Articles of Interest

How to Spend a Rainy Day in Rio

The Brazilian expressions vôce não é feito de açucar or “you’re not made of sugar” (so you won´t melt) and vôce não vai encolher na chuva or “you won´t shrink” in the rain are used to encourage excursions in inclement weather but the reality is that Cariocas (residents of the city of Rio) often hole up at home on rainy days. Dance floors are bare, the beaches deserted and local events near empty. Only the movie theaters draw crowds.

The truth is that Rio is a beach city and, despite the fact that it actually does rain here quite a bit, one which functions more smoothly in the sun. But don’t fret, there are a number of options for enjoying a rainy day in Rio.  So leave the sunscreen at home, don your raincoat, grab an umbrella and brave the soggy outdoors (remember, you won’t melt!).

Here are a few ways to spend a rainy day in Rio:

• Jardim Botânico and Parque Lage: Hey, it’s a tropical country so wander through these urban jungle spots in the mist. When you’re tired of getting wet, both parks have a lovely café where you can take refuge and grab a bite to eat. The Botanical Garden has an orchidarium where you can escape the rain. Tours in English and Spanish are available (reserve by phone or simply show up).
  
  Jardim Botânico Open daily 8am-5pm Admission R$4
  Rua Jardim Botânico, 1008, Jardim Botânico neighborhood tel:3874-1808  www.jbrj.gov.br
  
  Parque Lage Open daily 8am-5pm, Admission is free.
  Rua Jardim Botânico, 414, Jardim Botânico neighborhood tel: 2538-1879


• Shopping: Rio is full of malls, “shoppings” in Portuguese. Some of the nicer ones are Rio Sul and Botafogo Praia Shopping in Botafogo and Fashion Mall and Barra Shopping in Barra da Tijuca.  You can also find the same stores if you opt to brave the rain and wander down Visconde de Pirajá in Ipanema or Ataulfo de Paiva in Leblon. These avenues also have hidden “galerias”, or off-street pocket malls, with many shops, eateries, hair salons, etc. Check out some of our shopping recommendations.


• Go to the movies: If you don’t speak Portuguese check ahead to make sure the movie is not dubbed. Art cinemas (Estação Botafogo, Artplex, Espaço Unibanco, Estação Ipanema,  Estação Leblon) will be more likely to have films in their original language with subtitles and most big Hollywood movies show in the mall movie theaters. Many South American films are released here before they make it to North America and other parts of the world so you might enjoy a sneak preview if you speak Spanish. See the following sites for listings (in Portuguese only):cidades.terra.com.br; www.guiadasemana.com.br


• Museums: if it rains on a Monday you’re out of luck in the arts department but from Tuesday through Sunday a world of exhibits, from ancient to modern awaits.  Here are some ideas:






1. Museo de Folclore Edson Carneiro This folklore museum exhibits over 1,400 traditional folk arts and crafts from all aspects of Brazilian life. There’s an imperial park with tall palms and fake grottos and an outdoor café just behind the museum. Bring extra cash because the museum shop has great deals on wonderful craft items from all over Brazil.


2. Museo Folclórico Edson Carneiro
   
   Rua do Catete, 179 Catete (right by the Catete metrô and next to the Museu da República); Open Tuesday-Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 3pm-6pm. Admission is free.
   
   


3. Centro Cultural Telemar Explore all seven stories of this modern cultural center which houses a reading/CD listening area, galleries featuring modern art and/or video installations, a theater and a rooftop Internet café/restaurant. Music and video shows happen frequently (check the website for details).
   
   Rua Dois de Dezembro, 63 Flamengo tel: 3131-3060 Open Tuesday-Sunday 11am -8pm. Admission is free.   www.centroculturaltelemar.com.br


4. The Carmen Miranda Museum This tiny museum dedicated to the famous actress, Carmen Miranda, definitely wins the award for incongruous architecture: no flowers, beads or feathers (go see the for yourself). In a very surprisingly un-flamboyant building, Miranda’s history is shown through Plexiglass cases where her elaborate costumes and, of course, flashy headpieces are displayed. There are also photos and clips of her 1940’s Hollywood fame. A can’t-miss for Carmen Miranda buffs!
   
   Parque Brigadeiro Eduardo Gomes (in front of 560 Avenida Rui Barbosa), FlamengoAdmission is free. Open Tuesday-Friday from 10am-5pm and Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon-5pm.


5. Praça XV/Downtown area  Make the rounds of the exhibits, films, bookstores and cafés in the museums/cultural centers which are clustered in this historic area. Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil, Centro Cultural dos Correios, Casa França-Brasil and Paço Imperial. Both Paço Imperial and Casa França-Brasil house art cinemas. Admission to all museums is free.  There is a wide variety of eateries in this area though many are closed on the weekend.


6. Instituto Moreira Salles Explore the galleries of this private cultural center located in a former house in the hills just above Gávea. You can spend hours in the music room listening to a 100,000+ song database of Brazilian music. There is a small bookstore and a restaurant/café and an art cinema.
   
   Rua Marquês de São Vicente, 476, Gávea; Open Tuesday – Sunday from 1pm - 8pm  Consult Website for more information: www.ims.com.br


7. Centro de Arte Hélio Oiticica   The Hélio Oiticica Art Center was established to preserve the artwork of Hélio Oiticica, an innovative artist instrumental in the Tropicália movement of the 1950s. Sketches, painting, installations and more are on exhibit.
   
   Rua Luis Camões, 68 Centro (downtown, near Praça Tiradentes); Open Tuesday – Friday from 11am-7pm and Saturday and Sunday from 11am-5pm. Admission is free.
   
   
   
   
   This article was written by Lee Weingast, our editor in Rio de Janeiro