Rio is so much more than a beach town. Athough Cobacabana put it on the international map, there are many different parts of the city worth checking out. Below is a description of some of the neighborhoods around the city that are worth checking out.



Downtown

Rio is most famous for the incredible natural beauty of the surrounding area, but as a visitor, you owe it to yourself to check out Rio’s man-made beauty downtown in the Centro. The economic center of Rio is loaded with historical buildings, churches, and museums in various architectural styles. As the main business district, you’ll find the Centro to be full of people working during the week, but mostly abandoned on the weekends. Not known for its abundance of hotels or tourist hang outs, the Centro is a location to visit during the day. Take the Metro (R$ 2.25) to the Cinelândia station to explore the main city square. Surrounding the plaza, you’ll find the Biblioteca Nacional (National Library), the Museu Nacional de Belas Artes (National Museum of Fine Arts), and the Teatro Municipal (Municipal Theatre). Both Belas Artes and the Teatro Municipal are worth touring to learn more about Rio’s history.

Lapa and Santa Teresa

Known in all the travel guides for its artistic and bohemian sensibilities, Santa Teresa is a great cobblestone street neighborhood that houses a few quaint, yet tasty cafes. In addition, you can find a unique collection of Brazilian artwork and souvenirs to take back for friends and family. The other unique attraction in Santa Teresa is the Bonde, or trolley, which you can ride back into the center of the city. Act like a local and hang onto the side of the Bonde, and the ride is free, but watch your feet crossing the Lapa Aqueduct! During the day, Avenida Lavradio is full of antique shops and restaurants that are worth checking out, and if you’re in the mood to swing to the sounds of a samba at night, Lapa is where you go. After dark, music from the various clubs fills the air beckoning you to dance the night away. However, it’s best to go as a group, as walking along in Lapa at night can be risky for both Brazilians and tourists alike.

Catete and Flamengo

Brigadeiro Eduardo Gomes Park is the main draw in Flamengo and Catete. Spanning 1,000,000 square meters with sweeping vistas of Sugar Loaf and Guanabara Bay, it is a favorite location to exercise for bikers, joggers, and rollerbladers. On your way to Lapa from Zona Sul at night, you’ll find the park full of people playing soccer—games usually start around midnight. There’s a small marina here where you can catch a sailboat for a tour around the bay and the nearby islands. Although you may be tempted to take a dip here, resist the urge because the water is polluted. Another final point of interest in Catete is the Museu da República, which is located in the former house of Brazilian President Getúlio Vargas, who committed suicide there. You can take the Metro to the Catete station to arrive at the doorstep of the museum and the beautiful gardens surrounding it.

Botafogo and Urca

Urca is the home of Pão de Açucar, or Sugar Loaf. A quiet little neighborhood, it exists in relative isolation, and is a great neighborhood for a walk. Nestled at Sugar Loaf’s base is the Praia Vermelha (Red Beach). It’s a small beach that doesn’t receive a lot of tourist traffic, but it makes for a nice place to relax and have an agua de coco (coconut water) before boarding the gondola to Pão de Açucar. Botafogo, on the other hand, still seems to be searching for a claim to fame. An equal combination of residential and commercial buildings, Botafogo houses some good restaurants that are worth trying. Additionally, if you go by Metro to the Botafogo station, there’s a great street market waiting for you at the top of the stairs.


Copacabana and Leme

Although your first impression of Copacabana will come from the world-famous 4.5 kilometer long beach, this neighborhood is the undisputed capital of tourism in Brazil, and a tourist favorite. Besides the seemingly endless number of hotels and restaurants, Copacabana has more than its share of traffic—both in cars and on foot. One of the best ways to avoid the headaches is to walk along the beach beside Avenida Atlântica. Here you’ll see the quintessential Carioca demonstrating their envied beach culture lifestyle. At night, Avenida Atlântica hosts more than its share of hot night clubs, and you’ll witness a number of ‘professionals’ looking for companionship. Leme, which seems to many as just an extension of Copacabana, is actually a nice, laid-back neighborhood. Consider Praia do Leme if Copacabana is too crowded for your tastes. Behind the beach is the Morro do Leme. This environmentally protected rainforest houses a number of Brazil’s natural species.

Ipanema and Leblon

Higher class than Rio’s other neighborhoods, Ipanema and Leblon offer a perfect mixture of style, sophistication, and sun. Besides the beautiful beaches and designer hotels, this is a shopper’s paradise. Hip boutiques and chic galleries host the work of some of Rio’s best designers. Take note, however, prices in these neighborhoods reflect their growing reputation as “the place to be”. Take a stroll down Garcia D’Ávila street or Visconde de Pirajá for some of the best coffee shops and bookstores in the city. Don’t forget to stop in at Garota de Ipanema (Girl from Ipanema) for a drink and to watch the beautiful people going to and from the beach. On Sundays, swing over to Praça General Osório for the Feira Hippie (Hippie Fair) for a collection of some of the best local art and handicrafts from all over Brazil.

Gávea and Jardim Botânico

These lesser known neighborhoods make up for what they lack in reputation with ample gardens and greenery. The main staple in Jardim Botânico is the famous botanical gardens. Spend an idle afternoon there soaking up the sun and taking in the view of Christ the Redeemer from below. This quaint enclave is full of fresh air and history, and from time to time, if you’re lucky, you’ll see monkeys scurrying along the tree tops. The park is surrounded by mansions, home to many of Rio’s elite, but more recently entrepreneurs have started opening a number of restaurants and bars that are worth visiting. The city’s main spot of exercise and recreation is Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas. While the water is unsuitable for swimming, this lagoon is surrounding by a paved trail where you can rent bicycles or a small paddleboat to pass the time. At night, you can hear live music while dining at one of the many bars and restaurants. A popular place for families, you can expect to wait for a table on especially nice nights. If hiking is something you enjoy, take the 10 minute trek to Catacumba Park to soak up the view of the surrounding mountains and ocean.

São Conrado and Barra

Sandwiched in between the mountains and the ocean is São Conrado. Many of the city’s elite live here, shopping regularly at the high-end Fashion Mall, while on the other side is Rocinha, the largest favela (slum) in South America. São Conrado’s Pepino Beach serves as the landing strip for Rio’s many hang gliders. If you head a little further away from Rio, you’ll find yourself in one of the newest neighborhoods, Barra. Full of shopping malls, condos, and wide-open streets, it is where the nouveau riche go to escape living in the crowded neighborhoods of Rio. Although there are a number of hotels in Barra, it’s not a prime tourist location due to the distance and difficulty of getting between Barra and the sights in Rio. However, Barra does have an outstanding beach. Cleaner and less populated than other beaches in Rio, it’s worth the effort to get here for a truly relaxing day at the beach.