at a glance

generally more up-market than other districts in rio de janeiro, ipanema offers a variety of accommodations, ranging from affordable hostels to luxurious water-front apartments - the landmark hotels caesar park and fasano are both located in ipanema.

around the area of praça da paz, a variety of high-end stores can be found, both facing the street and hidden inside the numerous gallerias - small shopping malls, typical of rio de janeiro.

the name 'ipanema' gained wordwide fame following the success of the immensely popular bossa nova hit 'the girl from ipanema' - yet, the history and cultural significance of ipanema extend back to well before this explosive entrance onto the global music and intellectual scene in the mid-twentieth century.