Growing up, I listened to a lot of Bossa Nova. My mom has always loved the Brazilian music genre, born in Rio de Janeiro, for its relaxed, yet zestful vibe. As a result, the city has long occupied my daydreams as a place where vibrance meets tranquility. I recently visited Rio with my parents and was blown away—it’s even better than I’d imagined.
I learned that Brazilians don’t know how to make a bad meal. They also like to party until the sun comes up. And while Brazil is the birthplace of Bossa Nova and Samba, the music runs so deep that it almost feels as though it has always existed here. Oh, and the shopping is top-notch. Clearly, six days is not nearly enough time to explore this rich and multi-dimensional city. It’s so good that Travel + Leisure just named Brazil its 2026 Destination of the Year.
But alas, I still had the most amazing time despite my short visit, thanks in part to recommendations from a few fabulous Brazilians. Farm Rio co-founder Katia Barros, Costa Brazil’s founder Fransico Costa, PatBO founder Patricia Bonaldi, and celebrity massage therapist Flavia Lanini all shared their must-visit spots ahead of my trip.
Ahead, learn all about what I wore, where I ate, and the experience that made my 76-year-old father utter the word “fabulous.” Plus, where to shop for as part of the latest iteration of Travel InStyle.
Courtesy of Kara Jillian Brown / InStyle
Where I Stayed
Upon arrival in Rio de Janeiro, my parents and I checked into the Santa Teresa Hotel. From the second we reached the gates, I knew we had ended up somewhere special. Rio is one of the world’s only cities that houses an actual rainforest, and here, I could really feel the mix of tropical and metropolitan. This boutique hotel is situated on a coffee farm that dates back to the 1850s. Iron railings, stone walls, and wooden beams sit alongside concrete baths and angular furniture to create a harmonious blend of rustic and modern details. Plush linens, straw accents, and lush vegetation soften it all, resulting in a cozy and chic environment.
Nestled in a hillside neighborhood of the same name, Santa Teresa is a charming and artsy area that’s home to winding stone streets, historic buildings, small galleries, and fabulous restaurants. And while it feels like a small-town escape, this neighborhood is right in the middle of the city. The hotel’s central location allowed me to immerse myself in the area through activities like a walking tour of the neighborhood or coffee and cocktail workshops.
It also houses a fabulous restaurant (more on that in a bit), a chic bar, an impressive pool, and a delightful spa. At the spa, my mom and I got the hotel’s signature massage, “Ouro Negro,” which translates to “Black Gold.” It features an energizing coffee scrub followed by a relaxing full-body massage. It was just what we needed after days of sightseeing.
We also spent a few days at the Copacabana Palace, an iconic hotel recommended to me by Lanini and Boldanadi. It’s the hotspot and where all the celebrities stay when they visit Rio—stars like Princess Diana, Nat King Cole, Josephine Baker, and Madonna have all graced its halls. It opened in 1923 and was modeled after the swanky hotels of the French Riviera. When we checked in, my dad said, “This is fabulous—and I don’t even say ‘fabulous.'”
Complete with marble finishes, high ceilings, and beach-facing Juliet balconies, the little details are what truly make the hotel feel so glamorous. During the turndown service, the receipt my dad was using as a makeshift bookmark was replaced with a real bookmark. And there’s a hall of fame where you can view portraits of all its famous guests.
However, its best asset lies just outside of the front doors: Copacabana Beach. One of the world’s most famous oceanfronts, Copacabana is where locals and tourists alike go to play sports, eat, and relax.
Courtesy of Kara Jillian Brown / InStyle
What I Wore
I visited Rio in August, and the temperatures ranged from the low 60s to the high 70s. Brazil is located in the southern hemisphere, so technically, my trip took place during the winter months. I was a bit unsure of what to bring, so I took a pack-now-think-later approach. This was (shocker!) a mistake. For the most part, all I needed was my usual summer items—cutsey tops, denim shorts, linen pants, and flowy skirts—along with items to layer. Think: Oversized button-ups, loose sweaters, jean jackets, and linen blazers.
For shoes, all I really needed was a pair of flip flops, which also happens to be the unofficial shoe of Brazil. Although I walked a lot, I’m not really a sneaker girl. Instead, I switched between white Havaianas and black wedge Ipanemas (both Brazilian brands). If I was feeling particularly fancy, I wore my Kora Sandals from Camper.
For a Day of Shopping
Courtesy of Kara Jillian Brown
A tiny top paired with a flowy bottom is my go-to outfit formula. So during a day of sightseeing, I paired my black Quince skirt with a thrifted tube top and my Ipanema wedges. I wore this for a day of bopping around Rio’s Ipanema neighborhood. It was the perfect shopping outfit because it was easy to slip in and out of when trying on different pieces.
For a Fancy Dinner
Courtesy of Kara Jillian Brown
I had the time of my life shopping at Farm Rio. I got a few new pieces while in Rio (more on those later), but my absolute favorite was this dress. It’s an A-line maxi dress featuring spaghetti straps, a sweetheart neckline, and a ruched bodice with a drop waist. It’s incredibly flattering and beautiful; so much so that I wore it within hours of purchasing it.
For a Beach Visit
Courtesy of Kara Jillian Brown
Because I visited in the winter, it wasn’t warm enough to wear my bathing suit to the beach. Instead, I opted for an old V-neck tank top, my white Madewell linen pants, and a necklace purchased at a street market.
Courtesy of Kara Jillian Brown / InStyle
Where I Ate
For Spectacular Views
Whether I was grabbing a quick beachside lunch or sitting down for a multi-course dinner, every single meal I had in Rio was divine. When I asked for restaurant recommendations, Aprazível, a hidden gem nestled in the hills of Santa Teresa, kept coming up. Barros, Costa, and Lanini all put it on their hit list, so I knew I had to go.
Sitting at the top of Santa Teresa mountain, a meal at Aprazível is like eating in the world’s chicest tree house. The indoor-outdoor spot provides next-level views of the city while cocooning you in lush foliage. And the food is just as good as the view. I highly recommend the seafood dishes—we got a few that featured the fish of the day, and they were so light and delicious.
I also enjoyed a few meals at Térèze, the restaurant at Santa Teresa Hotel. Floor-to-ceiling, industrial-style windows envelop the restaurant, allowing a mix of tropical foliage and sweeping city views to enter. I had a seared lobster and avocado dish for lunch that was fresh and yummy. I also had an amazing steak here for dinner.
For Casual Vibes
On my first day, I stumbled across Mô Café while looking for lunch. It’s a cozy, eclectic spot serving up refreshing açai bowls, sumptuous pastries, and delicious lattes. It also doubles as a store, offering a wide selection of cute clothes, jewelry, and souvenirs.
To enjoy dinner with a show, we visited Boteco da Garrafa, one of the many lively restaurants lining the streets of Rio’s Lapa neighborhood. Here, my family and I shared a delicious mix of appetizers and drinks. I had my first Caipirinha, a Brazilian cocktail that blends cachaça (a spirit made from sugarcane), sugar, lime, and ice. It’s sweet, tart, and goes down far too easily.
For a Luxurious Meal
I had a fabulous dinner at Satyricon, an Italian-Mediterranean restaurant suggested by Boldanadi. It focuses on seafood, so naturally, they served my mother the biggest lobster tail I have ever seen in my 29 years on earth. My dad got perfectly cooked lamb chops, and I had a creamy, seafood-and-truffle pasta. It was all incredible.
My most spectacular meal was dinner at Copacobana Palace’s Mee, a pan-Asian restaurant with a Michelin Star. My family and I had the chef’s tasting menu, which featured seven courses of inventive sushi, mouth-watering gyoza, and so much more. Every single bite was phenomenal. I especially enjoyed the udon-noodle soup, which was cooked tableside and featured wagyu, mushrooms, and an assortment of vegetables.
Courtesy of Kara Jillian Brown / InStyle
Where I Shopped
Shopping at Farm Rio—the beloved Brazilian-founded fashion brand—was at the top of my list of priorities for my trip. I stopped into the Ipanema Beach location and had an absolute blast. What makes Farm Rio’s clothes so enticing is the bold colorways, expressive patterns, and impeccable fit. In addition to the adorable cocktail-print dress, I also got a black maxi dress and a multi-hue mini dress. The black maxi features a structured deep-V and a dramatic A-line bottom with a large-scale shell print. The mini dress features an abstract coconut tree print and is trimmed with playful black fringe.
After stopping in Farm Rio, I wandered into Dress To, a store brimming with stunning pieces all made in Brazil. I have a red linen dress that can be worn in a variety of ways, depending on how you tie the strings. To explore Farm Rio, Dress To, and other amazing stores in one place, hit up Shopping Leblon, a sprawling mall with nearly 200 stores.
For souvenir shopping, I fell in love with Coisas de Santa, a store in Santa Teresa that sells a mix of classic souvenirs, like postcards and magnets, alongside hand-made, artisanal goods, like crocheted clothing, espresso cups, and cutsey figurines. Although I went in looking to buy small gifts for friends, I left with some keepsake items for myself as well.
Courtesy of Kara Jillian Brown / InStyle
What I Did
I couldn’t go to Brazil without experiencing live music. For classic Bossa Nova, which, if you’re not familiar, sounds like a combination of Samba and jazz, I went to the place that started it all, Beco das Garrafas, an alley home to two nightlife institutions, Bottle’s Bar and Little Bar.
“The birthplace of Bossa Nova in the 1960s, this iconic venue still hosts intimate live performances,” says Lanini. “It’s a must-visit for anyone who wants to feel the true soul of Bossa Nova in a legendary setting.” We went on a Monday night, listening to Bossa Nova classics like “Garota de Ipanema” (The Girl from Ipanema) and “O Barquinho” (My Little Boat). The show was intimate yet lively, making the trip feel extra special.
For dancing, I spent a Saturday night out with my new friend Monique, a Rio native whom I met through a family friend. We stared at Pedra do Sal, a historic venue famous for live Samba sets (for what it’s worth, Costa also says it’s the spot to go for Samba). There aren’t any tickets or seats—just tons of music lovers gathering at the outdoor plaza. A band sets up in the middle while people gather around to sing and dance along to the music. Here, I felt an overwhelming sense of togetherness. Everyone, whether they were up and dancing or seated on a staircase, found community through the music. After Pedro do Sal, we went to The Home Rio, an amazing club that plays techno on the main floor and more bouncy, pop vibes on the top floor.
To take in more culture, I also visited the Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil (CCBB). It’s a museum located in a gorgeous and stately old bank building, to see Ancestral: Afro-Américas, a fabulous exhibit celebrating the African diaspora throughout the Americas. Here, we experienced the works of Black artists, such as Abdias do Nascimento, a Brazilian painter, scholar, and activist who helped establish the Democratic Labor Party of Brazil.
While I spent six amazing days in Rio de Janeiro, I barely scratched the surface of what this stunningly dynamic city has to offer.