Overview
Nicknamed the Marvelous City, Rio de Janeiro is known for dramatic views, famous Carnival celebrations, over 23 beautiful beaches, good food, joyful music and impressive architecture, among other attributes.
City of Rio Tourism Authority: Rio Tourism can help with all your questions related to visiting one of South America's most exciting cities.
Web: www.riodejaneiro-turismo.com.br/en
Hotels
Copacabana Palace Orient-Express Hotels: If you're heading to Rio for the first time, then you'll definitely want to spend at least a night or two in this quintessential hotel. Built in 1923, it's located right on Copacabana Beach. Back then, it was the only building on the beach - not so today!
Web: www.copacabanapalace.com.br
Shopping
Ipanema Hippie Fair: Every Sunday locals and travelers alike head to the outdoor street market known as the Hippie Fair. It's got hundreds of stalls and decades of history. Samantha went there to buy a conga- an oversized scarf the cariocas (locals) use as a beach blanket. Samantha also stopped by a food tent run by a group of women from the Bahia region, in northern Brazil. The Hippie Fair has more than just people watching to offer; you can shop for jewelry, purses, flip-flops, food, and lots of souvenirs and gifts to buy for yourself or to bring home.
bumbum, Ipanema: The smaller, the better, is the saying when talking about bikinis in Rio. If you're shopping for the right bikini, then bumbum is the place to go. Samantha and her friend Neca, a local resident, stopped into the popular store to check out the latest look in Rio swimwear.
Web: www.bumbum.com.br
Sights/Landmarks/To Do
Sugarloaf: Samantha joined Gabriel Werneck, co-owner of Rio Hiking, on a cable car ride to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. If you're feeling more ambitious, you can hike trails to the top, weather permitting.
Web: www.riohiking.com.br
Corcovado: Samantha took the cog-wheel train up Corcovado to get an amazing view of the city and stand beneath the fabled statue of Christ the Redeemer.
Web: www.corcovado.com.br
Maracanã Stadium: Soccer is the No. 1 sport in Brazil; in fact the country of Brazil is the only nation in the world to hold five soccer titles. To really experience soccer in Rio, you should attend a match at Maracanã Stadium. Built in the 1950s, the stadium remains one of the world's largest and can accommodate more than 90,000 screaming spectators. During soccer season, tickets to games are hard to come by. Your best bet is to go through your hotel concierge.
Samba City: Want to enjoy a taste of Rio's famous Carnival but can't be there for the actual event? Check out the city's newest entertainment attraction &mdash: Samba City! This huge complex is a celebration of all things samba. It incorporates the history, culture and music of Carnival, as well as featuring exhibits on costumes and float factories.
Web: www.sambacity.info
Food/Restaurants/Bars
Bar Bracarense: In the beachside neighborhood of Leblon, Samantha and her friend Neca headed to this hip watering hole, to do what everyone does after a day at the beach - relax and drink a beer.
Web: www.bracarense.com.br
Carioca da Gema: The samba is danced in all sorts of venues around the city, including this intimate bar in the Lapa District. Samantha met up with a some friends at Carioca, to learn a few steps of the beloved Brazilian dance - her interpretation of it anyway.
Web: www.barcariocadagema.com.br
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