DeVries - Frommers Rio de Janeiro day by day

About the Author

Dutch-born author and translator Alexandra de Vries has written extensively about Brazil for Frommers and other travel publications. She enjoys sharing her inside tips to explore this fantastic city, encouraging visitors to go beyond the beautiful beaches and experience Rios rich culture, and getting to know the friendly Cariocas. She is currently based in Rio de Janeiro.

An Additional Note

Please be advised that travel information is subject to change at any timeand this is especially true of prices. We therefore suggest that you write or call ahead for confirmation when making your travel plans. The authors, editors, and publisher cannot be held responsible for the experiences of readers while traveling. Your safety is important to us, however, so we encourage you to stay alert and be aware of your surroundings.

Star Ratings, Icons & Abbreviations

Every hotel, restaurant, and attraction listing in this guide has been ranked for quality, value, service, amenities, and special features using a star-rating system. Hotels, restaurants, attractions, shopping, and nightlife are rated on a scale of zero stars (recommended) to three stars (exceptional). In addition to the star-rating system, we also use a icon to point out the best bets for families. Within each tour, we recommend cafes, bars, or restaurants where you can take a break. Each of these stops appears in a shaded box marked with a coffee-cup-shaped bullet .

The following abbreviations are used for credit cards:

View of Rio.

16 Favorite Moments

N icknamed Cidade Maravilhosa (the Fabulous City), Rio de Janeiro conjures up images of golden beaches, tropical sunshine, and colorful Carnaval parades, but the city has much more to offer. Blessed with impressive natural beauty, Rio is nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and steep mountains clad with coastal rainforest. The citys architecture encompasses everything from 18th-century colonial baroque to modern minimalism. A rich cultural scene showcases some of Brazils most talented musicians and artists. And then there are the people, the friendly, high-spirited Cariocas, who know that they live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world and make sure there is always enough time to kick back and enjoy life; to do otherwise would be disrespectful of the Cidade Maravilhosa .

Spreading your wings and soaring high above the city. Ever dream you can fly? Now you can, with no experience required! Your hang glider pilot will see to it that you are securely strapped in for take-off from Pedra Bonita, and accompany you on a safe, exhilarating ride through the citys skies. After a 10- to 15-minute flight, youll land gently on So Conrado Beach. See p .

Soaking up the tropical sun on Leblon Beach. Head to the beach for the quintessential Carioca experience. Just bring some sunscreen and a towel, rent a chair and sun umbrella, and youll be all set. Soak up the warm rays, go for a swim, meet some locals, have a cold beer or fresh coconut water, and enjoy some fabulous people-watching. See p .

Browsing hip Brazilian fashion in upscale Ipanema. Ipanemas swanky shopping district is home to some of the most exclusive international and Brazilian labels and designers. But dont expect a stuffy or stuck-up vibe; the shops exude the fun, laid-back atmosphere of this beach neighborhood. See p .

Savoring a plate of feijoada, Brazils national dish, at the Casa da Feijoada. I have never met a Brazilian abroad who wasnt pining away for this rich savory stew of black beans and meat. At Casa da Feijoada, you can try this dish with all the trimmings any day of the week and learn a bit about its history. See p .