Brasilia

Most famous postcard of the capital city of Minas Gerais, the church is a rare gemstone located at the rim of the Pampulha Lagoon. Also known as Pampulha Chapel, the São Francisco de Assis Church opened its doors in 1943, but it was only truly recognized by Church authorities 14 years later, in 1959, due to some debate regarding its unorthodox shape. Considered avant-garde, the Church is a small masterpiece of the Pampulha Architectural Complex. It was designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer and its interior houses the famous Via Crucis, consisting of 14 panels of Cândido Portinari. The Church also features the Burle Marx gardens, the bronze bas-relief sculptures carved by Alfredo Ceschiatti, and an abstract panel created by Paulo Werneck. The exterior is decorated with more beautiful Portinari panels, made in white and blue tiles, depicting Saint Francis next to a skinny dog, instead of the traditional wolf. The originality and boldness of Niemeyer consolidated this church as a true modern age landmark. It was the first Brazilian church with modernist traces, and its vertical and horizontal curves mesh together in unique and perfect harmony. https://www.visitbrasil.com/attractions/franscisco-de-assis-church.html

The Praça da Liberdade is not just something you see on a postcard of Belo Horizonte. Throughout its 100-year history, it has been the scene of important political decisions, social movements and even cultural, leisure and sporting events. Since 2010, the square has been an additional source of pride. Following the relocation of the state government offices to Cidade Administrativa, the buildings were converted into museums and spaces that now make up the Praça da Liberdade Cultural Circuit. One of its points of difference is the institutional management of the spaces, which permits a greater connectivity and diversity of cultural programmes. The complex is supported by the Sérgio Magnani Cultural Institute in partnership with the Government of Minas Gerais. Whoever visits the Praça da Liberdade Cultural Circuit can also visit three other spaces that are within easy reach: the Minas Tênis Culture Centre, Casa Una Culture Centre and the Belas Artes Cinema. In addition to being of great symbolic and architectural value to the city, the area is home to several places that exhibit the vast majority of Minas Gerais's cultural diversity and art that is known worldwide, all within a few blocks. http://www.guiadasartes.mg.gov.br/index.php/en/circuits/liberty-square-cultural-circuit

Spices, aromas, flavors, beliefs, colors: all the most striking features of Minas Gerais culture give charm and personality to Belo Horizonte's most beloved market. For nine decades, the Central Market has been a tourist spot for outsiders and a meeting place for city dwellers. In that time, delicious dishes of the typical food, different forms of religiosity, all the creativity and delicacy of handicrafts and many other precious traces of Minas Gerais popular culture make the Central Market a unique space that unites tradition and contemporaneity and enchants with its uniqueness. The market has more than 400 stores, offers bilingual information service, attracts thousands of visitors from all over Brazil and the world every day and, in its corridors, keeps great memories and many stories to count. http://mercadocentral.com.br/sobre/

The place is opened to the public for didactic visitation guided by technicians, with carefully elaborated tracks, showing aspects of typical ecosystems: paludosa forest, restingas, swamps, beach, sea rocks and Tabuleiro forest. Various uncommun attractives of the landscape provide a pleasant sightseeing pleasure and direct contact with the nature, good of seeing, feeling, to hear and to smell. http://www.ruschicolibri.com.br/marinebiologystation.html

Roberto Burle Marx Municipal Park, better known as "Parque da Cidade", located in São José dos Campos - SP, occupies an area of ​​about one million square meters that was part of the former Parahyba Weaving Farm. In this vast perimeter are sheltered a great diversity of plant species and a beautiful landscape composed of gardens, imperial palm trees, lakes, artificial islands, woods and boulevards. The gardens, by Roberto Burle Marx, and the Olivo Gomes Residence, designed by Rino Levi, make up an important work of modern architecture. One of the main attractions of the park is the contact with nature. It provides the user with pleasant walks on paths surrounded by dense vegetation consisting of native and exotic species and inhabited by rich wildlife. http://www.sjc.sp.gov.br/servicos/esporte-e-qualidade-de-vida/parques/parque-da-cidade/

The Museum of Folklore of São José dos Campos is a cultural space of the Cultural Foundation Cassiano Ricardo (FCCR) that works under the management of the Center for Studies of Popular Culture (CECP), through an agreement signed between the parties. http://www.museudofolclore.org/museu/institucional/

Beautiful visual arts museum specialized on brazilian artists of the last 200 years. Located on the Liceu de Artes e Ofícios de São Paulo building, the Pinacoteca was open in 1905 and is the oldest art museum in the city of São Paulo. Its art collection has approximately 1900 artistic, bibliographic and archival items. The art gallery displays works such as São Paulo by Tarsila do Amaral and Mestizo by Candido Portinari. In recent years, the museum received important exhibitions, such as Ron Mueck, seen by 402 thousand people. Listed as a historic site, the Parque da Luz and the museum’s garden displays about 50 sculptures of contemporary artists, such as Victor Brecheret Lasar Segall and Amílcar de Castro. http://visitbrasil.com/en/atracoes/metropolitan-cathedral.html

To appreciate the diversity of the portuguese language, to celebrate it as a paramount and founding element of our culture and to bring it closer to its speakers worldwide.The Museu da Língua Portuguesa was born aiming at this target. The inauguration took place on March the 20th , 2006. The chosen location to accommodate the Museum was the Estação da Luz, situated in the heart of São Paulo – city with the largest Portuguese-speaking population in the world – and a site of historical importance to the state capital and to Brazil. The station was one of the main crossing points for immigrants arriving in the country and, to this day, a dynamic place that provides contact and interaction among several cultures and social classes, sheltering accents from all parts of Brazil. During almost 10 years of its operation, the Museu da Língua Portuguesa welcomed 3.931.040 visitors, who have lived the experience of connecting themselves even more with the language, its origins, its history, its influences and the variations it takes within the population’s everyday life. http://museudalinguaportuguesa.org.br/en/

The Soccer Museum, open in 2008, was created to celebrate the sport that Brazilians are passionate about. The Museum is located in the Pacaembu Stadium, one of the best-known stadiums of São Paulo and fascinates even those who are not entirely a fan. Build in an area of 6,900 m ², the Museum will provide an amazing audiovisual experience. At the Museum, the sport’s history is shown through 18 thematic rooms, 1,500 photographs, 5 hours of videos and other materials. For those who already love soccer, the Museum is a must-see on your trip to Sampa. For those who do not have much interest in the sport, the Museum can completely change your mind once you get to know its space and feel the emotion it transmits in every carefully planned detail. https://www.visitbrasil.com/attractions/museu-do-futebol.html

The Museu de Arte de São Paulo (Masp) was born in 1968, idealized by the journalist Assis Chateaubriand and directed by the marchand Pietro Maria Bardi. Masp was designed by the architect Lina Bo Bardi and erected to overlook São Paulo’s downtown area and the Serra da Cantareira. The building has a rectangular shape, suspended by four columns with a gap of 74m between them, open as a plaza and used by residents and tourists. Masp’s mission is to serve education, and the museum is very active in the cultural scene of the city, offering common spaces for its residents, like the library, mezzanine and auditorium. Masp also hosts educational projects. The main objective is for people to experience art. https://www.visitbrasil.com/attractions/museum-of-art-of-sao-paulo.html

The history of the Cathedral of São Paulo goes back in time to 1589, when it was decided that a main church (the Matriz) would be built in the small village of São Paulo. The Cathedral is the largest church in the city of São Paulo: 111 metres long, 46 metres wide, with the two flanking towers reaching a height of 92 metres. The Cathedral is a Latin cross church with a five-aisled nave and a dome that reaches 30 metres over the crossing. Although the building in general is Neo-Gothic, the dome is inspired by the Renaissance dome of the Cathedral of Florence. The cathedral’s organ, built in 1954 by the Italian firm Balbiani & Rossi, is one of the largest in Latin America. It has five keyboards, 329 stops, 120 registers, and 12,000 pipes, the mouths of which display hand-engraved reliefs in Gothic style. http://placestovisitbrazil.com/cathedral-of-sao-paulo/

The Arena, also known as Itaquerão, is located in the East Zone of São Paulo, Brasil's most populated city. The football stadium was built for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and can hold 48 thousand fans. With 89 boxes, 59 stores, 15 elevators, 2,700 parking spaces, two restaurants, an auditorium and two sports bar, the Arena has a daring architectural project, signed by the architect Aníbal Coutinho and awarded in 2011 as the best architectural project of Brasil. With a rectangular format and two side stands, the Arena makes it possible for fans to get closer to the field. On the East front, there is a LED panel of 170m x 20m, and on the West front, there is a glass panel made of 1350 pieces. The Arena has two large screens of 30m x 7.5m, the largest in the world in a football stadium. https://www.visitbrasil.com/attractions/corinthians-arena.html

The Afro Brasil Museum is a public institution under the Secretary of Culture of the State of São Paulo and administered by the Afro Brasil Museum Association - Social Organization of Culture. Located in Padre Manoel da Nóbrega Pavilion, within the most famous Park of São Paulo, Ibirapuera Park, the Museum preserves, in 11 thousand m2 a collection with more than 6 thousand works, including paintings, sculptures, prints, photographs, documents and pieces. ethnological works by Brazilian and foreign authors, produced between the eighteenth century and today. The collection encompasses several aspects of the African and Afro-Brazilian cultural universes, addressing themes such as religion, work, art, slavery, among other themes in recording the historical trajectory and African influences in the construction of Brazilian society. http://www.museuafrobrasil.org.br/o-museu

Opened in 1954, during Sao Paulo's 400th anniversary, the Ibirapuera Park has a 1.6 million m² area and sports courts, bicycle racks and restaurants. The project was led by Oscar Niemeyer, the architect who created most of the buildings in Brasilia. It also involved several professionals, such as architects Ulhoa Cavalcanti and Zenon Lotufo, besides landscapers Burle Marx and Augusto Teixeira Mendes. The Ibirapuera has been elected "one of the 10 best urban parks in the world" by The Guardian, and it gathers athletes in the running lanes, soccer courts and open gym equipment. It also charms people looking for culture. The Museu de Arte Contemporânea (Contemporary Art Museum), the Museu de Arte Moderna (Modern Art Museum), the Museu Afro Brasil (Afro Brazil Museum), the Auditorio Ibirapuera (Ibirapuera Auditorium), the Pavilhão Japonês (Japanese Pavilion) and the Oca are all in the park. Take the time to also visit the Museu de Arte de São Paulo (Masp), which is only 6 km away. https://www.visitbrasil.com/attractions/ibirapuera-park.html

The Ipiranga Municipal Market is located in a very busy part of Ipiranga, where commerce trives, you can find all sorts of things, from food to technology, everyone is quite friendly around here.The prices are quite accessible and you'll most likely find what you're looking for around here.This place is old! It's been up and busy for 83 years now, since it was opened back in 1940.Highly recommend going during weekdays since it's less busy. Saturdays can get kinda crazy.

The Arts and Crafts Fair is one of the main tourist attractions of Embu das Artes, located 27 km from São Paulo. A small town with less than 300 thousand inhabitants that breathes culture, Embu das Artes has its name because it has received great artists, especially Brazilian modernists, such as Anita Malfatti, Oswald de Andrade and Tarsila do Amaral. Occurring since 1969, the Fair occupies the streets of the town’s historical center with artists who exhibit and sell various products, like porcelain, sculptures, paintings, baskets, lace, trinkets, musical instruments and decoration items. The Green Fair also takes place over there, offering plants and ornamental flowers. If you want to learn more about Brazilian history and art, you’ll be amazed by the museums, churches and memorials in town, such as the Jesuit Sacred Art Museum and the Saint Lazarus Chapel. Embu also has many bars and cozy cafes with live music for you to relax and enjoy after seeing the Fair. https://www.visitbrasil.com/attractions/embu-das-artes-fair.html

Since its inauguration in 1958, Sao Paulo Zoo has already attracted more than 70 million visitors. Located at the heart of more than 900,000 m of original Atlantic forest, the grounds are home to 3,000 different animal species, each evolving in a dedicated biotope which closely reflects its natural surroundings. This institution is the ideal tool for increase awareness among the general public of the problems related to protecting the species to which the Amazonian forest is home. http://www.worldeventlistings.com/en/sao-paulo/events/the-sao-paulo-zoo-visit-e-502138

Built in 1862 and promoted to main church a year later, the Saint Anthony of Jacutinga Cathedral is in the middle of busy Nova Iguaçu's downtown area. Festivities in honor of the city's patron saint are held there, in June. http://mapadecultura.rj.gov.br/headline/saint-anthony-of-jacutinga-cathedral

Preserved and in full activity, Rio D'Ouro Reservoir, built in 1880, is an architectural jewel of Nova Iguaçu, located on a natural site covered by the Atlantic Rainforest. From its pavilion, there is a footbridge that crosses the reservoir and leads to a fountain made of cast iron designed by the French sculptor Albert-Ernest Carrier Belleuse. He was the designer of the torches of the staircase at the Paris Opera Theater as well as the professor of the acclaimed sculptor, Auguste Rodin. Nymphs, carved in the foundries of Val D'Osne in France, guard the fountain adorned by twigs and the Brazilian coat of arms. With a sophisticated hydraulic engineering for the time of its implementation, Rio D'Ouro Reservoir is listed by INEPAC (State Institute of Cultural Heritage). http://mapadecultura.rj.gov.br/headline/rio-douro-reservoir#prettyPhoto

Na Praia da Enseada em Guarujá você vai encontrar uma excelente infraestrutura, além de muita diversão, um mar límpido de boas ondas, com areia branca e fininha.Conta com uma orla incrível e uma ciclovia tranquila para pedalar que se estende por seus quase 6 km de extensão.A Praia da Enseada é sem dúvidas, não só uma das melhores e mais belas praias do litoral sul paulista, como também uma excelente escolha curtir umas férias e o Verão.E ai, ficou animado? Então confira as fotos e dicas incríveis que preparamos para você incluir no seu roteiro, preparar as malas e…. Partiu praia!Não é a toa que recebe milhões de turistas todos os anos e é considerada internacionalmente como a “Pérola do Atlântico”.Grandes partes dos turistas optam pela praia da enseada, e isso tem como fator principal a sua infraestrutura e oferta de comércios e serviços em geral como: (Quiosques, bares, restaurantes, hotéis, pousadas, aluguel de temporada e serviços em geral).Pontos Turísticos na Praia da Enseada em GuarujáOs Pontos Turísticos da Praia da Enseada atraem viajantes de todos os gostos e estilos.Com diversas atrações como shows, eventos, e parque de diversão que são montados durante o verão, a praia também conta com diversos outros atrativos.Na praia da Enseada você vai encontrar Pontos Turísticos como o mirante do Costão das Tartarugas e Mirante do Morro da Campina, conhecido como Morro do Maluf, a feira de artesanatos, o Aquário AcquaMundo, além de passeios náuticos e muita diversão.Veja algumas atrações na praia da enseada em Guarujá…

Vista como uma das mais belas Praias do Guarujá, a Praia de Éden é um encanto de uma natureza exuberante e incrível.Com aproximadamente 150 mts de extensão a Praia do Éden é cercada por uma mata Atlântica linda e muito preservada, um verdadeiro reduto de beleza natural e que encanta todos que a visitam.É uma praia de tombo e com ondas fortes, por isso tome cuidado ao entrar no mar.O mar verde esmeralda faz da Praia do Éden um encanto de beleza natural, sem contar que é possível avistar tartarugas marinhas em algumas épocas do ano.É uma praia pequena, com faixa de areia fofa e estreita, logo em períodos de alta praia é bem visitada e fica bem cheia, então prepare-se disputar um espaço legal e encontrar uma sombrinha.Com apenas um bar no local que funciona somente na e sem nenhum tipo de comércio ambulante, o mais indicado é que leve tudo ou consumir, só não esqueça de substituir o seu lixo e descartar nalixeira mais próxima, colaborar para que esse esse paraíso continua vivo.Trilha da Praia do Éden no GuarujáPara mostrar esse visual incrível da praia do Éden, será necessário um pequeno esforço, pois seu acesso é feito através de uma pequena trilha (que possui dificuldade média), ou através de umaria, que é bem mais tranquilo e de fácil acesso, porém o acesso particular e fica no único estacionamento disponível no local.Na pequena trilha da Praia do Éden no Guarujá você vai se deparar com uma escadaria rochosa composta por 110 degraus irregulares, de dificuldade mediana. O cansaço bate na hora de subir a trilha. Em dias de chuva a atenção para quedas e perigos na trilha deve ser vermelha.

Maracanã has already been the scenery of the most important Brazilian soccer classic and earned historical moments of the international soccer. Monumental facts, like the thousandth goal of king Pelé, in 1969, also happened in the grass of the soccer Brazilian temple. Maracanã had a big reform and had the total capacity to 78,838 supporters. The new Maracanã has been modernized and today fills international security items, logistic and sustainability. The use of solar energy and rainwater collection, reused in the 292 bathrooms and 4 dressing rooms, are important measures of economy and responsibility. More 360 security cameras keep the surveillance permanent of the stadium, that received two new ramps of access, besides the traditional Bellini and UERJ, beyond 12 escalators and more elevators, today, the total number is 17 of it. New bars and snack bars give more comfort to the public, who are waiting for retractable chairs shared per colors and produced with certified material, with plastic bottle. Divided in five levels on the north, south, east and west sectors, Maracanã bets in divisions to facilitate the access and location of the supporters. Gate, sector, block, level, queues and chair are the subdivisions that will allow the supporters to localize their place with more comfort and more safety. There are also sits to obese, reserved area for people with special necessities and tactile floor for the visually impaired. http://visit.rio/en/que_fazer/maracanastadium/

Santa Teresa, the neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro that retain its colonial charm. Santa Teresa is located on top of the Santa Teresa hill and presents a magnificent view of the city. It is one of the few neighborhoods to resist development in order to retain its colonial charm. It is famous for its winding, narrow streets and for being an artistic hotspot. The construction of the Santa Teresa in the 18th century convent marked the beginning of the development of this neighborhood. Its natural scenery, the pleasant atmosphere and easy access to downtown Rio make this an attractive neighborhood. It is currently a popular tourist site as the area has its fair share of restaurants with live music, cultural centers and other attractions. Its bars and nightclubs are popular with both natives and tourists. http://www.rio.com/practical-rio/santa-teresa

Lapa is a neighborhood famous for its Bohemian culture. It is well known for its architecture, the most famous monument being the Arcos da Lapa. The Passeio Publico is the first public park built in the city, which is another popular attraction of the neighborhood. Lapa is known for its lively social scene and cultural events. The neighborhood has many restaurants and bars. Many of these restaurants and clubs promote various forms of Brazilian music. The Sala Cecília Meirelles, an important venue for chamber music is also located in Lapa. The movement “I Am da Lapa” helped in the restoration of the neighborhood. With government support and active participation from the citizens, especially shop owners, great achievements in the development of the area have been made. http://www.rio.com/practical-rio/lapa

Rio de Janeiro is a city full of undiscovered places that make your eyes turn. The Stairs of Selarón (Escadaria Selaron) used to be one of them. A magical place, in the middle of a metropole, with nobody around. Just an occasional visitor. But not anymore. Right now the stairs, that functions as a bridge between the neighborhoods Lapa and Santa Teresa, is one of the most visited highlights in the city. Thousands of people pass by every day. But the magic still exists. The best time to visit the Stairs of Selarón is early morning before 10 am. After that time the tour agencies will arrive with loads of tourists until the end of the day. Of course, in low season – between April and Juni and September and November – you can get lucky during the day. Best spot is the upper part of the steps where you can find a more quiet corner with the Brazilian flag. https://www.gringo-rio.com/stairs-of-selaron/

Apart from being amazed by seeing Marvelous City's most beautiful landscapes, visitors will also take an educational trip throughout Brazil's recent history. Corcovado's Railway was the first of its kind to use electric energy in Brazil. It's even older than Christ's statue itself and was inaugurated in 1884 by Emperor Dom Pedro II. In fact, the train was used for four consecutive years at that time to carry parts of the monument. The train has already transported on its cars several distinguished personalities such as popes, kings, princes, presidents, artist and scientists! This is also an eco-tour. The train cuts through the world's largest urban forest: Tijuca's National Park, a part of the so-called Atlantic Forest, considered as an example of nature conservation. And everyone who travels on Corcovado's Railway helps take care of the forest: the train is moved by electricity; therefore, it's not contaminating whatsoever. In addition to that, part of the ticket sale will go to fundraising for Brazilian Institute of the Environment (IBAMA) which is in charge of forest conservation issues. http://www.tremdocorcovado.rio/index-eng.html

In the top of the mountain is installed Christ the redeemer, one of the most wanted touristic sides of Rio de Janeiro. Biggest and most famous scripture Art Déco of the world, the Christ statue started to be planned in 1921 and it was developed by the engineer Heitor da Silva Costa over 5 years of job, from 1926 to 1931, the opening year of the monument. It’s located at Parque Nacional da Tijuca, 710 meter above the sea level, where anybody can appreciate one of the most beautiful views of the city. Over all 220 steps that lead to the famous statue feet, it was elected one of the Seven Wonders of the World made by formal voting in 2007 by the Swiss Institution New 7 Wonders Foundation. The monument is accessible by train, van or car. http://visit.rio/en/que_fazer/christtheredeemer/

At the foot of the Corcovado Mountain, Parque Lage delights with 52 hectares of pure green, cultural and art programs. Originating from an old sugar mill, the park makes part of the historic memory of the city. In 1957, it was tumbled by the IPHAN like as historical and cultural heritage of the city of Rio de Janeiro. The main edification of the space, a big house of the XIX century, the Visual art school, works in Parque Lage (EAV), which offers free formation to beginner artists, training courses in art for youth, plus an intense program of exhibitions, seminars, lectures and video shows. EAV also have a library and auditorium with capacity for 150 people. On the main mansion courtyard by the pool, the BistrôPlage offers a delicious breakfast, more lunch and dinners with organic product which can be savored with the art and music events that happens on the place every year. In several weekends, ParqueLage crosses the down with art parties and festivals and music sponsored by initiative private and public. http://visit.rio/en/que_fazer/parque-lage-2/

Founded in 1808 by D. João VI, the Botanical Garden is an important touristic side of the city and so much visited by researchers who study the hundreds species that are there. With total area of 137 hectares, being 54 of acreage, the Botanical Garden houses rare collections of bromeliads and orchids, as well as old trees and exotic plants. The Garden also has constructions in the beginning of the century XVI, saving a rich historical and cultural heritage. Between the monuments, we highlight the Eco and Narciso de mestre Valentim statues, the portal of the Academy of Fine Arts, projected by Grandjean de Montigny, and the Japonese Garden, created in 1935, from the donation of 65 species of tipical Japanese plants. The Park also is an excellent place to observe the birds, because there are more than hundred different species in the crowns and trunks of their trees http://visit.rio/en/que_fazer/botanicalgarden/

From Praia Vermelha, the visitants take the first tram links to the Urca hill, and from there, a second tram takes them until the top of the Sugar loaf hill, it stays 396 meters of the sea level. Different histories justify the name of this touristic side; the most popular says that during the centuries XVI and XVIII, at the peak of the production of sugar cane, the producers stored sugar blocks in little boxes to be exported, and the resemblance of the object with Sugar loaf mountain gave origin to the name. Inaugurated in 1912, the little tram of the Sugar loaf was the first Brazilian cable car and the third in the world, linking the Urca hill to the Sugar loaf mountain. Since then, more than 40 million of people have already used that cable cars. From the high of the two mountains revels a gorgeous landscapes of the city, including the Botafogo cave, Copacabana edge and the entrance of Guanabara bay. In the summer, the amphitheater, located in the top of Urca hill is a stage for shows and night events, joining fun and a wonderful visual of lights of the city. http://visit.rio/en/que_fazer/sugarloaf/

Located in Zona Sul, Copacabana Beach is one of the most famous and most beautiful beaches in the world. The atmosphere is very vibrant and the people are colorful and fun loving. The beach runs for 2.2 miles (4 km) in an east west direction running from Postos Dois to Posto Seis. Stop by one of the several beach bars and enjoy a gold cup of chopp (draft beer) and refeicao (herbed meat and fried onions). Take a walk along the beach to enjoy some of the most incredible sand sculptures and when you get thirsty try some of the agua de coco or coconut water straight from the coconut. http://www.rio.com/practical-rio/copacabana-beach

Ipanema beach is bordered by Arpoador Beach on one end and Leblon Beach on the other end. This beach is considered one of the main centers of activity for the city of Rio. One of the most expensive places to live, the neighborhood is full of wealthy residents. The beaches of Rio de Janeiro are divided into tribes, but Ipanema is where that note is so strong. In front of the country club meet young beautiful and high class people. It’s certainly the place to see and be seen. In the Posto 9, near Joana Angélica Street the public is more laid back and alternative. The strip of sand between Ipanema and Leblon close to the canal is not very busy and it is quite empty, and should be avoided. Frescobol is a sensantion among cariocas at the beach, it's like tennis, it's played by two people with racquets, not net and you are not to drop the ball. If you go to Ipanema don’t miss watching it and if you feel like participating also, it will be a pleasure for Cariocas to have a tourist playing with them. http://www.rio.com/practical-rio/ipanema-beach