Even if your Brazil travel doesn't take you beyond Rio de Janeiro, you can still buy Brazilian crafts and stock up on genuine souvenirs from all over the country. Rio has got fantastic folk arts & crafts shops and one of them is likely to be near your hotel or on your way to a tourist attraction.
1. Feira Hippie de Ipanema
Patricia Ribeiro
Ipanema's famous hippie fair gathers artists who create pieces in genuine Brazilian style and vendors who bring genuine folk art and traditional crafts from distant areas in Brazil.
Address:
Praça General Osório (reference: corner of Visconde de Pirajá and Teixeira de Melo
Hours: Every Sunday, 7a-7p
2. Artesoado
September 3, 2009 Update: The Artesoado official website has been renewed. Although the videos are not working well as of this writing, the product photos (click on "Produtos" on the Artesoado homepage can give you an idea of the variety of whimsical objects sold at this great store. Don't miss the "Sucata" section with recycled art made from trash.
Individual craftsmanship walks hand in hand with socially responsible shopping at Artesoado, which works with non-governmental organizations and craftsmanship cooperatives in fair practices.
Address:
Shopping Cassino Atlântico
Av. Nossa Senhora de Copacabana 1417 # 207
Copacabana
Rio de Janeiro - RJ Phone: 55-21-2513 0157
E-mail: artesoado@artesoado.com.br
3. Brasil & Cia
Genuine crafts from several Brazilian regions in a wealth of materials, knowledgeable staff and practice in helping international travelers are some of the traits which have made Brasil e Cia one of the most popular stores among tourists in Rio.
Outstanding individual craftsmanship with deep roots in traditional styles is valued in the shop’s collections.
The location in the heart of Ipanema's shopping distric, close to the beach, and the Sunday hours are a major plus.
Hours: Mon-Sat, 10a-7p; Sun 10a-4p
Address: Rua Maria Quitéria 27
Ipanema
Rio de Janeiro - RJ
Phone: 55-21-2267-4603
4. Brasil Feito à Mão
One of the shop’s highlights is the choice of representations of women in diverse techniques. The name means "Handmade". The store has more than one location in Rio.
5. O Sol Artesanato Brasileiro
The shop belongs to a non-governmental organization which teaches crafts techniques and fosters craftsmanship as a way to develop regional communities. It's located in the Botanical Garden district.
Address:
Rua Corcovado 213
Jardim Botânico
Rio de Janeiro-RJ
Phones: 55-11-2294-5149/2294-5099
Watch the O Sol video, in Portuguese with English subtitles.
6. Pé de Boi
Pé de Boi sells folk arts and crafts from several regions. Highlights include impressive representations of Brazilian fauna and plenty of lace and woven pieces.
Hours: Mon-Fri 9a-9p; Saturday 9a-7p
Address:
Laranjeiras
Rio de Janeiro - RJ
22231-120
Phone: 55-21-2285-4395
7. Empório Tropical
If your Rio stay revolves around Barra da Tijuca or affords time to visit Barra, try to make at least a quick stop at Chácara Tropical, which expanded on the concept of a chácara as a nursery.
Besides selling plants, Chácara Tropical has a bistrot and Empório Tropical, a shop selling Brazilian folk arts and crafts and rustic furniture.
Address:
Rua Dom Rosalvo da Costa Rêgo 420
(Estrada da Barra da Tijuca, across from Itanhangá Golf Club)
Phones:
55-11-2493-0394/2495-8065E-mail: tropical@infolink.com.br
8. Rio Artesanato
Located in Botafogo, Rio Artesanato focuses on crafts produced in the state of Rio de Janeiro and it maintains partnerships with sustainable projects. The shop features an eclectic mix of urban crafts and works by self-taught artists from poor communities.
Hours: Mon-Fri 9a-6p
Address: Rua Real Grandeza 293
Botafogo
Rio de Janeiro - RJ
9. Velho Chico
Named for the São Francisco River (Old Chico), which runs through innermost Brazil, Velho Chico practices fair trade and offers crafts made in accordance with sustainable principles. Note the strong presence of items made of recycled and discard materials, fibers and renewable plant sources.
Another highlight is naїve, or naїf, art. Velho Chico and the International Museum of Naїve Art of Brazil by Corcovado should figure on your must-see list if you love this colorful and spontaneous art form.
Address:
Rua Visconde de Pirajá 303 # 217 (2nd floor)
Ipanema
Phones: 55-21-2523-6305
E-mail: velhochico@velhochico.com
10. Artíndia: Brazil Indigenous Art
The best place in Rio to buy genuine art by the indigenous peoples of Brazil is Artíndia, at Museu do Índio. The museum, which occupies a nineteenth-century building in Botafogo, is one of Rio's top cultural attractions with its permanent and temporary exhibits featuring material and immaterial expressions of indigenous groups in all of Brazil.
At the store, you'll find baskets, masks, CDs, and books. Artíndia is in other states too (see list of stores).
