The Unmissable: Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro now sits comfortably in my personal top three cities I’ve ever visited—and it earned that spot without trying too hard.

I went for a speaking engagement, but like most good trips, the real value showed up between the formal moments. Morning walks along Ipanema and Copacabana set the tone: endless coastline, people actually using the city, and a rhythm that feels both relaxed and energetic at the same time. It’s a place that invites movement—walking, talking, lingering.

We stayed in Leblon, which turned out to be the perfect base. Great food without the pretension, real neighborhood energy, and just enough nightlife to remind you that Rio doesn’t wind down early. It felt lived-in in the best way—not curated for tourists, but generous to them.

The landmarks delivered without disappointment. The Selarón Steps are as colorful and strange as promised. Sugarloaf gives you the kind of view that recalibrates your sense of scale. And Christ the Redeemer—somehow both iconic and still quietly powerful in person, even after a lifetime of seeing it in photos.

What stood out most, though, was how complete the city feels. Beaches, mountains, culture, architecture, music, food, people—all layered on top of each other in a way that feels organic rather than engineered.

Rio isn’t a city you “check off.” It’s one you carry with you. Unmissable.