Much much better in the new location! Bigger grounds, more food and drink choices and better…read moresightlines.

Rock in Rio 1991!!! I know... i know, it's way back when…read more.. but, THAT year made RIR history!!! And, though i wasn't personally there in the myriad of people watching it live... TV viewing was just as wismical!!! I am glad it has been brought to its original location, though it has taken quite a lengthy hiatus with a change of location. It would be AMAZING if they made some sort of reunion, having the same bands that performed THEN perfom right now... All in all, i believe 1991 to be the BEST it ever could be!

After an unexpectedly drawn out gestation period, the former mayor of Rio César Maia's…read morecontroversial vanity project in Barra da Tijuca opened in early 2013 with the intention of hosting a wealth of high-level cultural shows from ballet and theatre to music. The 'grande sala' can hold over 1,600 people, but elsewhere in the huge, elevated concrete construction, the Teatro do Câmara theatre, 21 multi-use spaces, an orchestra practice room, three cinemas, an art gallery, café and restaurant are all to be found. #coolplacetohangout

What are the odds to be invited to a wedding in Rio in April and coincides with the biggest show on…read morethe planet Earth: the Rio's Carnaval! When I heard that the Carnaval was this year postponed 2 months due to covid, I could not believe how lucky I was. Since I was a kid I always wanted to go. I learned Portuguese and even to dance samba because I loved the music, the tropicalism, the language, the culture...and somehow it took me so many many years to finally go. I even was for years fan of Mangueira samba school, just because their colors are green and pink, my favorites! My friend (the bride) organized the whole excursion for more than 50 of us. It was a fantastic organization and I suggest everyone buys their tickets well in advance and get into a camarote if possible. Camarotes are those somehow private areas with lounges, music, catered food and drinks...of course you pay the price and this year was around $400 to get into one of these. You will have prime view and you will feel super pampered plus you will get a shirt indicating what camarote you belong to. We were in Folia Tropical and it was phenomenal, in terms of food, drinks, atmosphere, the music, the view to the parades. I even cried of happiness, I could not believe I was there! It was like a dream. Logistics wise was a bit stressful, though. No one asked us for the covid vaccination card and there were way too many people. Of course, for 2 years no show, this year 2022 was even more spectacular, but I found it chaotic to go back to our hotels. On the way there, the bus was organized, in the way back we have to do different line depending on what area of Rio you were headed to. There was a lot of confusion and tiredness as you can imagine the energy spent and leaving like 4 am knowing that the party was going to keep going but you have a limit of energy. Overall, a once in a lifetime experience and what better than to be with a great group of awesome people sharing the moment.

The Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro is the stadium where all the parades and celebrations of Carnaval…read moreare happening, that you have seen in movies and television. There are obviously blocas and parties happening everywhere during Carnaval, but if you want to see the schools who are putting together the floats and performances, this is where to do it. The floats that the schools create are so impressive, I couldn't even believe it. Giant constructions of characters and scenes, with some having animatronics moving around even. The stadium of the Sambadrome itself is very much like a high school football stadium, with metal bleachers, and concrete construction - so not too comfortable at all in itself. But the people who are attending the parades in the Sambadrome, are very active and moving around a lot, so you won't stay in your seat anyway usually! There are folks with beers and waters walking around and selling them right to each bleacher area or seat, so you won't go thirsty while attending the festivities. Overall, the Somadrome is not the most comfortable stadium I have ever been to, but for the events of Carnaval, it worked just fine and was a fun space to celebrate and see the floats and festivities!

In front of Amanhã Museum. It's not that good, but I would go anyway…read more I had the chance to see the Samba exhibition and it was very good indeed! The rooftop is totally worth it too. En frente al Museo del Mañana. No es tan bueno, pero iría de todos modos. Tuve la suerte de ver la exhibición de Samba y fue muy muy buena! La terraza vale la pena también.

It is too bad that a museum that appears to be recently renovated houses quite a poor collection of…read moreartwork. It has random artwork that is placed haphazardly throughout the various spaces. I thought it was a waste of my money and time to visit this museum. I'd save your money and visit the more substantial Tomorrow Museum diagonally across from the Museu de Arte do Rio.

Stumbled upon this museum after getting off the Cinelandia metro station in Rio, and we loved it…read more Takes about 45 min to browse the entire museum. Some of the art is outstanding. There are enormous paintings, small paintings, sculptures, statues, vases, and more. Best of all, it's free and air conditioned :)

Every time I go to Rio, I love checking out the exhibits here. This July, I got here just in time…read moreto check out the Picasso and Spanish Modern Art exhibit. Pretty awesome. Though the Japanese art exhibit a couple years ago was super cool. Just FYI, they don't let you take photos of the artwork, but will let you take pictures of the placards with descriptions. The top floor has a permanent money and president office exhibit. Don't miss out on that. Price to get in? Free. Dat line tho. It wrapped around the building, and then some. There are lots of street vendors outside selling filled churros and popcorn. But there are also some sweet and savory snacks available inside. There's also a book shop.

Free exhibit of Salvador Dali's work at the cultural center!! What what!!! Great activity (thank…read moreyou random stranger at a bar for telling me) for a rainy day or if you are in the Centro area. It is kind of confusing when you enter so don't think the exhibit is only a tiny showcase of a few paintings and nose/lip sculpture. You'll have to loop around the museum to find the line to the exhibit where you go up to the first floor on an old elevator that is hand cranked by a human (crazy)! Rumor has it going during the week is easier to get in - we went in around 2pm and didn't have to wait in line but when we were done around 330ish, there was a long line. Come early!