For New Year’s Eve 2013 I decided to spend a long weekend in Rio de Janeiro, before returning to Mendoza. As I was traveling alone and Rio has a reputation of being violent, I coerced myself to splurge on the hotel Mar Ipanema in the city’s fanciest and safest region.
I was thrilled to discover the hotel was five short blocks from the beach. Immediately, this trip had the feeling of being the best of being at the beach and in a dynamic city. Exactly what was needed after spending the holidays with my family.
My hotel also proved to have the the best happy hour the area and their own microbrew. Score.
Soon after my arrival I learned the secret to the Brazilian booty. Working out – all.the.time. There were open air gyms on the beach where buff bros and fitness gals would strut their stuff. No one was shy to show off the results of their hard work.
As an avid runner, I was thrilled to see so many people in a ‘runners only’ lane that ran parallel to the beach. Immediately after checking in, I laced up my sneakers, and joined in. (Like many travelers, a quick run is one of my favorite first things to do when I arrive in a city to take in the lay of the land.) I quickly got caught up in the view of the beautiful jagged coastline. Despite my 13 hour flight, I was quickly re-invigorated.
I quickly settled into a rhythm. Every morning I would take jog for a few miles along the beach, and afterward have a delicious breakfast of papaya, melon, and sinful cheese bread in the hotel’s outdoor restaurant. Then, after a change of clothes, and email check, my bikini and cover up were on, and the bell boys handed me my beach chair. Travel Tip: Brazil is considered stylish and conservative – so wearing people beach attire through the streets is frowned upon, even though a thong on the beach is expected. Keep that in mind and cover up chicly if you’re headed directly from the city to the beach.
Brazilians have a warmth and liveliness not found many other places, and I found it fascinating. While vanity is a core element of the culture, there is much more authenticity than in U.S. cities. The coconut water comes in coconuts, not boxes, and regional specialties, not American fast food, are the norm.
A sense of place 