Author: McKenna Wherry

If you look up diva in the dictionary, you will find a picture of McKenna Lee. Loud-mouthed and overly opinionated she may have the biggest personality (read: attitude) of us all. McKenna is in college at FSU, but her passion lies in her small business Mack Swimwear and running her small group through church. She lives for days spent in a bathing suit, and tries to go surfing in every new beach town she visits.

tropical destinations

An Amazing Girl’s Weekend Trip to Tampa, Florida

Post author By McKenna Wherry

Tampa is a vibrant city in southwest Florida, perched along the Gulf of Mexico. With a population of almost 400,000, it’s the third biggest city in the state, surpassed only by Miami and Jacksonville. Its diverse appeal and year-round warmth make this a perfect spot to visit any time of year. Whether you’re keen to explore picturesque beaches, creative eateries, outdoor exploration, curated museums, unique cocktail bars, or till-you-drop shopping, Tampa has everything you need for an amazing girl’s weekend!

Tampa holds appeals for visitors of all ages, but being a family of girls, we ALWAYS have a girls weekend on the brain. From a mother-daughter trip to a bachelorette party and every celebration in between, Tampa offers the quintessential assortment of entertainment for anyone looking to have a little fun down in Florida.

What do we know about Tampa? Growing up two hours south in Fort Myers, it wasn’t uncommon to visit Tampa a couple times a year, and we’ve continued visiting for all the fun to be had as adults. It’s been fun to watch Tampa grow and evolve over the last ten to fifteen years. We may be biased but we firmly believe the West coast is the best coast…. or at least that’s true in Florida!

Can you feel the warm, wonderful day that awaits you down in southwest Florida? Below we have detailed the most amazing itinerary for your girls weekend in Tampa.

DAY 1

Whether you drove in or flew in, chances are you just might be ready to stretch your legs. Upon arrival, head to the Tampa Riverwalk to meander along the riverside and take in both the delights of the city as well as the peace of the river. It’s a beautiful way to explore…. don’t just take our word for it— the Tampa Riverwalk snagged the 2nd place spot in USA Today’s ‘America’s Top 10 River Walks’.

While you will find a plethora of different spots to stop, Sparkman Warf is a unique community investment integration area. The market-esque ambiance includes both restaurants and retails to make for a perfect medley of waterfront views, craft beers, local shopping, and exceptional dining— plus it’s not uncommon to hear live music here as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrefMtMFTh4&ab_channel=VisitTampaBay

Night Cap

Depending on how far you wander, you just might find yourself near the Hotel Bar— a charming cocktail bar serving classic cocktails inspired by an array of international hotels. The ambiance is very retro chic, with classy sipping cocktails and a fun bar that just oozes character. If a fresh craft beer is more your style, Magnanimous Brewing is one of the best, if not the best, breweries in Tampa. Not only are the beers amazing, but they have a welcoming outdoor seating area that makes for the perfect place for an evening hang.

DAY 2

Madeira Beach

Saturdays are for the girls, and in south Florida, Saturdays are meant to be spent on the beach. Pack your sunscreen, a towel, and your favorite book, and start heading to Madeira Beach. But first a couple stops along the way! If your day starts the second you smell coffee, a pit stop at Buddy Brew Coffee is going to be a must. Not only is the coffee sublime, they also have gluten free donuts and other baked good options that are delicious.

Just before you cross the bridge to get to Madeira Beach, swing into the Publix for your you’ll-thank-me-later lunch. March yourself over to the deli and order literally any sandwich you want… they’re all amazing. Nothing is better than a tasty pub sub on the beach with a cold beverage. Just make sure that the seagulls don’t snatch it right out of your hand. As someone who is a sandwich-lover and a bird-hater, it is simply the worst to lose your pub-sub to a bird!

Once you get to the beach, snag your own little slice of shoreline and let the relaxation begin. You might even see dolphins from your perch on the beach! The water is amazingly refreshing, whether you’re looking to splash around or take a soothing dip after waking up from a warm beach nap. Time on the beach always has a way of flying right by! Beach traffic can get a little crazy, so you’ll want to bounce around 3pm or so. This usually works perfect to allow everyone to have time to shower and get ready before heading out for dinner!

girl laying on beach having an amazing girl's weekend

Dinner & Drinks

Up next? Dinner! Hope you’re hungry for some delicious Mexican food. Urban Cantina is in the heart of downtown Tampa and they do dinner just as well as they do drinks— which is fantastic!

If you’re looking to do a bit of bar hopping, Gin Joint should be the next stop for the evening. This upscale yet inviting gin bar makes a mean drink but also curates a fun environment that’s perfect for girl’s night.

Last but certainly not least, head to the top of The Current Hotel, where you’ll find the tallest rooftop bar in Tampa: Rox Rooftop Bar. A perfect spot for a gorgeous view and a lux cocktail. If you’re visiting in the summer, this makes for a sublime spot to catch the sunset and wind down with your girls.

DAY 3

Can’t start the day without a coffee kick? Bandit Coffee does their own roasting in house every Tuesday, so it’s guaranteed to be fresh. They make all the fun coffee drinks as well as some tasty teas.

Once you’re armed with caffeine, head to The Salvador Dali Museum. You don’t have to be an art savant to enjoy this museum, and I actually recommend paying for the guided tour as the guides were so knowledgeable, provide such incredible details about the art and life of Salvador Dali. There’s a lovely outdoor garden area to enjoy and last time I was there they also had an additional (temporary) Picasso exhibit, so it’s beyond worth it to stop by and wander through for a few hours.

You’ve saved the best meal for last…. grab lunch at The Columbia— above all the other restaurants in town, this is truly the best and definitely our favorite. The Columbia’s been filling hearts and stomachs since 1905, making it one of the oldest restaurants in Florida. They’ve used that time to completely master the art of sangria… as well as just about every dish on the menu!

If you have time for some shopping before you leave town, swing by Hyde Park. This historic yet posh shopping center is the perfect place to wander around and pick up anything that strikes your fancy before it’s time to jet set out of town. Cheers!

written by McKenna

If you look up diva in the dictionary, you’ll find a picture of McKenna Lee. Loud-mouthed and overly opinionated she may have the biggest personality (read: attitude) of us all. McKenna is in college at FGCU, but her passion lies in her small business Mack Swimwear and running her small group through church. She lives for days spent in a bathing suit, and goes surfing in every beach town she visits.

Tags travel Florida

travel

A One Week Mission Trip to Costa Rica

Post author By McKenna Wherry

A mission trip can be an amazing way to immerse oneself in a new community while concurrently working respectfully to better the place you’re adventuring to. It is a uniquely human experience to humble yourself through acts of service and learn how to love others well– and witness how that changes across different cultures. Recently, I joined House of Ride Nature on a trip down to Costa Rica and had the most amazing time seeing how God works through us to make a difference in the lives of one another. It was an awesome reminder that purposeful travel is so much more meaningful and grounding than an overtly touristy trip.

DAY ONE

We arrived early afternoon into the Liberia airport, and headed to the nearby Walmart to pick up some supplies and grab some lunch. Our original housing arrangement fell through, but luckily we were able to stay at Youth With A Mission or YWAM’s Costa Rican base. Part of YWAM’s local ministry is to host skate competitions at local skateparks. During these competitions, they give out prizes and connect with skaters while sharing the Gospel.

After getting ourselves settled at the YWAM base, we headed over to the skate park to skate and interact with some of the local youth. As we were in a less touristy area, being fluent in Spanish was quite helpful as I did not require a translator to interact with everyone. After we’d skated and spent a few hours at the skatepark, we headed back to the YWAM base to grab some dinner. I enjoyed the first of many casados (a traditional Costa Rican plate) I ate during this trip.

first stop on our mission trip: YWAM Liberia base — YWAM Liberia base

DAY TWO

Nothing says ‘act of service’ like a little bit of manual labor and a lot of elbow grease. Our first morning in Costa Rica we wanted to thank the YWAM base family for graciously housing us rather last-minute, so after our morning quiet time, we spent the morning working on some cleaning projects. When we were done we went out and played soccer with the kids for a bit before grabbing some lunch.

Our afternoon was fully devoted to preparing for and subsequently running the skate competition taking place that afternoon. We compiled prizes and made food, and directed competitors as they began to arrive. It was such a powerful environment to feel the thrill of excitement in conjunction with the power of the Holy Spirit working through our small conversations and encouragement. Our evening was filled with skating festivities, and we were all rather pooped by the end of the night.

DAY THREE

On our third day, we started with individual quiet time, and then packed up and hit the road for Tamarindo. Along the way, we made a stop at the Feeding Center in Brasilito. The Feeding Center is an outreach program through the Casa Vida church, in which about 40 children from the El Llanito school come to receive meals every day. Volunteers are needed from 10:30am-12:30am each day to provide the meals, so we made it just in time to start putting our hands to work.

Once we’d wrapped up at the Feeding Center, we finished the drive to Tamarindo and went and checked into our hotel: Las Tortugas. This hotel truly has accommodations for all kinds of travels. They have eleven unique hotel rooms, with different styles and occupancies to accommodate groups of various sizes. If you’re looking for something a little more secluded, they offer a beachfront bungalow as well.

In addition to their hotel room options, they also have the Ranchos, which they refer to as their student housing as the rooms are small and rather modest. As we were not in Costa Rica for a luxury vacation, this was the option we utilized. Even as this was their budget/hostel-esque accommodation, each room had AC (really lovely as AC is not always a guarantee in CR) and private bathrooms. It was perfect for what we needed!

For dinner, we had the first of many meals at Sodas Las Tunas. A ‘soda’ is a small mom and pop style, open air restaurant that serves traditional Costa Rican food. A casado is one of these traditional plates. It typically includes a protein (chicken, steak, pork, fish), rice, black beans, a small salad, and a couple of plantains. The pork casado was my favorite dish at Sodas Las Tunas!

DAY FOUR

Our fourth day in Costa Rica started with a visit to Deli Cafe. This coffee shop will get you caffeinated for your day, but they also have quite the assortment of baked goods and sandwiches as well.

After breakfast, we headed back over to the Feeding Center we had visited the day prior to help distribute meals. After everyone was served, we took the opportunity to give the kitchen a much-needed deep cleaning. Once the kitchen was sparkling, we got to work in the back of the property clearing out an area to put a garden in. The goal is for the Feeding Center to become a self-sustainable garden, where the fruits, vegetables, and starches produced go straight to the meals prepared for the children. By the end of the day, we had prepared small plot for seeding!

On our way back to the hotel we stopped by Donde Adrian Frutas & Verduras for some clean and refreshing snacks. We made it back in time to watch the sunset on the beach behind the hotel. We went to Sodas Las Tunas again for dinner, but added a stop at a convenience store right up the street from Las Tunas for some ice cream.

DAY FIVE

Our fifth day started unusually early as anyone keen on surfing woke up before the sun to go surfing at dawn. I LOVE surfing and try to get in the water with a board in any new beach town I visit, so this was an incredibly special experience for me. A truly beautiful way to start the day. From there, our early morning start to the day afforded up the opportunity to go surfing and still make it down to the Feeding Center in time to serve meals at 10:30am.

Once everyone’s belly was full, we headed to the Tamarindo Skate Park. We were able to have some fun skating, while chatting with newfound local friends, informing them of the upcoming skate competition being hosted. At some point in the afternoon we wandered over to the nearby cafe Breaking Bread, to take a break and enjoy a (very) tasty treat. At the end of the day, I bet you can guess where we had dinner?? A delicious pork casado from Sodas Las Tunas hit the spot after our long-but-lovely day.

DAY SIX

Our sixth day was all about local exploration. We started the day with a canoeing and kayaking tour on the Estero de Playa Grande River, booked through our hotel. Having worked up an appetite, we made back to back snack stops for a tapas-esque lunch. Our first stop was at Pots and Bowls. In addition to having a mouth-watering array of both sweet and savory bowls, they also have loads of drink options as well, from cold pressed juices to smoothies to tea and coffee. Our next snack stop brought us to Podoka– an AMAZING Brazilian bakery, with so many delicious sweet treats.

Once we were all fueled up, we headed to Guanacaste Forest Zipline for some afternoon zip lining. While zip-lining was fun, we wouldn’t necessarily recommend the company we used. Zip lining is an amazing adrenaline rush, but alas if we were to do it over again, we’d go through someone else.

You can’t beat the classics! We had another awesome dinner at Sodas Las Tunas, before we turned in for the evening– tuckered out from our long day of adventures.

DAY SEVEN

Our seventh day was our last full day in Costa Rica, and you better believe we made the most of it. In the morning, we ran a surf camp on the beach behind our hotel, as this area of the beach is actually known to be a good surf spot. Having surfed for years, it makes my heart happy to share a hobby I love with new friends.

Yesterday’s tapas-style lunch was a fun way to mix and match between the ten of us. We went back to Pots & Bowls and also swung by Little Lucha for some street tacos that disappeared like magic. Afterwards, we headed to The Bowl to host our final skate competition.

Not only was it an amazingly fun time, but one of the guys we met earlier in the day ended up coming out that night. He walked/hitchhiked 20km to get there and crushed the skate competition. At the end of the night, when we were wrapping things up, he made the decision to he give his life to Christ. It was such a compelling moment, and an awesome way to end a truly powerful day.

DAY EIGHT

It’s amazing how fast a week can fly by. Our final day we ate breakfast at our hotel and then went to church at Casa Vida. While I can speak Spanish, not everyone in our group was quite so bilingual, so we really loved being able to attend Casa Vida’s shared worship service, where they sang in both English and Spanish. Due to the large population of ex-pats in Tamarindo, the church here has graciously created a worship environment to feel like home to everyone. The melting pot of cultures and languages in one church body was a beautiful testament to the very simple understanding that we are all God’s children.

Once church was over, we packed up the car and made the drive from Tamarindo back to Liberia. From there, we hopped on the plane and had a smooth journey home, reflecting on the amazing time we’d had.

The Scoop on Ride Nature

Does it seem like we did more surfing and skateboarding than you might expect for a mission trip? This is 100% part of Ride Nature’s ethos and vision.

“That children worldwide would have access to boards and the opportunity to surf and skate.

That we would reach every individual in the action sports industry with the good news of Jesus Christ and provide them the opportunity to see, hear, and respond to the gospel.

That action sports leaders are multiplied, equipped and resourced to represent the gospel to the ends of the earth.”
Ride Nature Vision Statement

As such, the time we spent putting on skating and surfing competitions was just as valuable as the time spent serving food or cleaning. Never having been on a mission trip quite like this before, it was a unique way to holistically embrace a new culture, while concurrently sharing the Gospel in a meaningful way. If you want to learn more about Ride Nature or other upcoming mission trips they have, you can do so here. Whether you’re planning to head down for a mission trip or a vacation adventure, check out our Nine Helpful Costa Rican Travel FAQs before your next Costa Rica adventure.

Peace and Blessings

When I was in middle school, I started going on mission trips to a children’s center in Guatemala, and it opened my eyes in so many ways. One such takeaway was the profound impact you can have in others lives as well as your own when you humble yourself in acts of service. In the years since, I returned to that children’s center multiple times as well as involving myself in a handful of local ministries.

My faith has always been a huge part of my life; however, since going off to college I began using my time between semesters so adventure to new places and visit friends. As such I had not been on a mission trip for a few years before I embarked on this recent adventure. God works in powerful ways, and it was such a reinvigorating experience to open myself up to Christ in a new way, in a new place.

Mission work comes in all shapes and sizes and is always necessary in your own home community; however, there’s beauty to traveling with the primary intention being to serve others. Please reach out if you have any questions or are unsure where to start if this is something you’re interested in!

written by McKenna

If you look up diva in the dictionary, you will find a picture of McKenna Lee. Loud-mouthed and overly opinionated she may have the biggest personality (read: attitude) of us all. McKenna is in college at FGCU, but her passion lies in her small business Mack Swimwear and running her small group through church. She lives for days spent in a bathing suit, and tries to go surfing in every new beach town she visits.

Tags Costa Rica Mission Trip, Tamarindo

national parks travel

A Full Day of Fun at the Hawai’i Volcano National Park

Post author By McKenna Wherry

The Hawai’i Volcano National Park (HVNP) is a breathtaking display of the power a volcano holds within. If you are planning a trip to Big Island, a visit to HVNP is a must! You will be blown away by the diverse microbiomes waiting to be encountered. From lava craters, forests, to seemingly endless stretches of rocky terrain, to the picturesque coastline, everything in this park radiates the allure of nature.

The Hawai’i Volcano National Park is home to two unique volcanoes: Kīlauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, and Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano. Not only are these feats of nature impressive in size, they also represent a special part of Hawaiian culture. Kīlauea maintains a large crater at its summit named Halemaʻumaʻu, which is said to serve as the body and home of Pelehonuamea or Pele. Pele is regarded a Hawaiian volcano deity and respected as the creator of the volcanic landscapes that make up the Hawaiian archipelago.

Below we have detailed everything you need to know to make the most of your day in the park! From the best trails to the prettiest drives and all the tips and tricks in between to ensure you make the most of your very volcano day.

Scoot Your Boot This Way

When booking your rental vehicle for Big Island, some spots require four wheel drive, but you will not need it to visit the Hawai’i Volcano National Park! All roads in the park are two-wheel drive friendly, so you should be able to visit regardless your ride.

When you are planning your Big Island adventure, the two regions people tend to stay in are Hilo and Kailua-Kona. From Hilo, HVNP is about a 45 minute drive southwest via Highway 11. Departing from Kailua-Kona, the drive is a bit longer, clocking is at a little over 2 hours, taking Highway 11 southeast.

Visitor Center

When you arrive in the park, the visitor center should be your first stop. It functions as an excellent starting point to make a game plan, empty your bladder, and lather on the sunscreen. There are interactive maps and park rangers available to help direct you wherever you need to head.

Kīlauea Iki Trail

Next up? Continue along Crater Rim Drive and park near the Kīlauea Iki trail or the Thurston lava tube (Nāhuku). These areas are close to one another and easily walkable, so snag a parking spot wherever you can. The lava tube isn’t anything too crazy, but it’s worth checking out just to experience how dark it gets down there— plus it’s wild to think lava once rush through the underground tube you’re standing in.

Across the road from the lava tube is the beginning of the Kīlauea Iki trail, which will lead you down to the floor of the Kīlauea Iki Crater. As the name suggests, this trail takes you down into the Kīlauea Iki Crater, beware… if you make the 400 foot climb down into the crater, just remember you have to get back up! It doesn’t take long to wind your way down to the crater floor, and from there, the trail is marked with cairns, or small stone piles, to keep visitors on track.

Keanakākoʻi Overlook

Just putting your walking shoes to work, your next stop will be driving to the Crater Rim Drive trailhead and wandering out to the Keanakākoʻi Overlook. Not only does this perch provide a glimpse at the Keanakākoʻi Crater, but it affords a spectacular view of Kīlauea. Kīlauea is an active volcano that intermittently erupts, most recently from September 2021 to December 2022. While this view would be interesting any time, walking out to this viewpoint is a MUST when Kīlauea is erupting. How many erupting volcanoes are you going to see in one lifetime?!

Chain of Craters Road

In what seems like a world away, the 20 mile drive out to the southern sea cliffs is beyond scenic as the landscape changes drastically before your very eyes. From the jungle-esque tropics near the visitor’s center, to the endless span of volcanic rock, to the stunning blue of the ocean crashing into a wide swath southern coastline, the drive out to the Hōlei Sea Arch is its own delight.

Once you’re there, a short walk will take you to the Hōlei Sea Arch, serving as an example of both the ocean’s power and nature’s sculpting. The dynamic surf makes for a hypnotic view as the crashing waves slowly erode the southern coastline. Vastly differing from the desolate beauty of prolific lava-rock topography elsewhere in the park, the endlessness of the ocean offers a stark contrast to the seemingly ceaseless gray of the volcano. Being rather set apart from the more popular areas of the park, it’s easy to consider skipping a visit to the Hōlei Sea Arch, but you have to remember the drive itself is as amazing as the coastline views themselves.

Kīlauea Eruptions

Kīlauea is the youngest and most active volcano on the island of Hawaiʻi. This makes re-visiting the park from year to year a treat as the topography undergoes progressive changes due to the intermittent activity. Before you visit, it’s never a bad idea to check the eruption conditions… many visitors find themselves eager to see the etherial plumes of gas and steam by day and the eery lava glow after dark.

Man’s Best Friend

National parks are notoriously picky about dogs being allowed on the scene. Yes dogs are allowed in some areas throughout the park, as long as they are on a 6-foot leash. Pets are welcome…

In all parking areas and surrounding curbs (excluding Hilina Pali Road and Kulanaokuaiki Campground)
On Crater Rim Drive in areas open to vehicles
On Chain of Craters Road down to Puʻu Loa Petroglyphs
At the Nāmakanipaio Campground
On Mauna Loa Road (ccasionally referred to as “The Strip Road”)
On Highway 11
At Kīlauea Military Camp (on paved roads, parking areas, and at the picnic area)

Pets are unfortunately prohibited in all of the undeveloped areas of the park, including all designated wilderness and all front-country/backcountry trails.

If you are planning on taking your doggo with you, they will have the highly coveted honor of becoming a bark ranger of the Hawai’i Volcano National Park if their two-legged human friend stops by the Kīlauea Visitor Center with them.

Before You Go, You Gotta Know

Hawai’i Volcano National Park is generally on the rainier side of Big Island, so come prepared for precipitation. Even if the weather looks nice, it won’t hurt to throw a light rain jacket in your pack.

The weather can change in the blink of an eye. Pouring one minute and scorching hot the next. Be sure to wear sunscreen! If your fair-skinned, sunnies and a hat will be your friend.

You don’t need hiking boots to wander around, but you will want sturdy shoes. Especially if you plan to go on any longer hikes!

Expect limited parking. Many parking lots are full after 10 a.m. If there are active eruptions going on, this will only make the park more popular.

Speaking of eruptions, if you opt for some late afternoon hiking, consider sticking around until after dark. The park is gorgeous during the day, but the volcano takes on a whole new dimension of beauty, watching it erupt at night.

Hawai’i Volcano National Park Entrance Fees & Passes

Pass Type	Cost
Single Vehicle Fee (Grants unlimited entry for one vehicle for 7 consecutive days— aka keep your receipt if you plan to come back!)	$30
Single Pedestrian or Bicycle (Grants unlimited entry for 7 consecutive days)	$15
Single Motorcycle (Grants unlimited entry for 7 consecutive days)	$25
Hawai’i Tri-Park Annual Pass Can also be used at Haleakalā National Park and Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. (unlimited entry for one year to pass owner and passengers in the same car)	$55
America The Beautiful Annual Pass (entry into all National Parks)	$80
America The Beautiful Annual Military Pass (see if you qualify here)	$0

Entrance fees are waived for Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday, the first day of National Park Week, the one year anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act, the National Park Service Birthday, the National Public Lands Day, and Veteran’s Day.

Onto Your Next Great Adventure

If you loved the volcanic landscape in the Hawai’i National Volcano Park, Mauna Kea is the next must visit stop on your Big Island road trip (our action-packed one week itinerary here). Big Island is comprised of six volcanoes, but Mauna Kea is both a volcano as well as the tallest mountain on Earth. Definitely worth checking out!

Note: To the best of our knowledge we tried to spell all Hawaiian names correctly, with their intended diacritics. We apologize for any slight inconsistencies or incorrect spellings.

written by McKenna

Tags Hawai'i Volcano National Park, Hawaii volcano, travel Hawaii

travel

Rio de Jianero: The Best Places to Visit

Post author By McKenna Wherry

Rio de Jianero is a bustling coastal city in southwestern Brazil. Known for a wide array of attractions, from the towering Christ Redeemer statue to hosting the 2016 Olympics to its illustrious annual Carnaval festival, Rio is a mecca for adventurous travelers. To ensure you hit all the highlights, we’ve compiled a list of all the best places to visit in Rio!

This city really is much more than what may initially meet the eye. Home to a national park, one of the seven wonders of the world, and endless sandy coastline, you will have no problem finding Rio adventures to fill your days. The beautiful weather year-round is just the cherry on top!

How does a gal find herself in Rio time and time again? In high school, I was part of a Brazilian church and made so many amazing life-long friends, and I have been fortunate enough to explore various pockets of Brazil when I have gone to visit. Over the years, I’ve gone down to visit on numerous occasions, and I have become increasingly familiar with my more favorite areas to visit. Rio is one of them! I love the big-city-meets-beachy-keen-relaxation ambiance of the city, while also maintaining such strong cultural roots.

Below I have detailed my favorite spots to grab a bite, awesome hotels, and the best must-do activities in Rio— as well as a handful of tips and trick to ensure your trip goes smoothly. Cheers to a fabulous adventure!

Airport Arrival

First and foremost, how to get there! Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport, commonly referred to by its original name, Galeão International Airport (GIG), is the larger of the two airports that serve Rio. Approximately 20 minutes south is the smaller Santos Dumont Airport (SDU). Barra is 25-45 minutes from the airport, depending on where you arrive.

When traveling to and throughout Brazil, we found Latam Airlines to be our preferential choice for international travel. When booking your ticket, we highly recommend taking advantage of their seat selection and checked bag. The price varies upon the flight, but it is a 7+ hour flight, so you’ll want a good seat!

Due to the shear size of Brazil, it’s possible you may do some intra-country flying. If so, we found for these shorter duration flights, Latam, Azul, and Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes (GOL) are all equally good options.

Sleep Tight, Sleep Right

Barra de Tijuca, colloquially referred to as Barra, is an affluent neighborhood in the western region of the city. This is where we recommend staying to base your Rio-travels out of.

When we visit, we usually stay at the Wyndham or the Windsor Marapendi. You cannot go wrong with either hotel! At the Wyndam, no matter which room you’re in, they all room have a view. Your stay also includes complimentary use of a set of beach chairs as well as an umbrella. While it does cost a small fee, we were grateful to be able to do laundry.

While both hotels are beautiful, the Windsor Marapendi is a bit more posh with its rooftop pool and marble floors throughout the lobby. You can take in the view from the 17th floor or in style on the beach, with the provided loungers and umbrellas.

A note: There are so many beautiful Airbnb stays that are certainly worth exploring, but as we were two young women traveling together, we felt more comfortable staying in a hotel. As a bonus, hotels are very reasonably priced here— even for 4 and 5 star hotels!

Transportation Station

Do you need to rent a car? Nope! Uber is a safe and reliable method of transportation. We used Uber both for day-to-day travel as well as transportation to and from the airport. As a female traveler (sometimes solo and sometimes with a friend), I always double check I’m in the right car (just like we do back home)— to be extra safety conscientious!

That Cash Money

The exchange rate fluctuates, but currency converters can help estimate costs when you’re building your travel budget. The USD to Brazilian Real exchange rate tends to be pretty favorable, when visiting from the United States. You do not need to bring cash or pull reais out upon arrival.

Good Eats

There is so much amazing food to sample when you’re in Brazil, so eat to your heart’s content! From refreshing acai to authentic Brazilian steakhouses to amazingly fresh seafood, you won’t be hungry for long in Rio. These are a few of my favorite spots!

Balada Mix

If you are looking for some acai, look no further than Balada Mix. We went back for seconds of the acai, but they had loads of options that looked like a delicious snack or a light lunch. While we were there, their sign outside said Baladinha, so don’t let confusing signage lead you astray!

La Copa Carne e Vino

A short drive away in Copacabana, La Copa Carne e Vino is a small restaurant delivering big. The eatery is owned by a family friend, and after hearing about the family restaurant, it was such a pleasure to go and experience the Brazilian steakhouse in all its charming glory.

Coco Bamboo

In the Casa & Gourmet Mall the options for outstanding food are plentiful, but Coco Bamboo stands out. Not only is the food delicious, but the live Brazilian music made it both a culinary and cultural experience. A must try!

Pobre Vino

The dining at Village Mall draws almost as many visitors as the shopping. Our favorite steakhouse here was Pobre Juan. We love a good steak, but ended up trying the salmon here and it did NOT disappoint!

Classico Beach Club

Along the beach in Barra, there are restaurants referred to as ‘kiosks’ for beach-goers to grab a delicious meal, while they watch the waves crash. If your beach day takes you near post/station 2, Classico Beach Club is ~in our opinion~ the best kiosk on the beach!

Adventures to be Had

Surf’s Up

I’ve loved surfing ever since I was in middle school, so I always try to get my hands on a surfboard when I find myself in a new beach town! Right across the street from the Wyndham Hotel, you’ll find Escuela de Surf. If you’ve never tried surfing before, a 1 hour private lesson only costs R$120, or ~$25 USD (depending on the conversion). They provide everything you need to shred the gnar! The board, the rash-guard shirt, and most importantly the expert advice to get you up and cruising.

Rio Adventures

If you are looking for an adrenaline rush, Rio Adventures has you covered. From hiking and climbing to hang-gliding and parachuting, they have something for everyone looking to make the most of the city. Different tours are based out of various niches throughout the city, but you won’t have to wander far if you’re looking to go parachuting as this thriller is run out of Barra.

Joatinga Beach

This harder-to-get-to beach is worth the extra effort! Nestled in the coastline, it affords one of the most lush, stunning views in Rio. To access you must to pass through a gated condominium community, so some people mistaken assume it’s a private beach. It’s not! It’s a public beach with free access, so go take it in (always being respectful to the locals that live there)! While you might be able to buy a coconut water, there’s not going to be the same availability of food kiosks on the beach here, so be sure to pack your snacks!

Jardim Botanico

Jardim Botanico is a collection of beautiful botanical gardens. Hours fly by wandering through the lush landscape. It’s not necessary to buy tickets in advance; however, they only accept cash at the park admissions gate, so if you want to pay by card, you will need to do so here.

Cable Car

The Cable Car Adventure on Sugarloaf Mountain provides the most breath-taking view in all of Rio. The cable car, holding up to 65 people, provides a panoramic view of the city, taking in the forests, the Bay, Christ the Redeemer, and everything in between. The cable car climbs throughout the ride, reaching a peak height of 1,300 feet. BEST. VIEW. IN. RIO.

Parque Nacional da Tijuca

How often is it that a big city has an amazing national park right in its midst?! Tijuca National Park offers a rather diverse, chose-your-own adventure experience for visitors. For some the vistas and viewpoints will thrill, while others will be glad they packed their hiking boots, so they can hit the trails to take in the vibrant landscape and plentiful waterfalls. Thrill seekers will make their way to the park as it serves as the perfect perch for hang gliding! This impressive park holds the hotly contest title for largest urban forest in the world, with over 225 species of birds, 63 species of mammals, and 70 different amphibians & retiles calling this lush biome their home.

Christ the Redeemer

Perhaps Rio’s most renowned attraction, Christ the Redeemer sits at the top of the city, actually nestled in the Tijuca Forest National Park. At the base of Christ the Redeemer, you can both look up in awe at the magnitude of this inspired statue as well as out across the city and bay. Acknowledged as one of the Modern Seven Wonders of the World, the magnitude of this monument and the expansive overlook are a humbling reminder of how small we are in this huge world.

The cog train is the preferred and most scenic option to get up to Christ the Redeemer. During the 20 minute ride, it traverses through the Atlantic Forest, up Corcovado Mountain, depositing at your destination.

Tip: Go early! As this is a hallmark attraction of Rio, it will become more and more crowded throughout the day. Generally speaking it will also be less busy on a week-day.

As an aside, if you’re looking for an airplane-read, you can’t go wrong with the first book in the Seven Sisters Series by Lucinda Riley. Rio and Christ the Redeemer are interwoven in this story of love and loss.

Just So You Know

Crime is something to be aware of when traveling. While we are huge proponents of not allowing social misconceptions to dictate, safety precautions and common sense when traveling to new or unfamiliar regions. An example of this would be that, travelers should avoid venturing into favelas (Brazilian slums). In the midst of Rio, exists the country’s largest favela: Rocinha.

Depending on what route you take from the airport to Barra, you may be able to see it from afar. If you take the more southern route, as you come through the long tunnel to get to Barra, look to the right and a little behind you, and you will see this massive community stacked up the hillside. In the same way it’s unwise to treat the slums of any city as a tourist attraction, we do not recommend venturing too close to Rocinha for your sight-seeing purposes.

written by McKenna

If you look up diva in the dictionary, you will find a picture of McKenna Lee. Loud-mouthed and overly opinionated she may have the biggest personality (read: attitude) of us all. McKenna is in college at FGCU studying digital media design, but her passion lies in her small business Mack Swimwear. She lives for days spent in a bathing suit, and tries to go surfing in every new beach town she visits.

Tags barra de tijuca, Christ the Redeemer, rio