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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: "There are too many! looking down from Christ the Redeemer at sun set in Rio, using the local buses to get about town, sitting at an outdoor…
ZB, London Jun 2014
Expert help in tailoring a holiday that took in the nature of the country (the Amazon), the cities (Manaus, Rio and Salvador) and the idyllic beaches of Bahia - all…
DA, West Norwood Jun 2013
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
Every day was special and we have many happy memories but probably the highlights were the views from the top of Sugar Loaf, getting up close to waterfalls, swimming in…
LL, Tonbridge Aug 2019
Most Memorable Moment?: Trip to Mount Corcovado & Sugar Loaf but many memorable moments.
MB, Bishop's stortford Sep 2017
Rio - the ultimate party city. The Pantanal - fascinating wildlife. Iguacu - Wow ! And the Andes - Incredible. We ran out of superlatives to describe what we were…
PM, Stamford Brook Mar 2014

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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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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.
Heloise Buxton - Travel Expert

Heloise started her Latin American journey as an exchange student in Santiago, Chile. With extended summer holidays this was the perfect opportunity to backpack through Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.
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.
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.
Sally Dodge - Travel Expert

A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
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.