Some places feel familiar before you even arrive. For me, Rio de Janeiro was one of those places. Before visiting Brazil, I already had the classic image in my mind: Christ the Redeemer standing above the city with open arms, Copacabana Beach curving along the coast, Sugarloaf Mountain rising from the sea, and Rio’s dramatic mountains surrounding everything like a natural amphitheater. But seeing Rio in person felt different. It was not just about checking off a famous landma

My first time in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — from arriving after Bolivia to exploring Copacabana Beach, Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, and continuing my South America journey to Colombia.