The lowdown on Rio de Janeiro’s four zones for Olympics 2016. Team Viva reports
Deodoro:A middle-class neighbourhood of Rio’s Zona Oeste (West Zone), this one is already being touted as the second Olympic Park (in addition to the main in Barra) as many different sports such as the recently proposed rugby sevens and hockey, will be played out here. located northwest of the city, the Deodoro neighbourhood lies south of the Avenida Brasil arterial road and to the west of Madureira. The area is a busy suburb and is home to Brazil’s largest military barracks.
What to see and do: You can buy tickets for local attractions at the Rio de Janeiro tourist information centre. There are many sights to see, including museums, markets, shops, restaurants and bars. You can explore Pajucara and Maracaipe beaches.
What to eat: Besides various food trucks, the place has many budget restaurants famous for seafood delicacies. Choose from Churascaria e Pousada Espetu’s Do Nordeste or Santa Mare for a lovely meal.
Barra: Famed for its beauty, this one boasts of beaches, hills, machair and moor, all in a small island. Even Barra airport is one of the most unusual in the world — flights land on the beach at Cockle Strand in between tides. At high tide, the runway disappears beneath the waves. Barra is also accessible by ferry which departs from Oban and arrives at the main settlement, Castlebay.
What to see and do: Take a five-minute boat trip from Castlebay to the medieval Kisimul Castle — sitting dramatically on a rock islet. This three- storey tower house is the ancient seat of the Clan MacNeil and gives great views from the battlements. For an amazing sea kayaking experience, take to the water on a guided tour with Clearwater Paddling from Castlebay.
What to eat: There is an abundance of restaurants serving fresh seafood. Some places will even allow you to bring your own wine (BYOW) for a small corking fee. Most places only accept cash or pesos, no credit cards.
Maracana: Named after the famous Maracana soccer stadium, Estádio do Maracanã is an open-air stadium located in Rio de Janeiro. Even though worldwide it’s recognised as Estádio do Maracanã, its current name is Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho, in honour of a well-known Brazilian journalist — Mário Filho — who played an important role in the decision of its construction. Built for the 1950 World Cup, it is now one of the main tourist attractions in Rio de Janeiro. It will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2016 Olympics.
What to see and do: For a behind-the-scenes look at the stadium, take a tour. You’ll get to see the press box, the grand stand and the locker rooms. Stroll through the tunnel and out on to the field. You’ll also visit a room that pays tribute to Brazilian legends who made history here like Pelé and Garrincha. Tours take place from 9 am to 5 pm, though on game days, the last tour starts four hours before kick-off.
What to eat: The neighborhood of Tijuca has some nice food spots. Q Bar and leviano are hot with the hipster crowd.
Copacabana:Sun, sea and scantily-clad beach beauties all spring to mind when one thinks of Copacabana. While its golden age as the most glamorous destination in South America is now behind it, the arc of white sand and the backdrop of crashing waves and jungle-clad mountains remain an awe-inspiring sight.
What to see and do: On the southern tip of Copacabana’s share of coastline is the Forte de Copacabana — a great place to learn some Brazilian history and to enjoy a breakfast. The Arpoador is one of the greatest places to surf and fish in Copacabana and also to view the sea and the coastline. Meaning “harpoon thrower” in Portuguese, this rock outcrop creates good-sized waves for surfers — anywhere within 12 ft on a regular basis. If you're looking for souvenirs that are more amusingly tacky than tasteful, Copacabana is the place to find them.
What to eat: The beachfront is lined with smart glass kiosks housing everything from pizza joints to seafood restaurants and champagne bars, and you won’t even have to change out of your swimwear to drink and dine here. Adega Perola —the Iberian-style cafe — serves some of the best seafood tapas in the city. Don’t be scared of trying the octopus — it’s one of the best dishes on the menu.