Page 199 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL SUMMER 2024 LIMA

Ride the cable car to Sugarloaf Moun‐ good options. Locals use Metro and busses,
tain, with panoramic views of Rio's coast‐ but visitors need to be extra careful when
line, lush forests, and sprawling cityscapes. riding public transportation and mindful of
Visit at sunset and, if the weather is ac‐ their personal belongings and safety on
commodating, enjoy an amazing burst of the beaches because of pickpockets. On
red, purple, orange, and yellow colors Sundays, the road along Copacabana and
coating the sky; then, the colors wash Ipanema beaches is closed to traffic, af‐
across the cityscape and fade as the re‐ fecting transportation and access.
gion lights up for nightly fun. If staying for a while, rent chairs and
umbrellas from local vendors and find a
Life is a Beach spot near the lifeguard stands marked by
green and yellow flags. We started in the
morning at Copacabana Beach before the
Next on the Rio hit parade are its
beaches. The best times to visit the crowds arrived. The wide promenade par‐
beaches are spring and alleling the beach is excellent for people-
autumn when the watching. We saw its
weather is pleasant, more serene side dur‐
and the beaches are ing a walk after din‐
less crowded. Crowds ner.
flock to the water dur‐ Next along the way
ing peak summer is Ipanema Beach,
tourist season and known for its pic‐
during Carnaval and turesque beauty and
New Year's celebra‐ more relaxed vibe. We
tions. enjoyed shopping and
Enjoying one or dining in the neighbor‐
more of these world- hood.
famous beaches re‐ Past Ipanema is a
quires planning and lo‐ less crowded beach at
gistical considerations. Leblon. We browsed
How many are in your the side streets in its
group? Do you want to upscale neighbor‐
spend a few hours hoods, with high-end
starting your Brazilian boutiques and restau‐
tan and enjoying the rants. As a quick im‐
ever-changing parade pression, the energy
of locals and visitors in levels, action, crowds,
a wild array of beachwear? Add time for traffic, bustling vendors, and crush of ac‐
swimming and relaxing, include local food tivities started at the highest level at Co‐
and beverage treats, play volleyball, or pacabana, eased a little at Ipanema and
other recreational activity? Shop for sou‐ reached a relaxed, casual level at Leblon.
venirs? This hillside at the end of the beaches
There are no parking lots at the provided striking evidence of the contrasts
beaches, and street parking can be chal‐ of the riches of Brazil and its high rate of
lenging to find. Taxis and rideshares are poverty. Just above a four-star hotel on

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