49 Best Places to Shop in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Come here for killer bikinis as well as T-shirts, tanks, colorful beach bags, and beachwear for kids.

The shops of one of Brazil's most gifted and acclaimed designers sell his colorful Rio-inspired bags and accessories at affordable prices. There are two additional locations in Copacabana.

The award-winning designers at H.Stern create distinctive contemporary pieces—the inventory runs to about 300,000 items. The shops downstairs sell more affordable pieces and folkloric items. Around the corner at the company's world headquarters, you can see exhibits of rare stones and watch craftspeople transform rough stones into sparkling jewels.

The Ipanema Havaianas store carries the fun and funky flip-flops in all colors, styles, and sizes, for men, women, and kids. The range is staggering, from classic Brazil-flag designs to limited-edition gem-encrusted versions. The prices start at R$28 and creep over R$100. Alongside the legendary flops, the store also sells canvas deck shoes and sturdier sandals, as well as opinion-dividing "flip flop socks." Don't miss their brightly colored plastic wallets—a clever solution to protect your loose change and phone from sand at the beach. Other locations around town include one in Centro.

Head to this Santa Teresa arts and crafts store for colorful ceramics, ornate mirrors, and original works by local artists. For the quality and inventiveness of the objects it sells, La Vereda warrants a lengthy browsing session.

One of Rio's best sources for foreign-language titles, this bookstore has a wide selection of titles in English, Spanish, and French.

The stylish Mr. Cat carries handbags and leather shoes for men and women and has stores all over the city.

A paradise for musicians and music lovers, Musical Carioca shares a street with many other music stores. Brazilian percussion instruments and guitars are also sold here.

A popular arts and crafts store that carries woodwork pieces, ceramics, weaving, and sculptures created by artists from around Brazil, Pé de Boi specializes in objects from the states of Pernambuco and Minas Gerais.

A classic Brazilian clothing store selling tasteful, well-made pieces, Richards was originally just for men but now also carries women's clothing and children's wear. It's the place to go for good-quality linen clothing.

The shops at Rio's least crowded mall sell domestic and international fashions to a clientele that knows how to splurge. High-end Brazilian and international labels can be found here, and there are some very decent restaurants as well as a four-screen movie theater.

Antiques shops, jewelry stores, art galleries, and souvenir outlets predominate at this mall. There is a good flea market on Sunday.

The brand-name stores and smaller boutiques at the fashionable Shopping da Gávea mall sell designer fashions, accessories, and swimwear, and there are several good cafés and coffee shops.

Visit Sobral for chunky, colorful resin jewelry, accessories, and decorative items, including its signature multicolored replicas of the Christ statue. Reclaimed materials are used to make the store's funky goods, and its owners invest in social projects such as jewelry-making classes for young people in disadvantaged communities.

You'll find a large selection of reasonably priced shoes, bags, and accessories at Via Mia.

There are some 600 stores here, ranging from high-street names such as C&A to small and seriously chic boutique fashion, jewelry, and lingerie stores. A branch of the legendary bikini store Bumbum Ipanema is here, and there's a wealth of good dining options and one of the city's most luxurious cinemas.

Branches of this upscale supermarket can be found throughout Rio's South Zone, and they're good places to pick up deli goods, coffee, chocolate, and fresh fruit and vegetables. The promotional prices displayed usually apply only to those holding Zona Sul loyalty cards.