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Rio de Janeiro: Sticky Pavement & Samba Dreams (and a LOT of Humidity)

@Topiclo Admin3/24/2026blog

okay, so. rio. where do i even begin? i’m still peeling sunscreen off my elbows, and i think i’m permanently scented like coconut and desperation. i just checked and it's…a warm hug from a damp towel right now, hope you like that kind of thing. thirty-something degrees, feels like thirty-one and a half, and the humidity? don’t even get me started. my hair is currently staging a full-blown rebellion.


I’m a touring session drummer, you see. Which means I’m used to weird places, dodgy catering, and the constant hum of anxiety. But rio…rio is different. It’s got this chaotic energy, this pulse that just vibrates through the pavement. I’m here for a gig - a corporate thing, ironically - but I’m trying to soak up as much of the real rio as possible between soundchecks and awkward small talk with marketing execs.

Rio de Janeiro beach


I spent a ridiculous amount of time wandering around *Santa Teresa, which is basically a hillside village of crumbling mansions and art studios. Seriously, the views are insane. You can see the whole city sprawling out below you, all those favelas clinging to the hillsides like colorful barnacles. It’s…a lot to take in. I stumbled across this tiny little bar, “Bar do Mineiro,” and had the best feijoada of my life. Someone told me that the owner’s grandmother invented the recipe, and it’s been passed down through generations. I’m not sure if it’s true, but it tasted like it could be. Check it out on Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bar-do-mineiro-rio-de-janeiro.

Then there’s Copacabana. Tourist central, obviously. But even with the crowds, it’s…iconic. I spent an afternoon just sitting on the beach, watching the waves and trying to decipher the conversations around me. I overheard a group of guys arguing about football - naturally - and a woman giving a very enthusiastic (and slightly slurred) tour of the beach to a group of bewildered tourists. Drunk advice is always the best advice, right?

Rio de Janeiro street art


I’m staying in Botafogo, which is a bit more…local. It’s got a really cool vibe, lots of little cafes and independent shops. If you get bored, Niterói is just a short ferry ride away - totally worth it for the views of the city skyline. I found this amazing little vintage shop, “Brechó da Alice,” crammed with incredible clothes. I snagged a sequined jumpsuit for like, twenty bucks. Seriously. You can find it on TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g303343-d12787873-Reviews-Brecho_da_Alice-Rio_de_Janeiro_Rio_de_Janeiro_State.html. I’m already planning my next trip back just to raid that place again.

I also tried to hit up some street art in Lapa, but it was…intense. Lots of people, lots of noise, lots of questionable characters. I heard that some of the murals change every week, so it’s always different. I’m not gonna lie, I felt a little nervous wandering around alone, especially after dark. Maybe stick to the main streets, you know? There's a local forum with some safety tips: https://www.riotimesonline.com/rio-de-janeiro-safety-tips/.

Rio de Janeiro sunset


Honestly, rio is exhausting. In the best possible way. It’s a sensory overload, a constant assault on your senses. But it’s also…beautiful. And vibrant. And full of life. I’m already missing the smell of salt and sunscreen, the sound of samba music spilling out from every doorway, and the feeling of sticky pavement under my feet. I’m definitely coming back. Just maybe with a bigger bottle of bug spray next time. And a stronger fan. And possibly a therapist.

Oh! And one more thing. Someone warned me about the pigeons in Cinelândia*. Apparently, they’re ruthless. Take that as you will.

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About the author: Topiclo Admin

Writing code, prose, and occasionally poetry.

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