Barra da Tijuca

Located in the West zone of Rio de Janeiro and characterized by a long strip of beach to the South, the neighborhood of Barra da Tijuca is surrounded by mountains in all other directions: to the West, the massif of Pedra Branca; to the East, the Tijuca; and to the North, the Massif de Jacarepaguá. These mountains are covered by Atlantic forest and their profiles, very characteristic, stand out in the landscape of the neighborhood. In Barra da Tijuca there are also several ponds: the largest of them is the Marapendi pond.

The occupation of the region is quite recent: until the mid-20th century, the Barra da Tijuca was an immense Beach, with typical vegetation of restinga, and difficult to access. The buildings in the region were very few. The effective occupation of the neighborhood began in 1969, during the administration of Governor Negrão de Lima, with the pilot project of Barra da Tijuca, done by urban planner Lúcio Costa.

The growth of Barra da Tijuca was planned, inspired in American urbanism, with large avenues and open spaces. Thus, the neighborhood took quite peculiar characteristics, and is very different from the rest of the city.

The neighborhood is almost entirely occupied by large condominiums, mostly with large internal leisure areas, with swimming pools and gardens; and an infrastructure of services such as restaurants, sports courts, gymnasium, school, games, office facilities, and others. The trade of the neighborhood is dominated by large shopping malls – about 20.

Access to Barra da Tijuca is done mainly through two major Road routes: the "Lagoa-Barra" and "yellow line", today quite congested due to the rapid and intense growth of the neighborhood.

The beach is the main tourist attraction of the neighborhood. Is one of the best places in town to practice windsurfing and kitesurfing, and is the largest beach of Rio coastline. The beach is divided into four stretches: Praia do Pepê (the first, if you come from São Conrado), Praia da Barra, forest reserve and Recreio dos Bandeirantes.

Along the beach, there is a bike path that traverses the entire length. The sidewalk along the sea is used for running and walking. Many kiosks selling drinks and snacks on the edge of the beach. Take a coconut water or a beer in these kiosks is one of the favorite activities of cariocas.

The Barra da Tijuca account with excellent theatres, cinemas, showrooms and nightclubs. It also has many restaurants, excellent quality and serving food of all kinds and virtually everywhere in the world.