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If you're traveling to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, there are some things you need to know before you get here.
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I just spent a week exploring every corner of Rio with a local guide, and these are my 20 most important Rio travel tips.
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And stick around to the end because I'm sharing the biggest mistake people make on their first trip to Rio.
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Welcome to the Alex Travels Far podcast, where I take you around the world one adventure at a time.
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I'm Alex, I'm a traveler on a mission to explore the best destinations, uncover hidden gems, and dive deep into local cultures.
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We're going beyond the guidebooks and into the real heart of travel.
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So sit back, relax, and let's travel far together.
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Is Rio de Janeiro safe for tourists?
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Absolutely.
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Based on my experience, yes.
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This was probably the biggest surprise of my trip.
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Coming from the United States, I expected Rio to feel much more dangerous.
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Instead, I personally felt safer walking around Rio than I have in parts of New York or Los Angeles.
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And I saw police everywhere in the main tourist areas.
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Obviously, use common sense, don't flash valuables, pay attention when using your phone, and don't wander into unfamiliar neighborhoods or favelas without somebody who knows the area.
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But after five days all over Rio, I never personally felt threatened.
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Do Americans need a visa for Brazil?
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Yes.
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If you're traveling on an American passport, you need to get your Brazil e-visa before your trip.
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The application is online, but don't wait until the last minute.
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Approval could take several business days, and they're surprisingly strict about the photo requirements.
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Get it done early and then forget about it.
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Where should you stay in Rio de Janeiro?
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Ipanima.
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Most first-time visitors are probably choosing between Copacabana and Ipanima.
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Copacabana reminded me of South Beach in Miami, famous, busy, and packed with tourists.
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Ipanema felt more laid back, more local, and a little more upscale without being dramatically more expensive.
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Visit Copacabana, stay in Ipanima.
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Should you stay in a hotel or an Airbnb in Rio?
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I choose Airbnb.
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Load full transcript
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When I searched Empanima, there were way more Airbnb options than hotels that worked for me.
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My flight also landed at 4 in the morning, so I booked the Airbnb starting the previous night.
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I can go directly there, leave my luggage securely in my room, and start exploring.
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I basically paid for an extra night just to avoid dealing with my suitcase at four in the morning and baggage storage worth it.
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How do you get from Rio Airport to your hotel?
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What's the best way to get from Rio Airport to your hotel?
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Uber.
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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.
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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.
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No matter how friendly they are, politely say no and order your ride through the app.
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What is the best way to get around Rio de Janeiro?
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Motorbike.
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You need to get comfortable riding on the back of a motorcycle because Rio traffic can be brutal.
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A motorcycle can cut a long trip sitting in traffic just dramatically.
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And even if you're traveling with someone else, have each person order their own motorcycle.
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They give you a helmet, you hop on, and you go.
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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.
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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.
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Is Rio de Janeiro expensive?
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Not compared with a major US tourist city.
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A typical lunch can run$5 to$14 US dollars, dinner$10 to$24 US dollars, and coffee maybe$3 US dollars.
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For hotels, a typical double room averages around$130 a night.
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Although you can find options significantly cheaper or much more expensive.
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Transportation is also relatively inexpensive.
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You can absolutely spend a fortune in Rio if you want luxury hotels and expensive activities.
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But normal day-to-day travel can be surprisingly affordable.
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How many days do you need in Rio?
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Seven days, five days to actually explore, and two days as weather backups.
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Rio has too many weather-dependent experiences to book yourself solid for five straight days.
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Give yourself seven and move things around depending on the weather.
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What is the best time of year to visit Rio de Janeiro?
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I would go during Rio's winter, roughly summertime in the United States.
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I went in August and it was already pretty warm.
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Rio's summer is hotter, more humid, and includes carnival, which means massive crowds and higher prices.
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Unless you're specifically going to Rio for carnival, go during the cooler months.
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Do you need to speak Portuguese in Rio?
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No.
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Rio is a major tourist city, and I got by perfectly fine with English and all the major tourist areas.
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But learn a few basic greetings in Portuguese.
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It takes five minutes and locals appreciate the effort.
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Once you leave the tourist areas, that's when having someone who can translate becomes much more useful.
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Do you need a tour guide in Rio?
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Yes, but only a good one.
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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.
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For me, Miguel translated so much and just was a huge, huge advantage.
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But do your research.
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You want someone who helps you experience Rio, not someone who simply drives you between tourist attractions.
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I would 100% recommend my guide, Miguel, his information's in the description.
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Where should you go for authentic Rio nightlife?
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Get outside the tourist areas.
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One of my favorite nights was Ballet Charme de Marunia.
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It's an RB hip hop, soul, and just a huge group of locals dancing together.
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And personally, I'd skip Pedro de Sau.
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When I went, it was unbelievably crowded.
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There was barely enough room to move, and I did not feel comfortable in a crowd that dense.
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Ballet was much more memorable.
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Which Rio Beach is better, Ipanima or Copa Cabana?
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Ipanima.
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Easily.
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You absolutely need to visit both, but Ipanima felt more relaxed and less touristy.
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Copacabana
was fun to experience, especially at night, but it was much busier and more chaotic.
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Go see Copacabana, then go back to Ipanima.
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What food should you try in Rio?
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Start with Brazilian coffee and then go to the local market and start eating.
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Try the street food, fresh tropical fruit, and Portuguese-style egg tarts.
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And at least once, go to a real Brazilian steakhouse.
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It's basically an all-you-can-eat, just mega, mega steakhouse where the meat doesn't stop coming until you surrender.
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Is Guanabara Bay sunset cruise worth it?
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Yes, 100% worth it.
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Guanabara Bay, Rio's famous harbor, is commonly included on the list of the seven natural wonders of the world.
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My sunset sailing trip was around 50 US dollars with drinks and snacks included.
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We sailed through the bay, watched the sunset, and even jumped in for a swim.
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Don't just look at Rio's Harbor from above.
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Get out on the water and see it firsthand.
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What should you know before visiting Christ the Redeemer?
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Book the earliest tram ticket you can get on the clearest day possible.
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Even first thing in the morning, expect crowds.
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For pictures, have your photographer get extremely low on the ground.
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It'll help frame you with Christ while cutting out most of the people behind you.
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But once you have your pictures, put the phone away.
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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.
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Get your photos, then actually experience it.
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And don't leave without giving Christ a hug.
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What are the best adventure activities in Rio?
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Three, doors off helicopter, paragliding and repelling.
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The helicopter was around$350 and easily the least scary.
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Pay extra for the doors off and a window position.
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Then paragliding, which was around$300 with all the extras like uh video.
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Definitely scarier, but sunrise repelling at Mordo Dozy Moes or Two Brothers was the craziest.
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Lowest fear factor was the helicopter, middle was paragliding, highest was repelling, but all three were worth it.
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Can tourists visit Rio's favelas?
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Yes, and I think you should, but only with a reputable local guide.
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I visited four Travises Bastos, some others, but Sidra Dija Dijos, the City of God, was a completely wild experience.
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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.
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Very little filming is allowed, but lots of culture, lots of drug dealers with guns, and lots of unique memories.
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Just don't wander into these communities alone.
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Use somebody who lives there, follow their rules, and know when the camera needs to disappear.
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Should you go to a football match?
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Absolutely.
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I've been to sporting events all over America, and I used to live in Wisconsin.
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But Brazilian football is different.
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Buy your tickets ahead of time, take the metro, and arrive early.
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We had assigned seats and couldn't even reach them because we arrived too close to kickoff.
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At Manaraca, nah, the crowd like stands, they sing, they chant the entire match.
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And when somebody scores, beer goes flying and strangers start hugging each other.
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If there's a match while you're in Rio, you gotta go.
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And for a bonus, here's the biggest mistake tourists make in Rio: spending way too much time in Copacabana.
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Rio is a massive, incredibly diverse city.
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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.
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Explore the neighborhoods, visit the markets, eat the food, experience football, meet the people.
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Copacabana is one beach.
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Rio is an entire city.
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Go experience it.
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And those are my 20 biggest tips for visiting Rio de Janeiro Brazil.
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I also have a full vlog for my time in Rio.
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So if you really want to see what all these experiences are like, make sure to check that out.
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If you've been to Rio, leave a comment with your best travel tip.
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And if this video helped you out, hit the like button and subscribe.
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Hopefully this makes planning your Rio trip a lot easier.
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Now, if this video has inspired you to travel, check out my Ask Alex travel planning sessions.
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The link is in the description.
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I'd love to help you plan an unforgettable adventure and save you hours of research.
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Thanks for watching, and as always, travel far.
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That's a wrap for today's episode of Alex Travels Far Podcast.
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Thanks for coming along on this journey.
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If you've enjoyed this, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode.
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You can find me on YouTube at Alex TravelsFar Vlogs, where I share even more adventures and in-depth travel guides.
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Until next time, keep exploring, keep traveling, and as always, travel far.