Rio is the largest City but it is not the Capital City, in Brazil. The City is divided between the Zona Notre, (an Industrial area where the poorest People live), the Ciodad de Copacabana and the Ipanema, (where the rich people live).
Don’t be surprised to see Tong Bikini’s being worn by Men and Women when you are shopping, (they are always worn by the ’’Cariocas’’, this is what the People in Rio call them self, on every beach).
The best way to see the attractions is by checking with your Hotel or the Tourist Booths to take some Tours.
You can’t miss the Cristo Redentor Statue, (Christ the Redeemer), because you will see it as you land. It is on top of Hunchback Mountain.
If you are on a Tour the bus will take you there. You will take a 20 minute Train ride to reach the summit. Once you are there you will be able to see the Copacabana Beach, the Ipanima Beach, the Maracana Stadium, the Race Track, Tijuca National Park and the Sugarloaf Mountain. We took a cable ride up the mountain and it was a very exciting ride. I was awed at the view of so many things we could see from here.
The Tour we took stopped at Guanabara Bay so we could see the Pao de Acucar, (the Sugar Loaf), and you go up a Cable Car to get to the top.
We drove past the Maracana Stadium, (in the Zona Notre), that is the largest Stadium in the World, (when we were there).
We had the Tour Bus dropped us off at Tijuca National Park, (because we knew we could walk back to the main Streets). This is a 100 square kilometer Park that you can walk through and enjoy seeing the wonderful flowers and plants.
The Central Rio has an “old world” type of architecture, tree lined Boulevards and a lot of Squares that are filled with Artists and Musicians.
As we walked we found bakeries, wine shops, (the prices are low especially for Brazilians), music shops and bookstores. Carnival in Rio is a wonderful experience. The Rio Branco is the main Street. We went to see the National Library of Brazil, The Museum of Fine Arts, the main Cathedral and the Teatro Municipal. In the Gavea section of Rio we went to see the Instituo Moreira Salles, (this once was a Private Home), and they have opened their wonderful Gardens to the Public. The Gardens were designed my Roberto Burle Max. We also went inside to see the Classrooms, Exhibits and Library. Do spend at least one Day on the Copacabana and Ipanema Beaches. The Women don’t wear Bras and the Tong Bottoms are so thin they are called ’’dental floss’’! We went to a Samba School our first night in Rio.
We did learn some basic steps so we could dance and have a lot of fun during the Carnival.
SHOPPING:
I bought an English Newspaper at Letras e Espressos and then read it while I was drinking an espresso coffee.
At the Estacao Pontal we bought some large wooden hand made Sculptors, (the sent them home for us for free).
I loved the outdoor Markets. On Sunday we went to the Zona Sul in the Ipanema area to spend some time at the ’’Hippie Fair’’. We bought some leather Shoes & Pursers and some T-shirts here.
The Uranguayan Market is near the City center and we bought some silver Rings and Bracelets there.
We went to the C & A Department Store because we were told we would find great bargains there. The only bargains we found we in the make-up and perfume area.
We didn’t have time to see the Rio Sul Shopping Center, the Off Price Mall, the New York Center or the Rennar Shop and the Taco Store.
WHERE WE ATE:
There were so many places to choose from.
We ate at Fellini Restaurant to have some ’’bolinhos de mandioca com catupiry, (a black bean stew/soup).
We had a ’’meringue de damsco’’, (meringue), for dessert.
Doce Delícia Café is famous for their Brazilian home cooking.
We ate Manioc balls that are filled with Catupiry cheese and shrimp.
The Roasted Chicken was delicious at Galitos Grill.
We ate at Mochique that is a Buffet. You can go back as may times as you want for no charge refills.
At Churrascaria we could select our meat and the grilled it for us. While we were waiting we had some Salads that were in their Salad Bar.
One night we went to Paddy Fla’s Pub. We had a few pints of Beer and listed to some Irish Music.
TRANSPORTATION:
They do have a Metro and that is the fastest way to get you where you want to go. The buses are a fast and cheap way to get you where you’re going. Be sure your bus is air-conditioned because some aren’t. Make sure that you are holding on to your purse or wallet because this is one of the places the pickpockets work!
Before you get in a Taxi negotiate the price. The Drivers here often over charge you.
Thanks for reading my review.
Lyla