Santa Teresa . Part I

You shouldn't leave Río de Janeiro without visiting Santa Teresa, a colonial neighbourhood close to the center of the city.

Santa Teresa has a lot to offer: old houses, mansions, bar, restaurants, bohemian life and the only street car in the city, called "bondinho".

You can access to the neighbourhood by walking, by streetcar or by bus. I highly recommend to take a ride in the bondinho, and get back walking, descending the Escadaria Colorida, into Lapa area.

Bondinho

The bondinho has 2 lines; you can have a look at the map in the station before humping in and decide which direction you want to take. Santa Teresa is a quiet neighbourhood and more or less safe, so don’t be afraid to wander around.

Each ticket costs R$ 0.60, making the streetcar the cheapest way of transportation in the city.

Parque das Ruínas

Taking any of the two lines of the bondinho, if you descend in the first stop, you’ll be very close to this park that sometimes has expositions and live music.

It’s highly recommended to go to the last floor to have a wide open panoramic view.

Entrance: free. Closed on Mondays.

Museu Chacara do Ceu

You can access the Museu from Parque das Ruínas. It’s a small museum with a permanent collection that includes paintings, books, and ongoing exhibitions.

Don’t miss the garden and the open view of the city!

Entrance: free on Wednesdays. Closed on Tuesdays (but you can still visit the garden!)

http://www.museuscastromaya.com.br

Escada Colorida

It's the stairway created and made by Carlos Selaron as a present to Rio de Janeiro that connects Santa Teresa and Lapa. 

Made with tiles from all around, this stairway has turned into a “must see” in the city.

You might find out the artist working, and might have the chance to chat a little bit with him!

http://www.selaron.net/Matos/english/stairway.htm

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