Comments on: Things to do in Barra da Tijuca

By: Tanya

Tanya — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 03:02:27 +0000

Its nice to read all of your advice, even if you do bag each other and the places out occassionally.

Thanks to James and Gail who have given me a few nice ideas for my Trip (I especially like the idea of the German restaurant on the island and really hope its still going - do you know the name?).

I’m an Aussie setting off for Barra in 2 weeks and i guess one of the lucky ones cause i’m travelling and staying with locals. I previously lived in Brazil for 4 years but never actually made it to Rio, so i’m looking forward to the change! Can anyone give me tips on any shows we can see while we are there or how i can find out? I’ll be staying 4 months… so need to fill in a few nights!!

I guess i’ll drop back towards the end of my trip and add in my favourite places also…

Cheers again for the advice.

um grande abraco!

By: james

james — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:29:51 +0000

(This article is horribly out of date and embarrassing, but that’s life…)

You can survive in Rio (and Barra especially) speaking only English but you won’t exactly thrive. You will learn Portuguese at 10000x the classroom rate once you’re actually living there and being exposed to the language on a daily basis. Yes, it’s a struggle at first, but that’s what genuine learning feels like :)

By: Sean

Sean — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:04:09 +0000

How well do you have to speak Portuguese to get by? I’m moving to Barra in January of 2009 and I have been practicing but I’m a little worried I’ll be struggling at first.

By: ha-Y N

ha-Y N — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:44:51 +0000

eh how much da houses cost there?

By: Bruno

Bruno — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 19:32:57 +0000

Man, I work in Barra da Tijuca for 6 years now and have gone everywhere through the neighborhood. Barra is seemingly a place for the ones that love places like Miami. I have been talking to some north american people that are originally from Miami and they always tell me they loved Barra because it reminds them home. Personally I could truly live without Barra, but that’s nice, ’cause most of the people that love Barra are typically boring to my lifestyle, so it always a good idea to have a place for them to concentrate so I can easily skip this kind of people by skipping the entire neighborhood in my leisure times. That’s why I love Barra so much!!! Cheers.

By: Phil

Phil — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:24:05 +0000

I have lived in Barra two years and its fantastic……….I spent one year in Leblon and Ipanema but I wouldnt move back there if you gave me one million dollars…….Barra is stunning,friendly,relaxing,tropical with really wonderful people…….dont be put off by ignorant tourists or JEALOUS Brazillians who cant afford to live in Barra and try and make themselves feel better by pretending the old slum areas are better.

By: mike

mike — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 15:09:33 +0000

I lived in the Barra for about nine months and truly loved it. It is definitely one of the safest places to live in Rio and it’s beautiful. Barra Shopping is a great AMERICANIZED mall. One thing I recommend doing during your stay is climbing Pedra the Gavea! It takes about four hours round trip, but it’s the best view of Rio you’ll ever see. Also, the Cristo Redentor is a good time. I suggest walking it. But don’t get robbed on your way up. Dress like a bum and never carry too much cash on your person. Brazilians are great people, but if you look American, they’ll steal your shit.
Have a blast.
PS-Get a Whopper shake at Bobs. They’re delicious!

By: keiran

keiran — Fri, 28 Jan 2005 09:06:59 +0000

LOVED BARRA,SPENT NINE MONTHS LIVING NEAR PALACE2![IT COLLAPSED IF YOU DIDNT KNOW] I FOUND THE BEACH AMAZING AND THE PEOPLE VERY SPECIAL,MY FAVOOURITE EAT OUT WAS “LOFT” WICH WAS RIGHT NEAR THE FOOTBRIDGE AS YOU ENTER BARRA.
I CANT SAY ANYTHING NEGATIVE ABOUT THE AREA EVEN BARRA SHOPPING WAS COOL!
I USED TO LOVE GOING DOWN TO THE BEACH IN THE EVENINGS AND DRINKING COLD LAGER AT THOSE LITTLE BEACH HUT THINGYS,THEY WERE SPACED EVERY 100 YARDS SO YOU CUOLD DO A PRETTY GOOD “BEACH BAR CRAWL” GO THERE-TOU WONT BE DISAPOINTED!

By: sd

sd — Mon, 03 Jan 2005 11:23:00 +0000

Updates.

Fast shop in Barra shopping have not put a single item of new stock in the store for a year. If you want a 32mb thumbdrive for about $200, go there, now. You can also enjoy the sight of 2,500 square feet of stock being artfully arranged into 10,000 square feet of shop.

Fortunately FNAC, at the other end is taking up the slack. It is still 12 month old tech though.

Gameworks shut down, which is a tragedy. The contradiction of having 6 beers then going and playing video games on a Sunday afternoon is irreplaceable.

Info Barra is still a POS, but is now a dying POS. The downstairs is almost empty now, and the 50 or so shops left on the other 2 floors have approximately 11 different items between them. You want a 40gb hard disk for $150, go there now.

By the way, there is a restaurant right by info Barra called Mignon Barra, who do a pretty good steak + trimmings for about $10, delivered. May they thrive forever.

By: jonnyD

jonnyD — Mon, 03 Jan 2005 11:10:55 +0000

Who is looking from outside? Most of the comments are from people who have lived or are still living here.