Published 28th Jun. 2021
Reading time
The late Sir Roger Moore asked of a companion in the 1979 classic, Moonraker ""How do you kill five hours in Rio if you don't Samba?"", followed by suggestive pause and arching of eyebrow, naturally.
Noughties Nostalgia
Confession time: Rio de Janeiro and I have ""previous"". I spent a couple of weeks in the city backpacking in 2006 as part of a big Latin America trip and managed to spend the entire two weeks sleeping on the floor of some kind friends' hotel room, evading the attentions of the staff. Instead of spending money on frivolous items like my own bed, I preferred to save it for essentials which included, but were not limited to, enough Caipirinhas to give me the dancing bravado of a Carioca but with none of the talent; indulging Bond vs Jaws fantasies with a hang glider flight around the Pao do Azucar; buying more of those Caipirinhas for singularly unimpressed carnival dancers etc. You get the idea.
An Old Friend
Returning to the city which has hosted both the Olympics and the football World Cup in the interim, and arriving by road from the north, I got a special feeling as we rounded Guanabara bay and glimpsed first the Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer), then the cable car that Jaws munched his way through in Moonraker before finally glimpsing Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. There are cityscapes that I don't think I could tire of and Rio and Sydney vie for top billing in the heart-in-mouth stakes for me.
Culture Acclimatising
This time, my visit to the city was much briefer, with less than a day to soak in some of the gold dust the city seems to give off. Clichés abound, and there really is an energy and rhythm here but there's also the edge. No, not him from U2, but for those of us hailing from less outgoing cultures, the engaging nature of Rio's residents takes a few hours to get used to. However, embrace the city and your rewards are limitless. Few destinations give you the sense that practically anything is possible in the same way that the city does.
Soaking up the City Sights
An excellent local guide takes me around on a whistle-stop tour: cycling around some of the Olympic venues; walking the mosaic-festooned stairwell featured in a Pharrell Williams video; THE caipirinha bar favoured by locals; gawping at the Catholic cathedral's 200ft high stained glass windows and finally sundowner drinks around a pool in a villa up on Santa Teresa that the Rolling Stones frequented when in town.
How do you kill five hours in Rio if you don't samba? Very, very easily indeed it seems.
As the fifth largest country in the world, Brazil can be quick to overwhelm. But leave the planning in the hands of our expert team – two of whom are natives and one of whom grew up there – and dive into a stress-free, tailor-made itinerary. From closing off the Christ the Redeemer statue for a private, white tablecloth breakfast (yes, really) to beach picnics in Bahia, our experiences surpass the norm. With our portfolio of properties including luxury resorts in Rio and mid-century houses with views of Sugarloaf Mountain, there’s something to suit all travellers' tastes.
ENQUIRE NOWPractical advice and inspiration for your next trip
Ah, Rio, where music and passion are always the fashion. With a population of over 14 million and a culture more colourful than the outfits at Carnival, Rio de Janeiro is a true melting pot.
14th May 2025 - Brazil 24 Hours In
Depicting diverse cultures, identities and landscapes, the art in Brazil is among the best in the world. Showcasing the country’s distinct modern movement
4th February 2025 - Brazil Culture
As colourful as the streets it’s consumed in, traditional food in Brazil is packed full of irresistible ingredients, subtle spices and a rich history to tell.
21st August 2024 - Brazil Food & Drink
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
