Rio de Janeiro, Aug 1 (EFE).- A multisensory cultural and culinary journey set against the backdrop of Rio de Janeiro’s iconic beaches is the latest tourism initiative designed to turn the city into a vibrant showcase for Brazil.
The cultural and culinary route in Rio begins at Leme Beach, winds through Copacabana, and ends in Ipanema. It highlights traditional coastal Brazilian fare while paying tribute to celebrated figures in the country’s music and literature.
“Rio is known for its natural beauty. But it also has a rich history full of music, literature, and flavors, like those found at beach kiosks and in the botecos (bars), which are the heart of Rio’s gastronomy,” said Marcelo Freixo, president of the Brazilian Agency for International Tourism Promotion (Embratur), in an interview with EFE.
In addition to sun, sand, and striking landscapes, Rio’s beaches offer a cultural and historical narrative of Brazil that provides tourists with “more democratic access” to the country, Freixo noted.
“And since the Rio waterfront is the city’s most iconic image,” he added, “there’s no better place to host this kind of multisensory experience.”
A deeper look at the Embratur Route: Where it goes and what to expect
The Embratur Route includes stops at five kiosks along the Orla do Rio boardwalk, which lines the city’s main beaches. Each stop features a menu inspired by regional cuisines from across Brazil.
At every point along the route, visitors encounter a figure from Brazilian music or literature, commemorated in statues, and enjoy a dish that “tells a piece of Brazil’s story.”
From the wave-patterned promenade designed by landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx to the introspective prose of Clarice Lispector, the experience becomes a journey into the soul of Brazil.
Honoring Brazil’s cultural icons through taste and tribute
The route honors samba, featuring Martinho da Vila, a Rio icon of the genre, and Moacyr Luz, whose music has helped shape Brazilian popular culture.
Other highlights include Tom Jobim’s bossa nova—immortalized in The Girl from Ipanema—the tropicalismo of Dorival Caymmi, whose songs celebrate Bahia’s coastal roots, and the modernist poetry of Carlos Drummond de Andrade.
A celebration of Brazilian cuisine on the beach
As for flavors, visitors can sample coastal recipes fused with contemporary culinary trends, many of which were featured in the Sabores da Orla (Flavors of the Boardwalk) competition.
The route begins at Mureta do Leme, passes through the Coisas de Bamba and Tropik kiosks in Copacabana, and ends at Quase Nove and Sel D’Ipanema in Ipanema.
Rio tourism on the rise with international visitors
Embratur expects the new route to help build on Brazil’s momentum after a record-setting year for international tourism.
In 2024, Brazil welcomed 6.8 million foreign visitors, generating $7.3 billion in spending. Rio de Janeiro alone hosted 1.5 million visitors, making it the second most visited state after São Paulo. Tourism in Rio produced $1.3 billion in public revenue.
“More than a beach destination, Rio is becoming a cultural gateway to Brazil,” Freixo emphasized.
Brazil’s 2025 outlook: strong numbers, stronger experiences
Brazil is projected to receive 8.1 million international tourists in 2025, though that number may rise. By midyear, 5.3 million foreign travelers had already arrived.
EFE created this content with support from Embratur.