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BRAZIL | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Travel Guide
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
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Zona Norta and Centro
Rio de Janeiro's Neighborhoods
Rio has scores of distinct neighborhoods and landmarks to explore. They are located in broad geographical areas called Zona Norte (North Zone) and Zona Sul (South Zone), with Centro (Downtown) between them – literally. Corcovado Mountain and its Christ the Redeemer statue offer a visual landmark. The statue faces Botafogo and Guanabara Bay. Zona Norte is to his left and Zona Sul to his right.
Zona Norta
North Zone is the blue collar part of the city. It has working class residential areas, favelas and heavy industries, but only a few spots of interest to tourists. You’ll drive through parts of the North Zone on your way into the city from Galeão International Airport. Maracaná Stadium, the world-famous soccer and concert venue, is here, along with lovely Quinta Da Boa Vista Park, home to the Zoological Gardens. A popular street fair, the Northeastern Fair, is held here on weekends.
Centro
The commercial center of the city is marked by modern office buildings, banks and multitudes of people. There are also pockets of colonial- era buildings, churches and convents and several fine museums. Key streets:
Avenida Rio Branco, a wide north-south thoroughfare, runs the length of downtown from the Praça Mauá docks to Av. Beira Mar near Flamego Park. The Municipal Theater, Museum of Fine Arts and National Library are on it, alongside the city’s tallest buildings.
Praças (Plazas) Pio X and Quinze do Novembro, near the waterfront, played important roles in the city’s history. They house Baroque churches, monasteries and the Imperial Palace. Av. 1 de Março connects them.
Largo da Carioca is a free-form plaza at the heart of downtown’s shopping area and flower market. Many small streets lead to it. Rua Gonçalves Dias is one that is closed to vehicular traffic.
Cinelândia is the entertainment area of downtown. Lots of movie theaters and moderately priced restaurants are located here. Rua Senador Dantas, the area’s main drag, is crowded on weekends.
Lapa is Rio’s version of Montmartre. Once a funky bohemian area with popular restaurants and bars, it fell into disrepair and became a red-light district. Back and better than ever, Lapa has been refurbished and new samba clubs, theaters and restaurants have opened. There are still some questionable streets.
Santos Dumont Airport, built on the same landfill strip as Flamengo Park, is Rio’s domestic airport.
Last updated January 18, 2008
Posted in Brazil | Rio de Janeiro
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