A weekend in Rio with Simonett

Our Founder, Simonett Pereira shares her weekend travel guide to Rio De Janeiro featuring some favorites from our new arrivals.

Stay - Upon arrival I opted for the Janeiro Hotel in Leblon. The rooftop pool appears to seamlessly float above the coastline while framing a perfect view of Dois Irmaos through an oval window.

Do - My favorite spot on the Rio beach strip is Praia Arpoador. You can watch the surfers shred (or partake if you’ve got it like that), watch the sunset from the rock and have the most incredible media luna your mouth has ever come into contact with at Hotel Arpoador’s ARP Bar.

Sunnei - Bucket Hat - Green Stripes

$275.00

Eat - If you’re in Rio and you’re not Vegan - you have to try picanha, a cut of beef first popularized in Brazil. Two of my favorite OG spots are Churrascaria Majorica and Guimas.

Stay - In Santa Teresa hilltop neighborhood, we booked Chez Georges modernist villa for a group of friends but I believe you can also book by the room.

Eat - Here you want to checkout Aprazivel. The food isn’t out of this world but the view and ambiance makes it definitely worth the visit. Best around sunset. Tereze restaurant is also cozy and a stop by the Cultivar counter for the best pão de queijo I’ve ever had.

Shop - Back in Leblon head to any of the Haight stores for minimal Braziian swimwear and some serious retail design inspo.

Tigra Tigra - Silk Mashroo High Kick Dress - Blue/Maroon

$550.00

Drink - Santo Rio in Lapa neighborhood for drinks, dance and good design.

Stay - If you’re looking for the absolute best views in Rio, look no further than this airbnb.

Pack - I visited in October but I think regardless of what time of year it is, in Rio you keep it chill. I packed a lot of Gimaguas and Eliou since anything mega colorful gives me vacation vibes.

Gimaguas - Aletta Top - Yellow

$95.00

Gimaguas - Amy Skirt - Brown Stripes

$142.00

Do - I always try to throw in some exercise during travel - especially when I can do so in nature. We hiked up to Christ The Redeemer from Corcovado mountain via Parque Lage (2 hour light/intermediate hike). Pro tip: book a resy at least a week in advance at the historic park cafe/restaurant on the way down for a truly redeeming experience.

Eat - You don’t need to spend much to get good food here but if you’re feeling fancy one night, try Oteque (loved the wine list and endearingly messy playlist) or Oro (other best pão de queijo I’ve ever had although to be fair - you can’t really call their remix that.) Pro tip: ask to be seated facing the kitchen for all of the action.

Do - Oscar Niemeyer is one of my favorite Brazilian architect's so I had to start the day at his personal home and now museum Casa De Canoas.

Visit - Next stop was the MAC in Niteroi. We took an Uber there and it’s about an hour away across the bridge.

Ottolinger - Knitted Strappy Long Sleeve Top - Black

$475.00

Ottolinger - Knitted Strappy Leggings - Black

$455.00

Probably one of the sickest locations I've ever visited / teleported to the future for. Also, remember when I said in Rio you keep it chill?

Stay - Since we made the trip, we decided to stay in nearby Praia Itacoatiara in the cutest little beach shack. It’s located steps to the sand and comes equipped with surfboards and a private yard with hammocks.

Eat - Marcelo and Jess, the chef couple that own the shack also offer an incredible gastronomical experience at their adjacent and equally cute garden restaurant Pitanga.

Stay - If you have the time, I definitely recommend a hop over to Paraty. It's exquisitely charming and about a 4 hour drive from Rio. We stayed at Pousada Literaria (luxury and comfort) and then Casa Arca (architectural and ecological.)

Eat - Our first meal in Paraty was at Fazenda Bananal. Absolutely everything we tried was incredible and most of it was cultivated right on the property.

Do - Def one of my favorite experiences on the trip was Gastromar, a private lunch charter on a revamped traditional Paraty fishing boat by chef Gisela Schmitt. You cruise to three insanely gorgeous spots all while drinking and eating insanely gorgeous Brazilian food originating from local farmers.

Pearl Octopuss.Y - Silver Snake Earrings

$250.00

Pearl Octopuss.Y - Paris Baroque Necklace

$530.00

Take a plunge and swim with the sea turtles around the gorgeous waterfront cottages you'll fantasize about owning one day with the literal jungle as your backyard.

Gisela's team will then cook you a full sit down lunch on the boat where you will watch the sunset and remember this is the life that you deserve.

I hope you enjoyed our first installment of travel guide and if we missed any spots, please send them our way!