Cacha�a: the taste of Brazil

Distilled from sugar cane, cacha�a comes in numerous variations and alcohol levels - from 40% to 45%. It's a hard liquos that can be drunk straight up or used as basis for the national drink called caipirinha (cacha�a, lemon, sugar and ice). You must taste it!

Floresta da Tijuca (Tijuca Forest)

Don't forget to visit the largest urban forest of the world, full of trails, waterfalls, observatories, peaks...

Visit the Hippie fair, in Ipanema, on Sunday, after the beach.

A walk at Santa Teresa, Urca and the historical center of Rio is extraordinary. Get lost on their streets.

Don't miss the sunset in Arpoador.

It's the most amazing place to watch the sunset over Ipanema beach, as it sticks out into the sea and you can sit on your own little patch with the waves crashing just below.

Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas (Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon)

It is a marvellous great lake right in the city (near Leblon and Ipanema). You can walk for hours alongside the lake enjoy stunning views over the water of the hills of Rio. There are bars to have a drink, you can also buy a bottle of water or wine and just sit anywhere at the waterfront.

Rua da Alf�ndega (Alfandega Street)

Downtown is Rio's most traditional shopping area. The spot known as Saara, around Rua da Alf�ndega, is a bargain paradise. Dozens of shops sell discount clothing, party supplies, fabrics, shoes, you name it.

Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil

One of the most effervescent cultural rendez-vous in town offering exhibitions, cinema and theatre. Also worth a look, just around the corner, is the Casa Fran�a-Brasil cultural centre, a neoclassical building designed by Grandjean de Montigny.

Feijoada & Churrasco

These two local dishes are well worth experiencing. The national dish 'feijoada' consists of black beans and pork served with rice, kale and manioc. Another favourite is "churrasco", huge chunks of barbecued beef, pork, chicken and all kind of meat. The "rodizio" style churrascarias are an event in themselves - waiters roam the restaurant with huge skewers of all cuts served "all-you-can-eat-style."