Shopping in Rio

Why go

Shopping in Rio works best as part of a neighbourhood walk rather than a destination of its own. Browse beach and street sellers for souvenirs or beach goods, or look for crafts in Laranjeiras and Ipanema. For a contained indoor stop, choose a mall near the district where you are already staying.

Useful to know

• Ask about the price before buying from informal sellers; bargaining belongs there, not usually in shops or malls.
• Use a South Zone mall when you want shopping near Copacabana or Botafogo; save Barra or the North Zone for a dedicated outing.
• Bring or write down Portuguese numbers and price questions, since a calculator can bridge a language gap at the counter.