This city has a number of venues to be sure to hit:

1.  Take the tram ride up to Corcovado (the famous Christ statue).  The views are better than Sugar Loaf and it's an amazing ride through the urban rainforest.

2.  Sugar Loaf is a fun jaunt for an hour.

3.  Someone wrote about the Hippie Fair.  Actually, there are a number of them.  The one to hit is in Ipanema and is usually either on Saturday or Sunday mornings until about 2 PM.  Bargain HARD there, as they're accustomed to tourists.

4.  The museum at the H. Stern factory is free and interesting if you are interested in gems.

5.  This is a must (and is also free).  On Sunday mornings, the main street along Ipanema beach is closed to only pedestrian traffic.  Why?  People parade up and down the length of the beach along this drive for no other real purpose than to socialize and (the real attraction) to check out everyone else.  Don't misunderstand....do NOT wear anything flashy or that suggests that you might have money.  That will net you a LOT of problems anywhere in Rio at any time.  Rather, it's about "eye candy", whether you think that's you or not (we're not) go anyway.  It's just a hoot to watch and participate in!

6.  Do a day-tour with Greyline or one of the established tour operators.  You'll easily hit the main attractions in one day.

7.  Eat at a Charrascaria (restaurant that serves whole meats on skewers, brought to your table). 

Hope that give you some ideas....

Posted Dec 17, 2010

For Rio: Don't miss Casa Rosa in Laranjeiras. If you like feijoada and if you like samba you will like Casa Rosa. It's a well heeled venue, mostly popular with Brazilians, but is getting increasingly more popular with foreigners as well. Every Sunday they serve a feijoada dinner before the night kicks off with samba, pagode, funk carioca, and if you're lucky you'll catch the capoeira open roda as well. Casa Rosa (literally translating to pink house, which it is) is probably the best way to spend you Sunday evening with friends. Not too big and not to small, the diversity of the music lineup will keep you entertained for the entire night. There are several different rooms inside and an open "deck" area outside so if you don't like one just switch to another. Take some friends or go alone, it really doesn't matter because either way, by 9:00pm you will be elbow to elbow with fellow sambistas:)

Posted Dec 31, 2010

One of my favorite things to do is hike Morro da Urca (short, easy hike, I do it with my kids).  At the top you can spend some time enjoying the views.  Then take the cable car down.  Walk about 10 minutes to Bar da Urca (ask the cab drivers at the bottom, they will point you in the right direction).  Bar da Urca is a whole in the wall institution!  Order a beer (or juice) and an empada de camarao (shrimp) and sit across the street on the break wall.  Relax and enjoy the views of the bay.... The whole thing will take about 4 hours and is best done in the morning before it gets too hot. 

Posted Dec 19, 2010

Heather:

   There is a unique outdoor bazaar called the Hippie Fair (the Brazilians pronounce it heepee fair in accented English).  It has every kind of trinket and people watching imaginable, plus some excellent, inexpensive art.  Please don't miss it.   Check local times it is open.

   The tram ride to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain is another must.  The panorama is tremendous.

   Naturally, a beach walk on Copacabana or Ipanema (only during the day) is another must.

Very Happy Travels,

Lance Johnson / Oklahoma City

Posted Dec 17, 2010

I like Brazil, and especially enjoyed my time in Rio.  I stayed in up in the Santa Teresa neighborhood, which is artsy and residential.  There are several good cafe/bars/restaurants and a couple of art galleries/gift shops around Rua Almirante Alexandrino by the bonde/tram stop. If you visit at night, definitely take a cab coming & going. 

Lapa is down the hill from St Teresa. At night the samba clubs open around Avenue Mem de Sa. Locals gather under the Arches in Lapa late at night, and it turns into a giant street party. Vendors sell food and beer from push carts and the dance clubs leave their doors open so you can hear the music outside anyway. My friend & I did this 2 nights. Depends on how you define fun, but we really enjoyed it!

As for BA, Palermo Soho is a great neighborhood with many places to eat, drink & shop. Recoleta cemetary is interesting. Hotel Faena iin Puerto Madero is a Philippe Starke hotel; it's cool if you're into design & the Library bar is nice for a fancy drink.

Posted Dec 18, 2010

I was in Buenos Aires this time last year.  We loved Olsen Scandinavian restaurant in Palermo and the Urban Biking bike tour (we did the South tour).  The downtown hop on/hop off bus tour is a great way to orient yourself to the city but once you've seen the sights, the subte (subway) is the way to go.  If you get the chance, don't miss Iguazu Falls and especially the Esteros del Ibera wetlands of northern Argentina.

Posted Dec 18, 2010

Yes...you must see the Santa Teresa neighborhood in the hills above Rio!  Also, when you are in BA, try to go on a boat trip to explore the province Tigre, the delta area to see the wonderful river shacks and quaint fishing villages along the river.  Also if you can visit a estancia outside of BA in the area near the small town called Pilar.  it is about an hour outside of  BA to experience the pampas lifestyle of ranches, gauchos, parrillas, mate, and of course...polo.  Happy Trails!

Posted Dec 19, 2010

In Rio, drink a caiprinha and eat some fried cheese cooked up by the wandering vendors on Copacabana beach.

As for BA, check out Michael Procknal's suggestions: http://beta.afar.com/users/michael-procknal/answers. You might have to scroll down a bit to find it, but he did a really long post about stuff to do there.

Posted Dec 20, 2010

In addition to Santa Teresa neighborhood and the beaches, I suggest you try to get a walking tour of the big flavela (slum). Your hotel should have a brochure. This is a great experience. One is run by a former Brazilian stewardess whose guides all wear yellow shirts. Everyone giving the tour must contribute to the welfare of the people in the flavela. In  her case, she ran a day care and adult education center. There are crime problems in Rio now, so this might no longer be available. ALSO, be wise and wear NO jewelry of value. Be modest  in your clothing and do not walk alone at dusk or later anywhere. Muggings are common. Have a good time. Caiprinha is a great idea.

Posted Dec 25, 2010

If youve ever enjoyed a Brazilian steakhouse like Fogo de Chao then you have to visit Porcoa. I ate there 3 times in the week I was in Rio (lunch & dinner one day because one of my hosts couldn't make it for lunch but insisted on getting in on the treat). Take your appetite and while you shouldn't fill up on their generous veggies, they do help cleanse your palette between servings of beef, pork, sausage & chicken hearts (a local favorite). And be sure to enjoy the payapa desert and a capochino afterward.

Posted Jan 02, 2011

DO NOT miss the view of the city and bay from the Corcocado Mountain (where the statue of the Christ is).  Also, the neighborhoods of Santa Teresa and Lapa (old, historic but still noe completed re-done).

Posted Jan 13, 2011

In Rio:
- Arpoador Rock (divides Copacabana from Ipanema) ... great views
- Rooftop bar of the recently renovated Windsor Atlantica at the far end of Copacabana ... great views
- Sunday Hippie Fair at Ipanema ... great art and unique crafts (no Chinese imports)
- Jeep Tour into Tijuca Rainforest to see almost-virgin rainforest, sloths, monkeys, coatimundi, waterfalls ... (do this after Corcovado)
- Juice bars make delicious fruit smoothies (anything with acai berries!)
- The BEST beach barbecue sandwiches at Milton's, on Ipanema near Lifeguard Post #9 (look for the blue & white Uruguayan flag)

In Buenos Aires:
- Tango for tourists ... beautiful, professional tango show at Faena Universe Hotel (expensive, but worth it)
- Tango as the locals do it ... ask around for a local dance hall (women sit on one side - men on the other side ... kind of like junior high!) - it's a riot!
- The boat ride at Iguassu Falls (Argentinian side). You WILL get soaked! Great fun.
- San Telmo Antique Market on Sunday (music and dancing, too)

Have fun!

Posted May 24, 2012