The beach of Barra da Tijuca, known to locals simply as Barra and pronounced like "Baja" or "ba-ha"extends for 18km/11mi with almost completely untouched stretches favored by surfers. This popular area and beach deserves a visit. Probably the best reason to come here, however, is the beach itself, the water is clean, perfect for "surfing", Kitesurfing, Windsurfing and Body-Boarding, and it doesn't get quite as crowded as Copacabana or Ipanema. Avoid the weekends and enjoy this between mountains-beauty of the nature on the week-days, Surfers love it. The visitor can come here to enjoy discotheques, shopping, good restaurants and bars and a lot of things to do.
If you need to go to the restroom on the beaches , they are clean and cost about $1 US. You see Kiosks sellling coconut water (all of Brazil has this health habit). You can ask for a fish or sandwich when your hungry stomach starts to yell . You can have beers or chopp ( draft beer), or caipirinha (like margaritas but made with cachaca (sugar cane rum), lemons, sugar or splenda (etc) and ice.
In Barra da Tijuca one favorite churrascaria (BBQ) is Montana Grill (Avenida das Americas 700) or Barra Grill and Porcao. Excellent! You have so many choices that would take forever to tell you. There are other famous restaurants and excellent food (cheap also) like La Mole,
Siri da Barra (fish, shrimp, Braziliam excelent food), very cheap and one dish is enough for three or more people. Try Shrimp rissoto, and as appetizers pastel de camaroes, casquinha de siri. Try A Mineira ( Buffet with all Minas Gerais food, another state, very rich and cheap. Try also restaurant per kilo Beco do Alemao (you pay what you get in your plate and they have a varity huge of choices, is in Avenida das Americas 1600. Toca da Traira (Avenida Sernambetiba 8000 ( Sernambetiba is the beach avenue). Try also to go to Downtown shopping center, and go to Galeria Gourme (Buffet excelent), Joe & Leo Burger (the best , really best hamburger (try hamburger made with picanha).
Go to the beach and talk with the natives. They love to talk and they are very friendly and warm.