Travel Destinations Calling Your Name
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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
A stunning shot through the clouds of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Author: ArtsyChowRoamer
Bringing you just a peek into destinations that should be on your bucket list. Not an in depth guide, just some luscious pics, tips and hints to highlight why I love this place and you might too!
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Rio de Janeiro is known for two of the most famous beaches in the world; Ipanema and Copacabana. With over 7 million in population in the city proper, it is located in the third largest state in Brazil behind Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais and it’s citizens are called cariocas. It is a primary tourist attraction in South America drawing a whopping 2.82 million visitors a year.
It is the home of samba, bossa nova, Carnival and a place that spawned a catchy tune about a special girl. It is a place watched over by a New Seven Wonders of the World, Christ the Redeemer, from a perch high up on Corcovado Mountain. It is also an international city having hosted the 2016 Olympic Games, 2 World Cups and the XV Pan American Games.
Finally, it is a cultural city from a music, art and literature standpoint. Cultural landmarks include the Carmen Miranda Museum, Natural History Museum, Rio de Janeiro Botanical Gardens, Theatro Municipal and the National Museum of Fine Arts just to name a few.
Boasting an endless list of possibilities for things to do, places to see and great stuff to eat, this energetic city will have you dancing with the locals on the beaches with or without a carnival celebration. Are you ready for a quick Snap Shot?
Go
A detailed map of Rio de Janeiro to give you the general layout…
Replaced by Brasilia as the capital in 1960, Rio de Janeiro is located on the far western part of a strip of Brazil’s Atlantic coast close to the Tropic of Capricorn where the shoreline is oriented east to west.
When
Rio de Janeiro has a tropical climate with hottest months from December to March
While it is great that Rio has a four season climate year (categorized as a tropical savana)-they are on opposite ends of the spectrum to us making fall and spring the best times to visit. December through March provides the hottest temps and can be characterized by long periods of heavy rain.
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Written by Antonio Carlos Jobim, the song was inspired by a 17 year old girl known as Helo Pinheiro who lived in Ipanema and would stroll past the Veloso Cafe every day on her way to the beach. Oh and a little Bond movie known as Moonraker was filmed in Rio too.
See
The cable car provides a lovely view of the Guanabara Bay at sunset
The Bondinho do Pao de Acucar (Sugarloaf Cable Car) is just one great way to get a fantastic view of Gunabara Bay and the surrounding city terrain of Rio. It is especially beautiful at sunset and is a nice long 2 part ride for the 1300 feet from beginning to end. You will have ample opportunity for fabulous photo ops. Some fast food restaurant options at the top offer you a bite as well.
The grounds of the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Gardens house over 9.000 plants from 1500 species. Magnificent trees unbelievable in height form a beautiful entrance. There are ponds and vases of orchids and bromeliads in a stunning collection of species as well. The video should give you a better idea on why to visit.
Put on your best bathing suit, rub yourself up with sun screen and take your own Girl from Ipanema stroll down the two most famous beaches. People watching is at it’s best. You will also come to understand why women get a Brazilian wax done.
There are lots of butt cheeks on display with thong suits. Enough to make more than a few of us a little nervous in the courage department-take heart-just walk! Oh and take time to play some volleyball or participate in lots of other sports available up and down the beaches.
World famous Ipanema and Copacabana beaches in Rio de Janeiro
The mountain terrain of Rio makes for breathtaking views and nothing is more spectacular than the view of the city that Christ the Redeemer watches over. One of the most iconic statues in the world, he perches a staggering 2,300 feet above the city.
He stands 98 feet tall and combines the work of three different individuals; French sculptor Paul Landowski, Brazilian engineer Heitor de Silva and French engineer Albert Caquot-all in keeping with Brazil’s cultural diversity.
It is accessible by train now and is the best way to get there. Trains leave every 30 minutes from 8:30 to 7:00. Sit on the right side of the train for the best views up the mountain.
Eat
When dining in Rio de Janeiro don’t you really have to find somewhere with a that fabulous view of Guanabara Bay from their outdoor dining patio? I’d say yes so Aprezivel is on the list for this reason but the food also happens to be wonderful too. Located in the Santa Teresa neighborhood with a fun cable car ride, the house is in a comfortable setting with lush trees, tropical breezes and soothing background music.
Outdoor dining at Aprezivel is lovely at night….
Ana Castilho recreates her origins in both the food and decoration. Brazilian is seamlessly fused with international flavors and tropical elements sourcing sustainable materials from around the country. The results promise a gastronomic experience you will totally enjoy.
Aprezivel L to R: Ceviche, Saffron Shrimp & Rice and Cream Brulee
Oro is on anyone’s top 5 restaurant list with a 2 star Michelin rating (the only one in the city) and Chef Felipe Bronze is not letting any grass grow under his feet. He has been named top chef 6 times by three different organizations in the past ten years. He wrote an award winning cook book in 2012 and is a host on three different television programs-he is a busy man!
Chef Felipe Bronze of Oro restaurant in Rio de Janeiro
Chef’s menu is broken into two categories. Creativity is a longer more elaborate walk through their kitchen of dishes with seasonal ingredients offered with hands (read appetizers here), four main courses and a dessert for around $115. Add wine pairings and you are up to $150. More of a tasting type menu.
Affectivity offers fewer choices and dishes that center more around house specialties with hands, two main courses and a dessert averaging $90/125 respectively. I can attest that with hands such as pork crackling + oyster + caipirinha or rump steak tartar + squid ink + bone marrow the imagination and creativity here are off the charts. Don’t miss this place.
Because I like to stay at less expensive properties I go hang out at the more expensive ones and I have to give a nod to the Cipriani in Rio. All three restaurants on property are considered to be in the top 10. Two have received a Michelin star; the Italian namesake and Mee which offers pan Asian cuisine.
Having eaten at Cipriani in New York and Venice-I can promise you that it will be worth your money and time. Bring your wallet and your fancy fat pants please!
Cipriani Restaurant at the Copacabana Palace in Rio
Stay
Said to be a number one pick for foodies, this charming boutique hotel is well located in the quiet area of Santa Teresa. The little gem is nestled into a hill of a gorgeous colorful and walkable neighborhood-thought to be on of the prettiest and most artsy in Rio. The rooms are gracious-the views are to die for. Copacabana and Ipanema are only ten minutes away. Santa Teresa Hotel RJ is a must stay.
Santa Teresa Hotel RJ-MGallery…a foodie boutique pick in a great location with a view….
The architecture and decoration are inspired from the golden era of coffee and cocoa plantations and the sophistication and elegance of details make it a very comfortable property. The hotel reflects the personality and culture of it’s Brazilian location. Tereze is the restaurant within with very upscale high quality food-it draws others in as well as those lucky enough to have a room. A pretty cool bar is calling your name too where your choice of seating gives you the best spot to enjoy a sunset.
Rather check out Le Spa? Pick from 9 different message techniques including a couples together. Relaxing baths and detox clay masks with moisturizing or exfoliation are also available as well as facial treatments and foot reflexology. Special day spa packages include four different treatments as well as use of the pool.
Massage anyone? Le Spa at Santa Teresa Hotel RJ in Rio de Janeiro
Guides
A walk through the historic Centro district will provide you with some colonial and modern architecture. The Rio de Janeiro Cathedral is a real beauty with the unusual shape and the gorgeous stain glass window works.
Tijuca Forest is an 8,300 acre tropical rain forest with varying terrain, 1600 plant species and over 350 species of animals. It is free and is a wonderful way to spend a day.
Because I’m the artsy fartsy type you know I am always looking for markets where you can buy the best of what the locals have to offer for yourself and friends. Feira de Hippie (Hippie Market) is just such a place. Started by hippies during the ‘60’s the market has grown to over 700 stalls and is a small city in itself. Everything from furniture to jewelry and art is available and BTW, get your haggling skills on.
Maracana Stadium is the largest in Brazil, second only to the one built in Peru in South America. It has served for the Pan American Games, the 2014 World Cup and for opening and closing ceremonies during the 2016 Olympic Games. Rio is one of the only cities to have a permanent grandstand-lined parade avenue for Carnival celebrations named the Sambodromo. Great if you can grab tickets and visit during Carnival but if not, just walk it and imagine or take the Samba City Tour and get even more.
Rio is composed of 4 different zones; the historic center (Centro), the more tourist friendly South Zone (Sul), the less wealthy residential North Zone (Norte) and the peripheries of the West Zone (Oeste). The South Zone is where you will find the beaches of Leblon, Ipanema and Copacabana as well as some of the most expensive real estate in all of South America. A newer more expensive area is also rising in the West Zone and provides the final beach called Barra de Tijuca.
The flag of Brazil
Known for samba and bossa nova everyone knows both in Rio. Visitors are eager to learn as well. You will find lots of places that offer samba lessons and bossa nova line dancing is quite popular and a fun way to work off the great food you’ve eaten. Check out the videos for how it’s done by both professionals and amateurs.
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