> 00:09:18.399 Absolutely. 00:09:18.559 --> 00:09:22.399 I've been to sporting events all over America, and I used to live in Wisconsin. 00:09:22.559 --> 00:09:25.120 But Brazilian football is different. 00:09:25.279 --> 00:09:29.200 Buy your tickets ahead of time, take the metro, and arrive early. 00:09:29.360 --> 00:09:34.559 We had assigned seats and couldn't even reach them because we arrived too close to kickoff. 00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:41.679 At Manaraca, nah, the crowd like stands, they sing, they chant the entire match. 00:09:41.840 --> 00:09:47.200 And when somebody scores, beer goes flying and strangers start hugging each other. 00:09:47.360 --> 00:09:49.840 If there's a match while you're in Rio, you gotta go. 00:09:50.000 --> 00:09:56.399 And for a bonus, here's the biggest mistake tourists make in Rio: spending way too much time in Copacabana. 00:09:56.639 --> 00:09:59.679 Rio is a massive, incredibly diverse city. 00:09:59.840 --> 00:10:09.759 Of course, see Copacabana, Christ the Redeemer, and Sugarloaf Mountain, but don't just check those three boxes and think you've experienced Rio or understand Brazil. 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:15.919 Explore the neighborhoods, visit the markets, eat the food, experience football, meet the people. 00:10:16.080 --> 00:10:17.840 Copacabana is one beach. 00:10:18.080 --> 00:10:20.080 Rio is an entire city. 00:10:20.240 --> 00:10:21.279 Go experience it. 00:10:21.440 --> 00:10:25.279 And those are my 20 biggest tips for visiting Rio de Janeiro Brazil. 00:10:25.440 --> 00:10:27.919 I also have a full vlog for my time in Rio. 00:10:28.000 --> 00:10:32.080 So if you really want to see what all these experiences are like, make sure to check that out. 00:10:32.240 --> 00:10:35.360 If you've been to Rio, leave a comment with your best travel tip. 00:10:35.440 --> 00:10:38.559 And if this video helped you out, hit the like button and subscribe. 00:10:38.720 --> 00:10:41.600 Hopefully this makes planning your Rio trip a lot easier. 00:10:41.759 --> 00:10:47.440 Now, if this video has inspired you to travel, check out my Ask Alex travel planning sessions. 00:10:47.600 --> 00:10:49.039 The link is in the description. 00:10:49.200 --> 00:10:54.960 I'd love to help you plan an unforgettable adventure and save you hours of research. 00:10:55.279 --> 00:10:58.480 Thanks for watching, and as always, travel far. 00:10:58.879 --> 00:11:02.399 That's a wrap for today's episode of Alex Travels Far Podcast. 00:11:02.559 --> 00:11:04.000 Thanks for coming along on this journey. 00:11:04.080 --> 00:11:08.000 If you've enjoyed this, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. 00:11:08.320 --> 00:11:09.600 Want more travel stories? 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