Rio-de-Janeiro is worldwide known in terms of its beaches by the now immortal “The Girl of Ipanema” song. The famed lyrics composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes slowly became not only an anthem of Rio´s beach culture but also of the Brazilian woman. As a native Carioca, born and raised in Rio-de-Janeiro, I have to express my “disagreement” with the overrated allegation that only in Ipanema we can find the beautiful girls: In Rio, we can find muses just about any beach…




Above, we see a the Girl of Rio de Janeiro...Did you know the term "Bossa Nova" was used of the first time at the Flamengo district, and not in Ipanema?!

In the city blessed by all Gods, whose nature was admired by naturalist Darwin, European painter Jean-Baptist Debrét and American explorer Harriet Chalmers, the Brazilian beautiful girls are not only at or from Ipanema Beach, but thankfully from several neighborhoods. To prove our argument, Belavista-Rio decided to investigate and post a series of articles describing some of Rio-de-Janeiro´s hottest beach points. Some of these include Pepê surfers peak Barra Beach, Leme beach, Leblon´s Safeguard # 11, and recently a small spot at the Flamengo Beach.



Although my thoughts could be biased, since this where I live, the Flamengo-Beach and neighborhood itself has been going through an up-rise in terms of the beauties´ presence. I will explain why: Before, Ipanema and Leblon were the main areas for spotting the marvelous “Rio girls next door” since most of the nightlife activities were centered there. Since 2001, new bars and restaurants have been opening all over town, like the new chain of botecos Belmonte, Devassa which also established themselves at the Flamengo-District. Because of this Flamenggo has been increasingly searched (like the Lapa Region) not only by tourists, but by locals for their hang-out spots. Consequently, locals need not to go to other beaches to meet their friends.





Also, the Flamenggo-Beach, once completely polluted, now show hopes for survival, (see photos below ). Sometimes I see small fish close to the sand: Maybe the reason why “Ipanema type” girls are back to the beach. Surely the beautiful girls in Rio are in Ipanema, but also in Leblon, Lagoa, Botafogo, Barra, Leme Beaches...And better, in a natural and non posy way!



Above, the Flameng-Beach clear waters...

In terms of a specific area, since the Flameng Beach has over 1.5 mile, your shot would be close to the Porcão Restaurant “wing” of the beach (looking from the beach to the bay, your extreme right hand side). There is a large sun tent called “Point da Galera” ( that sells beer & Guaraná ) where the local sports fans, jocks, and the Rio beautiful girls tan themselves! I hope once in Rio you are able to check out for yourself what I am saying at Flamengo-Beach. Once last advice, don´t forget your sunglasses! As you will see, the Girl of Rio-de-Janeiro can be everywhere, and not only in Ipanema!

Today we will talk in about one bird in Rio-de-Janeiro considered as one of the city´s favorite icon: the frigate bird or man-o'-war bird. Since the discovery of Rio-de-Janeiro, the frigate birds of Rio de Janeiro, here called as “Gaivotas”, have been drawing attention by naturalists, biologist, adventurous, and nature lovers in general. Please read below a scientific excerpt of the Frigate Bird from Columbia Encyclopedia.

Man-o'-war bird or frigate birds most aerial of the water birds, found in the tropic seas. The man-o'-war bird's wingspread (7 1/2 ft/228.5 cm) is the largest in proportion to its body (3-4 lb/1.4-1.8 kg) of any bird. It can soar motionless by the hour and has been recorded in flights lasting nearly four days, spending most of that time several hundred feet or more in the air. It is awkward on land and in the sea, where the feathers quickly become water-logged. Here in Brazil, the frigate birds of Rio de Janeiro are translated into Portuguese as “Gaivotas” and inspired several composers and Brazilian Poets.



Above, great photo of a man-o-war bird taken in Rio by Netmark from Flickr.

These frigate birds of Rio de Janeiro can be seen regularly at most beaches like Ipanema, Leblon, Flamengo, Copacabana and Urca to the amusement of locals and tourists. Its name derives from its grace and swiftness in the air and from its piratical tendencies; it harasses boobies, pelicans, cormorants, and gulls until they drop their catch. Man-o'-war birds feed chiefly on fish but also prey on the young of sea birds and on jellyfish, squid, and young turtles. They have long hooked beaks and forked tails; the male has an inflatable orange throat pouch that becomes red at courtship. Amongst Brazilians and ,native Cariocas and surfers, the frigate birds of Rio de Janeiro are also a symbol for liberty and freedom.

Please see below this fantastic photo of a Gaviota taken in Rio by Rafael Sieber from Flickr.



The purplish black magnificent frigate-bird, Fregata magnificens, 40 in. (100 cm) long, is found from the Bahamas and Baja California S to Brazil and Ecuador; the great frigate-bird, F. minor, is found in the Indian Ocean. Other species, e.g., the Ascension and Christmas Island frigate-birds, are named for their habitats. The lesser frigate-bird, the smallest (32 in./80 cm) of the family, is found in the South Pacific and on the islands off Brazil and Madagascar.



Above, a picture of a flock of Frigate Birds taken by CSERFATY within Rio-de-Janeiro State. This photo shows us the gaivotas can also fly in a large group!

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition | 2008 | The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press.

Last week, I visited one of the most famous historic landmarks of Brazil, the omnipresent Sugarloaf Mountain and its cable car inaugurated in 1912 in Rio-de-Janeiro. I hadn’t been there for quite a few years, so the experience would be extra special, since it would be the first time I would see it with eyes of someone working on the tourism field at the wonder city, like myself. It would be sort of a review of the “SugarLoaf experience" itself.



Sugar-Loaf Entrance:

The visit was planned on a Saturday, and it was not really packed, but sunny. There were many tourism buses, but no crowd at the Urca neighborhood in Rio. At the very entrance, I was glad I wasn’t approached by anyone selling me stuff, although I have the “gringo” look. The ticketing booths were relatively well displayed; the cue organized and looked very clean. Although I had problems with my half-price entrance ticket, (native Cariocas are discounted, but have to show ID + proof of residency), I was happy to hear so many different languages and accents at ticketing booth.


Sugar-Loaf Station I: anxiety for everyone

As soon as you pay and have the ticket in your hands, you get to see a very well made mock up of the Sugar-Loaf and Urca Mountains. I saw many people already flashing their cameras and being amazed with the project. Right after, I could see a nice souvenir shop, selling all kinds of well made design Rio and Sugar-Loaf products. ( If you are anxious to see the view, there is also a second souvenir shop at Station III).


The shop is well decorated and has English speaking salesmen. Prices of Sugar Loaf gifts were reasonable and creative. I was then directed to the first cable on to the Urca Mountain, and from the platform, we could see already the massive rock in front of us. The cable car that lifts us to the first stop takes approximately 3 minutes moving at a speed of 21.6 km/hour or 6 meters ( 18 feet ) per second. It has a capacity for up to 65 people, but had less than 30 this day.



Suspense in Sugar-Loaf Station II

Impressive and breath taking this first leg, where you can see the Red Beach - Praia Vermelha, the green and blue color tones of the Guanabara Bay & Rio-de-Janeiro shore. More flashes all around the cable car and much amusement could be seen during those lively 3 minutes. Once we reached the Urca Mountain - Station II, we could see everyone was already thrilled with the spectacular sight. At 721 feet we could see almost all of the wonderful city view: Niteroi, Christ the Redeemer Statue, Flamengo and Botafogo Beaches, Santos Dumont Airport, Rio-de-Janeiro ´s downtown, and part of Santa Teresa neighborhood…amazing!


The Sugar-Loaf´s general infrastructure has improved a lot, with visible security, Sugar Loaf workers in uniform, boards and signs indicating directions, trash cans, and water fountains. At the Urca Mountain station, where the “Station II” is located, there is also food kiosks, diapers' corner stands, and clean bathrooms. At this level, you can also check out a very interesting film that tells the story of the construction and evolution of the cable car ride, in wide amphitheater. For those real adventurous, there is a helipad too at Station II.

After watching the film, I directed myself to the second platform in order to take the cable car to Station III, where the SugarLoaf Mountain is located at 396 meters ( 1 300 feet ) above sea level. Just before I arrived at this platform, there is also an interesting spot worthwhile stopping by, which is old open-air cable car on display that was used in the '30´s. Many tourists entered this “antique cable car” imagining how it would be those days. This vintage cable car area was just a great location for the taking pictures.



As I embarked for the final up-wards stretch, I observed one procedure that could be perfected at the Pão de Açucar. Someone in my group lost the entrance ticket, which should be kept all the way until the end. The ticket is used in all turnstiles when entering the cable car. I remember someone telling me to keep the ticket, but I saw no sings re-emphasizing this necessity. I am not sure either this observance was stated in all languages…So just as a reminder, keep your Pao de Acucar ticket all the way until your exit!

Amusement in Sugar-Loaf Station III

At a reasonable speed of 10 meters per second, 31 km p/ hour, our cable car then rose to the final stop at Rio´s Sugar Loaf Mountain. The view on the way up was even more spectacular, as we could now see Copacabana, Leme, Ipanema beaches and Rio-de-Janeiro Oceanic Islands as we approached the tremendous mountain top. We could also see several mountain climbers on the face of the giant Pão de Acucar mountain, which impressed all tourists aboard. As we felt the cool breeze entering through the window shaft of the cable car, the bulky mass seemed even bigger and bigger. As soon as we finally landed, the sense of astonishment and awe was visible at the faces of all tourists.


Walking around Sugar-Loaf´s Station III was thrilling! The 360º Rio-de-Janeiro view points from this historic landmarks of Brazil was unimaginable to all accents. I could now see the many mountains that circumvent the wonder city, including Teresópolis´ “Dedo de Deus” peak which lies at the Órgãos Mountains at 2,959 feet, most of the Guanabara Bay, Niteroi´s shoreline, apart from the Oceanic Islands in front of Copacabana beach and Ipanema. Simply wonderful!




At Pão de Açucar´s Station III, there were also several shooting platforms perfect for your favorite photograph at this unimaginable scenery, as well as kiosks, an ecological park and an extra souvenir shop. Tourists and locals simply couldn’t avoid demonstrating their state of ecstasy; magical indeed: Many couples showing their love, children with their parents, friends just hanging out…The wind was blowing cool, the fantastic view of Rio-de-Janeiro in sunset, and my soul replenished...Do you want to know more, come to Rio! I felt then my mission had been accomplished. This Rio-de-Janeiro beauty could be then reviewed in a full article.



Below, I reproduced some factual information about this Rio-de-Janeiro classic:


Sugarloaf Mountain (in Portuguese, Pão de Açúcar), is a peak situated in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from the mouth of Guanabara Bay on a peninsula that sticks out into the Atlantic Ocean. Rising 396 metres (1,299 ft) above sea-level, its name is said to refer to its resemblance to the traditional shape of concentrated refined loaf sugar. However, it is believed by some that the name actually derives from Pau-nh-acuqua (“high hill”) in the Tupi-Guarani language, as used by the indigenous Tamoios.



Visitors can watch rock climbers on Sugarloaf and the other two mountains in the area: Morro da Babilônia (Babylon Mountain), and Morro da Urca (Urca's Mountain). Together, they form one of the largest urban climbing areas in the world, with more than 270 routes, between 1 and 10 pitched long. Some classic routes in Sugarloaf are:

• Italianos, 5.10a, 2 pitches. Beautiful and well protected face climbing. Can be connected to other routes, in a total of 6 pitches to the top.

• Stop Chimney, 5.6, 7 pitches. Classic runout but easy chimney.

• Lagartão, 5.11c, 7 pitches. First two pitches are traditional climbing, the rest is bolted.

• Ibis, 5.10d A1, 10 pitches. Runout and committed. Some parties climb it in one day, sleeping on one of the ledges in the first half of the route.


The mountain is only one of several monolithic morros of granite and quartz that rise straight from the water's edge around Rio de Janeiro. A glass-paneled cable car (in popular Portuguese, bondinho - more properly called teleférico), capable of holding 75 passengers, runs along a 1400-metre route between the peaks of Pão de Açúcar and Cara de Cão every 20 minutes. The original cable car line was built in 1912 and rebuilt around 1972/1973 in its current form. The cable car goes from the base, not the peak of the Babilônia mountain, to the Urca mountain and then to the Pão de Açúcar mountain.



The mountain may be known for its memorable scene in the 1979 James Bond movie, Moonraker, in which the villanous henchman Jaws attempts to kill 007 and the agent's ally, Dr. Holly Goodhead, on a tram, but instead is defeated at their hands when he comically flies through a 7 Up billboard by accident. So familiar is this peak, the mere sight of it in a film is considered sufficient to establish the setting as Rio de Janeiro.


Candidate to be one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. The Cable Car connects the base to the Morro da Urca, and then Morro da Urca to Sugar Loaf Mountain. Several personalities as Kennedy, Einstein and Lech Walesa have already enjoyed the trip and several other international celebrities.

Rio-de-Janeiro - Now its Official: The Goddess of Carnival Gracyanne Barbosa lost her post as Carnival Drum Queen for traditional Mangueira Samba School, to model and samba dancer Renata Santos, former Queen of Drums for Academicos de Santa Cruz. After a successful 10 year partnership with the Samba-School from the west part of Rio-de-Janeiro, the model will lend her grace, charm and personality now to Cartola´s green-and-pink legendary samba-school.



The previous star of Mangueira, Gracyanne Barbosa, remained as the Carnival Queen of Drum for two years and still has not announced her new plans. For Renata Santos, this movement can definitely be considered as an up-grade, since Academicos de Santa Cruz is not a member of the elite Group in Rio-de-Janeiro.



During an interview for “O DIA” newspaper, she stated: “'I know Ivo Meirelles (Mangueira´s President ) for long a time. When he decided to make a complete turn-around at the samba-school, he also decided to invite me to become the Queen of Drums. I had never thought this could happen in my life, but I'm ready. I went through a “Masters degree of 10 years” at Santa Cruz Samba-School and now it my time to join the Special Group. I am very happy”, said the Brazilian Carnival beauty




The official announcement was made in closed feijoada that occurred at the Samba-School’s court, were new board of directors from Mangueira were presented. According to carnival backstage insiders, Gracyanne is already being approached by other traditional samba-schools in Rio-de-Janeiro. If you want to know how these true Goddess of Brazilian Carnival are selected for the Queen of Drum post, read an exclusive article we wrote explaining this process.

Rodrigo Freitas Lagoon: History From 16th Century to today’s charm!

That Rodrigo Freitas Lagoon is one of the most charming districts in Rio-de-Janeiro, everybody knows. But what about its history? I bet few ( even amongst native Cariocas) know how the Lagoa District became the glamour spot as we see currently, with many restaurants like Mr.Lam Rio, Braz Pizzaria, Katmandu Sushi Lounge and the lovely Lagoa Kiosks. So let´s get to know a little bit of the district’s history and origins:

In the XVI century, there were some farms and mills in Jardim da Gávea, comprising the current neighborhoods Gávea, Jardim Botânico, and Lagoon itself. This area presented good lands for sugar cane plantation, which activity interested very much to the settlers in the beginning of Carioca’s life.
At the lake borders, which were known by the Indians as Sapopenipã - meaning lagoon of flat roots in Tupi-Guarani, and by the Portuguese people as lagoon of the socós, since there were loads of such birds in the region, it was settled the Engenho Del Rei (King’s Mill) by the Governor Antonio Salema, right after having expelled the French corsairs from Baía de Guanabara in 1575.


Rio-de-Janeiro old picture see below:



At the beginning of the XIX century, D. João VI when moving to Brazil, in 1808, arrived at Rio-de-Janeiro and, the first thing he did was to built a gunpowder factory so that his army and navy were able to protect the wonder city against possible French invasions. The location chosen to build the factory was within the lands around the lagoon, which was already named Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon. In order to such construction to be done, D. João VI reimbursed Rodrigo de Freitas family, and the factory was built this year. In 1826, the gunpowder factory built by D. João VI exploded and was, then, moved to Raiz da Serra on the way D. Pedro II used to make do get to Petrópolis, which was called Fábrica da Estrela (Star Factory). From half of XIX century, sugar cane production starts facing a crisis making some mills in the rural regions to become small farms.




On January 1, 1871, Jardim Botânico Railway Company, a company that got the first concession of mule trams in Rio-de-Janeiro, extended its railways to where today is Jardim Botânico neighborhood. Two years after, on December 17, 1873, the Company launched Gávea extension, which became “Freguesia" next year. Freguesia da Gávea, which comprised the current neighborhoods of Lagoa, Jardim Botânico, Gávea, Ipanema , Leblon, Vidigal, São Conrado, and part of Barra da Tijuca, reached in 1890 a population of 4.712 people.




Above, old photograph of the Lagoon.

At the end of the century, Freguesia da Gávea started to be filled by textile factories, and then, fast increasing population. In the first decade of XX century, in the urban reform program implemented by the Mayor Pereira Passos, it was performed Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon sanitation. In 1919, Mayor of Rio-de-Janeiro Paulo de Frontim, aiming at solving the lagoon sanitation problem decided for its salinization, but it was during Carlos Sampaio’s administration that such area started to be effectively urbanized, integrating, thus, the new and large "noble area" to the city. (In 1920, although the groundings, the Lagoon area were still closed to Humaitá and Marquês de São Vicente streets) . In 1922, the lagoon border was rounded by a beautiful avenue, which was used for building houses for the carioca high-society, this avenue was called Epitácio Pessoa Ave., honoring the President of Republic that time, Mr. Epitácio Pessoa. In 1926, it was founded the Brazilian Jockey Club, which remains in the same area until today.

Below, the elegance of Brazil´s Jockey Club, in the early century.



In the 50’s, the textile factories ‘Carioca’ and ‘Corcovado’ were closed in Rio-de-Janeiro, and their areas were urbanized, thus ending the industrial phase in the Neighborhood. At the same time, the shantytowns were withdrawn from the region where the poorest lived. During Governor Carlos Lacerda’s administration, the Rebouças tunnels were opened, which links Lagoon to Comprido, thus linking North to South.


At the beginning of the 70’s, the real state speculation occurred in a more aggressive way in the neighborhood which was targeted by the Construction Companies, which started to ground, even though they had no authorization from the City Hall, the Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon in order to build residential buildings. Thus, the Lagoon, which had already been suffered from the groundings since 1808, lost almost half of its original area. Several protests from people who lived there and architects like Oscar Niemeyer and Lucio Costa came out in order to make the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon and its border declared historical patrimony.

Below, we see Gavea Rock from the Lagoon:



In the 80’s, the attentions in Rio-de-Janeiro, were to Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon waters clean-up, where several projects were presented and some of them, having the private initiative help and international capital, were performed. However, only in the 90’s, Cariocas could appreciate the water mirror less polluted. It was in the last three decades of the century that the neighborhood got a good participation in Carioca’s nightlife with bars, discos and restaurants for all tastes.

Credit for Rio-de-Janeiro old school photos to Rio Passado from Flickr.