Iguaçu Falls, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Paraty

TLDR: The land of cheap acai bowls, beautiful beaches, street parties, diverse culture, and Caipirinhas. Definitely will need to return as Brazil is quite big. The hikes in Rio were great as well!

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There were so many things to do in Rio de Janeiro—beautiful beaches, incredible food, and a vibrant energy unlike anywhere else. But the economic disparity in the city is impossible to ignore. Yes, many countries struggle with inequality, but in Brazil it felt especially visible. Walking along the Copacabana boardwalk, you have luxury high-rises on one side, the serene blue ocean on the other, and—when you look ahead—the favelas rising along the surrounding mountains. Even in São Paulo, locals told me they were too afraid to visit Rio.

A bit of history: the favelas emerged after the abolition of slavery. Although newly free, many formerly enslaved people had no land or resources, and housing in the city was too expensive. Soon after, waves of immigrants arrived seeking work, adding to the population around the city center. With limited housing options, people settled in the hills—and those communities evolved into the favelas we see today.

I toured one of the favelas, and I’ll admit it felt uncomfortable at first; it could easily be perceived as a “poverty tour.” But the tour was run by the local community itself, designed to raise money and help destigmatize these neighborhoods internationally and within Brazil. It was led by an older man who grew up there, and he shared how proud residents were when Michael Jackson filmed They Don’t Care About Us in their community.

Throughout my time in Brazil, people constantly told me I was “crazy” for visiting Rio—Uber drivers included. I didn’t have any negative experiences, likely because I met a great group at my hostel and stuck with them for the two weeks I was there. Sure, I heard gunshots, and I heard plenty of stories from other travelers. The only crime I personally witnessed was someone stealing an older man’s bag at the beach and jumping into a getaway car. The man chased him across the street yelling and pointing…I felt awful just watching it unfold.

Still, Rio is one of my favorite places I’ve ever visited. Just don’t be stupid when you go.