Which beach in Rio?

Q: In March next year my husband is attending a conference in Rio de Janeiro. We have always wanted to visit the city, so we decided to turn the trip into a family holiday. I had imagined staying on Copacabana or Ipanema beach, but we have since discovered that the conference is being held at RioCentro in an area known as Barra da Tijuca. Would this area be suitable for a beach/shopping holiday or is it feasible for him to travel from central Rio? - Gwen Reardon

A: You have both options. He would certainly be able to commute from either Copacabana or Ipanema, as many delegates for RioCentro events stay there and a shuttle service usually operates. Travelling time is around 45 minutes and the one-way taxi fare is around 30 US dollars. However, you may discover that Barra da Tijuca (known as Barra) suits your needs perfectly. It has a great beach stretching for 18 kilometres, is less crowded than its more famous counterparts and is very popular with surfers, windsurfers and bodyboarders. Barra is also home to the city's biggest malls, with American-style restaurants, bars and cinemas. Other attractions in Barra are an amusement park, Parque Terra Encantada; the biggest theme park in Latin America, Rio Water Planet and natural reserves.