A day in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Midday - Copacabana boardwalk

The breeze moves the palms above the wave-patterned pavement. I turn in a slow circle and feel the warm stone under my sandals. Daily carioca dress is casual, so breathable cottons, shorts and sandals suit both the beach and the city streets.

Midday - beach kiosk

Sweet coconut water cools my mouth while I sit in a wooden chair. Colourful umbrellas shade the people around this kiosk. After a hot walk, an açaí bowl of frozen berry pulp with granola, banana and condensed milk is a good cool-down.

Midday - Sugarloaf viewpoint

Boats sit on the blue bay while I look across to Sugarloaf Mountain. Hard midday light sits on the water. The two-stage aerial tramway reaches the top of Pão de Açúcar for views of Guanabara Bay, and sunset is a fine time to come.

Midday - Copacabana shoreline

Cold white foam from the Atlantic runs over my bare toes. I step in only to my ankles and let the next wave pull back. June to August is the driest stretch here, with more comfortable highs around 31 degrees.

Midday - seaside park

A tall palm throws a small patch of shade, and the city buildings rise beyond it. I rest a hand on the trunk and look toward those roofs. For a flatter outing, Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas has a runners' track and pedal boats for hire.

Midday - Copacabana shoreline

I look back and smile, with the great statue high on the mountain behind me. Warm sand meets the sea breeze on my face. The summit is reached by funicular from Cosme Velho or by the hiking trail from Parque Lage.

Afternoon - Copacabana beach

The sand is hot underfoot as the statue shows small on the far mountain. I follow the shoreline and keep my eyes on that shape. Feijoada, a black bean stew with pork and beef, comes with white rice and toasted manioc flour.

Afternoon - Copacabana beach

Long shadows stretch over the sand while the sun drops toward the sea. I keep moving along the beach and feel the air cool a little. October is the hottest month, and the wettest stretch runs from November to March.

Golden Hour - coastline plaza

Wind lifts my hair as I look up into a softening sky. I stay in the plaza and let the warm light sit on my face. An unsigned walking path leads up Sugarloaf to the intermediate station for travellers who skip the tram.

Golden Hour - Copacabana water's edge

City lights begin to twinkle along the coast as I lift a hand in goodbye. The water at my feet is cooler now. The Museum of Tomorrow, on the revitalised waterfront, explores climate and the future of human civilisation, and its pier has a pleasant breeze.