In the run up to Rio 2016, the Latin American Travel Association (LATA) has collated insider tips from the LATA members who specialise in travel to Rio de Janeiro and Brazil.

THE BEST PLACE TO STAY IN RIO TO CATCH THE OLYMPIC EXCITEMENT 

From Friday 5 August, the whole of Rio will be bubbling with Olympic excitement, with each neighbourhood boasting its own atmosphere and activities. Here are some of the LATA member's top picks of the best spots in the city to catch the Olympic fever:

• Copacabana district, famous for its stunning four kilometre beach offers the chance to catch some of the Olympic highlights including beach volley ball, triathlons, marathons and ocean swimming.
• Ipanema, located in southern Rio will host the Olympic debut of rugby sevens and is an ideal place to soak up the sun and the Olympic atmosphere.
• Santa Teresa is Rios' colourful artistic hub located on top of Santa Teresa Hill. Known for its winding, narrow streets, Santa Teresa will be a great spot to enjoy the city's creative side and tantalising gastronomy.
• For a little Olympic partying and to soak up the Olympic atmosphere, the busting district of Lapa, known for its lively cultural scene and its concentration of bars and restaurants should be on every Rio revellers list.

LATA'S TOP CHOICE OF HOTELS IN RIO DE JANEIRO

The accommodation options in Rio de Janeiro are infinite; from hotels to bed and breakfasts and pousada's (authentic guest houses).

• Opened just in time for the Rio Olympics, Vila Santa Teresa is a modernist mansion with seven rooms, spectacular views and a personalised service. Located in the bohemian district of Santa Teresa, just 15 minutes by car to the hustle and bustle of Ipanema Beach, Vila Santa Teresa is an ideal base to explore the State of Rio de Janeiro. One night at the hotel is priced from £330 based on two people sharing on a B&B basis.
• Pestana Rio Atlantica has an amazing rooftop pool right on Copacabana beach boasting breathtaking views over the city and offers fantastic food. One night at the hotel is priced from £210 based on two people sharing a double room.
• The Miramar by Windsor set opposite Copacabana beach is an upscale five star hotel located eight kilometres from Sugarloaf Mountain and a stone's throw away from the Museum of Modern Art. One of the hotel's highlights is the fabulous rooftop pool and a terrace with sea views. One night in the hotel is priced from £190 based on two people sharing a standard double room.
• Luxury five star hotel, The Fasano in Leblon overlooks the ocean across the street from Ipanema beach and offers accommodation with balconies with ocean views, living rooms and free standing bath tubs. One night stay in the hotel is priced from £410 based on two people sharing a standard double room.

WHERE TO HEAD FOR A DAY TRIP

For those looking to escape the Olympic madness:

Paraty is a colonial village, backed by mountains on Brazil's Costa Verde located just 240 kilometres from Rio de Janeiro. The small, colourful fishing port is one of Brazil's most appealing destinations and the starting point for a trip to 60 islands off the coast with hidden bays and exceptional flora and fauna that can be discovered by sailboat. The cobblestone traffic free centre offers restaurants, charming boutique hotels and pousadas and many boutiques.

Situated two and a half hours east of Rio, Buzios is an upscale fishing port littered with great restaurants, boutiques and villas and pousadas. Once a quaint fishing village, Buzios rose to fame after a visit in the 1960s by Brigitte Bardot and her boyfriend and is an ideal spot for snorkelling, discovering the surrounding beaches or enjoying a refreshing cocktail.

SECRET RIO

There are plenty of secret spots in Rio off the main tourist track that should not be overlooked:

• Tour operator Trailfinders suggests heading to Morro de Dois Irmaos; an iconic mountain at the end of Leblon beach to enjoy a 40 minute hike to the top offering breath-taking panoramic views of Rio.
• According to the Brazil Tourist Board, the tropical forest of Floresta da Tijuca is a secret spot in Rio that deserves to be discovered by tourists. A hike in the forest is a great way to learn about the local flora and fauna whilst admiring plunging panoramic views over the busy city.
• For traditional food and some of the best Caihipirhinas in town, Latin America travel company Chimu Adventures advises travellers to head to Bar do Mineiro in Santa Teresa, a local bar known for its local cuisine including feijoada (a typical bean stew), pasteis (pastries) and cachaça (the main ingredient for the Brazilian caipirinha).
• For a little peace and tranquillity, travel company Jacada Travel recommends visitors head to Parque Lage, a park completely off the tourist radar with a beautiful historic mansion at its centre and great views up to Corcovado. Or for a more secluded beach, they suggest visiting the tranquil Praia Vermelha (in the Urca district, right next to Sugar Loaf Mountain).

FOR SPECTACULAR VIEWS OF THE CITY 

Rio is full of spectacular views that overlook the bustling city below:

• The Brazil Tourist Board suggests heading to Pedra da Gavea, a mountain in Tijuca forest that rises to 844 metres of altitude and the highest mountain in the world that ends directly in the ocean
• Morro Dois Irmaos is a famous double peaked mountain on the coast in the southern area of Rio, the hike to the top offers views of the surrounding mountains and the beach of Sao Conrado and Rocinha, the largest favela in Brazil.
• Iconic Sugarloaf Mountain situated at the mouth Guanabara Bay is perhaps one of the most famous spots to enjoy panoramic views of the city.
• Corcovado Mountain offers the iconic and picture perfect views of the city. The top of Corcovado can easily accessible with a scenic tram ride that travels through Tijula National Park.

EXPERIENCE RIO'S LOCAL CUISINE

Food in Brazil is entwined with Portuguese, African, Indigenous and European influences offering a little something to suit all taste buds:

• Feijoada is a traditional dish made with black beans and pork and is an absolute must when in Rio, LATA would suggest heading to small neighbourhood bars and restaurants to find the best Feijoada that will also be reasonably priced and should be washed down with a refreshing homemade Caipirinha.
• Acai is another popular dish in Rio, made from a berry only found in Brazil, the dish is similar to frozen yoghurt with granola and banana and ginger flavoured Cachaca often found in the bars of Lapa.
• Churrasco is delicious Brazilian style grilled beef, generally served with locally grown vegetables. For some of the best Churrasco, Chimu Adventures recommends the Churrascaria Palace in the Copacabana district.
• Jacada Travel strongly recommends petiscos (snacks) or local bar food to complement a nice chilled beer. One of their favourites is the cheese and prawn pasteis (pastries).

WHERE TO SHOP

Rio is home to many shopping areas from local markets to boutiques and purpose made shopping centres.

• Every first Saturday of the month the Rio Antigo Fair takes place in Rua do Lavradio, with hundreds of stalls lining the historical street and offering a variety of different products, from furniture to clothing, accessories and decorative objects. Or handicraft market Feira de Sao Cristovao takes place in the Luiz Gonzaga Centre in the São Cristóvão neighbourhood with 70 stalls offering a wide range of traditional gifts.
• Rio Sul in Botafogo was the first shopping mall to be built in Rio de Janeiro and is located within close proximity to the city's main tourist spots such as Sugarloaf Mountain and Corcovado.
• Barra Shopping is located in the Barra da Tijuca neighbourhood in Rio with over 600 shops.
• The glittering Leblon shopping centre located in the Leblon district is packed with top-name Brazilian and international labels as well as plenty of good restaurants and a cinema (to catch a local Brazilian or international movie).

AVOIDING THE GAMES

For those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of Rio and seek a more relaxed holiday, August and September are the best times to visit the Amazon Rainforest as the water level in the Amazon River is highest and the weather is mild and clear.

• For a relaxed break, Trailfinders suggests Natal, Olinda or Recife in the North East of Brazil offering a more local feel, great beaches and authentic cuisine. South of Rio,  Florianopolis has more of a European feel with great beaches and a chilled out vibe
• ChimuAdventures would recommend travellers head to Trancoso in Bahia, or Jericoacoara in Ceara where the weather will be warm and the beaches virtually empty.

Finally for those staying at home, the Brazilian Embassy in London will be offering a taste of Rio in central London with a dedicated Rio Lounge opening to the public from 6 -20 August.  The Rio Lounge will be open between 10am and 7pm from Mondays – Saturdays and will offer live screening of the Games, typical food tastings and information on what lies beyond the city of Rio in the State of Rio de Janeiro.  

For more information on travel to Brazil or for a full list of Brazil travel companies, please visit www.lata.org

To book any of the tours, hotels or holidays above please visit www.jacadatravel.com www.trailfinders.com  www.chimuadventures.com

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