In honor of Olympics 2016 taking place in Rio de Janeiro, I thought I would relive my Brazil trip by sharing my list of must-see attractions in Rio. Sure, Christ the Redeemer statue is on everyone’s bucket list, but what else is there to see and do in Rio? Don’t miss these top sights around town.
Top Things You Must Do in Rio:
1. Watch the Sunset
Don’t miss the sunset at Arpoador on Ipanema Beach. Arpoador is the small peninsula between Ipanema and Copacabana. Hundreds of people sit on the rocks in anticipation of the gorgeous sunset.
2. Hippie Market
The Hippie Market takes place in Ipanema on Sundays. If you’re looking for souvenirs other than keychains and bumper stickers, the Hippie Market is a good place to shop for unique souvenirs such as housewares, floor mats, clothes & artisan jewellery. Try Acarajé, an Afro-Brazilian croquette made of black-eyed peas and onions, fried in palm oil and filled with spicy shrimp.
3. Night Market
The Night Market takes place nightly from 6PM-Midnight, except on Sundays. It’s located near Copacabana Beach at Post 5.
4. Local Market
Feel like a local at the Feira de São Cristóvão, a market filled with Northeastern Brazil’s regional arts, crafts and rows upon rows of gastronomy stalls. There’s always a band playing so try dancing Forró style!
5. Be a Beach Bum
With so many choices of beaches in Rio, it’s so easy to be a beach bum! Besides visiting the famous Copacabana Beach (4km) and Ipanema and Leblon Beaches (3km), check out these other nearby beaches: Vermelha Beach (at the base of Sugar Loaf Mountain), Calçadão da Praia (near Aterro do Flamengo Park), Prainha Beach (further out near the Ecological Park), Botafogo Beach, and Barra da Tijuca Beach.
Notice the sidewalks of Copacabana and Ipanema, which feature iconic mosaic tile patterns. These designs are also prominently printed on beach sarongs and souvenir items sold by street vendors.
6. Snack
Sample local eats like empadas and fried cod fish fritters from botequim, bar counters along the beach. Then, quench your thirst by savoring fresh coconut water while facing Guanabara Bay. Locals may also suggest the açai berry drink, but I was not a fan of this sugary slushy. I happily downed lime caipirinhas instead! Drink stalls that sell fruit juices have a lot of interesting, exotic fruits such as caju (the fruit of cashew tree also known as the caju apple), cupuaçu (from the cocao family and tastes like an apple or pear), and maracujá (passion fruit).
7. Buy Beachwear
Buy a pair of Havaianas straight from the motherland. Surprisingly, Havaianas are not cheaper than if purchased in North America. It’s also fun to buy a beach sarong from one of the many beach vendors who eagerly spread them all out for you to peruse!
8. Dance the Samba
Spend an evening in Lapa to enjoy the best of Samba music and dance!
9. See Famous Sights Other Than Christ the Redeemer
Besides seeing Christ the Redeemer statue on the Corcovado, don’t miss these other famous sights: Sugarloaf Mountain for breathtaking views of Rio; the artsy neighbourhoods of Saint Teresa and Lapa famous for its narrow streets and historic buildings; Selerón Stairs with 215 steps decorated with mosaic tiles; and Santa Marta Favela, one of the favelas that has undergone gentrification.
10. See Futuristic Architecture
Go into the future by visiting the Niterói Contemporary Art Museum, a saucer-looking art museum designed by Oscar Niemeyer. Opened in 1996, the museum houses over 1400 art pieces and offers panoramic views of Guanabara Bay. Fun fact: Louis Vuitton staged its Resort 2017 collection here in May 2016 with models walking down the red ramp.
11. Get Into Nature
Take your chances with daytime-active Aedes mosquitoes and go for a walk or jog by the waterfall at Paineiras Road in the Tijuca Forest. Also, visit Jardim Botânico to see exotic species of plants, orchids, the famous row of palm trees, and animals – try to catch a glimpse of the toucan. Don’t forget to douse yourself in DEET insect repellant first!
12. Christmas Tree
In December, see the Guinness World Record’s largest floating Christmas tree, coming in at 278-feet in the Rio Lagoon.
Getting Around Rio
The safest way to get around Rio is by taxi. We had heard about all the incidences of random street muggings and pick pockets and decided to avoid taking public transit including the bus and subway. But on a few occasions (for really short distances), my bestie and I did take the bus and when we joined a group tour, the guide accompanied us on the subway.
Uber hasn’t quite made its way to Rio. In the meantime, if you want to hail a taxi using an app, which is a whole lot safer than flagging a random one off the street, the Easy Taxi app is really easy to use.
While some guidebooks suggest taking a blue, green or white radio taxi, we were fine with taking yellow taxis with a blue stripe. The worry is that there is a large number of illegal taxis in Rio. While yellow taxis with the blue stripe are legal, some travelers go with the added safety of radio taxis. However, radio taxis cost more than yellow taxis as you are charged a fixed rate no matter the time of day or the traffic congestion.
Safe Travels!
xx Deb
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