Barra Beach, Rio de Janeiro

Casa das Canoas

Casa das Canoas is the former residence of architect Oscar Niemeyer, built by him in 1951

Barra Shopping

Barra Shopping in the Barra de Tijuca neighborhood is one of the largest malls in Latin America, with over 600 retail stores

Housed in the former residence of Raymundo Ottoni de Castro Maya, one of the founders of the Modern Art Museum, the Museu do Acude displays a collection of items from the history of Portuguese rule, including furniture, kitchenware, and an array of ''azulejos'', or Portuguese blue tiles

Barra Woods

Barra Woods is one of the most visited green areas in the Zona Oeste, with a lake, walking trails through the woods, large lawns, playgrounds, and sporting facilities

Rocinha

Rocinha is the largest favela in Brazil, home to 70,000 people living over 355 acres

Tijuca Forest

You do not have to go far to explore a tropical Brazilian rainforest

Leblon

Named after a French businessman who owned the neighborhood in the 19th century, the Leblon Beach is the haunt of the wealthy, lined with upscale bars and restaurants

Cidade De Deus

Cidade de Deus or City of God is a neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, made famous by the eponymous movie based on the novel by Paulo Lins, which offered a peek into the violence and crime-ridden lives of its inhabitants

Grajaú State Park

The 55-hectare Grajau State Park within Tijuca Forest preserves some of the original Atlantic forest and is home to a wide range of species including marmosets, bush dogs, guinea pigs, parakeets, vultures, and hawks

Rio Botanical Garden

Sprawling over 140 hectares at the foot of the Corcovado Mountain, the lush Jardim Botânico contains a huge collection of 6500 species of plants from all over the world, not only tropical ones

Barra Beach, Rio de Janeiro