Experience Rio: Barra da Tijuca and the Gigóia Islands Food and Drinks Walking Tour!
Tour 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 (4 reais each way, to be paid exclusively in cash). 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!
The average lenght of the tour is 3 hours, but be aware that during the peak summer months the restaurants can be quite busy. I do have an agreement with them to serve my group as quickly as possible, but it is beyond my powers when they are very busy during the weekends or holidays. Expect the 6 pm tour to last some 3:30 hours from Thrusday to Sunday.