What to do in Rio de Janeiro Brazil
Understand the city of Rio de Janeiro Brazil. Tips to go around.
Barra da Tijuca
It’s a neighborhood in the west zone of the city. This area is very big, so the distances are far. Besides that, the traffic is slow. Probably, this is the reason why the best restaurants in Barra da Tijuca are in shopping centers.
If you want to go to the beach in Barra da Tijuca, you should stay at “Praia do Pepe“. its the best point in the area. Site Pepe
If you are staying at Barra da Tijuca, Grumari is also a nice beach but it is a bit further. If you like surfing, the good thing is that, the beaches in the west zone of the cities are the best for this sport in Rio de Janeiro.
Zona Sul
It’s the south zone of the city. Where most of the touristic attractions are. Such as Copacabana beach, Leblon, Ipanema beach, botanical garden, Christ the Redeemer and the Lagoon Rodrigo de Freitas.
Best beaches to go in Zona sul Rio de Janeiro Brazil
Don’t stay at Copacabana beach. Its very touristic and quite dangerous. You can take a look and spend the day on the beach in Ipanema or Leblon. There are many lifeguards houses along the shore, you can see some numbers on it. The best and most famous spot is near the number 12. We call it “Posto 12“
Sightseeing in Rio de Janeiro Brazil
Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas or “Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon”
What I would recommend is, spend the day at the beach in Ipanema and Leblon then walk to see the Lagoon.
Another nice thing to do in Rio de Janeiro:
Have some caipirinhas watching the sun setting at Arpoador ( Name of the beach where there are some rocks between Copacabana and Ipanema). The Hotel Arpoador in has some tables on the sidewalk. Very simple and casual, but quite nice! 😉
Vista Chinesa / Chinese view – I think it is nicer to go there then to go to the Christ Redeemer. For many reasons: you don’t have to pay, there are no lines, you can take a decent picture and also you will not only have a nice view of the city but also of the Christ. Besides that, its a safer place to use your camera. You can just catch a taxi and go. Very easy. Just make sure the taxi waits for you, because you can not get one up there. There are some touristic agencies that do this tour.* This place is where locals go to exercise like jogging or biking.
Tracking: There are many tracks you can do in Rio de Janeiro to see its beautiful landscape. Actually, everybody has in mind that Rio is a party city or night city. Quite the opposite! Rio de Janeiro has a beach lifestyle, the city has more things to offer during the day, go tracking is one of those things.
I super recommend you to do at list one. You will see how beautiful the landscape is! Some are quite easy and fast, you can go by yourself and others you have to take a guide.
Some trails do to in Rio: Pedra da Gavea, Morro dois irmãos, Pedra Bonita, Pedra do Telégrafo
Mirante Dona Marta – The view is amazing, specially during the sunrise. In my opinion, is the best view of Rio de Janeiro and where the most beautiful pictures are taken. You have to ask a guide to take you there cause its in the favela. The road is not easy and can be also dangerous if you are not with a guide. Send me an email to [email protected] and I can send some contacts.
Places to go out in Rio de Janeiro Brazil
Bar da Praia: Its next to Marina Hotel
Londra: It’s in Fasano Hotel one of the best in Rio. Its in Ipanema. Fasano’s website
Bagatelle: It’s at Jockey club in Botanical garden neighborhood. It’s a restaurant that turns to a bar/ club later. Best place to go out at the moment here.
