translated as the 'street of the bikinis' the famous rua dos biquínis boasts more than 70 stores and an open-air gamboa mall - it's a great place for a dose of retail therapy, especially at night when the place is lit up by stunning lights. 

there are also a number of walkways covered in wonderful trees and plants and the only vehicles allowed to pass through the area are police and fire trucks - so walking around is very safe indeed.

those who associates bikinis to surf will be happy to find out that the biggest surf museum in latin america is located by the praia do forte, in cabo frio - the museu do surf has on display hundreds of different surf boards, and has been visited by nearly 200,000 people.