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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

Highlights: Sambadrome and Iguacu
RB, Reigate Feb 2016
Highlights?: The sighting of Fera the jaguar, and the giant otter sighting at Rio Mutum.
MM, Ascot Sep 2017
Most Memorable Moment?: We were lucky enough to have a major thunder storm overnight at the Iguazu falls and these were unbelievably spectacular the next day. Also the Lencois Marahenas…
KT, Andover Nov 2017
The whole trip was memorable because it was one fantastic adventure in four parts . We absolutely loved the stays in the Amazon & the Pantanal and felt exhilarated from…
GHS, Iver Apr 2019
Most Memorable Moment?: Probably seeing river otters at Pousada do Rio Mutum but we really liked the Argentinian side of Iguazu Falls too.
SS, Teddington Sep 2016
Iguazu Falls, both sides spectacular, getting a flavour of Rio and being taken such good care of as a single traveller.
MB, Thatcham Jun 2013

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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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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.