I got to experience this amazing city in January to ring in my 40th birthday! When picking destinations to celebrate this milestone I had narrowed it to a couple of spots in South America, I truly wanted to experience a new country, continent and see a wonder of the world. I was debating between Peru, Argentina and Brazil. I finally decided on Brazil and it did NOT disappoint.
WHERE TO STAY
Picking an area of the city to stay in was a no brainer as we were going during their Summer I truly wanted to experience the weather and the beach. My husband got to researching and ended up booking us the most amazing spot on Copacabana beach at the Fairmont Rio. We were treated with the most elegant and friendly experience. The hotel did everything they could to make us and me feel so special. From the moment we checked in, they had a room ready for us and then the surprises just kept coming.
WONDER OF THE WORLD – CHRIST THE REDEEMER
I celebrated my 40th birthday on Saturday January 11, 2025 and that day I got up early and did a private yoga class with an instructor from the hotel on the beach, it was surreal and I was filled with gratitude the entire time. After yoga I went back to our room to get changed and ready for the day. This is the day I had planned to see the One of the Modern Wonders of the World, Christ the Redeemer and it was such a shameless experience. I had purchased the skip the line tickets from Viator and it was the best, highly recommend as we got there in the afternoon and saved over 2 hours with this purchase. We took an uber from our hotel and when we got there, they gave us wrist bands and then we were off to wait for a tram. The tram took us to the top of the mountain. From there we had to climb less a handful of stairs to get to the top. From every angle you can see the statue and it felt very euphoric and spiritual to be around it. After soaking in the moment for a while we headed down a flight of stairs to a restaurant/bar they have set up there and the views were incredible. You could see the entire city for miles.
PEOPLE OF BRAZIL
While my husband and brother in law were ordering our food and drinks, I found a table to sit at so we could eat and get drinks. While I was waiting, I started blowing up some number balloons that I had brought along and this family next to me with parents, 2 kids and a grandparent were all like “Is it your birthday” and I said yes, its my 40th. Without any hesitation, they sang me “Happy Birthday” in Portuguese. It was so kind and thoughtful and I could feel love emitting from them. Truly what a way to ring in 40!!
After we got back to our hotel, I told my husband I wanted to soak this day in before we got ready for dinner and we headed to the hotel cafe. When we got there, the barista says, I think it’s a special day and I was taken back, because how did he know it was my birthday, so thoughtful, it’s the little things. I ordered a latte for me and a cappuccino for my husband. We sat at the one of the lounge seats and they brought us our drinks with little candies and it was such a small but sweet gesture. I thought the surprises ended there. After we finished we headed up to our room to shower and get ready for Dinner that we had reservations for at Grado, thanks to Chicagofoodgirl’s recommendation and when we walked in, the hotel had a balloon and a slice of cake waiting for me! I was in awe and all I could think of was how grateful I was. I was filled with love from this sweet hotel, Fairmont rio, you have my heart.
SIGHTS TO SEE
Parque Lage
The next day we headed to Brunch at Teva which is a vegan restaurant and it was so good that we went back the day after as well! We rented some scooters and rode along CocoCabana beach and then grabbed an Uber to visit the Parque lage and ate at the beautiful restaurant, plage cafe. It was so beautiful, we then had a chance to lay out at our pool and enjoy the weather.
Library and steps
We took an Uber the next day to visit the Royal Portuguese Reading room which was a sight to see. It was so cool to see the oldest books and take it all in. We then headed to the famous steps of tiles, Escadaria Selaron and it was so unique to see all the pieces and take pictures. I will say this part of Rio was were we felt a little bit more on edge from a safety point so keep that in mind when you go!
We had such a great time in Rio and I can not wait to be back in South America in the future to visit more countries! Check out my LTK shop for all my outfit links.
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