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The mosaic
sidewalks of Copacabana Beach were
designed by Burle Marx, Brazil's most
famous landscape planner. White, black
and red stones are arranged in bold
designs that are a feast to the eyes. A
walk along under the shade of the coconut
trees watching the gentle surf break is
guaranteed to bring your stress level
down in 15 minutes. Ask any local... |
The sidewalk
opposite the beach is very wide. It
is especially beautiful when seen from
above. There are different patterns on
each block. Of course the trademark black
and white wave is always part of the
game. This avenue is lined up with cafes,
nightclubs, restaurants, hotels and posh
residential buildings. Only two houses
remain - one is private-owned, and the
other is a consulate. |
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The center
aisle is more than a place for you to
rest between the busy car lanes. At
weekends evenings there is a popular
handcrafts fair in the Posto 5 area. It's
a good chance to find original souvenirs
and Rio memorabilia such as naïf
paintings of famous city sights. Some
aisles have gas stations that remain open
around the clock. |
No walking
tour in Copacabana is complete
without the mandatory stop at the Riotur
office. This branch of Rio de Janeiro's
Travel and Tourism Bureau is conveniently
located on the Lido side of Av. Princesa
Isabel, at the border with Leme. Ask for
your Rio Guide, a booklet with listings
of things to do, places to go, emergency
phones and useful information. The photos
on the cover change according to the
season, and they make a great souvenir to
take back home. They also have free maps,
brochures and other literature you may
want to go through. |
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