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Rio Travel Planner

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A Week in Rio: Sunday (Day 7)

A Carioca Specialty

Sundays are very special days in Rio, and you cannot miss the experience. The beach lane is closed to cars, and Cariocas and visitors take over in grand style. You will also enjoy a typical lunch, and go shopping for Braziliana at a delicious street fair.

We imagine you had a long Saturday night, so it's time to unwind. Your skin is already used to the tropical sun, so it's no big deal if you arrive at the beach a little later today. Rent a bike or roller stakes, and join the fun! After you've worked out a healthy sweat return your rented equipment, and head for the sand.

Walk the length of Ipanema Beach, and stop at different postos to watch and mingle with the different tribes. Ask the person next to you (preferably a family) to keep an eye on your stuff while you go for a few laps. With your new beach throw, swimsuit, and almost professional tan you could easily pass for a local.

Before you get too hungry, pack up and go on to the Hippie Fair, on General Os�rio Square. Walk the maze with dozens of stands, and meet talented artisans, jewelers, carpenters, painters, and sculptors. The selection of colorful earrings and jewelry is very attractive. Have a delicious acaraj� at one of the baianas, and go on to the stand where they sell local musical instruments. A cu�ca, pandeiro, or berimbau make the perfect gift for that special friend that has everything.

Take also some figas to give your friends. This good luck charm introduced by slaves only works when you receive it as a gift. And then, there are the the inevitable Senhor do Bonfim ribbons. Tie it around the wrist, and make a wish. It will only happen when it falls off (naturally). It may take as long as three months - they're nylon!

Sunday is feijoada lunch day, and you might as well join the fun. This bean stew concocted by slaves using leftover pork is the most typical Carioca dish. It is too heavy to have on weekdays, so most people save it for Sunday. The side dishes are also delicious. See what locals are putting on their plates, and copy them. You will not regret it.

Another way to indulge is going to a rodizio restaurant. They serve barbecue on an all-you-can-eat basis, and choices may include range from beef to fowl, seafood, fresh water fish, even farm alligator and boar. The dozens of side dishes from salads to sushi, farofa and beyond, will keep your vegetarian friend entertained while you pig out. Walk your way back to the hotel to help with digestion.

Sometimes there are free shows outdoors on Sundays, around 7 or 8 p.m. Ipanema Beach, Garota de Ipanema Park, Forte de Copacabana, and other gorgeous settings become the center stage. Performances feature a selection of Brazilian and international artist and groups, doing anything from folk dance to samba, classical music, pagode, jazz, or rock.

Stretch the nights at the bars, cafes and dance clubs that you are already so familiar with. We hope you have a few more days in town, because the fun is only beginning. If your flight arrangements are final, and you have to go, stop sighing, and start packing. You are experiencing something that can only be expressed in Portuguese: saudade. We are sure you will be back for more!

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https://ipanema.com/travel/sunday.htm -- Revised: September 99
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