Issue 031
November 2007
Beaches, Babes and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
The sands of Copacabana and Ipanema beaches have been trodden by many a gringo as part of a training or tourist holiday, and the beautiful city is attractive to MMA fans for more reasons than one.
Whether it is to train or to party, Rio is a spectacular place to go, and is a cheap and accessible destination. It is highly advisable to do plenty of research before you go though, as crime is high and caution must be taken when visiting, but the benefits of this unique city make it a must-visit.
Fights
There are no major fight events in Rio, although smaller promotions have been known to take place in nightclubs and such. Recently, Brazilian MMA events have mostly been taking place in Sao Paulo, a major inland city to the south of Rio.
Training
If you’re going to Brazil to train, jiu-jitsu is probably the main reason for your visit. The standard of jiu-jitsu in Rio is probably among the best in the world and there are plenty of academies to train at. Many are open to visitors and will even assist foreigners in finding or providing accommodation and arrange sight seeing tours or nights out.
Gracie Camp, (Barra, Phone: +55 21-7893-7794 www.graciecamp.com)
Gracie Camp have operated a live-in camp providing training for jiu-jitsu practitioners of all levels and affiliations since 2003. Classes are carried out every afternoon and are given in English. Superb facilities and on-site accommodation mean this camp is a hotspot for tourists looking to train, and is near to shopping malls and excellent surfing points. Located in the affluent area of Barra, Gracie Camp also offer airport pick up and more.
Brazilian Top Team (Avenida Borges de Medeiros, 829 Lagoa. www.braziliantopteam.com)
Home to some of Brazil’s top MMA fighters, the Brazilian Top Team has numerous locations throughout Rio, with headquarters in Lagoa. Morning and evening classes are available, though MMA training for professionals is by invitation only. It is here that you will see fighters such as Mario Sperry and Murillo Bustamante on the mats.
Where to Stay
If you’re not going to stay at a training camp or with locals (cariocas are very hospitable and friendly) then several options are available, from high-end luxury hotels to self-service apartments. The majority of tourist hotels are located in Ipanema and Copacabana, considered the safest and most preferable districts for visitors to stay. There is a relative shortage of hotel rooms on the cheaper range and booking in advance is recommended.
Ipanema Plaza Hotel, (Rua Farme De Amoedo 34 Ipane, Ipanema)
A place fully suited to travellers needing more modern amenities, this brand new hotel in Ipanema is in the South Zone, and only 50 metres from Ipanema Beach. Copacabana is only a five-minute drive away.
Windsor Palace Hotel, (Rua Domingos Ferreira 6, Copacabana)
Modest and quiet, the Windsor Palace is located on Copacabana Beach in the middle of the shopping district. This hotel is conveniently close to popular tourist spots as well as cinemas, theatres and shopping malls. This 16-floor hotel also features a terrace with views of the beach and a swimming pool.
Windsor Barra, (Av Sernambetiba 2630, Barra)
Located in the developing area of Barra and close to Gracie Camp, the Windsor Barra is an oceanfront hotel with the beach literally across the street. Around 15 kilometres outside of the main districts of Ipanema and Copacabana.
Where to Eat
Brazilian food is plentiful and wholesome. The Brazilians love their beef, and barbeque restaurants are often a great experience, while the smoothie stalls are the places to go to pick up your Acai. A good approach to local food is "comida a kilo" – buffet style restaurants where you pay by the weight of the food on your plate.
Cais do Oriente, (8 Rua Visconde de Itaboraí, Centro)
With Mediterranean and Oriental dishes on offer, this plush restaurant has a closed internal area, an external patio and a mezzanine for live music shows. Dress to impress, as it’s a classy kind of place.
Porcão, (Av. Infante Dom Henrique, Aterro, Flamengo)
In the Aterro de Flamengo park and on the Flamengo beach, more or less opposite the Sugar Loaf, if you’re going sight seeing check out this steakhouse restaurant, with views of the Baia de Guanabara and the Sugar Loaf. It is part of a chain of barbecue restaurants offering 30 different types of meat, a large salad buffet, sushi and hot dishes including Brazilian speciality feijoada.
Alessandro e Federico, (Rua Garcia D'Avila 151, Ipanema)
A stylish two-level chain restaurant serving the best thin-crust pizzas in Rio. They also offer good drinks from a large wine cellar, and the setting is inviting with a central wood-burning oven. Moderately priced, pizzas are around 10 to 15 US dollars.
Nightlife
Discoteca Help, Copacabana
A Copacabana nightspot for dancing and drinking. Something of a tourist trap, the music is loud and fast, and feature some of the best DJ's in Copacabana. Some of the highest cover charges and drink prices in Rio. Careful when chatting to ladies, as there will be plenty of ‘working girls’ looking to take a gringo home.
Nuth, Barra da Tijuca
A good atmosphere, trendy crowd and a little bit of everything, but beware, a strict door policy means groups of single men find it hard to get in. Arrive early (before 10pm). Trendy, smart casual dress a must.
Melt, Leblon
With a restaurant downstairs and a club above, Melt has different events on each night, ranging from hip-hop, to drum and bass or live music. A little classier than other clubs with an older crowd (25-35). Dress smart.
Sights
Beaches
If you’re going to go to Rio make sure to check out the beaches. Copacabana beach stretches for 4km and the place to be seen, while Ipanema is a little more exclusive and trendy and has better surf.
Christ the Redeemer
The world-famous statue is perched on top of a mountain about 30 minutes drive from Copacabana. Take a taxi to the site and then take the tram up, which costs about R$20.00 per person. The train spirals around the lush and steep mountainside, and the views are breathtaking.
Sugar Loaf Mountain
Pao de Acucar is located in a quiet town called Urca, about 15 minutes ride from Copacabana. Cable cars take you to the top, and the views are excellent. A restaurant at the top offers stunning views of the bay, while the town of Urca that sits at the base of the mountain is a great place for quiet walks.
Shopping
The district of Barra, where Gracie Camp is located, is home to many American-style shopping malls, while there are plenty of opportunities to spend money in stores in Copacabana and Ipanema. Every Sunday there is a market at Praça General Osório in Ipanema.
How to get around
Taxis are the best way to get around Rio. You will find it easy to procure the services of a driver for your entire visit and they will also act as an informal guide to the city. Taxi fares are cheap and the furthest you will most likely have to drive is around 10-15km (20-25 minutes). Legal cabs are yellow with a blue stripe painted on the side. For getting around the city centre, the bilingual subway system is safe and easy to navigate.
How to get there
Rio De Janeiro has airports which service international and domestic flights. Antônio Carlos Jobim International Airport is the port of call for all international visitors arriving in Rio. It is approximately 20km from the city centre.
When to go
Rio has a sub-tropical climate, and temperatures peak in February and March (their summer). June and July are the coolest months.
Rio tips
· The inhabitants of Rio, called cariocas, are known for being easy-going and friendly.
· Crime is high in Rio and care should be taken at all times. Stay vigilant and be aware of thieves and pick pockets.
· Avoid the blue, green, and white taxis, as they tend to overcharge.
· The Favelas (slums) are a no-go area. Controlled by drug traffickers, life is cheap and they are among the most dangerous places on earth. You will have no reason to go to them, so stay away.
· Never go to Copacabana beach at night, you will get robbed.
· Though girls will wear tiny string bikinis on the beach, it is considered highly offensive to stare.
· If you go to the beach, make sure you take sub block, as sunburn is considered ‘lame’ by cariocas.
· When shopping in street commerce, always bargain, as this can lower prices. Haggling in stores and malls though is impolite.
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