Rio's '''Centro''' (Downtown) has most of the city's churches and museums, including the Modern Art Museum, as well as many of its bars. '''Lapa''' is one of the most thrilling places to be in Rio after dark, with streets and bars full of people, all in historical buildings (most of them from the early 1800s). In Lapa you can hear typical Brazilian music such as samba, forro, and choro. It's the place to try typical Brazilian food and drinks like the world famous '''caipirinha'''. The nearby '''Santa Teresa''' neighborhood, located on the hills to the southwest, is a beautiful historical district and home to many of the city's artists.
Get in
Get around
Street cars, ''bonde'', run from Lapa at the bottom of the hill to Santa Teresa at the top and they are the best way to get around. They cross a high viaduct and climbs up through the winding cobblestone streets to the top of the hill. Although many locals will just hop on the sides to avoid paying the R$0.60 fare, there are periodic checks by the transit police.
You can also walk to Santa Teresa from surrounding districts such as Catete, though it's a stiff uphill climb, and some of the streets aren't entirely safe.
See
'''Saint Benedict's Monastery''' (''Pt: Mosteiro de Sao Bento'')
'''Metropolitan Cathedral''', Avenida Republica do Chile, 245. Resembles a gigantic conical spaceship made of concrete.
The '''Lapa Aqueduct''' carries streetcars on their way up to Santa Teresa.
The '''Museu da Chacara do Ceu''', Rua Murtinho Nobre, 96, Santa Teresa. An art and antique museum with a good collection of works by modern masters. During Carnaval 2006 some of its most famous works of art were stolen while a procession passed by outside.
The '''Museu do Bonde''' in Santa Teresa covers the history of streetcars.
The '''Escadaria Selaron''' is a stairway covered by colorful tiles and the ever evolving art work of chilean artist Jorge Selaron. It connects the Rua Joaquim Silva in Lapa to the Rua Pinto Martins in Santa Teresa.
Do
The ''Arte de Portas Abertas'', or '''artists' open house''', is held over a few days in May and November of each year, when Santa Teresa's artists open their studios to the public. There are free shuttle buses from most parts of the city for this event.
Music
'''Circo Voador''' [http://www.circovoador.com.br/] in Rua dos Arcos has plenty of live Carioca music.
'''Clube Dos Democraticos''' best club in all of Lapa built in 1867.
Buy
Centro is very well known for the neighborhood known as '''Saara.''' Nothing to do with the desert, it has its name after an association of small shop owner's that established there on the early 1900's, most of them from the Middle East and Jews from Eastern Europe. There are also lots of Chinese businesses. Today, it has a wide variety of shops, selling almost anything. From trousers to gum, from licorice to Carnival costumes, you can find virtually everything on the always crowded - yet peaceful - pedestrian-only parallel streets. A very popular tour during weekdays, but be on time. After 6 o'clock the shops close and the once filled streets are now empty.
'''Favela''' is a unique clothing store in Santa Teresa.
Eat
'''Confeitaria Colombo''', Rua Goncalves Dias, 32, Centro, [http://www.confeitariacolombo.com.br/]. Dates back to 1894 and has a dazzling tea room and arguably the best sweets and other delicacies in town.
'''Mike's Haus''', Rua Almirante Alexandrino 1458, Santa Teresa, dishes up German food. Ex-hangout of train-robber Ronnie Biggs.
Drink
'''Bar do Arnaldo'''. Rua Almirante Alexandrino, 316 B, Santa Teresa, tel. 2252-7246. Arnaldo is one of the classic drinking spots in Santa Teresa, famous for its food from Brazil's Northeast region.
Sleep
El Misti Hostel Rio de Janeiro. ostel Rio de Janeiro. rederico Pamplona, 20 - Copacabana. ext to Hospital Sao Lucas. 55 21 2547 0800. opacabana@elmistihostels.com. ttp://www.elmistihostels.com. $12. '''El Misti''' [http://www.elmistihostels.com Hostel Rio de Janeiro] - In Copacabana, Safe area, Cool & Fun, Free pickup Airport, Dorms from $13, Great Breakfast. Te.+55 21 2226 0991 [mailto:elmistihostel@hotmail.com copacabana@elmistihostels.com].
El Misti Hostel Botafogo. ostel Rio de Janeiro. raia Botafogo 462. ront of Botafogo Beach. 55 21 2226 0991. nfo@elmistihostel.com. ttp://www.elmistihostel.com. $12. '''El Misti''' [http://www.elmistihostel.com Hostel Botafogo], Praia de Botafogo, 462, casa 9 - Botafogo, [mailto:info@elmistihostel.com info@elmistihostel.com], [http://www.elmistihostel.com].
<sleep>'''Cama e Cafe''', [http://www.camaecafe.com/ ]. You can sleep in any one of 50 charming houses.
Casa Beleza. ttp://www.casabeleza.net. oubles from US$100. charming guest house in an exotic mansion with swimming pool and tropical gardens. The house was the former residence of the Governor of the State of Rio.
Casa MangoMango. Rua Joaquim Murtinho 587. 55 21 2508 6440. ttp://www.casa-mangomango.com. A bed & breakfast that offers nice prices for couples and groups. Great view, too!
Contact
Stay safe
Avoid entering or leaving Santa Teresa on foot after nightfall. During the day it's a nice hike up the streets, but the neighborhood is surrounded by three different favelas, and assaults after dark are not unheard of even for the locals. Take taxis and stay in groups.