Rio de Janeiro – Copacabana
Day 22 · 5 March 2026
Arriving in Rio de Janeiro
Our original plan had been to make the most of our final morning at the hotel before catching an early evening flight to Rio. Unfortunately, an earlier schedule change brought our departure forward to 11:35 am. While it wasn't too inconvenient, it did mean missing out on a relaxing morning by the pool. Fortunately, Foz do Iguaçu International Airport is only a short drive from the entrance to the national park.
Hotel das Cataratas to Rio de Janeiro
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We arrived at Rio's Galeão International Airport and, after collecting our luggage, headed to the taxi rank for the journey to our hotel on the Copacabana beachfront. As we had arrived before check-in, we left our bags at the hotel, found a nearby restaurant for lunch, enjoyed a short walk along the promenade, and then returned to check in.
Because our flight schedule had been brought forward, we hadn't planned any activities for the afternoon. With the temperature soaring, we decided to stay close to the hotel and relax, only venturing out again later that evening when it was a little cooler.
View from our hotel terrace overlooking Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro.
Looking inland from Copacabana, it was impossible not to notice the densely packed hillside favelas that form an integral part of Rio de Janeiro. Home to hundreds of thousands of people across the city, these communities sit in striking contrast to the luxury hotels and apartments along the beachfront. Many residents travel to jobs throughout Rio each day, including in the hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions that serve visitors, highlighting the close relationship between the city's different communities.
A densely packed favela climbs the hillside behind Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro.
A hillside favela with the Dois Irmãos mountains beyond, Rio de Janeiro.
The restaurant closest to our hotel was bustling with locals, which always seemed like a good sign. The food was excellent, the service friendly and the prices surprisingly reasonable, so we returned the following evening.
Evening light over Copacabana Beach as the waves roll onto the shore.
Copacabana Beach illuminated after dark, with people still enjoying the waterfront.
We had been a little apprehensive about visiting Rio, but our first impressions couldn't have been more positive. Contrary to much of what we had read, the Copacabana beachfront felt safe, well lit, and welcoming. Even after dark, there were plenty of people strolling along the promenade and enjoying the beach, creating a lively yet relaxed atmosphere.