When it Rains in Rio; What to Do?

When it rains or is cloudy in Rio it seems like everything stops. The people here are like sun flowers that open up with good weather. There is even a saying that the Carioca is made of sugar, she melts in rain. But you´re here on a vacation and don´t want to waste your time moaning about the weather right? I have put together some options here that will help you.

Museums & Cinema
Click here and you´ll get to my section with recommended museums in Rio. There are many interesting in Rio, this mainly because it used to be the capital of Brazil. Well worth the effort. Is there a better pastime when it rains than to go to the cinema? Click here and you will get all the info you need.

Bowling and Go Kart

Bowling You will find this in some of the shopping malls it´s more for the wealthier Cariocas since it is quite pricey. The connection with American culture is strong. The two places I have listed are both in Barra de Tijuca and are accessible by bus from Zona Sul.

Barra Bowling, in Barra Shopping, Av. das Américas 4666, Barra de Tijuca map, phone 2431-9566. 20 lanes. Open from latest 12h.
Site: Barra Bowling

Kartódromo Premium, Av. Ayrton Senna 3010, Barra de Tijuca map (next to Via Parque Shopping), phone 2421-3535/9995-3535, everyday 17h/00h. Available 6.5 Hp engine on quite extensive track outdoor. You have to book in advance. When it rains hard it's no idea since the track is outdoor.
Site: Kartódromo Premium

Centro and Santa Teresa
To get a good guide to the center of Rio, or Centro, just click here and you´ll get to my section about that.

Santa Teresa, the bohemian neighbourhood on the hill is for sure one of the highlights in Rio. Getting there is really nice to do with the bondinho (little train), there is a station close to the base of the big Petrobrás building. It is easy to take the Metro to the station Carioca which is really closeby.

The more then 100 year old train will take you over the aqueduct past Lapa and snail itself up the winding streets to Santa Teresa. You brave ones, be careful with hanging on the outside of the train, it is real easy to loose a leg or so. A good place to jump off is Largo de Guimares which is kind of the centre. Here you also have a tourist information where you can get good information about galleries, museums, sights and restaurants. I personally recommend Parque das Ruinas (open everyday 10h/17h) on R. Murtinho Nobre 169 map, a 10 minute walk from Largo de Guimares.

You also have many small shops with arts and handicraft around here.

Warning!
The tranquility of this neighbourhood is deceiving, walking around Largo de Guimares is fine but since the winding maze of streets make it real easy to get lost and Santa Teresa is surrounded by many favelas (shantytowns). You better make sure you know where you are going and that it´s safe, verify in the tourist information. If it´s late at night I recommend you to take a cab back home since arriving in the city center with the bondinho can be trouble at that time. Walking from Santa Teresa to Lapa at night is not to recommend; there are lot´s of gringos getting robbed doing just that.

Jardim Botánico and Parque Lage
Last but not least I recommend you to go here. I actually find it more pleasant to go here when it rains because it´s not so hot. Close to the lake (Lagóa) is Jardim Botânico (the Botanical Gardens), one of the Rio de Janeiro attractions that is perfect for a rainy day. There is also a nice cafeteria here. The address is R. Jardim Botânico 920, Jardim Botânico map, tel 3874-1808/3874-1214. It is open everyday 8h/17h and entrance is 4 R$. You can get there either by bus 125 that passes through all of Zona Sul including Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon or bus 409 that passes Botafogo but then cuts across straight to the lake. For exact routes go to Rio Ónibus . You can also easily walk from Ipanema and Leblon by using a map, it´s not far. Parque Lage is located close to Jardim Botânico on R. Jardim Botânico 414 map. It is free to the public and in a beautiful old building, that actually resembles an old roman villa, you have an art school and a really nice little cafe that is open during the day. Well worth a visit, not only when it rains.

To top of this page