3 Things You Can’t Miss in Beautiful Rio De Janeiro

I never would have guessed the first Latin American country my Spanish major would lead me to visit was one of the few non-Hispanic countries in the region. However, I found myself boarding a plane to Brazil in August 2016 to experience the Summer Olympics at the end of a 14 month nanny job. Traveling with a 2 year old and 2 month old can be a bit chaotic, even with experienced travelers. We spent our days split between the Olympics –check out my post here– and seeing the touristy parts of the city. Beautiful architecture, stunning beaches, and ocean views; nestled between mountains, Rio de Janeiro has a lot to offer.

Visiting Christ the Redeemer

First, no list is complete without Christ the Redeemer, one of the 7 wonders of the world. To reach Christ the Redeemer you ascend Mount Corcovado by cog train. Once you’ve reach the top, you’re dwarfed by the statue. Christ the Redeemer was built between 1922-1931. It’s hard to imagine how it was constructed, as it’s so massive and on top of a mountain.

Things to do in Rio de Janiero

While waiting at the base to catch the train car up, I caught a photo of some toucans sitting in a tree. Another photographer had pointed them out to me. We didn’t speak the same language, and it was one of those really cool moments you get to experience while traveling on how people can bond through different mediums. We bonded over photography and our cameras’ ability or non-ability to catch a quality image of the toucans.

Things to do in Rio de Janiero

Sugarloaf Mountain

We ascended Sugarloaf Mountain via cable car. It’s in two parts, with a landing with a great view of the mountain before you go all the way up. The mountain juts out into the water on a peninsula. It provides stunning ocean views, and a view of Christ the Redeemer.

Things to do in Rio de Janiero
Things to do in Rio de Janiero
Things to do in Rio de Janiero

Climb the Escadaria Selarón

The last place is the Escadaria Selarón, or Selarón Stairs. These are the tiled stairs you see all over social media. I was most amazed at just how long the staircase is. You finally reach the top only to discover it turns a corner and continues. The 215 steps were created by Chilean-born artist Jorge Selarón. The project includes over 2000 tiles, and is a continuous project. Visitor bring tiles from around the world, and then Selarón switches them out. After climbing the stairs, we found a store selling flavored cachaça, a Brazilian liquor.

Things to do in Rio de Janiero

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1 year ago

[…] This post has been relocated to the following link: 3 Things You Can’t Miss in Beautiful Rio de Janeiro […]

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1 year ago

[…] written a post already on 3 can’t miss attractions in Rio de Janeiro at 3 Things You Can’t Miss in Beautiful Rio De Janeiro. These include Christ the Redeemer, Escadaria Selarón, and Sugarloaf Mountain. In this post, […]

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1 year ago

[…] Portugal’s colonization of Brazil brought Azulejos, or traditional tiling to the country. In Portugal, buildings, sidewalks, and murals are covered and made up of tiles. This practice is seen around Rio with covered religious buildings, and murals made of tile. Of course, there’s also the Escadaria Selarón, stairs composed of tiles from around the world. Learn more about the Escadaria Selarón on my post 3 Things You Can’t Miss in Beautiful Rio De Janeiro. […]

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