The Good Guide to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Rio de Janeiro, with its beautiful beach landscapes, laid-back cosmopolitan lifestyle and vibrant food, attracts over two million visitors each year.
The perfect day starts on Ipanema beach and ends with dinner at Aprazivel. Enjoy picture-perfect cafes, ocean views and Amazonian fruits along the way; try sugarcane liquor cocktails and make friends with some of the world's most fascinating and upbeat people.
Here we round up our muito loved places.
Belmond Copacabana Palace
Glitz, glamour, and opulence abound at the Belmond Copacabana Palace Hotel. It is widely regarded as one of Rio De Janeiro's best hotels, and we can see why. Every room is tastefully decorated, allowing the energy of 1920s Brazil to flow in. You'll be hesitant to leave this magnificent palace, which houses grand rooms and Michelin-starred restaurants.
The Belmond Corporation is well-known for its contributions to a variety of environmental initiatives. The hotel sources its food as locally as possible, uses 100% renewable energy, and recycles more than half of its waste.
Ipanema Beach
Ipanema Beach is one of Brazil's most famous beaches. Sunbathe on the golden sands of the beach, or explore the vibrant neighbourhoods that spread along the coastline; Ipanema is a landmark that has it all.
The region is a haven for visitors, with everything from family-run restaurants, live capoeira and exotic bars serving refreshing cachaca cocktails.
Aprazivel Restaurante
Aprazivel is perched high on the Santa Teresa hillside and spreads out across a beautiful rustic patio with romantic corners for couples and a jaw-dropping backdrop for larger groups. However, the best seat is tucked inside the 'tree-house'.
Aprazivel creates a wide range of organic dishes by combining the zest of Brazilian ingredients with global cuisine. Many of the ingredients and raw materials used in this restaurant are unique to it, having been derived from sustainable planting in various parts of the country.
Chez Georges
This boutique hotel is nestled in the hills of Santa Teresa, with one of Rio's most magnificent backdrops. Apart from the stunning bohemian-style interiors, Chez Georges feels like a home away from home. There are no crowded lobbies and check-in is as simple as strolling into a living room and being greeted with a freshly made crisp caipirinha.
The antique furniture in each room of the villa was painstakingly selected from antique markets in Paris, Bruges and Ghent, while the chairs were designed by local Brazilian artist Ricardo Fasanello, whose workshop is just a short walk from Chez Georges. The hotel's unique, electric and stylish atmosphere perfectly captures the spirit of Santa Teresa.
The Sugarloaf Cable Car
As you land in Rio De Janeiro, you'll be greeted by the city's beautiful skyline, which includes two gondolas. One is for travellers travelling to Sugarloaf Mountain's peak.
We recommend jumping on the Sugarloaf at sunset to watch the golden rays settling across Brazil's beautiful landscape.
Plage Cafe
Enjoy a simple breakfast or lunch at the Plage Cafe in Parque Lage, where you can enjoy the sun rays while dining against a mountainous backdrop. Reserve a table fast!