Travel Stories

• destination practicalities

• accessible travel

5 min read • Oct 20, 2022

As Brazil’s second largest city, Rio de Janeiro is vast and complex. Here’s how to get around.

• activities

• art and culture

5 min read • Oct 10, 2022

Planted between lush, forest-covered mountains and breathtaking beaches, Rio de Janeiro has many charms at its disposal. These are the best of the bunch.

• history

• art and culture

10 min read • May 4, 2020

It’s undeniably one of travel’s greatest pleasures; wandering the streets of a whole new city, soaking up its character and exploring its hidden wonders…

• budget travel

• connections

7 min read • Feb 15, 2020

In December, Joe Revill flew to Rio to visit his girlfriend for a romantic weekend. Here's how they stretched their Real.

• sports

• activities

6 min read • Oct 23, 2019

Home to Earth's biggest river, most immense jungle and 7400km of Atlantic-stroked beaches - Brazil is a sensationally sultry centre of exotic adventure.

• beaches

• activities

5 min read • May 20, 2019

Nearly everyone who visits Rio has a favorite place to escape from the hectic pace of city life. Whether it’s Pão de Açúcar, Floresta da Tijuca or Morro…

• food

• food and drink

3 min read • May 10, 2019

May sees the Rio head outdoors as the weather becomes even more inviting. Cariocas begin to gear up for Festa Junina, the second-biggest round of…

• food

• food and drink

3 min read • Apr 4, 2019

April is a time when the weather cools down and Rio de Janeiro (almost) finally accepts Carnival is over for another year, with plenty of exhibitions and…

• food

• food and drink

4 min read • Jan 28, 2019

Rio de Janeiro is famous for its stunning beaches, verdant surroundings, and kaleidoscopic Carnival. However, away from the white sands, the often under…

• beaches

• activities

4 min read • Jan 17, 2019

Framed by rocky mountains and tropical forests, Rio de Janeiro is a city with an iconic skyline filled with unique silhouettes. Rio's beauty is magnified…

• art

• art and culture

7 min read • Aug 15, 2018

Quilombos have existed in Brazil since the country started importing Africans as enslaved labor – back then they were self-sustaining communities of…

• food

• food and drink

5 min read • Aug 3, 2018

As the sun sets over Rio de Janeiro's beaches, the city's sun-kissed cariocas (locals) head home to wash off the sand and prepare for a night out on the…

• beaches

• activities

4 min read • Aug 3, 2018

It's a rare visitor who doesn't fall hard for the alluring beauty of Rio de Janeiro. Known as the cidade maravilhosa, the "marvelous city" stretches…

• art

• art and culture

6 min read • Jun 25, 2018

Summer temperatures in Rio regularly top 40°C (104°F), leading locals and tourists to crowd the nearby beaches and forest waterfalls to escape the heat…

• wildlife and nature

• activities

7 min read • Nov 2, 2017

Long-distance walking trails inspire a fascination, even obsession, in a certain type of traveler. While historically long walks were the default way of…

• art

• art and culture

4 min read • Mar 20, 2017

Films and TV shows have the incredible power to transport us to amazing locations around the world, and beyond to galaxies far, far away. But while the on…

• food

• food and drink

3 min read • Sep 16, 2016

There's little doubt that Brazil is a carnivore's paradise, especially if your approach to a steak dinner is best described as a 'more the merrier' affair…

• beaches

• activities

5 min read • Jul 28, 2016

One of the world’s most captivating cities, Rio de Janeiro has indisputably beautiful beaches and fantastic nightlife. But after taking in the comely…

• food

• food and drink

7 min read • Jul 14, 2016

Rio de Janeiro's markets (known in Portuguese as feiras or mercados) provide some of the best, and most delicious, ways to connect with the city's vibrant…

• food

• food and drink

5 min read • Jun 10, 2016

Food is a treasured part of carioca (resident of Rio de Janeiro) life. With roots in African, Amerindian and European epicurean traditions, the tastes of…

• wildlife and nature

• activities

7 min read • Jan 21, 2016

What do you get if you combine cinematic landscapes, kaleidoscopic culture, head-spinning biodiversity and a constant rhythm of carefree joie de vivre?…

• food

• food and drink

5 min read • Apr 22, 2015

In Rio de Janeiro there are the essential purchases: the classic mini statue of Christ the Redeemer, the cheapest Havaianas on the planet, and the beach…