We're tentatively planning a trip to Rio in February. I've noticed there are huge malls in Rio, but can't seem to find any store names or listings in these malls. Since the conversion rate is strongly in our favor, I'd like to do some serious shopping at the higher-end stores. Can anyone tell me if there's stores like Prada, Gucci, Chanel, D&G, etc. located in Rio? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I go to Rio often but I don't go to shop. I would imagine that the type of stores you are referring to can be found in Ipanema as this neighborhood has many exclusive shops for the wealthy in Rio and all over the world.

While the exchange rate is good it is not as good as lets say a year or 2 ago. It has been my experience that the best bargains are only of goods made in Brazil as the labor is cheap and since the Brazilians do not have a big economy they for the most part cannot afford international goods.

It has also been my experience that international goods like the ones you mention will be the same price in Rio as they are in New York or Rome for the most part. Because the buyers have to buy these goods on the international market all at the same price that anybody else does and even though their currency is depressed then all that means is that they have to give up more of it to buy these items so that means so do you so you end up buying them at the same price more or less, no savings.

Maybe you will get some good knock offs at bargain prices but not the real thing.

Another high end mall is the Fashion Mall in Sao Conrado next to the Intercontinental Hotel. The famous mall is Rio Sul near Copacabana and of course Barra has as many or more than New Jersey.

dondiega is correct, you may even get better prices in the usa for high end items. when prices ared reduced. do not be disappointed..lots of store in ipanema with really nice shoes and clothing for ladies. very sexy looking garmets for the ladies...

Jay, when you say that the conversion rate is strongly in our favor, what do yuo mean? Two years ago the dollar was getting 4 reals today it is getting 2.88 and add on high inflation in a country like Brazil and I ask you how is this conversion rate strongly in your favor? Right now things are not as cheap as they were even last year everything is going up. Sure you can eat in a good reataurant for a good price but all the high end restaurants I can assure you will cost you as much as New York with wine and liquor. If you eat like the locals it will be cheap if you want to hang out with the Gucci/Prada crowd you will have to pay for it.

I just returned from Rio and I forgot completely about this post of course but I was on the beach in Ipanema one day in front of the Caesar Park hotel chatting with 2 young women. I told them I was from New York and they were kidding around with me and said that maybe I will invite them to New York one day. They told me they want to go shopping at all the stores you mention here (Chanel, Gucci etc) I immediately thought of this post and asked them but dont you have these stores here in Ipanema, they told me yes but it is too expensive in Rio it is cheaper in New York. I just thought I would post my findings here on this subject.

Thanks for all of the great information. I really appreciate it. Now I know to stick to my shopping here in Chicago.

Do not be disappointed, if you are a woman, there are lots of shoes stores with great prices and clothing stores..not the brand names you were looking for...but sexy looking brasilian clothes..nice bathing suits.

Whether you get 4 Real or 2.88 Real surely it depends on the "purchasing power" of the Real once you are there