Museu Casa do Pontal

Frommer's Review

The museum's a long way from downtown Rio: an hour's drive from Copacabana along the coastal road past Barra de Tijuca. The good news is it's a really nice museum in a gorgeous location -- ocean on one side and the mountains on the other. Inside, the more than 5,000 pieces collected by French designer Jacques van de Beuque present a beautiful overview of Brazilian culture. The collection's charm lies in the beauty of its naive portrayal of traditional rural Brazilian life. The thousands of small clay sculptures, combined with woodcarvings and cloth and metal tableaus, depict religious and music festivals and farm and family routines. Adults may enter the x-rated sculpture department to see the hilarious sculptures in very compromising positions. One of its most famous rooms houses a wonderful mechanical diorama that represents an escola de samba (samba school) -- complete with cheering audience -- marching in the Carnaval parade.

Tour du Jour -- Rio Hiking (tel. 021/2552-9204; www.riohiking.com.br) offers an excellent day tour (R$170/US$55 per person) that includes a visit to the Museu Casa do Pontal, Sitio Burle Marx, and time for a swim or a walk along Grumari, one of the city's loveliest beaches.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

Back to Top