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Rio de Janeiro

Known for spectacular beaches, carnival, samba and crime, Rio is definitely not dull. The year-round beach weather and friendly, gorgeous locals, the cariocas, seduce foreigners (literally and figuratively) with all of Rio’s magic. Wealth and poverty are side-by-side in this city of contrasts.

 

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Essentials

01 Leave your flowered shirts and jewels at home. Avoid looking like a tourist and you will be fine here.
02 In summer, watch the sunset at the Arpoador rocks.
03 Ipanema beach is a great meeting place but still not as safe as it looks. 
04 Spare some time to visit the Corcovado (huge statue of Christ) and Sugar Loaf mountain.
05 Take the Bonde (tram) to Santa Teresa. The most bohemian neighbourhood of Rio has spectacular views of the city and Sugar Loaf mountain.

Hotels

Independent and easy
Hotel Santa Teresa
660 rua Almirante Alexandrino, Santa Teresa
+ 55 21 2222 2755
santateresahotel.com

Dependable chain
Marina All Suítes
696 avenida Delfim Moreira, Praia do Leblon
+ 55 21 2172 1100
marinallsuites.com

Premium
Copacabana Palace
1702 avenida Atlântica, Copacabana
+ 55 21 2548 7070
copacabanapalace.com.br


Dining

Fast breakfast
Bistrô Cafeína
43 rua Farme de Amoedo, Ipanema
+ 55 21 2521 2194
cafeina.biz

Leisurely breakfast
Market
499 rua Visconde de Pirajá, Ipanema
+ 55 21 3283 1438
marketipanema.com.br

Mid-morning coffee
Brasserie Rosário
34 rua do Rosário, Centro
+ 55 21 2518 3033
brasserierosario.com.br

Lunch with friends
Ráscal
116 Rio Sul, rua Lauro Muller, first floor, Botafogo
+ 55 21 3873 0339
rascal.com.br

Picnic spot
Parque Lage
414 rua Jardim Botânico, Jardim Botânico
+ 55 21 2286 6184

Sunset cocktail
Palaphita Kitch
Avenida Epitácio Pessoa, Quiosque 20, Parque do Cantagalo, Lagoa
+ 55 21 2227 0837
palaphitakitch.com.br

Dinner for two
Roberta Sudbrack
916 rua Lineu de Paula Machado, Jardim Botânico
+ 55 21 3874 0139

Dinner with friends
Aprazível
62 rua Aprazível,
Santa Teresa
+ 55 21 2508 9174
aprazivel.com.br

Barbecue spot
Giuseppe Grill
370 avenida Bartolomeu Mitre, Leblon
+ 55 21 2249 3055
giuseppegrill.com.br

Big dinner with friends
Marius Degustare
290 avenida Atlântica, Leme
+ 55 0800 707 9001 marius.com.br

Late drinks
Bar do Copa
Copacabana Palace, 1702 avenida Atlântica
+ 55 21 2548 7070
copacabanapalace.com.br
Late bite
Pizzaria Guanabara
1228 avenida Ataulfo de Paiva, Leblon
+ 55 21 2294 0797
pizzariaguanabara.com.br

Reading

Bookshop
Livraria da Travessa bookshop
572 rua Visconde Pirajá, Ipanema
+ 55 21 3205 9002
travessa.com.br

Thank yous
Flowers
Florisbela by Suzana Milman
414 rua Visconde de Pirajá, first floor, Ipanema
+ 55 21 2287 1241
florisbela.com


Shopping

Something you can’t get anywhere else
Bags from Gilson Martins
462 rua Visconde de Piraja, Ipanema
+ 55 21 2227 6178
gilsonmartins.com.br

Lost luggage - where to buy shirts, socks and underwear
Reserva
77 rua Maria Quitéria, Ipanema
+ 55 21 2247 5980
usereserva.com

Something for the kids
Toys from Enfim Enfant
Shopping da Gávea,
52 rua Marques de São Vicente, Loja 353, Gávea
+ 55 21 2239 9298
enfimenfant.com.br

Something for someone you love
Resin jewellery by Rezende Sobral
550 rua Visconde de Pirajá, loja 113, Ipanema
+ 55 21 2274 7162
rsobral.com.br

Something for yourself
Arts and crafts from
Brasil & Cia
27 rua Maria Quitéria, Ipanema 
+ 55 21 2267 4603
brasilecia.com.br

Two-hour tour

01 Santa Teresa tram
Take the bondinho up to Largo das Neves for panoramic views over Rio. It’s a terrifying ride but worth it.

02 The Museu do Açude houses the valuable porcelain collections of the West India Company and art from the 17th to
19th centuries.
764 estrada do Açude, Alto da Boa Vista
+ 55 21 2492 2119
museuscastromaya.com.br


Limousine/car
Rio Limo
+ 55 21 8111 4760
riolimo.com.br


Transport
Take the subway if you need to go downtown. But the best way to get around is by taxi. 


Fitness

Good gym
A! Body Tech
102 rua General Urquiza, Leblon
+ 55 21 2529 8898,
abodytech.com.br