Rio de Janeiro is both hosting the 2016 Olympic Games and will be one of the locations for this year’s World Cup. Here, 10 sane ways to enjoy the city before the crowds pack in.
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1. Fasano Rio de Janeiro
There are only a handful of worthy hotels in Rio, and the Fasano is by far the chicest. With its rich, native woods and bossa nova-era furniture, the property is undeniably Brazilian. The oceanfront suites offer amazing views of Ipanema Beach — as does the incredible rooftop pool. (Av. Vieira Souto 80, Ipanema)
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2. Osklen
Perhaps no other label epitomizes Rio’s easy-going yet elegant style like Osklen, founded by physician-turned-fashionista Oskar Metsavaht in 1988. He has since built it from a sportswear line into Brazil’s most influential lifestyle brand, with shoes, bags and accessories that are equally at home on the beach and out on the town. Metsavaht’s commitment to the environment is the cornerstone of his business. Check out its Rua Maria Quitéria flagship.
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3. Lenny
Carol Chediak Lenny Niemeyer may have trained as a landscape designer, but she’s best known for her sophisticated swimsuits. What sets Niemeyer’s looks apart? Prints created in collaboration with artists from around the world and flourishes like wooden beads and precious stones. Visit her Ipanema flagship, set among Rua Garcia d’Ávila’s sidewalk cafes.
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4. Sugarloaf Mountain
Alexandre Macieira Rio’s iconic Christ the Redeemer statue usually tops most visitors’ lists, but Sugarloaf Mountain — a sheer granite peak rising 1,300 feet above Guanabara Bay — has a more divine vista. Its famous bondinhos (cable cars) launch from the charming waterfront neighborhood of Urca, also worth a stroll.
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5. Jardim Botânico
Ricardo Zerrener Tourists often overlook Jardim Botânico, commissioned in 1808 by Emperor Dom João VI, but it is well worth taking an afternoon to check out the otherworldly tropical flora. The botanical gardens are filled with more than 6,200 species, including the Pau Brasil, the Brazilwood for which the country is named. Lunch there at La Bicyclette, a French bakery.
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6. Rua Dias Ferreira
Sushi Leblon Rodrigo Azevedo By day, this Leblon street is a not-to-miss shopping destination, with boutiques from top Brazilian designers such as Adriana Barra. By night, the strip buzzes with stylish restaurants, including Sushi Leblon, an institution serving Japanese to a high-profile crowd.
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7. Santa Teresa
This hilltop neighborhood overlooking downtown Rio has become the city’s boho-chic destination of choice, thanks to a vibrant art scene and magnificent 19th-century buildings that house restaurants, bars and B&Bs. Don’t miss Aprazível, known for its authentic Brazilian cuisine and skyline views. Stay at Hotel Santa Teresa (Rua Almirante Alexandrino 660), a former coffee plantation.
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8. Prainha
Ipanema may by Rio’s most famous beach, but remote Prainha is its most stunning, well worth the hour-long ride. This dramatic stretch is a favorite of surfers and those in the know for its raw beauty. On the return trip, stop in Barra de Guaratiba for a boozy seafood lunch by the ocean at Bira.
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9. Jewelry Design
A couple of the pieces available at Virzi and Deluca. Given that virtually every precious gem can be found in Brazil’s mines, it’s no surprise that Rio is home to myriad jewelry designers. You’ll find everything from the big local brand Amsterdam Sauer to avant-garde newcomers Virzi + De Luca. Don’t miss Yara Figueiredo (Rua Rainha Guilhermina), a discreet showroom in Leblon owned by a former model whose luxe emerald creations are popular with celebrities.
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10. Museums
Last year brought the Rio Museum of Art , the centerpiece of downtown’s revitalized Praça Mauá district, and Casa Daros, a 19th-century neo-classical landmark that houses the collection of Zurich-based foundation Daros Latinamerica. Next up: Santiago Calatrava’s sustainability-focused Museum of Tomorrow and the Museum of Image and Sound, which will celebrate Brazilian film and music.
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11. BONUS: Where's the beef?
Nothing says Brazil quite like a churrascaria — the temple to meat-eating renowned across the nation. We ask Ezequiel Manfrin, Head Gaucho/GM at Midtown’s new Fogo de Chão restaurant, where to go. He recommends sampling the meats at Rio’s Marius Degustare accordingly:
- Pace yourself, you can always turn your disc to the red side and take a break.
- …but make sure that pace still leaves you the chance to try all available meat options.
- Sample the salad bar, but go easy on it.
- Don’t overlook the under-rated cuts of meat — such as beef ribs, sausages and picanha, the prime part of sirloin.
- Always request your meat cooked medium rare.