Things to do in Rio De Janeiro
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Zazá Bistrô Tropical
French-colonial decor and delicately spiced cuisine await those venturing inside this charming converted house in Ipanema. Inventive combinations, blending East and West, match the seductive mood inside. Upstairs, diners lounge on throw pillows, with candles glowing along the walls. Those who prefer fresh air can dine on the porch out front.
reviewed
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Cafecito
A few steps above street level, this open-air café serves imported beers, desserts, cocktails (caipirinhas and mojitos), tapas plates and gourmet sandwiches (with ingredients such as smoked trout, artichoke hearts, prosciutto).
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Cristo Redentor
Atop Corcovado (which means ‘hunchback’), Cristo Redentor gazes out over Rio, a placid expression on his well-crafted face. The mountain rises straight up from the city to 710m, and at night, the brightly lit, 38m-high statue is visible from nearly every part of the city – all 1145 tons of the open-armed redeemer.
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Ipanema & Leblon Beaches
Although the beaches of Ipanema and Leblon are one long beach, the postos (posts) along them subdivide the beach into areas as diverse as the city itself. Posto 9, right off Rua Vinícius de Moraes, is Garota de Ipanema, which is where Rio’s most lithe and tanned bodies tend to migrate. The area is also known as the Cemetério dos Elefantes because of the handful of old leftists, hippies and artists who sometimes hang out there. In front of Rua Farme de Amoedo the beach is known as Bolsa de Valores or Crystal Palace (this is the gay section), while Posto 8 further up is mostly the domain of favela kids. Arpoador, between Ipanema and Copacabana, is Rio’s most popular surf sp…
reviewed
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Maracanã Football Stadium
For a quasi-psychedelic experience, go to a futebol match at Maracanã at Brazil’s temple to football (soccer). Matches here rate among the most exciting in the world, particularly during a championship game or when local rivals Flamengo, Vasco da Gama, Fluminense or Botafogo go head-to-head.
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Carretão
It’s all about the meat at this inexpensive churrascaria. There is another branch in Ipanema, at Rua Visconde de Pirajá 112.
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Copacabana & Leme Beach
A magnificent confluence of land and sea, the long, scalloped beach of Copacabana and Leme runs for 4km, with a flurry of activity always stretching along its length: over-amped soccer players singing their team’s anthem, Cariocas and tourists lining up for caipirinhas at kiosks, favela kids showing off their soccer skills, beach vendors shouting out their wares among the beached and tanned bodies.
As in Ipanema, each group stakes out their stretch of sand. Leme is a mix of older residents and favela kids, while the area between the Copacabana Palace Hotel and Rua Fernando Mendes is the gay and transvestite section, known as the Stock or Stock Market – easily recognized…
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Rio Adventures
Offering a range of outdoor activities, Rio Adventures leads hikes through Tijuca National Park, including short treks up Pico Tijuca and Pedro Bonito. It also offers sightseeing tours, rock climbs (Pão de Açúcar, Corcovado and Pico da Tijuca), rafting excursions (to Paraibuna River, 175km northwest of Rio) and parachuting and paragliding trips. It employs experienced guides, who speak Portuguese, English and Spanish among other languages.
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Tijuca Rain Forest Jeep Tour from Rio de Janeiro
4 hours (Departs Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
by Viator
Take a morning or afternoon tour from Rio to the Tijuca Rain Forest, in an open jeep. The four-hour jeep tour includes an easy one-hour hike, giving you the cha…
Not LP reviewed
from USD$64.99 -
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Porcão Rio’s
Set in the Parque do Flamengo with a stunning view of Pão de Açúcar, Porcão Rio’s is consistently ranked by restaurant critics as the city’s best churrascaria. Whether you believe the hype – or simply come for the view – you’re in for an eating extravaganza. Arrive early, both to score a good table and to see the view before sunset.
reviewed
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Amir
Serving some of Rio’s best Middle Eastern dishes, this enticing two-story restaurant near the beach offers consistently good plates of hummus, kaftas (savory meatballs), falafel and salads. Daytime crowds come for the buffet (R$33/45 on weekdays/weekends), while at night it’s à la carte.
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Arcos da Lapa
The landmark aqueduct dates from the mid-1700s when it was built to carry water from the Carioca River to downtown Rio. In a style reminiscent of ancient Rome, the 42 arches stand 64m high. Today, it carries the famous bonde on its way to and from Santa Teresa atop the hill.
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Yalla
Yalla is a small, quick-serving restaurant where you can pick up fresh tabouli or couscous salads, sandwiches on lavash bread (Shawarma, falafel, shish kebab) or pasties filled with ricotta, beef or spinach. Don’t miss baklava for dessert.
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Cook in Rio
Travelers have an opportunity to take a locally run cooking course, Cook in Rio. Run by Simone Theisen, who was the head chef and creator of the restaurant Fogo Carioca (now a bar), Cook in Rio teaches aspiring chefs how to make some of Brazil’s most famous dishes. Each one-day class runs from 11am to 4pm and includes the preparation of either moqueca (seafood stew) or feijoada completa (multi-dish black bean and pork stew). You’ll also learn how to make other sides and drinks including aipim frito (fried cassava slices), a perfect pot of rice, dessert and a masterful caipirinha (the secret is in the slicing of the lime). The best part is that you’ll get to devour you…
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Museu Histórico Nacional
Housed in the colonial arsenal, which dates from 1764, the impressive Museu Histórico Nacional contains over 250,000 historic relics relating to the history of Brazil from its founding to its early days as a republic. The museum is located near Praça Marechal Âncora and features many well-designed displays, from gilded imperial coaches and the throne of Dom Pedro II to massive oil paintings depicting the horrific combat in the war with Paraguay. There’s some attention paid to Brazil’s indigenous population and to curious relics such as the writing quill that Princess Isabel used to sign the document abolishing slavery in Brazil and a full-sized model of a colonial pharma…
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Museu Nacional de Belas Artes
Rio’s Museu Nacional de Belas Artes houses more than 18,000 original paintings and sculptures, some of which date back to works brought over from Portugal by Dom João VI in 1808. One of its most important galleries is the Galeria de Arte Brasileira, with 20th-century classics such as Cândido Portinari’s Café. Other galleries display Brazilian folk art, African art and furniture, as well as contemporary exhibits. Guided tours are available in English (call ahead).
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Paço Imperial
Built in 1743, the Paço Imperial hosts worthwhile multimedia exhibitions. Originally built as a governor’s residence, it later served as the home to Dom João and his family when the Portuguese royals fled Napoleon and transferred the throne to the colony. In 1888 Princesa Isabel proclaimed the Freedom from Slavery Act from the palace’s steps. In addition to exhibitions, there are several restaurants, and a café and music store on the 1st floor.
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Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Tour
60 minutes (Departs Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
by Viator
What could be better than a sightseeing tour of Rio de Janeiro from the air? From the vantage point of a helicopter, you'll have unforgettable views of this bea…
Not LP reviewed
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Instituto Moreira Salles
The beautiful Instituto Moreira Salles, next to the Parque da Cidade, contains an archive of more than 80,000 photographs, many portraying the old streets of Rio. The gardens, complete with artificial lake and flowing river, were designed by Brazilian landscape architect Burle Marx. There’s also a craft shop and a café serving lunch and afternoon tea.
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Velho Marineiro
Rio’s newest aquatic venture is a small party boat that heads out for a four-hour cruise around Rio. The tour entails music, a barbecue, free drinks, and stops for swimming along the way. Tours run only when there’s enough demand (10 persons or more), which is fairly often in the summer. The tour operator will pick you up on the day of the tour.
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Forte Duque de Caxias
More commonly known as Forte do Leme, this military base is open to the public on weekends, when visitors can access the forested trail skirting up to the top of Morro de Leme. The short but steep trail passes through Atlantic rain forest and by the ruins of an earlier 18th-century fort that stood here. The views from the top are magnificent.
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Petropolis Day Trip Tour from Rio de Janeiro including Imperial Museum and Crystal Palace
10 hours (Departs Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
by Viator
Escape the crowds of Rio de Janiero at Petropolis, the beautiful mountain retreat of Brazil's only two emperors. Wander through the Imperial Museum. Pay your re…
Not LP reviewed
from USD$64.99 -
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Centro Cultural do Banco do Brasil
Housed in a beautifully restored building dating from 1906, the Centro Cultural do Banco do Brasil is one of Brazil’s best cultural centers, with a cinema, two theaters and some of the city’s best (and free) exhibitions. There’s always something going on at CCBB – visit the website for listings.
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Zuka
One of Rio’s best restaurants, Zuka prepares delectable mouth-watering cuisine – zingy ceviche or the confection-like delicacy of Zuka’s original foie gras to start, followed by rack of lamb with passion fruit, grilled fish of the day with mandoquinha purée and many other imaginative dishes.
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Artigiano
Overlooking the Jardim de Alah, Artigiano is set in a picturesque villa with more than a hint of the old-world about it. Here, you will find an older, well-dressed crowd enjoying classic Italian fare, including some 20 superb varieties of handmade pasta amid the oil paintings and antiquefurnishings.
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