RIO, SOLO – ONE WOMAN. A CITY THAT STAYS WITH YOU.
- Tania Jane Hird
- 2 days ago
- 10 min read
Updated: 22 hours ago
Three days. One woman. A city that stays with you.
Solo travel as a woman is not about reckless bravado or proving anything to anyone.
It is about freedom, curiosity and choosing joy – trusting yourself enough to step into the world with openness and intention, and allowing beauty, culture and connection to meet you where you are. Even as a solo traveller, you don’t need to wait for the perfect moment to live the experiences you’ve imagined.
Rio de Janeiro surprised me. It challenged me physically, delighted me emotionally, and reaffirmed something deeply grounding - that adventure and elegance, safety and spontaneity, can exist side by side.
This was my three-day Rio experience - a celebration of culture, movement, confidence and the quiet strength that comes from living your dreams and "living out loud" whether you travel solo or not.
DAY ONE – ELEVATION AND FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Rock Climbing Sugarloaf Hill - Instead of the Cable Car
Why take the cable car when you can arrive on foot, moving slowly into the rhythm of the place?
The experience begins well before the climb itself. A walk through the surrounding forest and natural reserve greets you on arrival - locals walking through the greenery, the quiet hum of daily life unfolding. Down by the beach, street sellers prepare their wares for the day ahead. It is an introduction to Rio that feels grounded and real, where nature, community and everyday life sit side by side.
I climbed Sugarloaf Hill with Adventurismo, a professional team that prioritises safety, care and respect for place, adventure, achievement and most of all Fun! As the climb begins, the rock face reveals its beauty - textured, solid and ancient. There is a point in the centre of the ascent where the climb turns vertical and the challenge becomes real. I struggled to find my footing and felt almost pulled away from the rock as I searched for balance. In that moment, the role of my guide became everything. He held me steady. I felt his presence physically and emotionally - that extra pull, that quiet confidence that carried me through what moments earlier had felt impossible. It was a powerful reminder that trust matters - in your guide, in the person you are climbing with, and in yourself.
Above us, vultures and magnificent birds circled continuously, riding the thermals with ease, reminding me how alive this landscape is. And then, the reward. At the summit, the view opens completely. A full 360-degree panorama of Rio - ocean, forest, city and mountains unfolding in every direction. It is breathtaking. And it is all the more meaningful because you feel you have earned it. You don’t just see the view - you arrive at it, deserving of its beauty through effort, trust and support.
This experience is not reserved for elite athletes or thrill seekers. With the right guide, preparation and willingness to try, it is accessible, empowering and deeply rewarding.
Yes, the cable car is spectacular.
But there is nothing like feet on the ground, hands on the rock, and the quiet pride that comes from discovering you can do more than you thought.
Local Contacts
Tour Guides
Adventurismo – Guided climbs and hikes of Sugarloaf Hill and Christ the Redeemer experiences
Transfers / Uber
When I arrived in Rio, safety was front of mind. My hotel confirmed Uber as the safest way to get around, with verified drivers and recorded trips (always check the number plate). I was incredibly fortunate that my very first ride was with Julia, who went out of her way to ensure I felt safe and confident in a new city. She became my go-to driver during my stay and never charged extra, always making sure I arrived safely and was confident in my meeting place. For women travelling alone, I highly recommend her.
Julia – Uber Driver
Phone – +55 (21) 98343-6023
Sportif Visor from HairFlair Aus & Tania Hird Designs
First Night – Rooftop Dinner at Hilton Copacabana
That evening, I stayed close to home base. Dinner on the rooftop at the Hilton Copacabana was relaxed and memorable, with spectacular views stretching across Rio Harbour. As the city lights came alive, the outlook over the harbour - recognised as one of the natural wonders of the world - was breathtaking. It is this combination of location, security and extraordinary scenery that makes the Hilton such a standout place to stay in Rio. The hotel’s position offers a sense of calm while still being immersed in the energy of the city - watching the harbour from above as mountains, water and city lights converge.
It was here, over dinner, that I met Gabriel, a consultant working on offshore oil rigs. We shared stories as the lights of Rio flickered into life - an effortless reminder that connection often begins in the most unexpected moments.
We are still in touch, and I look forward to seeing Gabriel again and meeting his wife in the future - whether that is me staying with them in Houston, or them venturing to Australia.
Avenida Atlântica, 1020 – Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro
"Georgina Linen Halter Dress" from Tania Hird Designs
DAY TWO – FOREST, PERSPECTIVE AND PURPOSE
Christ the Redeemer Through the Urban Forest
Through the Trees to the Truth
There are two main ways to reach Christ the Redeemer.
Option One - The Train
Safe, efficient and scenic. Ideal if you are short on time.
Option Two - Hiking Through Tijuca Forest
Immersive, grounding and best done with an experienced local guide, especially if you are a woman travelling alone. This is the option I chose.
From the moment we stepped into the forest, the experience unfolded slowly and richly. We passed natural water pools tucked into the greenery, the air cooler and heavier beneath the canopy. A toucan appeared briefly, vivid and unmistakable. Beautiful beetles moved quietly across the forest floor. There were even the unmistakable holes of Goliath spiders - a reminder that this is a living, breathing ecosystem.
But what made this journey unforgettable was not just the forest. It was the person walking beside me. My guide, Denis, took me through Rio not only as a place of beauty, but as a city shaped by complexity, resilience and lived experience. This was not a rehearsed narrative or a surface-level tour. It was honest, open and deeply human. As we climbed, Denis shared stories of Rio’s history, the realities of the favelas, daily life, muggings, inequality and survival. Nothing sensationalised. Nothing sugar-coated. Just truth, delivered with insight and reflection. This was more than a hike. It was a history lesson, a cultural immersion and a personal exchange. Time spent with an exceptional person shaped by hard-earned lessons, without bitterness or resentment. There was no chip on his shoulder - only self-awareness, generosity of spirit and honesty.
It is an experience I will always treasure.
Related article: Sensational Morocco (Personal Travel Blog)
Local Contacts
Tour Guides
Adventurismo – Guided climbs and hikes
Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Hill experiences
Guide – Denis
Sportif Visor from HairFlair Aus & Tania Hird Designs. Parisienne Crossbody Bag and Charlotte Sterling Silver Earrings from Tania Hird Designs
Second Night – The Roxy Dinner and Show
I fully recommend this experience.
The Roxy Dinner and Show combines very good food with exceptional singing and dancing. What stood out most was the thoughtful way each region of Brazil was individualised and celebrated. It felt like a genuine celebration of culture - one the people of Rio are deeply proud of, or at least everyone I spoke to was.
I arrived on my own and left with new friends. I was warmly welcomed by a wonderful group travelling from the US. It was this same group who invited me to join them at the street Carnival rehearsals the following night - an invitation that led to one of the most memorable experiences of my time in Rio. From little connections, big things grow.
As a solo woman traveller, night-time planning matters. Choosing a well-organised transfer, being clear about pick-up and drop-off points, and arriving and leaving confidently allows you to fully enjoy the evening.
Local Contacts
Transfers / Uber
The Hilton Copacabana can organise a return transfer to and from the Roxy Dinner and Show. You can also use Uber, or ask the hotel to organise the entire experience as a package, including transfers. This option is slightly more expensive. I had already organised my tickets online in advance and simply used a hotel-arranged transfer for peace of mind.
"Georgina Linen Halter Dress" from Tania Hird Designs
DAY THREE – COASTLINES, COLOUR AND EVERYDAY RIO
Copacabana and Ipanema – Walking the Beaches and Rio Harbour
Walking these beaches is essential. Awareness is equally essential.
Copacabana and Ipanema feel alive from morning through to sunset. Volleyball games unfold constantly along the sand, but they are only part of the rhythm. Samba music drifts from beach bars spread along the beachfront, creating an unmistakable soundtrack to the day. On weekends, street sellers line the foreshore, setting up their wares early and adding colour, movement and energy to every walk.
One thing I noticed everywhere along the beaches was people wearing Brazil tops and unofficial soccer jerseys. It didn’t matter where they were from or what they were doing. It was pride in their country, their culture and their team – worn openly and effortlessly. It resonated.
In Ipanema, the atmosphere shifts again. The colours feel brighter, the pace slightly more refined. Restaurants sit directly on the beach, cocktail vans set up nearby, and people gather easily between swims, conversation and music.
Forest and city, locals and visitors, movement and pause - all blending seamlessly. And everywhere, the presence of Rio’s world-famous harbour. Rocky mountains rising behind the shoreline, water and stone meeting in a way that feels almost theatrical. Its beauty surrounds you. You feel it, you sense it, you see it.
This is the reason one does this walk. It is a walk of life, a walk of beauty, a walk of music and a walk of nature – a reminder of how extraordinary this world is, and how deeply connected we are to it when we slow down enough to notice.
As always in Rio, protecting your valuables is imperative. I wore no valuable jewellery, brought my phone out briefly to take a picture and then away in a crossbody bag close to my body - phone, hotel key and sunscreen.
In the afternoon came the requisite shopping mission for my football - mad children. Wandering the markets and souvenir shops along Avenida Nossa Senhora de Copacabana, I fell into step with a lovely Irish couple on the same hunt - equally determined to find the perfect tops to take home, to share our memories with our soccer mad children . What started as casual conversation turned into an hour or so of laughter, shared stories and comparisons of teams, children and travel tales. A simple reminder that connection has a way of finding you, often when you least expect it.
Sportif Visor from HairFlair Aus & Tania Hird Designs. Parisienne Crossbody Bag from Tania Hird Designs
Third Night Rio Carnival Rehearsals - My Last Night in Rio
My final night in Rio de Janeiro was spent exactly where it should be - immersed in the rhythm, colour and collective energy of Carnival rehearsals.
A Rio Carnival rehearsal is not a single thing. At its centre are the samba schools (escolas de samba) - highly trained, disciplined and spectacular. Their dancers are exceptional, their choreography tight and precise, and their timing exact. These are performers who train for months, sometimes years, preparing for competition at the Sambadrome. Watching them rehearse is witnessing excellence in motion - powerful, polished and deeply proud.
Beyond the samba schools, the streets open up. Neighbouring communities, families, friends and visitors follow - people with varying levels of experience, drawn together by rhythm rather than formality. The atmosphere shifts from performance to participation, from choreography to connection.
What made this night so special was experiencing both worlds - the rigour and precision of the trained samba schools, followed by the joy and vitality of the wider street rehearsal.
We were guided by Sophie Contreras - a dancer from South Yarra, Australia who travelled to South America for the sole purpose of Carnival and who is deeply involved in the dancing and rhythm of these events. Her knowledge of Carnival culture, timing and places gave the evening context and meaning, even on a night when she was guiding rather than dancing.
I had joined a US group the night before - a fabulous, fun and energetic crowd - and that openness and shared excitement carried into this final night. Music echoed through the streets, strangers shared steps and laughter, and every face seemed lit from within.
And that is the magic of a street Carnival rehearsal - the seamless blending of discipline and spontaneity, excellence and inclusion. Communities coming together in vibrant song, dance and drumming, preparing for competition while celebrating simply being there.
A perfect way to say goodbye to Rio.
Local Contacts
Sophie CONTRERAS
Carnival guide and dancer from South Yarra, Australia
Phone: +55 (21) 98117-2955
IF I HAD MORE TIME
Rio is a city that rewards staying curious.
The hop-on hop-off bus is an excellent option for solo travellers who want a structured and safe overview of the city. This can be booked via your hotel concierge, including at the Hilton Copacabana.
Another place I would love to visit on a return trip is the Blue Note Jazz Club near the Hilton. Known for its intimate atmosphere and high-quality performances, it feels like a venue you could comfortably enjoy alone.
Local Contacts
Experiences
Hop-On Hop-Off Bus – Rio de Janeiro
Can be booked via your hotel concierge, including the Hilton Copacabana
Blue Note Rio
Avenida Atlântica, 1910 – Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro
RIO SOLO REFLECTIONS – THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE PLACES
It is easy to focus on the images when we travel, but the unseen moments are often the ones that stay with you longest.
Travelling solo through Rio felt like a leap at first. In hindsight, worrying would have been a waste of energy. The people I met shaped every day - from Gabriel at a rooftop dinner, to Denis in the forest, to the US group who turned one evening into lasting friendships, to an Irish couple who joined me in the simplest of missions.
Rio and travelling solo revealed something quietly powerful. You may arrive alone, but you are rarely alone for long.
Cynthia, whom I met along the way, said I live out loud. Perhaps there is something in that. A reminder not to let fear hold you back from the experiences you dream of. Stay grateful. Stay open. Start conversations. And make the most of every moment life places in front of you.
WHAT I TRAVELLED WITH
Throughout this journey, I travelled with pieces from Tania Hird Designs, accessories chosen not just for beauty, but for ease, versatility and confidence. Thoughtful design, practical elegance and pieces that move effortlessly from day to night matter when you are navigating the world on your own terms.
Tania Hird is the founder of Tania Hird Designs and HairFlair Aus. A former lawyer, businesswoman and mother of four, she believes travel, especially solo travel, is a powerful expression of confidence, curiosity and self trust at every stage of life.
Tania Hird
Comments