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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

Most memorable experience: "Hard to say it was all wonderful. Looking for alligators in a minute boat in the dark with eyes peering at you from out of the reeds,…
VM, Shoreham-by-Sea May 2015
All of it was memorable, the Hotel were the perfect choice and the guides were knowledgeable and very helpful. The Falls were breath-taking and listening to the falls and bird…
BS, Harrow Dec 2014
Wow, so many it's hard to choose the most memorable aspect. Sunrise on the lake in the Pantanal was just wonderful. The exhilaration of standing at the devil's throat on…
TH, Arsenal Jun 2013
Too many highlights - standing at the base of Christ the Redeemer, canoeing in the Amazon rainforest and sitting at the Cococabana Palace beach club on Cococabana beach........A fantastic holiday…
AL, London Feb 2017
Highlight?: Days in Olinda during Carnaval practice. Delta cruise from Parnaiba and 5 days in Jeri.
JI, Orpington Feb 2018
Our trip was most enjoyable particularly because of the wide variety of locations and experiences. Difficult to pick out the most memorable - but the Anavilhanas l Lodge was quite…
PA, Bourne End Dec 2014

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Our Expert's Opinion

Charlotte Daubeney - Travel Expert

Charlotte's fascination with Latin America began with a family holiday to Belize. She went on to study Spanish in school and at university before spending a year living in Santiago, Chile.

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Juliet Ellwood - Travel Expert

After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!
Charlotte Daubeney - Travel Expert

Charlotte's fascination with Latin America began with a family holiday to Belize. She went on to study Spanish in school and at university before spending a year living in Santiago, Chile.
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.
Hannah Waterhouse - Travel Expert

Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.
Ben Line - Travel Expert

Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.
Maggie Wilson - Travel Expert

Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.