MINI GUIDE
Beach life in Rio de Janeiro
COMPILED BY NATALIE MILLMAN, WITH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM REGIS ST LOUIS. PHOTOGRAPHS: ANTONIO BARTUC-CIO/SIME/4 CORNERS, PAULO FRIDMAN/CORBIS, MICHAEL ROBERTSON/ALAMY, FLAVIO VELOSO/BRAZIL PHOTOS/LIGHTPOCKET VIA GETTY IMAGESRio essentials The know-how
FURTHER READING
Lonely Planet’s Rio de
Janeiro (US$21.99) is a
comprehensive guide to
the city and chapters from
the book can be
downloaded at
lonelyplanet.com
(US$4.95). For
information on all the best
surf spots around Rio and
up-to-date wave
conditions, see wannasurf.
com. In Brazil on the Rise,
New York Times journalist
Larry Rohter takes a
journey
through the
culture,
history and
economic
transformation
of Brazil.WHO IS THE GIRL
FROM IPANEMA?
O Her name is Helô Pinheiro,
and in 1962, tall, tanned and
young (17), she frequently went
to the beach of Ipanema. Her
route from her home a few
blocks away took her past the
Bar Veloso, where several men
made overtures to her.
OIn August 1962, inside a
cramped club, Tom Jobim and
João Gilberto took to the stage to
play a nostalgic, sorrowful tune
with a jazzy beat composed by
Jobim and poet Vinícius de
Moraes – Garota de Ipanema. It
became a smash hit and
launched bossa nova.
OHelô only became aware that
she was the inspiration for the
song in 1965. She got to know de
Moraes and Jobim – who both
proposed to her but
instead she married
her high-school
sweetheart.Francisco Otaviano 177; from
US$122).
The Casa Mosquito is a
beautifully designed guesthouse
with luxurious rooms. The 1940s
mansion sits in a tranquil garden
with views of Sugarloaf Mountain
and the Pavão-Pavãozinho favela
(casamosquito.com; Rua Saint
Roman 222; from US$165).
At the Marina All Suites you’ll
find suites made up of pretty
bedrooms, beautifully decorated
living rooms, and views of the
Leblon shoreline. There’s also
a top-floor pool, spa and a bar
(marinaallsuites.com.br; Avenida
Delfim Moreira 696; from US$251).WHERE TO STAY
Overlooking Arpoador beach,
the Arpoador Inn is the only hotel
in Ipanema or Copacabana that
doesn’t have a busy street between
it and the beach. ‘Deluxe’ rooms
have glorious ocean views
(arpoadorinn.com.br; RuaTRANSPORT
British Airways flies from Singapore
to Rio via London Heathrow (from
US$1,333; ba.com), while Emirates
flies from Kuala Lumpur via Dubai
(from US$1,416; emirates.com).
Aeroporto Antônio Carlos Jobin is
nine miles north of the city
centre. Premium Auto Ônibus
runs every 20 mins to Flamengo,
Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon
and other neighbourhoods (1¼–2
hours depending on traffic;
US$3.15). Taxis charge US$28 to
Copacabana and Ipanema (45–90
mins). The most convenient way
to get around is metro – single
fares cost 86c, while taxis are
useful at night, with rates
starting at US$1.15.Beaches Activities Eating SleepingSleep as close to the beach as
you can at Marina All Suites