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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Photo: Halley Pacheco de Oliveira, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Zona Oeste (The West Zone) in Rio de Janeiro is the farthest zone from city center and is home to the richest and poorest neighborhoods in Rio.
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Museu Aeroespacial
Good collection of planes, engines, etc. and a chance to see how Air Traffic Control works.
Bosque da Barra
This 560,000-m² park is one of the most visited green areas in the Zona Oeste, with a lake, walking trails through the woods, large lawns, playgrounds, and sporting facilities.
Museu Casa do Pontal
The area's most important collection of popular arts and crafts.
Parque Ecológico Chico Mendes
This 43-hectare park has walking trails through a preserved section of the Mata Atlântica (Atlantic Forest). They also offer a guided tour of the habitats of several local endangered species, including the three-toed sloth, the broad-snouted caiman, and the red-footed tortoise. There is an exhibit hall with exhibits on local wildlife.
Parque Estadual da Pedra Branca
The largest ecological park in the city, and the largest urban forest in the world, with 12,500 hectares. Vegetation is typical of the old Atlantic forest, and fauna includes ocelots, sloths, armadillos, and toucans. Beyond the nature, there are also ruins of several structures, such as old farmhouses.
Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Loreto
WEeest
Igreja Nossa Senhora da Conceição
A modern church
Igreja de Santa Cecília
City of Arts
Large complex with cultural events at the heart of Barra.
Roberto Burle Marx Site
The garden of landscape architect and artist Roberto Burle Marx (1909-1994), with a collection of plants from all over Brazil. In 2021 it was listed as a world heritage site.
Praia da Barra da Tijuca
Praia do Recreio dos Bandeirantes
Praia de Macumba
Praia da Prainha
Praia de Grumari
Praia de Abricó
Nudist beach. Facilities and telephone service are quite limited, so plan ahead.
Telegraph Stone
Hike up this 354-m-high mountain and enjoy a beautiful view. Famous for the "cliffhanger images", which can be taken on top.
Planeta Água
A water park with over 40 attractions, located in Vargem Grande.
Pepe was a famous hang glider who passed away in a hang gliding accident in Japan a few years ago. He started a sandwich shop on the beach that makes a variety of healthy sandwiches. Especially good are the fruit smoothies. Not to be missed. Cabana do Pepe is run by Pepe's widow. This is the most popular area of the Barra beach, and is the best area for people watching.
Alpendre's menu is full of typical Brazilian cuisine from around the country.
Although unexpected it is delightful. Germany food in Rio! Fantastic breakfast and salad bar.
Excellent vegan option with three-course meals in a more lush quarter of Recreio. Offers pizza delivery on Saturdays. Prices can be a bit steep for locals.
This churrascaria has unusually excellent meat and shrimp along with a salad bar and all the other standards of the genre. There is a monitored play area for children.
Bar with a varied schedule of live music from Monday to Saturday, covering all types of music, from jazz to choro.
The largest mall in South America, and one of the most popular malls in the city. Leather goods are some of the best bargains here. Shoes and belts are especially inexpensive. Kopenhagen chocolate shop has some of the best chocolates. It is quite nice to stop and have a coffee at one of the several coffee shops and people watch. Many of the guards are rather attractive ladies, but are quite serious about their job. Special buses are available to take tourists here.
An urban development intended to match the density and mixed-use nature of a traditional downtown area. There are many shops, botiques, cafes, restaurants, offices, and a movie theater complex. A small park can be found nestled in a quiet corner of the complex. At night, the shops close and the nightlife begins. Live music can be found at any of several restaurants. When the music is particularly good, the area around Barril 8000 basically turns into a street party.
The poshest mall in the area. Top Brazilian designers have opened stores there, making it an option for the affluent population in Barra who does not want to drive to São Conrado Fashion Mall. The mall also has excellent restaurant options and two movie theaters. Much less crowded and a lot more charming than most shopping centers in Rio. Worth the visit.
Buses and SuperVia suburban trains are available from other parts of Rio, but it might be more convenient to drive. By subway, you can get to Barra da Tijuca (Jardim Oceânico station).
Read in the guideThis zone is spread out and can be less safe than other parts of the city, so a car is the best way to get around.
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Rio De Janeiro · International · GIG
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