Even for non-nature lovers, this garden is a must-see in Rio. There are several paths fanning out from the main gate, each taking you to a different area with a different theme. The Sensorial Garden and the Orquidário should not be missed. This makes for a good outing on a cloudy or light rain day because the treetops protect you from the rains. There are two entrances: 1008 (w/parking) and 920 Rua Jardim Botânico. Read about the history of the gardens (in English)http://www.jbrj.gov.br/ingles/history/index.htm
Head out first thing in the morning so you can spend some time wandering through it and enjoying the peacefulness before the crowds arrive. From there you can steer yourself towards town for a meal, stopping at O Sol to pick up some souvenirs along the way. If it's Sunday, you can head to Escola de Pão for a hearty brunch. On other days you might try Caroline's for the daily special. If you're with the family, Filé de Ouro is known for its excellent (and heavy) meat dishes and always has something that will please the whole family. www.jbrj.gov.br; Daily 8:00am - 5:00pm; R$4, those under 7 or over 60 years of age get in free.
This unique neighborhood overlooking the city is a far cry from the beach scene in the Zona Sul. Looking much like it did when the Carmelite convent was founded here in the 18th century. Today it is home to many artists--both Brazilian and ex-pat-- who started setting up shop here in the 1960's.
To visit Santa Teresa on your own, take the 'bonde' (an old yellow tram which costs R$0.60) from the station behind the Petrobras Building downtown to the Largo dos Guimarães stop where you can have lunch at either Aprazivel or Sobrenatural. The ride, running from downtown, over the Arcos da Lapa (Lapa Aqueduct) and into the heart of Santa Teresa, is a bit jarring but fabulous, granting views of historic houses and the modern downtown sprawl. From there you can check out some of Brazil's best handicrafts at La Vereda and continue on to the Museu Chácara do Céu (Rua Murtinho Nobre 93, open 12:00pm - 5:00pm Mon - Fri) which has some interesting art expositions. It's a magnificent house and if you make it to the third floor you will see some historic photos of Rio in days gone by. Continue across the walkway to the (Parque das Ruinas) Ruin Park which has spectacular views of the city from the skeleton of an old mansion. There is also an outdoor bar/café and exhibitions and concerts often take place. On your way back down, stop at Bar do Mineiro (Rua Paschoal Carlos Magno 99 - Santa Teresa) or any one of a number of bars just beyond Largo dos Guimarães for an afternoon drink before heading off to watch the sunset. Nightlife in Santa Teresa will take you back several years with the samba which is the prevailing music of the night. Remember not to wander off alone at night for safety's sake.
The Feira Hippie, at Praça General Osório - Ipanema, is a tourists' favorite. This Sunday tradition began in the 1970s with a few stalls selling handicrafts. Since then it has grown to take up an entire plaza and feature all forms of artwork from jewelry to clothing and even furniture. It has also become quite an international forum and you will likely hear more English spoken than Portuguese as tourists congregate to pick up souvenirs or gifts for those they left at home. Because of this, products are definitely more expensive at this fair than anywhere else. There are also stalls set up on the corners, where you can try some Bahian delicacies--like acarajé and many sweets-- if you're hungry. The fair takes place every Sunday from 9am - 5pm.
If you want something with more authentic flavor, head to the Feira São Sebastião Quinze de Novembro on Saturdays. Located in the centro near the Niteroi ferry terminal, this informal flea market of used/old stuff will provide you with a good glimpse of everyday life in Rio.
Both are incredible vantage points for orienting yourself with Rio. Take the train ride up through Cosme Velho to get to Corcovado and soak up the sights. Then head over to Sugarloaf where you will board a cable car at Praia Vermelha that will take you to the top. Try to time this so that you are arriving at sunset as it's a great place to watch the sun disappearing for the night. It is also fun to watch the planes come and go from the Santos Dumas airport.
This is the world's largest urban forest and is an interesting way to spend a non-beach day discovering the many paths and waterfalls within. It's not easy to get lost, but you can, so don't push you're luck too far. Some of the trails and attractions are marked. Don't miss the Mayrink Chapel and the Taunay Waterfall.
The stretch of beach from Leblon, through Ipanema and Copacabana to Leme is divided into sections, which are marked by numbered lifeguard ‘postos’. Each section of this sunbathed catwalk has its own distinct characteristics.
The sections closest to the rocks are usually "inhabited" by adventurous surfers, some fishermen and mostly people from the suburbs, which makes it a strange yet interesting place to observe a sort of 'apartheid' at the beach. In front of Caesar's Palace at Farme de Amoedo street, Posto 8, is the "property" of the gay community. Posto 9 is the very crowded cool beach where pot smoke wafts over the sand and circles of good looking young people play ‘soccer in the round’ (essentially hacky sack with a soccer ball). Between Posto 11 & 12 you will find upper-middle-class families and a playground.
The smart Carioca maneuvers amongst all "areas", with total disregard for labels. Find the one that suits you best, grab a cold coconut juice or a Caipirinha, and sit back to enjoy the show - a contrast of age and lifestyle that is sure to peak your interest.
For a less touristed scene take the Surf Bus to Prainha!
To see some of Rio's more cultural aspects, head to Cinelândia where you can see the Municipal Theatre, the National Library and the Fine Arts Museum (Museu das Belas Artes). Carry on to Praça XV where the Dom Pedro emperors governed Brazil. The former palace, Paço Imperial, houses art exhibits, a cinema and a café/restaurant. A short walk from Praça Quinze is another nook of culture, where the Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil (CCBB), Centro dos Correios and Casa França-Brasil offe hours-worth of art and performances. Entrance to all museums is FREE and they´re closed on Mondays. The Praça Quinze area is a bit desolate at night and on weekends so best not to wander to much and to use taxis to come and go.
A good option for a rainy day, this magnificent building housed the headquarters of the Banco do Brazil in 1923. In the 1990s it was converted into a cultural center containing exhibitions, movies and theatre. (Rua Visconde de Itaborai 78; 2253 5366; Tues - Sun 12:00pm - 7:30pm)
This building has been center stage every year at Carnaval since it was designed in 1984. Throughout the year it hosts various music concerts and in the months leading up to Carnaval is lively with various schools practicing. Practices start on August, every weekend, and carry on until the end of the year. "Samba schools" alternate each week. Click here to listen to our Insider's Guide to Carnaval.
You can cycle around the Lagoa and along the beaches to Leme, if you are ambitious. Rio has 74 km of cycle paths and you don't have to be Lance Armstrong to enjoy them. The path around the Lagoa is beautiful and offers great views and an interesting perspective of the city. Gaze in awe at some of the exclusive apartment complexes that cost more per square foot than an apartment on 5th Avenue. For avid cyclists, the bike ride up Chinese Road in Tijuca Forest is challenging but top notch.
On Sundays and holidays, some of these roads are closed to traffic, which will make for a much safer ride as the roads are narrow. As with everywhere else in Rio, we advise not to pedal around flashing any jewelry or cameras, and beware of theft. Bikes can be rented at Special Bike with several convenient locations in Rio (specialbikecopa@globo.com; Rua Barata Ribeiro 458 - Copacabana; Rua Visconde de Piraja 135 - Ipanema; Rua São João Batista 28 - Botafogo) Rentals are R$40 per day or R$14 per hour including a lock.
Maracanã Stadium is a temple for sports lovers where the biggest Brazilian football matches are played. Built in 1950 for the World Cup, the stadium held almost 200,000 people before recent renovations cut that number almost in half for safety reasons. Games are typically played Sunday afternoons and Wednesday evenings. Even if you are not a football fan, the whole scene is extremely entertaining.
Tours take place on non-game days. Most hotels can arrange tours for you which is the safest, but most expensive option. If you decide to do it on your own take the METRO to Maracana Station, and from there, the stadium is a short walk along the concrete walkway, which feeds thousands of fans into the stadium. Be warned that finding a taxi to return will be extremely difficult and you should not wander far from the stadium in search of one. Another word of caution: do not wear soccer jerseys to or from a game, especially if you are watching a local classic game. It can be a huge problem if you find yourself in the wrong place, with the wrong people at the wrong time. Fans of a losing team can be unstoppable and if you are wearing the opponent's colors, you might quickly find yourself in their way.
Make like Brigitte Bardot and head up the coast to escape the bustle of the city. Today, unlike its status in the 60's, Buzios is a hip, trendy spot where the rich and famous seek refuge. This beach town has become home to die-hard surfers and sun-worshipping hippies alike who have found their places along this seven-mile string of beaches. You too can choose the spot that suits you best. Geriba Beach is where the party's at, with its beachfront bars that maintain a pulse long into the night. Azeda Beach is at the opposite end of the spectrum, with its calm, clear waters inviting snorkelers to explore. There are plenty of options for diving, surfing and wind-surfing here as well. At night, join the crowds strutting along Rua des Pedras, the main artery of the village, where you will find a variety of bars and restaurants. Buzios is a scenic 2 ½ hour bus ride from Rio. On weekends, however, it can take much longer as the roads clog up with Cariocas anxious to make good use of their time off.
Without a doubt, Rio de Janeiro is most famous for its beaches, its Carnaval, and its beautiful women. However, did you know that Rio is also home to the largest urban forest on earth? Within the city, there is tremendous access to hills and trails to make you feel like you’ve left the hustle and bustle without having to go too far away. From very easy hikes to trails that will challenge the most dedicated athlete, I recommend you leave your swimsuit behind for a day, put on your hiking boots and your sunscreen, and hit the trail. Click here for details of our favourite hikes.
A Brazilian invention, this sport can be found on most of the beaches. In particular check out the beach between Paula Freitas and Hilario de Gouveia in Copacabana, Posto 10 in Ipanema or Posto 11 in Leblon. Beach volleyball nets have been spread all over these beaches and short volley classes with Olympic gold-medalists are available. It is not unusual to see Cariocas marrying their favorite sport (soccer) with their second favorite sport (volleyball), to form a game of "futivolley". Definitely something to observe as no hands are allowed in this tricky sport.
Barra beach is the best place for these activities given the windy conditions and strong waves. Start near the Barraca do Pepê kiosk for the best surf.
If you’re ready to take a break from the urban scene of Rio de Janeiro, head over to Parque Lage, in the shadow of Corcovado Mountain. Henrique Lage, grandson of the original property owner, had the mansion and gardens built as a sign of his love for Italian opera singer, Gabriela Bezanzoni. An Italian architect had all the marble, tiles and bricks imported from Italy. Henrique presented his gift to Gabriela in 1922.
Once you pass through the front gate of this breathtaking mansion, the heady smell of lush vegetation will make you forget that you’re in a major city. Have breakfast, lunch or a snack at the Café du Lage where tables are scattered around the pool in the mansion’s courtyard. Settle onto a cushion at the low tables or into one of the comfy couches.
After lunch, follow the many paths that meander through the European-style park (designed by an English landscape architect in 1840) and you’ll probably come upon the grotto, a hidden aquarium and a gazebo aside a small pond. If you head up the hill, you’ll get to a duck pond and you can even hike (about 2hrs) through the Atlantic forest up to the Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Mountain. More information...
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