Probably the best hike I've done in my life so far. Also one of the most difficult…read more You can technically do it without a guide but I highly recommend getting one. The trail is pretty well marked so I don't think you'd get lost but getting a guide also gives you access to the rope and harness to get up the rock scramble (or 'Carrasqueira' as the locals call it). Allegedly you can go on your own and just pay one of the guys to rent the harness but I think a guide is worth it. Place they'll take some epic photos for you! I hiked Pedra da Gavea in late February so it was in the peak of summer in Rio. Temperatures hovered around 90F and it was HUMID. The heat and humidity had me hitting my inhaler on the way up. It takes about 3 hours to go up and 2-2.5 hours to go down. The views at the top are breathtaking so you'll probably want to hang out at the top for an hour or so. Plan for it to be an all-day affair. Bring a lot of water. Bring a light lunch. Put on some sunscreen.

An epic adventure hike that is not for the faint of heart. It's a pretty long trip to the top,…read morewhich includes some dangerous sections. The risk can be mitigated by an experienced guide with some ropes/harnesses for safety (mostly for the brief rock climb) . Local hikers tend to throw caution to the wind, but you don't want to go tumbling down a cliff do you? Getting to the top is about a 3 hour endeavor almost entirely uphill, you hike out the same way though downhill is obviously faster (maybe 2 hrs). You'll definitely want a good amount of water, so either a camelback or 3-4 12 oz waters per person. The views are totally breathtaking, I don't think I've ever been up so high without being in an airplane. If you're feeling fit and want a real hiking challenge in Rio, this is the one for you!

Whenever we travel, we always try to find a good local hike to do. In Rio, Dois Irmaos is it! It is…read morequite difficult, but amazing! To get there, have a taxi/uber drive you to the Vidigal favela entrance on Avenue Niemeyer (about 10 mins from Copacabana). At the entrance, you will see a group of motorbikes. Ask one of them to drive you to the trailhead. It will cost you 5 BRL. The motorbike drops you off at a football field. Cross the field and you will see the trailhead. We had just hiked Machu Picchu before arriving to Rio, so our legs were already pretty beat. Maybe this hike is easier than it felt for us, but by the time we reached the peak, our leg muscles were feeling the burn. The first half of the hike is fairly easy. You'll be in the shade for the most part and it's an easy, steady climb. The second half gets harder, steeper, and you'll be in the blazing sun. Be sure to pack plenty of water and sunscreen. At the half way point there is a local guy selling water and frozen acai. It's a nice treat as it is HOT outside and the frozen acai tastes great! Once you reach the top, you'll be greeted with some of the best views in all of Rio. You can see Copacabana, Ipanema, Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer, and some surrounding favelas. We stayed at the top for about 20-30 minutes before heading back down. Descending is much easier, however, can be slippery due to a lot of loose sand. If you enjoy hiking, Dois Irmaos is a fantastic climb in Rio de Janeiro.

My absolute favorite beach in Rio to relax! It's small, intimate & i personally felt like it was…read morethe safest. Not only is the view of the Sugarloaf breathtaking but the sand texture is a little heavier (looks like brown sugar) and it's extremely soft! There were people fishing, kayaking & paddle boarding (they have people renting the equipment). Other locals also rent chairs and can offer food and drinks if you'd like. At one side of the beach you're also able to find a restaurant and a bank.

The most beautiful beach I went to in Rio. It's a bit if a trek to get there and it disappears with…read morethe tide so go early! You have to walk through a housing complex to reach the beach and then climb down a few rocks (not recommended if you have a broken leg). It's secluded and beautiful.

Most beautiful beach I went to in Rio de Janeiro. Way less touristic than Cobacabana or Ipanema,…read moreand no chance of getting robbed. It's paradise.

This is where you want to be in Ipanema, in Rio, in Brazil, and the world. Go to Barraca do…read moreUruguai (see my review), grab a chair and a Skol or a caipirinha, and you're in for an excellent day. Like Anthony Bourdain said on his No Reservations episode on Rio, "if you don't enjoy being here, there must be something wrong with you, or you're a Republican."

Loved this beach!! If you are up for it, you can walk from Copacabana to Ipanema and then up a…read moresmall mountain where you'll get a great view of both beaches. The beach here is not as crazy as Copacabana, though there are still a million vendors trying to sell you sarongs, food, beer, caipirinhas, bracelets, etc. The only odd thing was that there was a military boat going back and forth scanning for who knows what but probably has something to do with the World Cup safety. Be sure to head into the side streets of Ipanema once you are done with the beach and explore the cute bars/restaurants this neighborhood has to offer. When I come back to Rio, I'll be sure to stay around this beach. Be sure to check out the beaches of leblon too for even less crowds!

This is the perfect area to watch the sunset along the Rio de Janeiro shore line. You can sit up on…read morethe rocks and watch the sun go down while admiring the waves and sounds of the ocean. You can find this area right in the middle of Ipanema and copacabana beach. Honestly if you're a sunset person Ipanema and Praia so Arpoador is where you need to be because the buildings on copacabana beach will disappoint you. Don't worry about bringing a cooler filled with drinks because you can find sellers up along the rocks. Although, I would recommend bringing a towel to sit on for sure and maybe a radio with tunes of your choice. This could legit be a perfect area to take your date and guess what? It's free! So definitely add this to your itinerary whenever you're in Rio de Janeiro .

This is actually a small beach that is nestled between Copacabana and Ipanema. The people hanging…read moreout there were mostly locals when I was there. As a beach, this spot is nothing special. However, the Arpoador rock formation is the reason to stop by. Climb to the edge of this rock and you will get amazing views of the sunset or sunrise. It's a great place to just sit and relax.