Team Stories: Aerial view of the mountains around Rio de Janeiro

A Perfect Day: Rio de Janeiro in One Day

Flight attendant Ricardo Perna reveals what a perfect day in Rio looks like

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3 min read
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9 AM: Go for a run along the beach

I'm really into sports. When in Rio, I like to jog on the beach. The sun on my face, the surf next to me – there's no better way to start the day. A perfect morning also includes a healthy breakfast. That's why I like to go to the Nusa Café in Ipanema, where the menu is full of delicious dishes with avocado. 

Breakfast table with several dishes at Cafe Nusa
For a delicious and healthy breakfast, Ricardo Perna recommends Café Nusa in Ipanema (© Café Nusa; header image © Shutterstock)

11 AM: Sugarloaf Mountain

I often hire a bike in Ipanema with my smartphone. It's really quick and also pretty cheap. My favorite destination: Sugarloaf Mountain in Urca, a peninsula in the southeast of Rio. The ride takes 30 minutes and goes right along the seafront. From the 396-meter-high Sugar Loaf Mountain, you get a magnificent view over Rio and the ocean. My tip: take the cable car down. It gives you a completely different impression of the city. And then take a dip in the waves at Praia Vermelha, a beautiful sandy beach. 

Vermelha beach in Rio
A sight to see: Sugarloaf Mountain as viewed from Vermelha beach (© Shutterstock)
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3 PM: Hey, Taxi!

Alternatively, a trip to Cristo Redentor, the monumental statue of Christ in the south of Rio, is also worthwhile. The panoramic view from up there is fantastic. I generally recommend cabs as the best and safest way to get around. Wearing jewelry or expensive watches should definitely be taboo. Rio is a great city, but not all that safe. However, the locals are generally very friendly and sociable.

7 PM: Dine in a Churrascaria

In the evenings, I often go to Assador Rio's, a traditional churrascaria near the beach. It's heaven for meat lovers and the waiters serve nothing else all evening. Each guest is given a menu, one side is green, the other red. Those who want more put the green side up, those who are full or need a break show the red card. What I have learned: The best barbecue dishes tend to come later. So it's better not to eat your fill right at the beginning. 

Bicycle leaning against palm tree on the promenade of Ipanema Beach
Rio's beaches are not just for sun worshippers. Ricardo Perna loves jogging here in the morning (© Shutterstock)
Aerial view over the Cristo Redentor and Rio City
Rio de Janeiro from above: Cristo Redentor watches over the city (© Getty Images)
Sliced limes with a caipirinha cocktail
Fresh and fruity: nowhere does a caipirinha cocktail taste better than on a Rio beach (© Shutterstock)

9 PM: A Caipirinha on the Beach

A day in Rio wouldn't be perfect for me without a caipirinha. There are lots of stalls on the beaches selling this typical Brazilian cocktail. It's best to try a few until you find the best one. Life could be worse than experiencing Rio de Janeiro in one day.

About:

Ricardo Perna has been a Lufthansa flight attendant since 2018 and frequently flies to Rio de Janeiro, Cape Town and Johannesburg. He enjoys the varied tasks on board and appreciates the fact that his job allows him to discover the diverse advantages of many countries.

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