Santa Teresa and Lapa

Santa Teresa and Lapa

Santa Teresa is a central neighbourhood in Rio, over a hill with the same name. Lapa is on its side, very close to the financial district in Rio. Both are linked by a historic tram and by sinous streets wich come down the hill of Santa Teresa untill the Arches of Lapa. 

The tram was closed due to an accident in 2011, but city hall recently annouced its reopenning before the Olimpic Games.

Nevertheless, if you are in good shape, you can climb up Santa Teresa Hill in the Selaron stair.  Selaron stair, fulfilled with colourful tiles, leads you to the Carmelitas´monastery, uphill. 

Rio´s Cathedral,Petrobras building and the financial distric seen from Carmelita´s monastery

Turning right in the monastery, you can get down to Lapa, walking the streets untill the arches. 

Santa Teresa became in the last few years a cool place for staying in Rio. It has lots of hostels, bead-and-breakfasts and boutique hotels, generally installed in old big homes. However, be mindful in Carnival and by the end of the year taxi drivers don´t like going over there, because of samba groups playing in the streets. They can be fun for tourists, but taxi drivers don´t like getting stuck over there.