The Hippie Fair is a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon in Ipanema. Featuring dozens of local…read morevendors, this outdoor craft market is a great place to find souvenirs, art, clothing, food, and more. Some items are generic imports, but many others are one-of-a-kind originals. We found everything from unique-tooled leather belts to hand-crafted batiks and paintings. Go explore!

When traveling these days, one thing I frequently lament is the inability to go anywhere in the…read moreworld and find something unique to return with, something that can't be purchased on-line while sitting at my dining room table. Brazil though, threw a curve into that train of thought and the Feira Hippie de Ipanema (aka Hippie Fair) was a big part of that curve. The al fresco Hippie Fair happens once each week, on Sunday in Ipanema, and if you like shopping and strolling and eating and eyeing it's worth your time. I spent a couple of hours there before my family forcibly evicted me and even then I sent one of them back to purchase something that I suddenly decided I couldn't live without. It's at the Hippie Fair that you'll find a lot of reasonably priced, uniquely Brazilian jewelry, clothing, artwork, shoes, hair/head pieces, soaps, and more. And when you tire of looking walk to the corners. One corner featured a makeshift samba dance troupe from a nearby favela. Another corner bustled with Afro-Brazilian women in traditional garb dishing out luscious Bahian stews and a cornucopia of delicious desserts. It was here that I stopped briefly to enjoy what was quickly becoming my usual, a giant slice of flan (which probably goes by a different name when in Brazil; I just point at it and nod my head). Aside from the name, there's nothing "hippie" about this place. Prices aren't negotiable but they also weren't unreasonable and most vendors accept credit cards. This sort of thing - an arts fair - isn't going to turn you into a shopper if you're not but if you are, it's a nice diversion a mere block from Ipanema Beach. If you're looking for a uniquely Brazilian souvenir besides the ubiquitous but very welcome Havaianas or anything that might be offered for sale while you're sitting on the beach the Hippie Fair is a good place to start your search.

From the owner: Produtos diferenciados agregando design e qualidade. No segmento de papelaria criamos um novo…read moreconceito: uma butique de papel e objetos de design.

I like the convenience and selection of this grocery store. It's a lot closer to where I live so…read moreeasier to pick up items as I'm out and about. You can find most of the basic Asian food supplies here; sushi short grain rice, sesame oil, gyoza (potstickers), wasabi green peas, and various other items you cannot find in the regular grocery store. The selection is better than the selection at ume in Copacabana. There's also plenty of organic, vegan and special food that works for a variety of diets. Prices are a little steep but that's the price of imported goods. Some of the fresher items are made in São Paulo and labeled with best buy dates so you know how old the items are.