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Windsor Marapendi Hotel

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Upscale Barra da Tijuca, on the western edge of Rio de Janeiro, was given a huge facelift ready for the 2016 Olympics. With a glorious 18km sweep of golden sand – Rio’s largest beach – and multiple options for refreshments and dining, Barra offers a calmer, alternative base for sightseeing in Rio combined with time to unwind after a trip to the interior. The Windsor Marapendi is one of many high quality hotels built for the Olympics. Facilities and services are aligned with the high standards of the well-regarded Windsor chain, including a rooftop pool and panoramic terrace, restaurant and fitness room. For a change of scene it’s around 15km by taxi to Rio’s upscale Leblon neighbourhood (just west of Ipanema and Copacabana) which is packed with dining and entertainment options.

What our clients say

Highlight: Pousada Rio Mutum, the sun rise trip and evening sunsets.
IS, Crowthorne Sep 2016
Most memorable was the approach toward the Falls on impossibly built metal walkways you could not have imagined the spectacle laid out before you. Our guide who sat on the…
AC, Saffron walden Mar 2018
Where to start? The World Cup match in Salvador, the old town of Salvador itself, swimming with wild dolphins in Praia de Pipa, watching monkeys play at breakfast, piranha fishing…
LM, London Aug 2014
Highlights?: The sighting of Fera the jaguar, and the giant otter sighting at Rio Mutum.
MM, Ascot Sep 2017
Most memorable experience: "The contrast between city, wildlife and the beach."
JB, Leicester Apr 2015
Highlight: The wildlife at Mutum - tapir, caimans, anteater, capybara, massive range of birdlife
DL, London Nov 2016

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Our Expert's Opinion

Paul Winrow-Giffin - Travel Expert

After graduating in Computer Science, Paul spent seven months travelling from Colombia to Argentina and came home hooked on Latin America.

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Sophie Barber - Travel Expert

Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.
Hannah Donaldson - Travel Expert

Having spent part of her childhood in Colombia and worked in Brazil and Costa Rica, Hannah's ties to Latin America run deep. Hannah is a much valued Travel Expert in our Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tours sales team.
Finn Clennett - Travel Expert
Kathryn Rhodes - Travel Expert

Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.
Chris Rendell-Dunn - Travel Expert

Anglo-Peruvian Chris grew up in Lima and spent much of his adult life in between London and Cusco as a tour leader, before settling permanently in our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours sales team.
Lina Fuller - Travel Expert

Lina's passion for the continent where she was born really took off when she moved to Córdoba (Argentina) to study, spending the holidays travelling between Argentina and her native Colombia.