4 Best Places to Shop in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Background Illustration for Shopping

Reviews Updated by

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Gabriela Godoi

Rio shopping is most famous for its incomparable beachwear and gemstone jewelry, both of which are exported globally. Brazil is one of the world's largest suppliers of colored gemstones, with deposits of aquamarines, amethysts, diamonds, emeralds, rubellites, topazes, and tourmalines. If you're planning to go to Minas Gerais, do your jewelry shopping there; otherwise stick with shops that have certificates of authenticity and quality. Other good local buys include shoes, Havaianas flip-flops, arts and crafts, coffee, local music, swimwear, and summer clothing in natural fibers. With lots of low-quality merchandise around, the trick to successful shopping in Rio is knowing where to find high-quality items at reasonable prices. It's helpful to note that most independent shops are shut on Sunday, with some even closed on Saturday afternoon.

Ipanema is Rio's most fashionable shopping district. Its many exclusive boutiques are in arcades, with the majority along Rua Visconde de Pirajá. Leblon's shops, scattered among cafés, restaurants, and newspaper kiosks, are found mainly along Rua Ataulfo da Paiva and in the side streets of Rua Dias Ferreira. Copacabana has souvenir shops, bookstores, and branches of some of Rio's better shops along Avenida Nossa Senhora de Copacabana and connecting streets. For cheap fashion finds and Carnival costumes, head to the maze of shopping streets behind the Uruguaiana metro station known as 'Saara.'

Babilônia Feira Hype

Leblon Fodor's Choice

This fair that takes place roughly every couple of months combines fashion, design, art, and gastronomy from independent labels and artisans. The quality of the goods on offer and the experience itself has improved over the years, and since it moved to an alfresco spot overlooking the Lagoa, it's become a highlight in Rio's event calendar. Expect live music, great shopping, and the chance to watch a parade of beautiful people. Location may vary between Clube Monte Líbano and Parque das Figueiras, both in Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas. 

Feira da General Glicério

Laranjeiras Fodor's Choice

Browse for local crafts, enjoy delicious snacks, sip a caipirinha, and listen to the delicate sounds of live choro at this laid-back Saturday street market in the leafy residential neighborhood of Laranjeiras. Vendors selling fruit and veggies set up stalls on the streets surrounding a small neighborhood square, but the main focus of attention is on the clothing and crafts stalls on the square, as well as on food and drink sellers and the famous Barraca do Luiz—a tent selling caipirinhas and rare music CDs—as choro bands perform nearby. Come early: the market opens at 10 am and the fun is over by midafternoon.

Market Free Fodor's Choice Family
Rua General Glicério, Rio de Janeiro, 22245–120, Brazil

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Feira do Rio Antigo

Centro Fodor's Choice

Vendors at this outdoor fair sell antiques, rare books, records, and all types of objets d'art every Saturday. New and vintage fashion is also a strong suit, although cheaper fashion has sadly begun to take over. Live samba music and capoeira performances create a festival-like atmosphere, and the pavement bars and restaurants buzz with locals and visitors.

Recommended Fodor's Video

Feira Hippie

Ipanema

The colorful handicrafts street fair takes place on Sunday between 8 am and 6 pm. Shop for high-quality jewelry, hand-painted dresses, paintings, wood carvings, leather bags and sandals, rag dolls, knickknacks, furniture, and samba percussion instruments, among many other items. It's fun to browse here even if you're not looking to buy anything.