Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Raquel Cerkes holds degrees in Journalism and Advertising and began her career as a journalist. From the beginning, her motivation was meeting new people and exploring diverse realities. She enjoyed writing about the lesser-known aspects of city life while covering a wide range of topics as a reporter.
“I was always curious. Journalism felt like the natural choice,” she explains.
Her restless spirit led her to explore other paths. She spent time in Europe working as a hotel maid, babysitter, and a typist at a publishing house.
“Those experiences were crucial for me to value all types of work,” she says.
Back in Brazil, Raquel managed a clothing factory and a sports store before deciding to become a tour guide — a decision she considers the best of her life:
“As a guide, I meet people from different cultures all the time. I also get to share information, just like I did as a journalist. It’s the best of both worlds. I love showing my city to tourists, helping them understand my culture, and they love this interaction.”
Raquel has been a guide for over 20 years, and her clients often praise her resourcefulness in reviews. She knows the best non-touristy restaurants for those seeking a local experience and the ideal days and times to visit must-see spots like Christ the Redeemer or Sugarloaf Mountain. She’s also quick to adjust schedules based on her clients’ needs, ensuring they have the best experience possible. If there are emergencies, these are handled with care.
“I think my background, especially as a journalist and working in commerce, where we had to deal with the public and face a lot of challenges and pressure, helps me a lot in my current work. As guides, we’re constantly solving problems and going the extra mile to please our clients. My goal is to make them miss Rio when they leave, and it happens often,” she says.
For Raquel, making tourists feel at home is part of the job.
“They feel like they have a friend in Rio and often recommend me to others planning a trip to Brazil. Some even invite me to stay at their homes if I ever visit their countries. I’ve never done that, of course, but I think it’s the most rewarding part of my job — knowing that, despite the challenges, I’m making a small but meaningful contribution to promoting tourism in my city and country.”
For more information on travel to Brazil with Be Brazil, please contact: katrina@americas.co.uk
