Rio de Janeiro
Livraria da Travessa offers a peaceful refuge from the people-packed sidewalks. There are some books in English, and an array of colorful (but pricey)…
Must-see shopping in Brazil
Ipanema & Leblon
One of Brazil's rising fashion stars, Isabela Capeto creates colorful apparel that is both flattering and playful. Many of her pieces are embroidered and…
São Paulo
If you're raising little hipsters, outfit them at this trendy clothing store for tykes. It features many Brazilian designer kid's clothes that will make…
Belém
This is Belém's best place to browse and shop, whether for long pants, lacquered piranha or anything in between. Pará has gained national attention with…
Ipanema & Leblon
One of several branches around town, this Livraria da Travessa has a small selection of foreign-language books and periodicals, and some CDs upstairs. The…
Manaus
One of several casas de redes (hammock shops) clustered around this corner; this one has a monster selection and amiable service. For riverboat trips,…
Rio de Janeiro
Vinyl fans and bookworms flock to this cabinet of musical and literary curiosities with its extensive collection of unusual albums combined with…
São Paulo
This 100% Paulistano streetwear brand is a play on the word estorvo (uncomfortable, a disturbance, a nuisance) and indeed their limited but well-designed…
Gávea, Jardim Botânico & Lagoa
On a street with a growing number of shops and cafes, Gabinete is a fun place to browse for unusual items – geometric jewelry made of volcanic rock,…
São Luís
Every Sunday the Praça Benedito Leite in the historical center hosts this market fair. Stalls selling traditional meals, cheese, fresh vegetables, dry…
São Paulo
If you're a browser with the patience of a saint, this trendy collaborative store features over 160 Brazilian designers whose creative wares are exhibited…
Rio de Janeiro
This upstairs shop has loads of character, with original paintings, carved wooden folk art, artfully bound blank books, coffee from small producers and…
Gávea, Jardim Botânico & Lagoa
Shopping da Gávea touts itself as the preferred mall of artists and intellectuals, which may or may not matter to you when you're laying down serious cash…
São Paulo
It's worth a look into this selective design shop and gallery, which features a museum-worthy collection of period furniture, art and antiques from the …
Ipanema & Leblon
Bossa nova fans shouldn't miss this store. In addition to its ample CD and vinyl selection (starting at R$40) of contemporary and old performers, it also…
São Paulo
This hip record shop is a great spot to browse Brazilian music such as MPB, bossa nova and regional on vinyl – there's over 1000 LPs and 7-inch 45's on…
Gávea, Jardim Botânico & Lagoa
You never know what you'll unearth at this rambling little antique shop two blocks from Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas. Recent finds have included a porcelain…
Recife
This interesting street market specializing in local artisanry, such as dresses, jewelry and ceramics, brings Recife Antigo to life on Sunday afternoons…
Amazonas
This small shop at the entrance to the port sells crafts from the Waimiri Atroari indigenous people who live a day's journey north of Novo Airão, along…
Rio de Janeiro
Rio's largest mall (and one of the biggest on the continent) is an easy place to shop away a few hours – or days – as do 30 million shoppers each year…
Gávea, Jardim Botânico & Lagoa
O Sol is run by Leste-Um, a nonprofit social-welfare organization. This delightful store displays the works of regional artists and sells Brazilian folk…
São Paulo
Always dreamed of hitting the beach wearing virtually nothing? Salinas is one of the country's trendiest bikini brands. Pick up their newest creations…
Ipanema & Leblon
This restaurant-bar is also the 'House of Havana,' which means if you have a taste for Cuban cigars, this is your place. The humidor is stocked with a…
São Paulo
One of Vila Madelena's top designers, Flavia Aranha works with naturally dyed organic cotton, linen and silk to create comfortable and loose clothing for…
Salvador
In Salvador's unpleasant past the Mercado Modelo was the site where slaves coming into the city were detained. Now the building houses dozens of tourist…
São Paulo
One of Brazil's best known lifestyle brands, Osklen originally hails from Búzios and specializes in gourmet, beach-themed sportswear, T-shirts, shoes and…
Brasília
Painter/sculptor Athos Bulcão was the only artist allowed to colorfully spruce up Niemeyer and Costa's grand plan and his iconic designs are as much a…
Rio de Janeiro
This shopping behemoth is Rio's most extravagant mall, with high-end retailers such as Prada, Cartier, Tiffany & Co, Miu Miu, Dolce & Gabbana and Burberry…
São Paulo
One of São Paulo's most enjoyable open-air markets, this weekend soirée has been at it since 1975. It features various Japanese and Chinese food stalls,…
Rio de Janeiro
This small attractive boutique stocks handsomely crafted shoes and sandals, leather bags and satchels, hats, wallets and other accessories. Production…
Minas Gerais
A classic weekend event is Café no Beco, held Sunday mornings along the Beco da Tecla, a pedestrianized street between the cathedral and the market square…
Amazonas
This one-room showroom exhibits the eye-catching paintings (parrots are a recurring theme) of local artist Buy Chaves and the wood-sculpted furnishings of…
São Paulo
This seven-floor shopping center is an anthropologically fascinating gathering point for São Paulo’s underground communities – from punks to goths to…
Ipanema & Leblon
This stylish, open-sided boutique sells one-of-a-kind flip-flops (thongs) costing R$30 to R$140. It's a creative space with an upstairs gallery where you…
Praia da Pipa
A cute wooden house with a good selection of books in 18 languages, for rent or trade, and a chill spot for an evening coffee. Portuguese owner Sandra…
Santa Teresa & Lapa
This small but welcoming shop specializes in crafts and artwork from the Amazon. You'll find woven baskets, organic jewelry made from Amazonian seeds and…
Mato Grosso & Mato Grosso do Sul
Go see what all the fuss is about! This megastore has…well, everything and is teeming with wide-eyed Brazilians throwing down real after real for…
Rio de Janeiro
One of Rio's most beautiful malls features plenty of luxe retailers – Fred Perry, L'Occitane and others – plus all of Brazil's most recognizable brands…
São Paulo State
One of the better brick-and-mortar shops in Embu, tucked down unsigned Viela Olha d'Agua. The unique paintings by Clovia Gomes and framed origami work of…
Rio de Janeiro
Berinjela is a fine place to hunt for old records and classic samba CDs, and there's also a selection of used books (though only a handful in English). It…
