The '''North Zone''' of Rio has fewer tourist attractions than other parts of town, but it's worth at least one trip to Maracana Stadium.
Get in
Most tourist see Zona Norte for only a moment as they past through the Galeao International Airport or the Rodoviaria Novo Rio interstate bus terminal.
<listing name="Rio de Janeiro Galeo" alt="Galeao International Airport" address="Avenida 20 de Janiero s/n" directions="" phone="+55(21) 3398-5050" url="www.infraero.gov.br" hours="" price="" lat="" long="" email="" fax="">To get in and away by plane, hundreds of international and domestic flight offered daily.</listing>
<listing name="Rodoviaria Novo Rio" alt="" directions="" address="Av. Francisco Bicalho, 01- Santo Cristo" phone="+55 (21) 3213-1800" email="" fax="" url="www.novorio.com.br" hours="" price="">Buses going all over the country leave from this busy hub. Make sure to check the prices and fin out if your bus has air conditioning especially for long trips.</listing>
Get around
Because the Zona Norte is known for being a bit rougher, taking Taxis is highly recommended.
See
'''Maracana Stadium'''. Once the world's highest capacity football venue, it's able to hold nearly 200,000 people. In modern times, the capacity has been reduced because of unsafe areas, and the introduction of seating for all fans. Currently undergoing renovation, it will eventually hold 80,000. The Sunday matches of Rio's football clubs like Flamengo or Fluminense usually hold beautiful spectacles from the fans.
'''Museu Nacional''' [http://acd.ufrj.br/museu/home.html], located in Quinta da Boa Vista Park, Sao Cristovao. Brazil's national museum, focusing on natural science and anthropology. Tel. (21) 2562-6042 Prices: Adult - R$ 3.00, Children 6-10 - R$ 1.00, Children 0-5 and Seniors 60+ - Free.
Feira Nordestina. ssociacao Do Feirante da Fera De Sao Cristovao. 21) 2570-53335. ww.feiradesaocristovao.com.br/. $ 1. The place to go to experience Brazilian culture from the Northeast. Food, Dance and Music tantalize all the senses. This is a great place to shop with plenty of stalls selling all-sorts of food, textiles and local goods.
'''Engenhao Stadium'''. A new soccer stadium built for the Pan-American Olympic Games of 2007. A modern construction, not as big as Maracna but still worth a visit for soccer fans. Botafogo hold its matches there. Located in the lower-middle class neighborhood of Engenho de Dentro, you can get there by train, bus or taxi.
'''Mercadao de Madureira'''. A popular market where there are cheap bars and restaurants, plus little shops selling everything you can imagine, including everything you need for afro-brazilian rituals (statues, candles, food and animals).Not usually visited by gringos, but still an interesting place if you want to see how normal people live and have fun outside Zona Sul.
Do
Quinta da Boa Vista. v Pedro II, Sao Critovao. 55 (21) 2568-8262. In the heart of the Sao Cristovao neighborood in Zona Norte, this form imperial palace that housed the Emperor or Brazil in the 19th Century is now home to the national Zoo and Museum. The beautiful place and gardens are a great place to take the family for an escape of the city.
Buy
Eat
Adega Carne-de-Sol do Peixto. arao de Mesquita St. 616 - Tiguca. As the name suggests they are best at Carne-de-Sol. They have a full menu of typical Brazilian food in good sized helpings.
Adegao Portugues. ampo Do Sao Cristovao 212. ear Sao Cirtovao bus station. 55 (21) 2580-7288. 1AM - 11PM Daily. This whole in the wall joint boosts fantastic food that has attracted fans for 42 years. MUST TRY: Lamb with vegetables and potatoes.
Restaurante Quinta da Boa Vista. v. Pedro II Sao Cristovao. n front of the zoo. 55 (21) 2589-4279. ttp://www.restaurantequintaboavista.com.br/. 0AM - 6PM. Fine dinning in the Quinta da Boa Vista park. This beautiful restaurant is housed in what used to the be Chapel for the Imperial Palace. the food is a fantastic display of traditional Brazilian cuisine with formal service.
Drink
Sleep
Inside the Galeao Airport, there are two hotels, the '''Pousada Galeao''' and the '''Luxor Hotel Aeroporto'''.
Luxor Hotel Aeroporto. andar/Secotr B. nside the airport. 55 (21) 3222-9700 or +1 800 282-2070. $ 339 single. The perfect place to stay if you arrive late to Rio or are leaving early in the morning. Clean rooms with all the convenience of being within the airport. Rooms have NO windows.
Pousada Galeao. Andar - Secotr Vermelho-Desembargue. 55 (21) 3398-3848. $ 150. Pousada Galeao only has 15 rooms for those who are stuck in the airport. Rooms have TV, Telephone and Air conditioning but NO windows.
Get out