Barra da Tijuca is not a city. Is a quarter located on the west side of Rio de Janeiro.

Barra da Tijuca has great beaches, a more quiet athmosphere and no slums.  Besides the gorgeous beach, there is also an incredible rock formation - some say it is the largest urban...

Barra da Tijuca is not a city. Is a quarter located on the west side of Rio de Janeiro.

Barra da Tijuca has great beaches, a more quiet athmosphere and no slums.  Besides the gorgeous beach, there is also an incredible rock formation - some say it is the largest urban rock formation in the world.  It is surrounded by beautiful lush greenery, and makes for an impressive back-drop to this part of Rio.

There is good shopping in the mall and not so many tourists around, mostly local Brazilians.

Praia do Pepe is a very trendy beach for the people of Rio to see and be seen, located at the North end of Barra da Tijuca.  On the weekends this small section of the long sandy beach is filled with beautiful people.

Barra (pronounced like 'Baja') is also a great place for kiteboarding, there are some kiteboarding schools just next to Praia do Pepe where you can learn this incredible new sport.

There is also the opportunity to view Barra da Tijuca from the air - as a tandem passenger on a hanglider!

At the end of Barra da Tijuca is the quarter named Recreio dos Bandeirantes.

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