On this world trip, I’ve decided to try something new. With ‘The Local’s Perspective’, I am starting a new series on the blog, which aims to focus on insights, experiences and opinions of locals that I am meeting throughout my travels. With that, I not only want to provide local tips and tricks to make your stay as authentic as possible, but also emphazise and shine light on different cultures and individual paths and situations that each of them are facing, while living in different countries of the world. With this personal project, I also hope to push myself further to interact with locals on a different level in order to meet many inspiring and interesting people during this journey. 

In Rio de Janeiro, I had the pleasure of meeting Bernardo, a 33y/o local, who grew up in Ipanema and runs Rio by Kombi, where he brings tourists to local beaches to surf, paddle board or swim. We only had time for a short interview, but I think it’s a good way to start off this serie. 

How would you describe Rio in three words?

Best weather. Nice people. Good waves.

How was growing up in Rio for you?

As I grew up in Ipanema, I have good experiences. It’s a big city, which gave me good opportunities. Plus, it was super nice to grew up next to the beach- especially because I started surfing when I was 13 years old, so around 20 years ago, here in Rio. 

What is your favorite part about your job?

I am working at Rio by Kombi, so seeing people light up, happy, when they get in the water for the first time or see the beaches, teaching them – that is what I love. And of course showing tourists the best places that Rio has to offer.

And what are the best local and hidden spots in Rio?

In my opinion, Reserva beach is the best one to surf, followed by Grumari beach. Tourist mostly stick to Copacabana beach and Ipanema beach, because they don’t know about the beaches on the south side, but they are definitely worth seeing. Also, there a some really nice local bars located in Leblon, for example Jobi bar serves the best beer in the south area and then there are also Void or Hitachi bar, which I really like. 

Food and beverages that tourists should try, while staying in Rio?

That’s an easy one – definitely Churrasco. It’s a special way of preparing meat, kind of like BBQ, and I eat it with rice, beans or potatoes. And I love Praya beer, it’s the best Brazilian one for me. 

Where do you usually like to go out in Rio? 

I prefer Rock ‘n Roll concerts, especially the open air ones, and you can find these kind of events all over the city. I am not a big fan of smokey nightclubs, I’d rather go to a bar or something like this. Lots of people also like to go out in Lapa, which is kind of like an open street party with different kinds of music, best days to go is Fridays. 

What tips regarding safety would you give tourists?

Depending on where you plan on going, it is pretty safe for tourists after all. Especially in Copacabana or Ipanema. Of course you always have to take percausion. Watch your belongings and don’t be foolish walking around by yourself at night or on the beach. In Lapa, for example, you can’t just walk around drunk by yourself, but besides that, you will be ok. People go there all the time.

(Comment from author: we have spent 5 days in the city and had a fabulous time. Especially in Ipanema or Copacabana I did not feel unsafe, but as he said, you need to be a bit more careful than you might be in your home town) 
In that regard, do you feel the changes made for the world championship three years ago helped improve the overall situation in Rio?

Before and during the world championship, they tried to improve the overall situation in Brazil as much as possible for the incoming tourists and invested a lot of money. Then lots of tourists came and for a while, it felt like the violence in the city was reduced and also the increase of incoming tourists was really good for business of course. But now that it’s over, three years later, things have gotten worse than before, I feel, especially when it comes to violence in poorer parts of the city. Police are in the Favelas all the time to try to control the situation. So, from that perspective, it didn’t help to improve the city at all. 

Thank you, Bernardo!