Experience Rio: Barra da Tijuca and the Gigóia Islands Food and Drinks Walking Tour!
I am a Ph.D. title candidate in Anthropology who has been to around 75 countries. I am passionate about meeting people from different countries and backgrounds. I am also an experienced tour guide who has done over 900 tours in Portugal and about 300 in Thailand (the country which was the subject of my doctoral thesis). While I am skilled in History, I also have a strong bohemian part of my personality, thus I enjoy showing my clients the best bars and restaurant to attend in the city. In my tours, I prize that the clients will get both a general knowledge of the History of Lisbon and local tips on how to enjoy their time in the city.
Pickup
I will be waiting with an umbrella. Or you can simply ask Célia (the owner of the kiosk) where am I. : D
Description
Welcome to the beautiful neighborhood of Barra da Tijuca, one of Rio de Janeiro's best zones for beaches, bars, and restaurants. In this tour we will explore some of the most iconic parts of Barra, such as Jardim Oceânico (or Oceanic Garden, and you will soon realize why it is called like this) and the Gigóia Islands, a hidden treasure, considered as Rio de Janeiro's very own Pantanal, where you might get the chance to spot capybaras and crocodiles. All this while exploring the bars for food and drinks around the area!
As we walk around the beach front, we will cross into Olegário Maciel Avenue, a bohemian, gastronomic hub in Barra. There, customers will be able to choose from a plethora of dishes according to their tastes, such as feijoada, picanha (rump steak), carne de sol com aipim na manteiga (sun-dried meat with yucca soaked in butter); or, for the more adventurous, chicken hearts skewers, alongside popular snacks such as pão de queijo and coxinha de galinha, besides much more depending on one´s hunger.
From Olegário Maciel, we continue our march to the ferries and visit the Gigóia Islands, a picturesque part of Rio de Janeiro, often known as the Pantanal (swamps) of the south. The islands also feature many bars and restaurants, where the customers can finish the tour with a refreshing caipirinha or two.
Important notice: there is a small fee for crossing the island (3 reais each way, to be paid exclusively in cash). For the month of December ONLY, the fee 4 reais. It will be 3 again in January. Food and drinks costs are also extra!
The tour is NOT suitable for vegetarians or vegans (if you want to do the tour but your friend is a vegetarian - vegan, he or she is welcome to tag along and order whatever pleases, but none of those dishes are related to a historical background). The standard tour contains beef, pork and alcohol!