Lagoa

If you go strolling along the shady streets of Ipanema and Leblon [1], you’ll approach a vast lagoon ringed by luxury villas and apartment buildings set against the backdrop of mountains, including the famed and fabulous Corcovado [2].

The Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas—or quite simply “Lagoa”—is a saltwater lagoon around which already svelte Cariocas get sportily dressed to the nines and power-walk, jog, and cycle until they break a sheen. The less athletically inclined (but still nicely decked out) prefer to sip an água de coco or caipirinha at one of the many kiosks [3] around the lagoon, all of which serve food and drink.

Also surrounding the Lagoa are posh private clubs, skating parks, tennis courts, and a heliport. In the evening, live music is often played at the kiosks (the best of which are near the Parque dos Patins and the Corte do Cangalo).