therioguide:

Chic and Cheerful

Hungry shoppers, prepare yourself for an avalanche of oranges. One of the most popular lunch spots in the downtown maze of bargain basement establishments that is Saara, Pasteleria Chic’s (map) takes kitsch kookiness to a whole new level. Open for business since 1970, the budget-friendly snack...

March 14th, 2010 | Rio de Janeiro | Read More

Keeping it Rio

There are some weird and wonderful sights to be found off-the-beaten-track in Rio For first-time visitors to Rio de Janeiro, it can be difficult to get off the tourist track and find the ‘real’ Rio. Language barriers, safety concerns and a whole host of other factors can hamper any attempts...

March 7th, 2010 | Rio de Janeiro | Read More

Watching the World Cup in Rio

'Futebol' is everywhere in Rio It’s football to us Brits, soccer to North Americans and Futebol to Brazilians – call it what you like, but never underestimate the importance of the ‘Beautiful Game’ in Brazil. This is a country that prides itself on having some of the most...

March 5th, 2010 | Rio de Janeiro | Read More

Rio in the Fall

After months of blazing sunshine and sizzling heat, temperatures in Rio have now taken a tumble and autumn is well and truly in the air. A Cloudy Day in Rio While it would be laughable to say that things ever get really cold in Rio, autumn and winter do bring their fair share of chilly days, so make...

February 28th, 2010 | Rest of the World | Read More

Franz Ferdinand in Lapa

Fans of Scots rockers Franz Ferdinand can catch the sharply-dressed quartet in Rio on March 19th, when they’ll play at Fundicao Progresso, in Lapa. This is a repeat visit to the city for the band, who are playing in Rio as part of a month-long South American tour that also takes in dates in Argentina,...

February 27th, 2010 | Rio de Janeiro | Read More

Hey, Gringo!

Gringoes always stand out in a crowd If there’s one word you’ll get accustomed to hearing during your time in Rio de Janeiro, it’s ‘gringo’ (or, gringa for us girlies…). But while some visitors may bristle at the word, there’s very rarely any harm meant...

February 25th, 2010 | Rio de Janeiro | Read More

Beat the Summer Heat

Ilha Grande Ok, so blazing sunshine and 40 degree heat might not sound too terrible, but there are times when the heat and humidity of Rio summertime can get a little overwhelming. And while the crashing waves of the city’s beaches provide a little respite from the sweltering heat, the waters tend...

February 20th, 2010 | Rio de Janeiro | Read More

Michael Jackson and Batman Samba to Victory

Michael Jackson, Batman and a host of other enigmatic characters have helped Unidos da Tijuca take first prize in Rio’s Carnival samba parade for the first time in almost 80 years. The overall winners take home a trophy and the right to call themselves reigning samba school champions for a year...

February 19th, 2010 | Rio de Janeiro | Read More

Carnival 2010 – What to Eat and Drink

You won't need to look far for food and drink during Carnival Rio Carnival is all about excess, and there’s no shortage of opportunity to eat and drink yourself into oblivion during this most hedonistic of celebrations. Throughout the four days of Carnival itself (along with the numerous pre...

February 15th, 2010 | Rio de Janeiro | Read More

Rio Carnival on a Budget

Getting Into the Carnival Spirit Budget travelers looking for a cheap holiday in Rio de Janeiro can have their work cut out at the best of times, thanks to spiraling prices and an increasingly strong national currency. And with the arrival of Carnival sending accommodation prices soaring, it can be...

February 11th, 2010 | Rio de Janeiro | Read More

Costumes for Carnival

Two Che With less than a week to go until the start of Rio Carnival, there’s no time for dilly-dallying in planning what you’re going to wear for the four-day funfest. While the sequins and spangles of the samba schools are really best reserved for those on board the Carnival floats,...

February 7th, 2010 | Rio de Janeiro | Read More

Single on Valentine’s Day? Not For Long!

With February 14 falling slap bang in the middle of Carnival, loved-up couples will have their work cut out trying to find a quiet spot for a romantic moment. Valentine’s Day isn’t marked here, with Brazilians instead celebrating ‘Lover’s Day’ later in the year, so don’t...

February 3rd, 2010 | Rio de Janeiro | Read More

Carnival Fever Sweeps Rio

With just days to go until the official start of Rio Carnival on Saturday, February 13, a festive fever is already sweeping the city. The major samba schools have been perfecting their moves and beats with technical rehearsals at Rio’s famous Sambodromo (the vast, purpose-built stadium that hosts...

February 1st, 2010 | Rio de Janeiro | Read More

The Baianas of Santa Teresa

Clad in their traditional white robes and cooking up delicious-smelling goodies in bubbling pots, the famous Baianas (natives of Bahia) of Santa Teresa are not hard to spot. Selling spicy savouries and oh-so-sweet treats, the Baianas add an exotic element to the boho neighbourhood’s lively dining...

September 27th, 2009 | Rio de Janeiro | Read More

Phones in Rio

Like many things in Brazil, the simple process of using a telephone can be extremely confusing for first-timers in Rio. From public phones to dialling codes to mobiles, the phone system is far from simple. The first thing to get your head around is the complicated dialling code system. If you’re...

September 25th, 2009 | Rio de Janeiro | Read More

Five things to do in Rio in the spring

Jardim Botanico Rio’s ‘winter’ may be warmer than many countries’ summertime, but the arrival of spring is still greeted with great enthusiasm here in the cidade maravilhosa. With plenty of clear, sunny days, and hot – but not stifling – temperatures, spring is one...

September 18th, 2009 | Rio de Janeiro | Read More

Late night SOS service in Santa

Late-night partiers in Santa Teresa now have a new emergency service at their beck and call. Santa Conveniencia bills itself as an SOS service for the early hours, delivering everything from alcohol, food and cigarettes to tampons and condoms. The nocturnal delivery service operates from 10pm to 5pm...

September 15th, 2009 | Rio de Janeiro | Read More

In search of the perfect chocolate

As one of the world´s largest producers of cocoa beans, Brazil might be expected to produce some of the world´s best chocolate. Unfortunately for chocoholics visiting Rio, that´s far from the case. The vast majority of chocolate easily available in Rio is extremely sweet, low in cocoa content and...

September 15th, 2009 | Rio de Janeiro | Read More

Registering for the visa amnesty – first hand account

So, I did it. I successfully registered for the visa amnesty for foreigners and now have a stamp in my passport that allows me to come and go as I wish, work and live here legally and, provided all goes to plan, register for permanent citizenship in just under two years´time. There´s been a lot of...

September 14th, 2009 | Rio de Janeiro | Read More

Lapa by Day

For many people, the somewhat shabby streets of Lapa are worthy of a visit only at night, when the samba clubs start swinging and the streets become a blur of street vendors and tipsy revellers. Admittedly, the crumbling colonial buildings and the abundance of unsavory looking characters don’t...

September 3rd, 2009 | Rio de Janeiro | Read More