Now one of our favorite malls, first because it's close by and easy to get to, but also because…read moreit's clean and classy but not over pretentious. They have a good combination of classic chain stores like Taco, Velha Bahia, Imaginarium, Alphabeto, Track and Field, Mr. Cat and a mix of unique stores that sell house decor or gifts you couldn't find anywhere else. One party store had bobbleheads of famous American TV characters and super heros. Another had multistory wooden dollhouses and fun toys any kid would love. This also houses several live theaters spread out on the second and third floors and a movie theater on the fourth floor. They have a variety of good quality restaurants to choose from (Xi Bistrô, Balada mix). There's a convenient taxi stand in the front of the mall for easy transportation and a parking garage on the top floors. Plus the bus lines run a block away towards PUC.

Without a doubt my favorite mall in Rio de Janeiro. That said, I think it's important to set your…read moreexpectations right before coming. As one of the other Yelpers wrote, this is not your typical mall where you come to shop and maybe grab a bite to eat along the way. It's as though shopping is the sideshow here, with plays, movies, a gym, and great restaurants being the main attraction. There are plenty of stores, but for the most part they aren't chains. The stores also don't focus on clothes. Instead, you're likely to find something unique for your house, maybe a gift for a friend, or something completely unexpected. The most unique attractions for me are the theaters and restaurants. Every floor has at least one live-action theater, both for adults and kids. It's common to see costumed princesses or pirates walking around and taking pictures with kids. I haven't personally seen a play there yet, but I have heard good things from friends. The movie theater is unique too. Smaller than the typical theater, it offers more of a feeling of community for those watching the film together. We also saw an advertisement that they will be showing old-time movies with live piano accompaniment in the near future. The restaurants are all top notch. Lunch, supper, ice cream, coffee, chocolate, whatever it is you are looking for, they have a place in Shopping da Gávea that will meet or exceed your expectation. Definitely give this place a visit, just don't expect anything like you've seen before in a mall.

Before all those tourists descend on Rio for the 2016 Olympics, Lonely Planet guidebooks in hand,…read moreI'm putting this out there: Despite what the Rio book says, Feira de São Cristóvão is NOT "not to be missed". First things first: Lonely Planet refers to this place as "Feira Nordestina" but this listing, the outside of the structure which houses it, and their web site make clear that Feira de São Cristóvão is the actual name. Still, if you ask your cab driver to take you to "Feira Nordestina" you'll be taken here so perhaps the monikers are interchangeable. Essentially, you're asking to be taken to that giant swap meet with food, drink, music, and tchotchkes; the one that's open non-stop from Friday morning until Sunday evening plus a lot of additional hours Tuesday thru Thursday. There's a small per person fee to enter and just inside is your first cachaca tasting booth. Not a bad way to begin. After that, there's row after row after row - over 600 stalls in all - of shops, bars, restaurants, and music. The fair, apparently, showcases Brazil's Northeast, meaning that the food and live and canned music are largely Bahian. As a tourist, I have these observations: * The stuff for sale here is not, by and large, the stuff you want to bring home with you. There's a lot of everyday, utilitarian products (e.g. children's backpacks) that hold no tourist appeal. * At one place, in the center, people sit on benches watching televised bullfighting. Okay then... * Come hungry and find a restaurant near to the live music on the perimeters. Interesting people-watching. * Walk the interior rows and spy some couples dancing in poorly lit bars or friends doing the karaoke thing (in Portuguese). * You're definitely in a different part of Rio here (Zona Norte), more gritty and not catering to tourists. I didn't feel uncomfortable here but I also didn't feel like I fit in. I took a cab here and back (available just outside the gates) and felt glad to get back to the part of Rio that was a better fit for me. If you want to see an authentic slice of Zona Norte and maybe get a taste of Brazil's Bahian culture you might enjoy this. To me, it was just a giant swap meet and I beg to differ with Lonely Planet. I could've missed it without regret.

I love outdoor markets! Fiera de São Cristóvão is a nice place to refuel before partying during…read moreCarnaval. There are plenty of shops with souvenirs and other miscellaneous items, so keep your eyes peeled for that gifts for those back home that are not blessed to be there with you. I had my first açaí here and it was great. If you are a fan of live music, there were at least 3 different stages where bands were playing and people were dancing. If you enjoy people watching, this is a great place for that as well. I only bought a few items and did bargain with one of the vendors, I don't know if that's expected but did save a few reais. If you go during a busy time, and when isn't it?, expect crowded stores and it being hard to walk through. Keep your valuables protected as pickpockets are probably in this place. Plan on paying to park your car nearby.