Early Exit EXPLORER

This week in Rio was very different in so many ways.

I met some incredible people, and if you’re going to solo travel, one thing I’ve learned is that you have to meet people — whether locals or fellow travelers. They help you understand the ins and outs of a place and often take you to places you’d never go on your own. That’s exactly what happened this week.

As an introvert and a homebody, this was a completely different kind of week for me.

My first experience started on Christmas Eve. Apparently, in Brazil, Christmas Eve is a very important holiday — even more important than Christmas Day itself. It’s when families truly come together. One thing I’ve noticed so far in South America is that family is everything.

Back to the story — I was sitting alone in my hotel lobby when a guy from Italy named David noticed me and asked why I wasn’t with my family. I told him I was traveling alone, and he looked genuinely shocked. He said, “That’s not good,” handed me his number, and insisted we stay in touch.

The next day, he and his wife took me to a restaurant just two blocks from my Airbnb — a place I would have never gone to on my own because of safety concerns in my neighborhood. What made it funny was that David casually said, “This area is safe… but don’t go to the next block — that’s where you must never go.” 🤦🏽‍♂️

That moment alone taught me how much local knowledge really matters.

My second experience came when I met an American guy named Dean, who has been living in Rio for years — so long, in fact, that he actually bought a house here. Over the past few days, I’ve been hanging out with him, his wife, and a few others, and they’ve shown me a completely different side of the city.

We went to Rasta Beach, a beach where many Afro-Brazilians gather. I didn’t even know a place like that existed. The vibes were incredible. We stayed there all day until the sun went down, and that’s when the energy shifted. Rio truly transforms at night — the parties start everywhere, the music gets louder, and the atmosphere becomes electric.

We also went to an Afro-Brazilian restaurant called Yayá. Eating local food that’s outside of your comfort zone can be intimidating, but it was absolutely worth it. We ordered a dish called moqueca, a rich seafood stew, and it was delicious — it honestly reminded me of gumbo back home.

Dean also gave me valuable insight about New Year’s Eve in Rio. My original plan was to go alone to Copacabana Beach to watch the fireworks at midnight. He warned me that being alone there at night can be very dangerous. People come from all over Rio, and in those massive crowds, it’s easy to get robbed or hurt.

Instead, he invited me to hang out with him and some friends on a rooftop directly in front of the beach. I’ll still be able to see the fireworks — but safely. I’m truly grateful for that invitation.

So far, being here has been an absolute blast. This week reminded me that even as a solo traveler, you’re never truly alone — sometimes all it takes is being open to conversation and letting the experience unfold.