Santa Teresa

Welcome to Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro's most storied and bohemian neighborhood. Perched atop a hill overlooking the city and the Guanabara Bay, Santa Teresa feels like a world apart from the bustling beaches of Copacabana or…

The heartbeat of Santa Teresa is its 'bondinho,' the last historic tram line in Rio de Janeiro. Painted a vibrant yellow, these open-sided trams have been carrying residents and visitors up the hill since 1877. …

Largo do Guimarães is the social and cultural heart of Santa Teresa. This small plaza is the main intersection where the tram tracks meet and where the neighborhood's most famous bars and restaurants are clustered. …

Perched on one of the highest points of the neighborhood is the Parque das Ruínas, the former mansion of socialite Laurinda Santos Lobo. In the early 20th century, this was the epicenter of Rio's intellectual life, where artists,…

While strictly at the border between Lapa and Santa Teresa, the 'Escadaria Selarón' is an essential part of the neighborhood's artistic narrative. Created by Chilean-born artist Jorge Selarón as a 'tribute to the Brazilian…

The soul of Santa Teresa resides in its many 'ateliês' or artistic studios. The neighborhood has long been home to painters, sculptors, and jewelry makers who find inspiration in its light and its 'slow' pace of life. …

As we wander deeper into the residential areas, we are surrounded by the architectural 'eclecticism' that defines Santa Teresa. Because the neighborhood was built over centuries by the wealthy seeking an escape from the city, you…

As our journey through the winding streets of Santa Teresa comes to an end, we are left with the feeling that this neighborhood is 'under our skin in the best way.' We have ridden the historic yellow bondinho, explored the ruins…