Our Sightseeing Recommendations

Corcovado, Cristo:

From the upper entrance of our favela, take bus 206 to Silvestre, then walk all the way up, or get into the red train halfway at Palmeiras for 25 reais. Walking up all the way takes about 1.5 to 2 hours., shortcuts through the forest exist, but take the usual caution and walk in groups through the forest. Walking on the street up is safe unless you flash unusually big camera equipment or the like..
From the lower entrance of the favela, walk down the street “Pereira da Silva” till you hit “Rua das Laranjeiras”. Takes bus 422 or any other bus written “Cosme Velho” on it (heading right) and get out at the Corcovado train station (just tell the bus driver “Corcovado”). The trains leave every half hour, the roundtrip ticket is 36 Reais. It´s a pleasant ride! We suggest arriving sometime before sunset and staying there for sunset, when the statue lights up. The last train down is at around 7 p.m.

Sugar Loaf, Pao de Acucar:

Take the Metro to Botafogo, then continue on bus 512, walk for about 20 minutes, or take taxi for approx. 6 Reais. You may also walk down from Largo do Machado towards the Flamengo beach and catch any bus written “Urca” towards the Sugar Loaf Mountain. Two cable cars take you up to the top until 9:50 pm. Take your time, and when you are up there, try to locate our Pousada. You can locate it well by spotting the big white religious college (Asuncao CENAM) sitting on top of the hill, and our pousada in the favela just below.

Jardim Botanico

(bus 570, 571, 569 from Largo do Machado) A very large botanic garden, close to the lagoon. Very nice not only for plant lovers.

The center of town:

(take the Santa Teresa tram down to the end station, or take the Metro to “Carioca”). During weekdays, go there until it gets dark to wonder in the many pedestrians zones with a lot of Brazilian shoppers and look at the beautiful, though often run down colonial buildings. If you are into architecture, go on a Sunday during the day, when the center is deserted and you can best enjoy the sights. It´s probably best to go in a group though, because the center, while safe when busy, may become one of the more dangerous places in Rio after nightfall or on Sundays. In the center, also don´t miss “Parque de Santana”, a nice big park with lots of free roaming animals like peacocks, ducks and agoutis (these look like giant squirrels)

Praca Quinze (15) de Setembro:

Also in the center, this is the real historic center with the oldest buildings, some nice restaurants, and the boat harbour for trips to Niteroi, Ilha Fiscal, Ilha de Paqueta and other destinations

Stairs of Selaron, Lapa (Rua Joaquim Silva).

The famous tiled stairs became even more famous after being displayed in Snoop Doggs music clip “Beautiful”. As you pass the white arches in Lapa, walk into the small street to the right, which is also the main nightlife street on weekends. The street bends left after only 20m. The next “street” up to the right is the stairs, where the Chilean artist Selaron can often be seen removing old tiles and fixing new ones.

Maracana, (Metro station Maracana).

The info office on Largo do Guimaraes in Santa Teresa always knows when games are on. The stadium can also be visited for R$ 5,- on days without games, but its just not the same…

Igreja da Gloria / Gloria Yacht Harbor.

Walking down the Rua do Catete from Largo do Machado, You will eventually come to an open square and the district of Gloria. Walking up the steep steps to your right will lead you to the beautiful church of Nossa Senhora Da Gloria, with a nice view over the yacht harbour Gloria, which you could visit afterwards

Beaches

of course Rio is famous for the beaches Copacabana, Ipanema etc. More detailed in the category “beaches”

Floresta de Tijuca:
(best done by tour or taxi, or take the metro to “Saens Pena”, then a taxi). It is called the biggest inner city park in the world, although it is hardly really in the heart of the city. The parquet boast various hiking trails, waterfalls, and three restaurants at “Alto da Boa Vista”

Lagoa Rodrigo Freitas

(Bus 570 from Largo do Machado) Stroll around the nice huge lake (or rather lagoon), rent a bicycle or even book a helicopter flight on the west side of the lake. Also, from the lake it´s a quick and easy stroll over to the adjacent Ipanema beach.

Hanggliding:
One site not to be missed is “Pedra da gavea”. You can arrange a hanggliding jump from that mountain with us, please see “tour offers”. It´s absolutely fantastic

Samba Schools:

between around August and February you may assist the practices of a Samba school, The trainings are mostly on Saturday nights, you will have to take a taxi or guide to get to them, the closest one being Salgueiro. Some addresses of Samba schools; Beija Flor (Pracinha Wallace Paes Leme 1025, Nilopolis), Mangueira (Rua Visconde de Niteroi 1072, Mangueira), Mocidade (Rua Coronel Tamarindo, Padre Miguel), Portela (Rua Clara Nunes 81, Madureira), Salgueiro (Rua Silva Teles 104, Andarai). Most samba schools are in the zona norte, not the safest place of town.

Rio Water Planet.

If you have done it all and want to have some extra fun in the water, look at the largest aquatic park in South America, located in the posh district of Barra da Tijuca, near Barra Shopping Center.

Morrinho:

Last but not least, one sight in our own favela: You can even see it from our rooftop. In the forest to the left of our pousada, a little downhill, local youths have built miniature favelas out of brick stones, complete with streets, cars, police offers and drug dealers. The project has become so famous that they have been invited to Barcelona and the Biennale in Venice. By the lower entrance of the favela, on the left hand side when going down, is the office of Morrinho, with some informational material, and even T-Shirts for sale.

Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site!