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Rio Travel Planner

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A Week in Rio: Day 3

Beaches all the Way!

A cosmopolitan city like Rio with over 6 million people could hardly be considered a beach resort. Yet beaches play a very important role in the Carioca lifestyle, and it's time we find out why. Today we are going out west beach hopping, and end our day in the biggest mall in Latin America.

The best way to do this beach tour at your own pace. You may go on a guided tour with a group, but you will not be able to pick out when and where you want to stop for a dip, a snack, maybe some bodysurfing or swimming. Hire a private guide, or make a deal with a taxi driver to take care of you all day, if you are lucky enough to find an English-speaking driver that will not charge an arm and a leg, that is.

Renting a car for one day is also not going to make a hole in your budget, either. There are fairly-priced economy cars with air-conditioning. Insurance and unlimited mileage are usually part of the deal. As you will be following the coast, it's not so hard to keep a sense of direction. While you go west the sea will be on your left hand side.

We have already done Ipanema, we will take care of Copacabana in another day or two, so our first stop is Praia do Pepino in S�o Conrado. To reach it take scenic Av. Niemeyer, at the end of Leblon. Pepino is where hanggliders land, after jumping off Pedra Bonita Hill. Look back, and it is impossible to miss huge Favela da Rocinha, a counterpoint to the emerald golf green, and posh builindings along the beach.

The next beach is Barra da Tijuca, and we will stop for a snack and a dip at Pep�, where Rio's golden youth gets together. After we dry off let's go on past Reserva, Recreio, Macumba, and stop again at Prainha. This tiny beach is a favorite with surfers, and we will watch some of the action, sip a coconut, and eventually keep going. The last beach we are stopping at is Grumari.

Grumari is a reserve, and you can see still see a healthy portion of native Atlantic Forest. The water is very clean, the sand coarse and white. Depending on the season you may see maria farinhas (small white crabs), and tatu�s (even smaller). If you are with a guide or taxi, go for lunch at one of the rustic seafood restaurants of Pedra de Guaratiba, like Tia Palmira. If not, head back to Barra.

You already know the trick to get cleaned up... One buck will get you a quick shower at the lifeguard station to get the sand and salt off you body (bring your own towel). Put on a T-shirt and bermudas, as we are heading to BarraShopping for the ultimate mall experience in Rio. We don't have to tell you what to do in a mall... This one has it all, including its own monorail system, and a giant arcade in another building curiously named New York City Center.

Go bowling, watch a movie, eat at any of the restaurants and snack bars, shop till you drop. You may even stay in Barra for a show later at the Metropolitan, or some flirting and dancing at Dado's Bier, Slavia or Rock in Rio Cafe. If you would rather go back home, our suggestion for the night is catching a touristy yet fun samba show at Plataforma or Scala, or going for the Rio thing in one of the pepper-hot gafieiras in the downtown area. Tomorrow we'll be introduced to the famous Princess of the Sea.

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https://ipanema.com/citytour/ -- Revised: July 99
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