be inspired: our Rio guide for Summer

a Rio guide


This is our definitive Rio guide, where the Olympic Games are already well underway. Read on to discover our best tips for a fantastic August at the heart of the games. If you’re watching from the UK, we have some top recommendations for the best places to watch the Games in London, re-living the excitement of the 2012 London Olympics.

The atmosphere in Brazil and the Olympics in Rio is reflected by their logo, designed by a Rio-based firm. It is based on ‘contagious energy’, ‘harmonious diversity’ ‘exuberant nature’ and Olympic spirit. pampeano has its roots in the world of sport; a particular sport which is a speciality

where to Stay


Largo do Machado and Flamengo are both areas of Rio where you can experience the true charm of the Cidade Marvilhosa. It is well connected and away from the midst of the touristic zones.

For a luxury experience right on the beachfront of Copacabana, choose Porto Bay Rio Internacional. Gorgeous views of the crystal blue sea and the Sugarloaf in the distance make this location unmissable.

The famous beaches of Rio await you, with the opportunity to stay right on the seafront in a luxurious hotel where you can relax in style. The famous beaches of Rio await you, with the opportunity to stay right on the seafront in a luxurious hotel where you can relax in style. From www.worldtravelguide.net


If you’re feeling intrepid and ready for the authentic experience, see the city as the locals do and book an airbnb or find a homestay through Cama E Café.

what to eat


Take your tips from the Cariocas, or Rio's locals. Feijoada is on of the best-loved dishes: stewed beans in a meaty gravy are accompanied by fresh greens, crispy potatoes and a little orange to round it off. For the carnivorous, a churrascaria is well worth a visit, where local meat is cooked before your eyes in a warm and lively atmosphere of the traditional barbecue restaurant.

For dessert, doce de leite is where it's at. You might recognise the name, as it is the portuguese 'dulce de leche'. This sweetened, caramel-like milk is a favourite with young visitors to the city as well as the more experienced.

what to drink


You can't visit Rio without trying a Caipirinha. This cocktail is immensely popular around the world and always recalls the streets of Rio which come alive in a unique way at Carnival. It is a delicious drink made fresh lime, sugar and cachaça, served on wonderfully refreshing crushed ice. Head straight to the Academia da Cachaca for the best Caipirinha in Rio.

For a thirst-quenching, non-alcoholic beverage, 'mate' is a drink not to be missed. This refreshing, naturally caffeinated tea is often sipped from a special silver straw, and served in a beautifully decorated vessel. To find out more about this fascinating tea, 'the drink of friendship', read our journal entry here.

Mate is said to have been given to the Guaranì people by goddesses, who came down earth and were saved from peril by a fearsome jaguar. Mate is shared with friends and family as they sit down to relax on sunny days. Mate is said to have been given to the Guaranì people by goddesses, who came down earth and were saved from peril by a fearsome jaguar. Mate is shared with friends and family as they sit down to relax on sunny days.

what to wear


Our Rio guide would not be complete without a recommendation from our limited edition flag belt collection. Our top pick for what to wear whilst enjoying the Olympic season in Rio has got to be our Brazil belt. This belt was handcrafted in the neighbouring country of Argentina, where a rich heritage of expert leather craftsmanship is flourishing. Each belt is handstitched by a true artisan, who has inherited his trade from generations before him. The history behind each belt is one of the things that makes it so special. No matter which design you choose, each one is a stunning treasure born out of a long tradition of world-famous South American artistry.

The 'auriverde' is translated into pampa diamonds in this original, innovative design that pays homage to the vibrant Brazilian flag, a symbol of sporting prowess throughout the world. The 'auriverde' is translated into pampa diamonds in this original, innovative design that pays homage to the vibrant Brazilian flag, a symbol of sporting prowess throughout the world. This belt is a limited edition piece, created to celebrate the most exciting sporting event of the year this Summer in Rio.


The Brazil belt is a fantastic combination of the Brazilian flag and the iconic pampa diamond. Vibrant, luxurious saddlery threads have been used to stitch this innovative design, with meticulous precision and a tight weaving style that means that this intricate design can only be achieved by hand. Bright green, blue and golden yellow threads make up the ‘auriverde’, woven in all its glory onto thick, buttery leather from the Argentinian pampas.

pampeano means ‘from La Pampa’, a province in the centre of Argentina, where gaucho cowboys ride across sandy plains, herding cattle and displaying horsemanship, the likes of which cannot be seen anywhere else in the world. Brazil and Argentina share something very special: the Pampas. These sprawling, fertile plains pay no attention to political borders and territory. The beautiful landscape of the South American tierras bajas (lowlands) unites many regions, including Rio Grande du Sol in Brazil, and Buenos Aires and La Pampa in Argentina. The stunning landscape, which has characterised this area of the world for thousands of years, is one of the many things that inspired pampeano on the journey that brought us to where we are today.