Folio Travel

Amy’s Rio de Janeiro Folio Guide – Out and About

Rio de JaneiroBrazil

"Rio is an iconic city, one of the most readily identifiable in the world, not least because of its fabled carnival. The grand dame of South America, it stretches out between rain forests and emerald half-mooned shaped bays with its two famous beaches, Copacabana and Ipanema, overlooked by the imposing Christ the Redeemer. It is a vibrant and youthful city fired by an inexhaustible energy that can be experienced on its beaches, its restaurants, and its nightlife." (Source)

(click to access this map on Google Maps)

Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon

Morro Dois Irmãos(Two Brothers)

Escadaria Selaron(Steps of Lapa)

Sugar Loaf (trailhead)

Pedro do Arpoador

Corcovado (trailhead)

Folio Travel

Amy’s Rio de Janeiro Folio Guide – Out and About

Sugar Loaf (Pao de Acucar) Corcovado Lagoa Rodrigo de FreitasPedro do Arpoador

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There are 2 cable cars that go up to the summit. You can also hike up to the first view point, and take the second cable car that goes up to the summit. If you hike the first portion, make sure you buy a "half entry" cable car ticket BEFORE you start the hike. Ticket are sold at the base station, and additional information can be found here.

"Sugar Loaf is a very popular view point and a quintessential landmark that signifies Rio. The mountain is located in the town of Urca a very beautiful town to spend the afternoon once you come down from the Mountain. Take the Cable Car from the bottom at Praia Vermelha until the first viewing point on the Morro da Urca (Urca Hill), from there you can take another cable car to reach the summit of Sugar Loaf Mountain. Or hike by entering next to Praia Vermelha and follow the path on your left side as you face the sea. There you will find a path by the name of Pista Claudia Coutinho that goes around the base of the Morro da Urca. The hike is relatively easy and takes no more than 30 minutes. Once you reach the top, to the first viewing point, you can then take the extra cable car to reach the summit.” (Source)

Hike up to Corcovado, home of the famous Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) statue. The trailhead is at Parque Lage, and the roundtrip hike is moderate to strenuous and takes around 4 hours. There is also an option to take a train up or down. Train information here.

"The hike up Corcovado is an excellent alternative to taking the train or a van to the summit, and you'll gain discounted entry into the monument at the top (worth a visit)." (Source)

"One of the seven wonders of the world, the Christ the Redeemer statue is a must-see in Rio. Built over nine years as a symbol of Brazilian Christianity, today the structure of reinforced concrete and Swedish soapstone continues to stand as one of the largest art deco statues in the world at a whopping 98 feet tall and 92 feet wide. Located at the peak of Crocovado mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park, Christ the Redeemer provides sensational views over Rio and is undoubtedly the city’s most famous cultural icon and landmark.” (Source)

The north side of the lake is the trailhead to hike up to Corcovado, and the west/northwest side of the lake is home to the botanical gardens and its hip and trendy neighborhood, Jardim Botanico, which would be a great place to find a café before or after your bike ride.

"Pass a pleasant afternoon wandering around the 7.2 kilometer cycle path that encircles LagoaRodrigo de Freitas, a beautiful lake in the south zone of Rio. Bike hire by the hour or per day is available starting from about BRL9 (USD$3) per hour and offers an alternative to walking around the lake. Keep an eye out for wild capybaras and stop in at Palaphita Kitch, an Amazonian-style outdoor lounge bar, to drink one of their native-fruit caipirinhas and watch the spectacular sunset.” (Source)

Rock outcropping at the east end of Ipanema beach, and a great place to watch the sunset. The beach itself stretches 4 kms (2.5 miles) and has no shortage of activities to keep you busy.

"The sun sets over Ipanema beach and from late afternoon people will congregate on ‘the rock’ for sunset. Alcohol is drunk, coconuts are sipped on, queso is consumed, music is played and photos are in full force. Once the sun has set, the whole crowd will clap. The atmosphere is so cool and the sunset isn’t so bad either. It’s the perfect way to end any day!" (Source)

"Pedro do Arpoador will always be more hidden and less crowded than its neighboring beaches. Its famous rock formations offer 360 degree views of the sunrises and sunsets over the ocean. Surfers also enjoy this beach for its large waves in the Rio area. If you happen to get caught in Rio during a sea storm, head to the Rocks of Arpoador for a good view. Proceed with caution as you are putting yourself at risk of getting extremely wet or even wiped out by the massive crashing waves." (Source)

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Folio TravelBonus Recommendation

"One of my favourite hikes in Rio de Janeiro has got to be Dois Irmãos. Having been up there four times now –once even to celebrate Christmas Day at the top – I feel like I’m beginning to know the way up like the back of my hand. Despite this, the view from the top never fails to amaze me. It’s picture-perfect, capturing Ipanema’s wonderful coastline with Lagoa to the left and the ocean stretching out endlessly to the right. The hike up takes about 40 minutes through the forest with the occasional viewpoint to stop at, but before you get to the entrance of the trail, you need to go up to the top of Vidigal favela." (Source)

“Take a bus to the entrance of Vidigal, Rio’s safest favela, and take a motortaxito the top. The ride will be hairy and the drivers always seem to cut corners and whizz past vans nonchalantly, but they are experienced and know the route well. Once you get to the top, it’s time to hike to the top of Dois Irmãos. The hike takes about 40 minutes and is relatively challenging, but with plenty of viewpoints on the way up, its can be taken lightly. Once at the top, sit down and marvel at the jaw-dropping view over Leblon and Ipanema — it’s indescribable.” (Source)

"Made up of 215 colorful steps leading up from the Rua Joaquim Silva, the eye-popping mosaics are Jorge Selarón’s touching tribute to the Brazilian people. The Chilean-born artist began renovations of the ruined steps in front of his house back in 1990 as a eccentric side-project – however, covering the steps with fragments of blue, green and yellow tiles and ceramics soon became an obsession. Today, they are still a work in progress and bear origins from over 60 countries around the world." (Source)

A suburb about 45 mins outside of Rio. May be worth a stop if driving to Paraty.

"The 12-kilometre stretch of beach in Barra remains one of Rio’s best-kept secrets thanks to places such as Copacabana and Ipanema that continue to steal touristic attention. This has its advantages – the beaches in Barra are clean, less crowded and safer. For fans of radical sports, Barra’s windy conditions are perfect for kitesurfing and equipment can be rented out along the beach." (Source)

Amy’s Rio de Janeiro Folio Guide – Out and About

Morro Dois Irmãos (Two Brothers)

Escadaria Selarón (Steps of Lapa) Barra da Tijuca

Landmark Landmark Beach

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Folio Travel

Amy’s Paraty Folio Guide – Out and About

ParatyBrazil

"Backed by steep, jungled mountains plunging into an island-studded bay, Paraty enjoys one of Brazil’s most spectacular settings and an exquisitely preserved colonial center, recognized as a National Historic Site since 1966. The town's pedestrianized streets are lined with elegant white buildings adorned with fanciful multihued borders and latticed windows that blend harmoniously with the natural beauty that envelops the town – it's a joy to explore (despite the ankle-twisting irregular cobblestones!)" (Source)

(click to access this map on Google Maps)

Jabaquara`s Beach

Paraty 33

Cachaça Maria Izabel

Folio Travel

According to it's website, it's "always open.”

"Paraty is known for its creative scene, and music is the soul of the place come evening. You’ll find a number of bars and restaurants hosting bands, including Paraty 33, a cavernous, wood-bedecked spot which packs out every night. This establishment serves traditional Brazilian dishes to a backdrop of live acoustic and other genres in a cozy ambiance. Round the corner, Margarida Cafe is just as lively, hosting a busy schedule of performers with music ranging from tango and jazz to samba and bossa nova." (Source)

For distillery tour information, e-mail contato@mariaizabel.com.br or call +55 (24) 99835-8814 and +55 (24) 99999-9908.

"The original distilleries, or alambiques, offer an insight into Brazil’s history as well as an introduction to the nuances of cachaça, in remarkably scenic settings, with many of the distilleries serving up the regional cuisine too. One distillery to head to while you’re in Paraty is Cachaça Maria Izabel, where the sugar cane is planted on the hillside – which is said to increase the concentration of sugar in the cane – that leads down to the sea. And it’s the proximity of Paraty’s sugar plantations to the sea that is said to give the region’s cachaça its distinct character."(Source)

"To access the mangroves, you need to cross Jabaquara beach and the only way to do that is by sea, which adds an extra element of adventure to the expedition. The best and most fun way of doing that is by hiring a kayak and rowing over, which gives the chance of getting right up close to the mangroves. Continue through the mangroves until you reach the outstanding Saquinho do Corumbê, which is a small sea bay with crystal-clear waters." (Source)

Amy’s Paraty Folio Guide – Out and About

Paraty 33 Cachaça Maria Izabel Jabaquara Mangroves

Restaurant / Bar Distillery Landmark

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Folio Travel

Amy’s Ilha Grande Folio Guide – Out and About

Ilha GrandeBrazil

"Ilha Grande is a popular weekend getaway in Rio de Janeiro. Just an hour away from the city itself, the island has white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, and exciting forest trails, making it the perfect tropical retreat. One of the most charming features of IlhaGrande is that it is a car-free zone. All the cobbled streets and dust tracks are totally pedestrianised. So if you have a late night out, whether at a bar or star gazing on the beach, make sure you know your way back on foot as there will be no Uber or taxi to come and get you." (Source)

(click to access this map on Google Maps)

Ilha de Jorge Grego

Vila de Dois Rios

Pico do Papagaio(Parrot Peak)

Folio Travel

"The hike to the Vila de Dois Rios is about 16 kilometres there and back from Abraao, the main hub of Ilha Grande. The trek is relatively easy and flat and involves forest trails and a gorgeous wild beach that remains unspoilt by tourism. The small village has a few simple restaurants and is nearby to the Candido Mendes prison. The mix of abandoned houses and the local ghost stories of the prison’s inmates adds a spooky vibe."

"Ilha Grande holds a dark secret – it was home to the Candido Mendes, a high-security prison for some of Brazil’s most dangerous criminals. Stories include the escape of one of the country’s most notorious drug lords, known as Escadinha, who broke out after he was rescued by helicopter. For decades it kept the inmates away from the mainland until it closed in 1994 and the criminals were released or re-imprisoned elsewhere. It can be visited by following the trail from the Vila de Dois Rios." (Source)

“Pico do Papagaio is the second highest peak on the island, standing at 980 metres high. The hike up takes approximately three hours and is quite challenging. However, the views from the top are sensational and look out over the entire island. Due to its challenging nature, it’s best to do this trek in a group” (Source)

A small island off the coast of Ilha grande with some great diving sites. Check with a dive center on Ilha Grande for more details (or other great dive sites around the island!). (Source)

"We can divide the island into two points for diving: the internal part, where there is a wreck of a fishing vessel, has depths ranging from 9 to 20 meters. The bottom is sand and rocks that form passages between the rocks. Here the level of experience is the recommended level. From the outside, small caves, can reach 42 meters in depth and the level is advanced. Visibility of 10 meters to 25 and the temperature and crystal clear waters of the island, 25 degree C. It has an excellent marine fauna, with caves and rocks with colorful corals and sponges. Many marine species, lizards, and skates cheetah butter, olhetes, grouper and whiting, brothers, trumpets, moreias, turtles, eye-to-cow, octopus, shrimp, starfish and lots of variety of colorful fish, and possible to see dolphins in the summer." (Source)

Amy’s Ilha Grande Folio Guide – Out and About

Vila de Dois Rios Pico do Papagaio (Parrot Peak) Ilha de Jorge Grego

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