Rio Party Weekend

Description:

This hostel is located in a quiet/safe street in the heart of Copacabana (2 min walk to the beach). It is recommended by Lonely Planet as one of the nicest hostels in Rio. Arpoador beach is within walking-distance to Arpoador beach, one of most consistent breaks in the city and perfect for travelers wishing to catch great surf.

Description:

Possibly the most famous stretch of sand in the world, Copacabana beach is synonymous with the hedonistic side of Rio - with sun, sea, beautiful bodies and New Year celebrations on the beach. Stretching for around five kilometers (the beach is called Leme at its northern end), Copacabana boasts soft white sand that is crammed with locals in tiny bikinis and shorts. Stalls selling ice-cold beers and caipirinhas line the beachfront, and joggers run along the pavements - famous for their distinctive wave-patterned black and white tiling. Copacabana beach is overlooked by the attractive, jungle covered hill of Morro do Leme, and Sugar Loaf mountain is resplendent in the background. Avenida Atlantica is the busy road running along the beachfront, and across from the sands the road is lined with towering high rise hotels and apartment blocks, as well as any number of places to eat and drink. Be warned, however, that while a visit here is a must, Copacabana is not the best place to sunbathe. The water is too dirty for swimming, the beach is rife with pickpockets, and vendors selling tourist tat are annoyingly relentless in their drive to relieve you of your tourist dollar.

Our Local Expert Says:

Don't be startled by locals jumping on and off the tram as it clatters along - an unwritten rule holds that the ride is free for anyone who travels standing on the platforms on the side of the tram.

Description:

The Santa Teresa bonde (streetcar) is the last reminder of what was once Rio's principle form of public transport. But far from being just a historical artifact, the rattling yellow tram is great fun to ride, as it clatters over the iconic Arcos da Lapa and up the winding cobbled streets of Santa Teresa. Locals jump on and off the bonde as it rattles by - there is no charge for those who choose to stand on the running board instead of taking a seat. There are two lines - one to Paulo Mattos, and one to Dois Irmaoes. Both pass tram stops at Largo do Curvelo, where there is regular live samba on Sundays, and Largo do Guimaraes, which is the central point for the neighborhood's many excellent bars, restaurants and shops. Jump off at either point and you will be well-placed for exploring this bucolic neighborhood.

Our Local Expert Says:

By day, Santa Teresa is a great place to pick up some arty knick-knacks and enjoy a bite to eat in one of the many traditional restaurants. By night, the neighborhood becomes a hip hangout for bohemian types of all ages, as the bars, cafes and restaurants become packed with students, musicians and artists.

Description:

Once home to Rio's wealthiest inhabitants, the charming hillside neighborhood of Santa Teresa began to fall into disrepair during the 1960s and 70s, when the emergence of favelas nearby drove the rich towards the city's beaches. Artists and musicians moved into the abandoned mansions, and today Santa Teresa is known as Rio's most bohemian neighborhood. Vintage clothes stores, artists workshops and wonderfully laid-back bars and restaurants make the neighborhood well worth a visit, and the iconic yellow tram that clatters its way along the twisting streets is a joy to ride. Despite its close proximity to the city centre, Santa Teresa has preserved a charming small-town atmosphere, and there is a real community atmosphere to the place. Santa Teresa is well-policed and its reputation as a dangerous area to visit is largely undeserved , however, do take the usual precautions, and take taxis between here and Santa Teresa at night.

Our Local Expert Says:

Finish your meal with a delicious, creamy coconut or passionfruit 'batida', condensed milk and cachaca - that famous Brazilian firewater. It might taste like a dessert, but it packs a punch!

Description:

If you're looking for good food that will fill you up without blowing the budget, Bar do Arnaudo is the place to come. This traditional, homely restaurant (no, it's not actually a bar…) serves delicious food from the North East of Brazil in absolutely enormous portions. The set meals for one easily serve two or even three - take your pick from sundried meat or queijo coalho (a hard white cheese, similar to halloumi, served grilled), with brown beans, yucca, rice and pumpkin farofa (toasted seasoned yucca flour). Wash it down with a large, ice cold bottle of beer to share, or - even better - a delicious coconut or passionfruit batida. These creamy drinks are made with fruit, condensed milk and cachaca, the sugar cane rum that is Brazil's national drink. Beware, however, that although they may taste innocent they really pack a punch!

Description:

Great prices, good food and late opening hours have combined to make Simplesmente a firm favorite among Santa Teresa's many night owls. This laid-back bar is open until 4:30am every night except Sunday, and serves bottled beers and tasty bar snacks to hordes of locals and tourists alike. The lighting is low, the ambiance is friendly, and snacks such as sun-dried beef with fried aipim keep energy levels from flagging. During the summer months (December-March), samba bands play inside the bar, and the tables and chairs are cleared to create a dance floor that gets absolutely packed after 2am.

Our Local Expert Says:

If you want to take photos here consider visiting as part of an organized tour. Lapa is not the safest part of Rio and lone tourists with cameras can be a target for thieves. Ask around about tours that take in the 'Lapa Steps'.

Description:

The steps between Lapa and Santa Teresa have been turned into an ongoing work of art by eccentric Chilean artist Selarón. The artist has used painted and decorated tiles from across the world to create something truly unique - musicians such as Snoop Dogg and Pharell have shot promotional videos here.

Description:

If youre looking for the best weekend nightlife action there's only one place to head - Lapa. And for those on a budget, the good news is that you don't even need to pay to enter a club in order to party until dawn. From Thursday to Saturday (Fridays are busiest), the area around the Lapa arches fills up with partiers, live music, and countless vendors selling food and drink - be sure to try some of the mouthwatering cocktails made with vodka and mango or strawberry. The crowd is mainly young and dress is very relaxed. Live music can crop up anywhere but is most often found on the square next to the famous arches - take care here and in other crowded paces as the area is rife with pickpockets.

Description:

In a huge building spread over three floors, Club Six opens very late at the weekends to offer hip hop, beats and Brazilian pop music to hordes of sweaty revellers.

Description:

It may be more than a little touristy, but there´s many a good reason why visitors flock to take the cable car ride up to the top of Sugar Loaf mountain. Rising sheer out of the ocean and towering almost 400 meters above Guanabara Bay, the mountain offers spectacular views from its peak. A dizzying two-stage cable car ride takes in sweeping vistas of the city, and once you reach the top you´ll be in no doubt as to why Rio de Janeiro is known as the Cidade Maravilhosa (marvelous city). As condors soar overhead, can look out over the mountains, dense jungle and those world famous city beaches. Take time to wander around and catch your breath; at the top of Sugar Loaf you will find snack bars, toilets and plenty of prime photo opportunities. At the bottom you will find the small but perfectly formed Praia Vermelha beach, a military barracks (making this perhaps the safest neighborhood in Rio) and a delightful short trail that will take you along a path overhung by trees that are home to plentiful marmosets and exotic birds. Dawn is the perfect time to visit Pão de Açucar to catch the best of the wildlife, before the crowds arrive and drive some of the shyer creatures... read more

Description:

Most tourists only stop in Urca long enough to take the cable car up Sugar Loaf mountain, but this quiet, gentile neighborhood is well worth a few hours of your time. Bar e Restaurante Urca is the perfect spot to stop and soak up charm of the neighborhood, with outdoor tables and chairs allowing relaxed drinking and dining right next to the bay. Bobbing boats and soaring gulls compete for attention with delicious fish and seafood dishes. Bar snacks, such as the cod and potato balls, are very good here too.

Our Local Expert Says:

All the furnishings at Miam Miam are sourced from local antiques store Hully Gully, and all are for sale - the décor is changed every couple of months to keep things fresh.

Description:

Housed in a tiny white colonial building in Botafogo, Miam Miam is easy to miss. Once inside, however, the kitsch décor can't fail to catch your attention. But while the authentic 1940s, 50s and 60s furnishings impress, it's the food that really impresses. The restaurant, which opened in 2007, has won a string of awards for its contemporary take on 'comfort food,' and the drinks are award-winning. Try the Caipivodka with pepper vodka, lime, pineapple and mint to see why. Botafogo might not be a tourist hotspot, but it boasts good backpacker hostels and some of Rio's most interesting drinking and dining options - Miam Miam being a great example of this.

Description:

There's more to Rio's cocktail scene than the ubiquitous caipirinha, and nowhere is this better demonstrated than at Drinkeria Maldita, where a staggering 98 different type of mixed drinks are available. Among the stars of the drinks menu are the aptly-named Diablo, which combines tequila with lemon and pepper, and the Caipisake - a caipirinha made with sake instead of cachaca. Try the cocktail degustation menu - four different cocktails mixed to perfection by the expert bartenders. The food menu, meanwhile, offers very good sandwiches, salads and burgers, including soya options for vegetarians.

Our Local Expert Says:

If you want to take photos here consider visiting as part of an organized tour. Lapa is not the safest part of Rio and lone tourists with cameras can be a target for thieves. Ask around about tours that take in the 'Lapa Steps'.

Description:

The steps between Lapa and Santa Teresa have been turned into an ongoing work of art by eccentric Chilean artist Selarón. The artist has used painted and decorated tiles from across the world to create something truly unique - musicians such as Snoop Dogg and Pharell have shot promotional videos here.

Description:

Any bar named after the controversial American writer Charles Bukowski is bound to be a little different from the norm, and this kooky Botafogo hangout is no run of the mill bar. In a converted colonial building, it is not unusual to be served a shisha pipe by a dwarf, and the DJs spin some interesting tracks too. Expect the unexpected.

Our Local Expert Says:

Pergula is a more relaxed alternative to La Cipriani, Copacabana Palace's formal restaurant. There's no need to dress up, and non-guests are welcome to stop by for a drink and a bite to eat.

Description:

Copacabana Palace remains a byword for glamor and indulgence in Rio, and you'll really feel like you're living the high life as you sip a cocktail and nibble on bar snacks at Pergula, the hotel's relaxed poolside bar and restaurant. The restaurant is open to non-guests and there is no dress code, but do be aware that the clientele here is very well-heeled. If you really feel like splashing out, treat yourself to the set 'brunch', served between 12.30pm and 4.30pm, which includes treats such as salmon, caviar, shrimp and a glass of champagne. This is not a spot for holidaymakers on a budget, but the luxurious surrounds, impeccable service and delicious food and drink more than justify the high price tag.

Our Local Expert Says:

You have a choice of eating in or take away ('para viagem'), and there's a great health food store tagged onto the side of this restaurant.

Description:

New Natural is a fantastic health food buffet. It's largely veggie-friendly, with a lot of soy dishes, although chicken and fish do make an appearance. The nourishing and delicious soups, pastries and hot dishes are popular with Ipanema's health-conscious beachgoers, as well as with travelers staying at 'Hostel Alley', the strip of backpacker accommodation next door to the restaurant.

Description:

The bar, which is right in front of the Ipanema beach, has been elected one of the best bars in Rio, with one of the best draft beers in town. To eat, the barbecued meat is a must, especially the Picanha. It's always very busy, with a friendly and popular atmosphere, especially in the summer.

Our Local Expert Says:

If you don't want to pay the 10 per cent service charge that is imposed in almost all Rio bars, queue up at the smaller serving area rather than the main bar. The downside is that your drink will be served in a plastic glass.

Description:

Open nightly until around 4am, Emporio gets particularly busy on Mondays, when people spill onto the streets. Attracts hordes of local people but is also a good spot to meet other travellers. DJs spin a mix of American and UK alternative and rock music, with a bit of vintage Brazilian MPB.

Description:

The beaches of Rio's Zona Sul (south zone) stretch for miles, and walking the length of these famous stretches of sand is a great way to catch some sun while taking some exercise and enjoying fantastic views. Walking and cycling tracks make seaside strolls a safe activity any day of the week, but the best time for a walk by the beach is Sunday, when the roads are closed to traffic from Leblon right down to the far end of Copacabana. Joggers, cyclers, roller-bladers and power walkers all head here on Sundays to take in some hard core exercise, but a less strenuous option is just to walk along at your own pace, stopping now and then for a cooling agua de coco (chilled coconut water) at one of the many beachside kiosks.

Description:

For fans of 'futebol' (football/soccer), a trip to the legendary Maracanã stadium is every bit as vital as visiting the Christ statue or taking the cable car up the Sugar Loaf. Football is often described as 'the beautiful game', and nowhere is this description more apt than in Brazil. The national side has won the football world cup five times, and is pretty much every non-Brazilian's favorite foreign team. While the big names may have left for high profile, high wages teams in Europe, locally played Brazilian football is still a joy to behold, largely due to the fantastic festival atmosphere. Samba drumming, singing, dancing, firecrackers and enormous flags liven up even the most humdrum of games, and if you are lucky enough to catch a local derby or important cup match then the atmosphere will be even more electric.

Our Local Expert Says:

Guys, be aware that the majority of girls here are 'working'. That cheap night out could end up costing a lot more than you planned…and definitely don't bring a date here.

Description:

If you were at Rio about 20 years back, then this would have been a definite stop for a fun night out. Today, it provides for a different kind of fun. A roaring discotheque once, Help Club today attracts a lot of foreign men looking for a lady for the night. A well-known and popular pick-up joint, the club operates right into the wee-hours of the morning. There is a cover charge, but once inside prices are cheap. With the Copacabana beach atmosphere and the funky salsa 'n' samba beats in the air, this makes a great place to check-out the wild side of Rio!

Description:

Located in the district of Santa Teresa, the Bar do Arnaudo is the oldest in the area, and its owner, Arnaudo, is a local character. The specialty of the house are the fruit cocktails, made from cane spirit and typical Brazilian fruit, especially those from the north-east. Some are made with condensed milk - try the one with coconut! Go slowly with these drinks as, if you are not used to them, they can knock you out quickly. The spirit used is called cachaça and is the typical Brazilian drink made from distilled sugar cane. This is an establishment crowded with young people, offering a good service.