anyone looking for clothing and shoes at discounted prices should head to centro's downtown area, especially rua uruguaiana, rua da alfândega, and rua buenos aires, where fashion outlets dominate the street fronts of the landmark bargain-shopping district saara.

weekend street markets can also be found scattered along these avenues, and the weekly hippie fair in ipanema is guaranteed to produce some interesting objects for anyone interested in carioca arts and crafts.

for more specialized items, like musical instruments, rua da carioca has a plethora of musical shops where native brazilian bahian guitars, rabecas, and pandeiros can be bought - they all make great souvenirs and presents for family and friends.