Our Experience in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Watch This Before You Go

Are you planning a trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the first time? In this video we share Brazil travel tips for travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Be sure to watch this video before you go as we share our experience in Brazil after traveling there for 20 days in February of 2022, and safety tips to take into account for your travels when planning out your Brazil vacation itinerary. We also share spots to visit in Brazil on your trip!
#RioDeJaneiro​ #RioBrazil​ #braziltravel
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[@scottw8474]

I made 8 trips to Brasil with my (now ex) wife and (half Brazilian) son over ten years, mainly to Rio where she is from. Rio is pretty amazing. Like many cities you need to know where 'not to go', but much of it is great. I would recommend having a local with you or traveling in a group if possible. Be vigilant. This video does a great job of a quick intro. Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon are the primary Rio beaches. Reasonable hotels can be found easily. I am glad Buzios was covered - it is one of my favorite places in the world. (I recommend Praia Joao Fernandandes or Fernandinho beaches). Some people do speak English and it is as common as Spanish there. Learning English is big there. As the couple point out, Google translate and lens are great tools. (Ironically when she speaks about knowing no Portuguese they show a sign in Spanish). Two places not mentioned were Centro (Downtown) and Ilha Grande. Downtown has some pretty amazing buildings and colonial architecture. (Rio was founded the same year as St Augustine Fla). Ilha Grande is an island national park larger than Manhattan. It is spectacular. Located about 2 hours west of town - it has some of the most amazing coral reefs (as great as Hawaii, Caribbean, or Fla Keys) and tropical islands I have ever seen. Touristy things like Christo Redeentor (the Christ statue) and Pao da Acucar (Sugar Loaf Mountain - cable car) are once in a lifetime must-do places. Boa Viagem!

[@MahnaGhafori]

Thank you so much for sharing! I definitely want to go back to Brazil or Rio specifically with an experienced guide and experience the magic everyone is talking about. Thank you!!

[@simasebtini]

It’s on my bucket list I am so excited to go there with all informative info your share thanks 👌🏻❤️

[@MahnaGhafori]

Thank you so much, I'm so glad its helpful!

[@scottman895]

I'm glad you decided to post the video. These tips will be very helpful especially with the safety. Locals as well as employees at any hotel or hostel (and Airbnb hosts too) will have good information on where to go and where not to go. It would be cool to visit Brazil one of these days though! Great video!

[@MahnaGhafori]

Thank you, appreciate that!

[@VoudouRopes]

this is very helpful! thank you!

[@MahnaGhafori]

I'm so glad it's helpful! Happy travels!

[@NightOwl_30]

Yeah, beach culture in Brazil is different. The beach for us is an active place. We go to do sports, to listen to music, to dance, to eat, and have fun in general. It's not a place to sit down and do nothing.

[@MahnaGhafori]

Interesting! Definitely very different. Thanks for sharing!

[@gutan5364]

Great video! Helpful disclaimer! Glad to hear your perspective!

[@MahnaGhafori]

Thank you!

[@SirKnightMauricio]

Nice video, good observations and fantastic views of your brief first peak at a gigantic country. Brazil is bigger than the continental US, spanning across both hemispheres. It’s people (a mix of many cultures) and its immensity are waiting for you with open arms, just as the Cristo statue on Corcovado is trying to tell you. Always with open arms. Well done for seeing these several places in just 20 days. I know you guys will go back for more, many many times. Muito obrigado!!

[@layssasouza5374]

Show de bola acompanhar vocês

[@MarcielRTV]

Congrats! I`m from Brazil and I think you made a grade job describing Rio as you did.

[@MahnaGhafori]

Thank you so much! Appreciate that.

[@camerondanzildiamond5072]

Great video and very informative. We are going there next year and we will try all the places you mentioned.

[@MahnaGhafori]

So glad its helpful! happy travels!

[@robertofrazon604]

Parabéns!!! excelente vídeo.

[@MahnaGhafori]

thank you so much!

[@TheAdrianaPolari]

You actually gave tips about Rio, not Brazil. Rio most famous urban beaches are not quiet, but Brazil has tons of quiet beaches to be explored. Search about Lençóis Maranhenses, Fernando de Noronha, Península de Maraú, Itacaré, and so many other places on the coast. Even in Rio city there are wild beaches that are not crowded, such as Praia do Perigoso and others. There's actually a tour that some ppl do to the wild beaches in Rio, it's called 'Wild beaches hiking'.

[@MahnaGhafori]

The title of the video and thumbnail share that the video is about our experience in Rio. Which is where 99.99% of tourists to Brazil go. Definitely hope to go back and explore the other parts of the massive country one day. But had to honestly share my experience in Rio.

[@TheAdrianaPolari]

@@MahnaGhafori I know, but you started your video saying you spend time in Brazil, and actually you just showed Rio, not any other parts of Brazil, which is the size of Europe basically. Don't get me wrong. I also love Rio. It's one of my favorite cities here, but Brazil is much more than that. As you said, perhaps more than 99% of foreigners don't know that. That's why I wanted to add some information.

[@r.f.9872]

Even Rio has a lot of beaches which aren’t crowded, specially during the week, such as Barra da Tijuca, Macumba, Recreio, Prainha and Grumari

[@lunaciti]

@@TheAdrianaPolarithe title says “rio”

[@sandrajorge2481]

Estava demorando...toda vez que um estrangeiro faz um documentário sobre o Rio , aí vem um para falar mal da cidade. Não adianta, eles gostam mais do Rio pq é a cidade mais conhecida do Brasil. Lençóis maranhenses não é todo ano que dá para frequentar , Fernando dr Noronha tem muitas restrições para frequentar .

[@nettwerkcomputer]

Muito bom!!!!

[@vamosbolar8860]

I Love Rio de Janeiro

[@MahnaGhafori]

That's awesome!

[@gilsoncoelhogouveia4262]

I loved this video.

[@MahnaGhafori]

Thank you!

[@geane1912]

Muito legal viu ❤😊

[@FernandoAlberto]

Isto sim é um verdadeiro paraíso... Glória a Deus por isso.

[@travelcouple91]

Thank you for sharing your video and your experience. I am going to Rio on September, i am very exciting. I am Iranian too and like your canal 👍 خیلی سپاسگزارم

[@MahnaGhafori]

Aww yay happy travels! Thanks for watching!

[@josephineelisetravels]

Thank you so much for sharing! I’m planning to go hopefully next year, this video is really helpful! As you said, you have to be careful with phones/cameras, how did you feel videoing your trip? Incredible footage 🥰

[@mirianalves4483]

Bom dia eu amo Rio de Janeiro cidade linda

[@josueolisan416]

Lugar Maravilhoso para visitar

[@maiconpassos7310]

Muito bom video.

[@MahnaGhafori]

Thank you!

[@dersim6171]

I love your account!

[@MahnaGhafori]

Thank you so much! ☺️

[@victorinocarrico]

Arraial do Cabo also has a fantastic beach called Praia do Forno. The posadas are really fantastic. If you go to Cabo Frio, you gotta go to Praia do Forte, a real must.

[@joaomoura5606]

Parabéns 👏👏👏

[@Daveriotourguide]

simply Rio is the best place in the world. if you disagree it's because you haven't visited yet. the food is great, people are friendly, weather is pleasant, beautiful natural landscapes... not to mention the rich culture and we have the most beautiful women in the world, with several different types for all tastes. r*cism doesn't exist here, the people are very welcoming. the nightlife is very lively with many options, you never get tired. if there is a place on earth that is blessed it is Rio de Janeiro I am proud to have been born in this blessed country, I feel like experiencing other cultures but I would not trade my country for any other

[@Brazsil63892]

Thank you for sharing a balanced view of your experience ❤️ I’ve lived in Rio (I love it) for over a year now and out of all the places I’ve been too Rio is where I’ve had the most culture shocks… I make videos about it 😂 The beaches are busy, best time to go is in the morning in the middle of the week - also when you went during carnival time many people have time off work so it will be extra packed ❤️ Because it’s super different to the UK, The venders on the beach used to annoy me - I couldn’t understand why they kept asking me to buy things but then my perspective shifted and I realised (yes they want to earn money, it’s their job) but also they are there to make your experience at the beach easier - you just sit there and can buy almost anything! 😊❤️ The trails aren’t really a place to relax in nature like your said 😆 but some are protected by security and you can relax such as vista chinesa, sugarloaf and a few more 😊❤️

[@MahnaGhafori]

♥️♥️♥️

[@MahnaGhafori]

Thanks for sharing 😊 glad you’re loving it now!

[@jennifercarter313]

Are you still in Rio and can you recommend the best boat tours please

[@megalele9734]

Amo meu Brasil ❤❤

[@ChristianeStark-fo6dm]

Thank you for Sharing your experiences. Could Share some More Details on your itinerary, in which Places you stayed for how Many days and Whether this was too Short or too Long?

[@rycksolitario]

Pais maravilhoso

[@kendallles]

Loved this vid! Thanks for the tips. Have you done one for Spain yet?

[@MahnaGhafori]

Loved Spain when I visited but that was before I started making videos 😊 hopefully this summer!

[@zombie7655]

Love from India! 🌸❤️

[@MahnaGhafori]

Sending love right back! Thanks!

[@summerliu3394]

Wow you talk so fluently on camera lol❤

[@MahnaGhafori]

Aw thank you so much!

[@arthurgomes1994]

❤❤❤

[@lillisa199]

Thanks for the tips! Which beach at 4:41?

[@MahnaGhafori]

Glad it was helpful!

[@eggibran]

O Brasil é muito mal divulgado no exterior, o pessoal acha que o Brasil é Rio. Até para os próprios brasileiros é difícil conhecer o Brasil, de tão grande, de tanta beleza e de tanta cultura que há nele.

[@user-rw7mf4oo1h]

Sim, temos que distribuir e divulgar outros locais do país. Por exemplo: Foz do Iguaçu, Litoral de São Paulo, Gramado, Balneário Camboriú(Florianópolis), Alagoas, Amazonas, e Pantanal (bonito). Porém não há maneiras de excluir o Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro é a nossa cara no exterior, assim como Paris é para a França, Roma para Itália, Londres para Reino Unido e Los Angeles para os Estados Unidos. O que precisamos é melhorar o Rio de Janeiro, para ser mais seguro, mais igualitário e receber mais turista e então divulgar novos locais para eles visitarem na próxima viagem ao Brasil.

[@robf1698]

@@user-rw7mf4oo1h Correto

[@luisagomes6563]

You go to the most popular city in Brazil and a huge tourist spot in the busiest time of the year and are surprised that everywhere is crowded... It's like going to NYC and being confused why there are so many people... Brazil is a place you have to plan obviously but there is so much to see there beyond the tourist spots and there are things for nature lovers, and all kinds of people. Seems lik you needed more planning on your end because as you said, it's not the place you can wing it. I don't recommend this video to really give you a real look at what it's like visiting Brazil. Do your research and plan and you will have an amazing time!

[@MahnaGhafori]

The biggest reason I wanted to make this disclaimer was the safety. The safety walking around NYC isn’t the same at all to walking around Rio. I wanted to word it the best I could.

[@Lea-ck4pi]

Hi Luisa , what places you recommend to visit in Brazil I am going next year to Brazil for 4 weeks I am looking for a less crowded places I am a nature lover and also like craft shops and vendors and lively places BUT not too crowded , I had the impression that you might be from there 😬

[@giordanorodrigues]

@@Lea-ck4pi you could research places like Florianópolis (city in the state of Santa Catarina); Maraú, Arraial D'Ajuda, Caraíva (cities in the state of Bahia); Bonito and the pantanal, which is the swamplands (in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul LOTS of wildlife), there are lots of cities to visit in the state of Minas Gerais, in the northeast you could go to Pipa (state of Rio Grande do Norte). I'm certainly forgetting many interesting places that are worth visiting, but I'm sure there are more information outside of youtube (cause foreigners seem to go only to Rio and São Paulo).

[@Lea-ck4pi]

@@giordanorodrigues oh thank you so much appreciate that you took from you time to write this response I will defiantly consider these places 🤞🏼

[@jadaess01]

@Luisa Gomes OMG...lol...people like you KILL me with your over-the-top critcism on a video were others are sharing THEIR experience (not yours), highlighting the safe areas that THEY pleasantly enjoyed. In case you weren't aware, 90% of of travelers visiting ANY foreign country/city for the first time are gonna mainly hit the more popular touristy areas or main city center areas...lol. No different than a first-time traveler going to Paris and hitting the main attractions and areas (i.e. Champs Elyse area, Eiffel Tower, Lourve, etc). Who are you to tell these two what research they did or didn't just because it doesn't satisfy YOUR standards as a viewer?? Lol! How about you climb down off of your "debbie downer" high horse and upload YOUR own vlog experience and tell us all how exploring Rio de Janiero should be done the right way (according to your high standards)...lol. I enjoyed this video as these two shared common areas and activities that most first-time travelers would enjoy seeing and doing. Some of you need to keep in mind that not EVERY travel video is gonna be the same or provide what YOU want..lol.

[@Happyonthelake]

Next time try pamonha!!! Every time I visit my family in Brazil I must have it!!!!

[@MahnaGhafori]

Thank you!

[@darshishah5185]

Hello, can you share link of website to book bus tickets ? Thanks

[@carmelshaneevangelista5645]

Hello, where did you book the arraial boat tour for only $24? Thanks

[@user-mh2mx4lw4g]

Hi What is the name of the beach at 5:05?

[@ernandosantos929]

❤️🇧🇷

[@MahnaGhafori]

🙏

[@NightOwl_30]

Watch out for the pronunciation of 'pão de quejo', guys lol. Pronouncing it as 'pau de quejo' means cheesy dick instead of cheesy bread lol. We'll know what you mean though haha.

[@eggibran]

Se trocar todas as vezes que foi dita a palavra Brasil por Rio de Janeiro, faria mais sentido. Detalhes importantes: para se ter uma noção, o Brasil é maior que os Estado Unidos se desconsiderar o Alasca. Não é correto falar que porque visitou o Rio (muitos Brasileiros não conhecem o Rio) já conhece o Brasil, o maior país do hemisfério sul do planeta Terra, que conta com um território continental e cada estado é como um país dentro do Brasil. Com todo respeito, não conheceram nem 1% do Brasil, conheceram o litoral do Rio, talvez um dia conheçam mais que isso. Podem apostar que se surpreenderão e serão muito bem recebidos em todos os estados.

[@brunofranciscodasilva1723]

O Rio de Janeiro é o Brasil . O Brasil está dentro do Rio de Janeiro . Do calor ao Frio , Das praias às montanhas , Da comida mineira , a comida do norte , a comida nordestina e a comida do Sul, tudo está no Rio . Povo diversificado , de diferentes regiões do País . Geografia abrangente . O Rio traduz a alegria do Brasileiro . Enfim , o Brasil está dentro do Rio de Janeiro , inclusive seus maiores problemas. Rio é Rio .

[@brisadean9783]

How much is to go to the Christ statue?

[@mobeenhussain3046]

Do you recommend female solo travellers to visit Brazil? or would you say its best to go with someone?

[@nathaliaprincipe6060]

I'm from Rio and live here. Women in Brazil are free. I've already visited countries like Italy, Spain... and I found it much more "aggressive" than in Brazil. Men here are not shy but in general they respect women. Essential care like any big city. Never go into the slums (favelas) alone, or go out with a group of unknown men... otherwise everything is fine.

[@mobeenhussain3046]

@@nathaliaprincipe6060 Amazing, hopefully I’ll be exploring your beautiful country at the end of this year, are there any places you recommend?

[@bobmanp8653]

should of added prices

[@aucklandsouthside717]

7days n Rio hw much money do I need???

[@MahnaGhafori]

Honestly depends on what you're looking to do! There are very affordable airbnb options, the beach is free, etc. I'd recommend searching budget travel blogs for Rio to start your planning!

[@omarvaldez6368]

“Pao de queijo” 😅

[@dilmavaladares1750]

Seria melhor, se fosse legendado 🥹🥹

[@gabriel211297]

O pau de queijo nunca falha

[@ariannylira1146]

.

[@cleristonrodrigues7920]

Show de comercial

[@rublaj]

Honey ypu are too worried, nothing will happen with you. We have lots of women here too, they look worried?

[@mateuszglogiewicz7257]

No, they were not too worried. Rio de Janeiro is not a city to get lost in and just wander without a plan, at any time of the day or night. While I agree, that often, people that never been there tend to demonize Rio & Brazil in general, you have to be very careful where you go, as there are nasty people that are waiting for you to make a mistake. Don’t compare tourists, to locals - that understand the language, understand how things work there, and have an eye for problems that are coming and can act in time to avoid it. Yes - it’s amazing, but let’s be real for a moment.

[@rickafonso586]

Your analisis was very superficial and simplistic. Do tourists go to dangerous neighberhoods in Nyc? So why should they go in Rio? Give me a break. And I know that there are many dangerous neighberhoods in Nyc. I know people that where robbed in Nyc.

[@MahnaGhafori]

Yes but as a traveler who has traveled to over 30 countries around the world, the energy in Rio was different. This is a shared opinion and experience from not only myself but MANY other travelers who've been there. Just sharing to be aware. Thanks for sharing your opinion! As a female vs male travel experiences differ as well sadly in this world.

[@lil-7324]

We don't speak Spanish.

[@MahnaGhafori]

Google Translate with offline language downloaded will come in handy!

[@Crocsinthegym]

Pau 🍆 de queijo is good 😮

[@marlakellmanart]

Why this guy keeps pronouncing Portuguese words as if they’re Spanish? 🙄

[@anab194]

the "coxinha" you pronounced correct BUT the "Pão de Queijo" was not... there is a difference between "Pão" (bread and "pau" (the word you pronounced that means wood or the slang for dick) :) Check google translate for the correct pronunciation of the:)

[@eufernandomachado]

pau de queijo

[@RyanL-Y]

Should show more places not your guys faces most of the time. Just suggestion.

[@jorgehall8959]

Ahhhhhh the smell of urine in the morning.

[@victorinocarrico]

Where?

[@jorgehall8959]

Copacabana, Posto 5, but im not really knocking the place, I loved it. Its just there are people living on the streets so, you get funny smells@@victorinocarrico

[@sandrarrcosta3026]

🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡

[@maeranni]

So nothing new.

[@melodiegodbout1155]

boring

[@MahnaGhafori]

lol thx

[@SimP90000]

Kida liked the video but she talks way too much and fast( mouth diarrhoea) Breath girl breath!

[@MahnaGhafori]

Haha what’s funny is I actually cut out pauses to make the video smooth!! 😆 can’t please everyone but I can do my best to provide the best possible value. ☺️🙌🏽

[@MaryonWood]

Thank you for the video! I am planning a trip during Carnival. I had some friends mention it can be dangerous getting around, Taxis and the like. What did you do when you were there? Did you have any issues? Any tips on how to find a local guide? @evanycarrnobrasil6310

[@MahnaGhafori]

I used Uber! I wish I knew where to find one because I totally would have gone for it! haha good luck and happy travels :)

[@joaomoura5606]

Parabéns 👏👏👏