Hi, I’m Ernestinho.

From Patagonia to Rio de Janeiro

My story did not begin in Rio de Janeiro. It did not even begin in Brazil.

I was born in Punta Arenas, in the far south of Chile. Life later took me to Río Gallegos in Argentina, where I worked in the restaurant business for years and owned my own restaurants.

Rio was one of those places you visit on holiday. Then came 2019: Brazil hosted the Copa América, and I decided to take an extra-long vacation. Thirty days in Brazil ended up changing my life.

When I returned to Argentina, I missed Rio. I sold one of my restaurants and moved to a city I still barely knew, in a different country with a language I hardly understood. I did not have all the answers, but I had Rio.

It all began on the beach

My first life in Rio began by the sea in Copacabana. I had a beach stand at Posto 4, stand 122. That place is still special to me, and today it remains in the hands of a great friend.

Every day I talked with tourists, and one question kept coming up: “Ernestinho, what can we do tomorrow?”

When rain was forecast, many people did not know what to do. So I started inviting them to walk around downtown. Without realizing it, that was where this project began.

The first walks

On rainy days, we walked around the historic center, discovering buildings, churches, streets and places I was only beginning to know myself. I studied Rio’s history so I could explain what we were seeing.

Those walks were not tours I was selling. I did them because I had time, wanted to keep discovering the city and enjoyed meeting people.

I also realized many people arrived unsure how to get around, what to pay, what to do if it rained or how to avoid problems during their trip. I thought: someone should help them with all of that.

That is how Ernestinho Carioca began

What began with conversations at a beach stand and improvised walks kept growing. First came recommendations. Then walks, experiences, activities, places to eat, neighborhoods, beaches, events, transport and accommodation.

Over time, I realized I did not simply want to make another website explaining where Christ the Redeemer is or which beaches are best known. I wanted to build something much bigger.

Why did I make this guide?

Because I still see travelers arriving in Rio with the same questions I used to hear at that beach stand.

I have met people who were overcharged for a transfer, had problems with a tour or were deceived when renting an apartment. I have also met travelers who arrive unsure about the documents they need, which insurance to get, how to access the internet, get around or spend their days here.

And I thought: why not bring it all together in one place?

I want Ernestinho Carioca to become one of Rio’s most complete guides: a guide you can use before boarding your flight and that helps you choose a neighborhood, find a beach, discover a museum, go shopping, find somewhere to eat or decide what to do today. Above all, I want you to travel informed, at ease and confident.

I want you to feel you have a friend in Rio

I do not want you to feel like you are reading a tourism catalog. I want it to feel like a friend who lives in Rio is telling you about the city.

A friend who says: “I would go this way.” “Before you go, you need to know this.” “If it rains, you could do this instead.” “Afterward, you can combine it with this place.”

Rio is much more than five famous photographs. There is so much beyond them, and I want to help you discover it.

Rio is my home

My son Ian is in Punta Arenas. My mother is in Argentina. They are central pillars of my life, and whenever I can, I travel to spend time with them.

I still have one dream to fulfill: that they can come too, and I can show them the Rio I talk about so much.

Punta Arenas will always be my city; my roots, family and friends are there. But today I can also say something I would never have imagined in 2019: Rio is my home.

To me, Rio means joy, friendship, discovery and starting again. I hope this guide helps you discover plenty on your first trip and gives you reasons to want to return.