Barra da Tijuca in Rio de Janeiro

This rapidly developing district, modelled on Miami, is one of the city's principal middle- class residential areas. It focuses on a 20-km sandy beach that is renowned for its surfing, especially at its far westernmost end: Recreio dos Bandeirantes. There are countless bars and restaurants, concentrated at both ends, as well as campsites, motels and hotels. Budget accommodation tends to be self-catering.

Ins and outs

Buses or taxis from the city centre.

Sights

The

Bosque da Barra/Parque Arruda Câmara

, preserves the vegetation of the sandbanks that existed on this part of the coast before the city took over.

Terra Encantada

, www.terra-encantada. com.br,

is a 300,000-sq-m theme park in Barra whose attractions are based on the different cultural heritages of Brazil: indigenous, African and European. Among the attractions are roller coasters, river rapids, a cinema and shows. Rides close at 2200 and on the main street restaurants, bars and nightspots open.

A bit further out is the

Museu Casa do Pontal

, www.museucasadopontal.com.br

. Located in a little wood near Recreio dos Bandeirantes beach, this is one of the finest collections of Brazilian folk art in the country.

There are over 5000 works by more than 200 artists from 24 different Brazilian states, accumulated French designer Jacques van de Beuque over a 40-year period. Recommended.

This is edited copy from Footprint Handbooks. For comprehensive details (incl address, tel no, directions, opening times and prices) please refer to book or individual chapter PDF

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