Anyone with Brazil - Rio de Janeiro experience?

[fizz47]

Hello all.

Am lucky to have the opportunity to visit Rio via my work. I have decided to extend my stay and have a holiday either 1st week of March or end of March over the easter week

So any tips,recomendations, must dos ?

Want it to be a more relaxing holiday rather than an all out exploring expedition.


Which area to stay? Any hotels people can recommend? Lots of stuff on internet but so many choices but wanted to know peoples tips.

Any guidance or links much appreciated..

[Kneetrembler]

fizz47 said:

Hello all.

Am lucky to have the opportunity to visit Rio via my work. I have decided to extend my stay and have a holiday either 1st week of March or end of March over the easter week

So any tips,recomendations, must dos ?

Want it to be a more relaxing holiday rather than an all out exploring expedition.


Which area to stay? Any hotels people can recommend? Lots of stuff on internet but so many choices but wanted to know peoples tips.

Any guidance or links much appreciated..

I have stayed in Rio on Copacabana in one of the Hotels there can't remember which now, but we were there for 1 week and walked around everywhere without any problems.
Did the touristy things,take the Funicular Railway up to the statue of Christ,take the cable car up to Sugarloaf, did the local coach tours around the all the City offers, then hired a car and drove down to Parachi for a week, which for my money was much nicer than Rio.
It is a really laid back village type atmosphere with bars and cheap restaurants,& with small boats going out to the Islands,and beautiful beaches, plus there are other nice place down the coast from Rio where to stop off at.

[mylesmcd]

I got mugged many times and endured a horrid holiday there...it is beautiful, stunningly so, but keep your wits about you and don't do the silly things...


Atrip up or down coast is good also btw!!

[fizz47]

mylesmcd said:

I got mugged many times and endured a horrid holiday there...it is beautiful, stunningly so, but keep your wits about you and don't do the silly things...


Atrip up or down coast is good also btw!!

Any more details? Anything in particular to avoid?

[Nobby Diesel]

I went there. Was told not to leave the hotel at night.
I did once, and saw 2 people shot dead.

[Kneetrembler]

It's not as bad as people make it out, personally as I have said before, just go there, take any Jewellery off and only wear plastic watches and then if needed give them away,if asked !

It is a poor country and always remember that, don't take the piss !
The country is fantastic an so are its people.
I once had a couple of guys sitting on a table next to me dealing diamonds, and myself and the wife sitting on the next table drinking coffee, and at another table next to us 2 girls asking us if we wanted to buy them, now how much fun is that.
All next to the Funicula Railway just below the train station for the Christ.

Have fun.

[maisoumenos]

Evening everyone, thought i'd select this thread as my first post:
For those who have been to Rio and report unpleasant experiences I would be interested to hear how recent they were. I have a friend who was also mugged but this was 2005. As you may be aware Rio is hosting both the Olympics and the world cup; much energy has been directed at increasing safety for tourists with these events coming up. One of these measures includes pacifying the favelas and driving the drug lords away.
This has been a large success and the government now encourages tourists to venture into these once no go areas. Tourists arriving have brought new investment including the gondola in the alemao favela with spectacular views, businesses are thriving and house prices have boomed. They still remain unpredictable places but under the UPP programme they are guarded by the police to ensure the drug gangs do not return. Some argue the drug gangs have simply fled elsewhere such as across to Niteroi which is where I was staying two years ago.
I was alone on Copacabana for new year celebrations with 2 million people and unable to speak a word of Portuguese. It was a great experience but a tip for anyone would be to avoid standing near the back so you don’t get caught up in the stampede when the fireworks have finished.
If you are fascinated by snakes catch a bus to Santa Rosa and visit the Instituto Vital Brazil. At the time of my visit in which I turned up unannounced I met Fabio an architect who guided me around the building and organised for me to touch one of the snakes. There were also various scorpions and spiders including black widows. In the outdoor cages they have anacondas, pythons et al. They mainly carry out research on the applications of venom in medicine.
Getting around by bus is recommended as it is cheap and you can purchase a kind of top up card to use on them which saves any language difficulties. They are rather bumpy but the women more than make up for this.
If you are of a pale complexion when you arrive you will draw a lot of attention with people calling you ‘white man’ and touching your skin, but you will tan in no time.
And avoid taking travellers cheques as there was a bit of hassle finding a bank who would exchange these.
Also I don’t understand those who stay in hotels when you can stay in one of the many beautiful b&bs and experience the culture.
Hope this helps

[mylesmcd]

fizz47 said:

mylesmcd said:

I got mugged many times and endured a horrid holiday there...it is beautiful, stunningly so, but keep your wits about you and don't do the silly things...


Atrip up or down coast is good also btw!!

Any more details? Anything in particular to avoid?

hookers

[Yazza54]

Are the women as filthy as those videos that I don't watch suggest??

[audidoody]

I went 20 years ago and had the flithiest and fun time of my single life with the world's most beautiful working women. Golden rule - wear old t-shirt and shorts. NEVER wear ANY jewellery of ANY kind. And don;t venture back more than two blocks from Copa Cabana. Never go outside with anything you are not prepared to lose. Carry cash and credit cards in your sock. Look streetwise and don't accept offers of help and advice from anyone in the street. Bung the concierge of your hotel £25 when you arrive and he'll look after you and tell you which clubs etc to avoid. Take licensed cabs everywhere. If you plan on being a dirty devil there are any number of web sites that will tell you how, where and what to have fun. If you're going to behave yourself there are fantastic restaurants and jazz clubs It's a wonderful city but the extremes of wealth and poverty are eye-watering and the cops have a different view of law and order than you might be used to. Never get drunk and disorderly away from your hotel room. It WILL end in tears. Don't act like a British wker abroad (ie Union Jack shirts, general xenophobic obnoxiousness) and you'll be fine.

Edited by audidoody on Monday 31st December 11:32

[audidoody]

I went 20 years ago and had the flithiest and fun time of my single life with the world's most beautiful working women. Golden rule - wear old t-shirt and shorts. NEVER wear ANY jewellery of ANY kind. And don;t venture back more than two blocks from Copa Cabana. Never go outside with anything you are not prepared to lose. Carry cash and credit cards in your sock. Look streetwise and don't accept offers of help and advice from anyone in the street. Bung the concierge of your hotel £25 when you arrive and he'll look after you and tell you which clubs etc to avoid. Take licensed cabs everywhere. If you plan on being a dirty devil there are any number of web sites that will tell you how, where and what to have fun. If you're going to behave yourself there are fantastic restaurants and jazz clubs It's a wonderful city but the extremes of wealth and poverty are eye-watering and the cops have a different view of law and order than you might be used to. Never get drunk and disorderly away from your hotel room. It WILL end in tears. Don't act like a British wker abroad (ie Union Jack shirts, general xenophobic obnoxiousness) and you'll be fine.

Edited by audidoody on Monday 31st December 11:34

[audidoody]

I went 20 years ago and had the flithiest and fun time of my single life with the world's most beautiful working women. Golden rule - wear old t-shirt and shorts. NEVER wear ANY jewellery of ANY kind. And don;t venture back more than two blocks from Copa Cabana. Never go outside with anything you are not prepared to lose. Carry cash and credit cards in your sock. Look streetwise and don't accept offers of help and advice from anyone in the street. Bung the concierge of your hotel £25 when you arrive and he'll look after you and tell you which clubs etc to avoid. Take licensed cabs everywhere. If you plan on being a dirty devil there are any number of web sites that will tell you how, where and what to have fun. If you're going to behave yourself there are fantastic restaurants and jazz clubs It's a wonderful city but the extremes of wealth and poverty are eye-watering and the cops have a different view of law and order than you might be used to. Never get drunk and disorderly away from your hotel room. It WILL end in tears. Don't act like a British wker abroad (ie Union Jack shirts, general xenophobic obnoxiousness) and you'll be fine.

Edited by audidoody on Monday 31st December 11:34

[audidoody]

I went 20 years ago and had the flithiest and fun time of my single life with the world's most beautiful working women. Golden rule - wear old t-shirt and shorts. NEVER wear ANY jewellery of ANY kind. And don;t venture back more than two blocks from Copa Cabana. Never go outside with anything you are not prepared to lose. Carry cash and credit cards in your sock. Look streetwise and don't accept offers of help and advice from anyone in the street. Bung the concierge of your hotel £25 when you arrive and he'll look after you and tell you which clubs etc to avoid. Take licensed cabs everywhere. If you plan on being a dirty devil there are any number of web sites that will tell you how, where and what to have fun. If you're going to behave yourself there are fantastic restaurants and jazz clubs It's a wonderful city but the extremes of wealth and poverty are eye-watering and the cops have a different view of law and order than you might be used to. Never get drunk and disorderly away from your hotel room. It WILL end in tears. Don't act like a British wker abroad (ie Union Jack shirts, general xenophobic obnoxiousness) and you'll be fine.

Edited by audidoody on Monday 31st December 11:35

[audidoody]

I went 20 years ago and had the flithiest and fun time of my single life with the world's most beautiful working women. Golden rule - wear old t-shirt and shorts. NEVER wear ANY jewellery of ANY kind. And don;t venture back more than two blocks from Copa Cabana. Never go outside with anything you are not prepared to lose. Carry cash and credit cards in your sock. Look streetwise and don't accept offers of help and advice from anyone in the street. Bung the concierge of your hotel £25 when you arrive and he'll look after you and tell you which clubs etc to avoid. Take licensed cabs everywhere. If you plan on being a dirty devil there are any number of web sites that will tell you how, where and what to have fun. If you're going to behave yourself there are fantastic restaurants and jazz clubs It's a wonderful city but the extremes of wealth and poverty are eye-watering and the cops have a different view of law and order than you might be used to. Never get drunk and disorderly away from your hotel room. It WILL end in tears. Don't act like a British wker abroad (ie Union Jack shirts, general xenophobic obnoxiousness) and you'll be fine.

Edited by audidoody on Monday 31st December 11:35

[audidoody]

I went 20 years ago and had the flithiest and fun time of my single life with the world's most beautiful working women. Golden rule - wear old t-shirt and shorts. NEVER wear ANY jewellery of ANY kind. And don;t venture back more than two blocks from Copa Cabana. Never go outside with anything you are not prepared to lose. Carry cash and credit cards in your sock. Look streetwise and don't accept offers of help and advice from anyone in the street. Bung the concierge of your hotel £25 when you arrive and he'll look after you and tell you which clubs etc to avoid. Take licensed cabs everywhere. If you plan on being a dirty devil there are any number of web sites that will tell you how, where and what to have fun. If you're going to behave yourself there are fantastic restaurants and jazz clubs It's a wonderful city but the extremes of wealth and poverty are eye-watering and the cops have a different view of law and order than you might be used to. Never get drunk and disorderly away from your hotel room. It WILL end in tears. Don't act like a British wker abroad (ie Union Jack shirts, general xenophobic obnoxiousness) and you'll be fine.

Edited by audidoody on Monday 31st December 11:36

[audidoody]

I went 20 years ago and had the flithiest and fun time of my single life with the world's most beautiful working women. Golden rule - wear old t-shirt and shorts. NEVER wear ANY jewellery of ANY kind. And don;t venture back more than two blocks from Copa Cabana. Never go outside with anything you are not prepared to lose. Carry cash and credit cards in your sock. Look streetwise and don't accept offers of help and advice from anyone in the street. Bung the concierge of your hotel £25 when you arrive and he'll look after you and tell you which clubs etc to avoid. Take licensed cabs everywhere. If you plan on being a dirty devil there are any number of web sites that will tell you how, where and what to have fun. If you're going to behave yourself there are fantastic restaurants and jazz clubs It's a wonderful city but the extremes of wealth and poverty are eye-watering and the cops have a different view of law and order than you might be used to. Never get drunk and disorderly away from your hotel room. It WILL end in tears. Don't act like a British wker abroad (ie Union Jack shirts, general xenophobic obnoxiousness) and you'll be fine.

Edited by audidoody on Monday 31st December 11:36

[audidoody]

I went 20 years ago and had the flithiest and fun time of my single life with the world's most beautiful working women. Golden rule - wear old t-shirt and shorts. NEVER wear ANY jewellery of ANY kind. And don;t venture back more than two blocks from Copa Cabana. Never go outside with anything you are not prepared to lose. Carry cash and credit cards in your sock. Look streetwise and don't accept offers of help and advice from anyone in the street. Bung the concierge of your hotel £25 when you arrive and he'll look after you and tell you which clubs etc to avoid. Take licensed cabs everywhere. If you plan on being a dirty devil there are any number of web sites that will tell you how, where and what to have fun. If you're going to behave yourself there are fantastic restaurants and jazz clubs It's a wonderful city but the extremes of wealth and poverty are eye-watering and the cops have a different view of law and order than you might be used to. Never get drunk and disorderly away from your hotel room. It WILL end in tears. Don't act like a British wker abroad (ie Union Jack shirts, general xenophobic obnoxiousness) and you'll be fine.

Edited by audidoody on Monday 31st December 11:36

[audidoody]

I went 20 years ago and had the flithiest and fun time of my single life with the world's most beautiful working women. Golden rule - wear old t-shirt and shorts. NEVER wear ANY jewellery of ANY kind. And don;t venture back more than two blocks from Copa Cabana. Never go outside with anything you are not prepared to lose. Carry cash and credit cards in your sock. Look streetwise and don't accept offers of help and advice from anyone in the street. Bung the concierge of your hotel £25 when you arrive and he'll look after you and tell you which clubs etc to avoid. Take licensed cabs everywhere. If you plan on being a dirty devil there are any number of web sites that will tell you how, where and what to have fun. If you're going to behave yourself there are fantastic restaurants and jazz clubs It's a wonderful city but the extremes of wealth and poverty are eye-watering and the cops have a different view of law and order than you might be used to. Never get drunk and disorderly away from your hotel room. It WILL end in tears. Don't act like a British wker abroad (ie Union Jack shirts, general xenophobic obnoxiousness) and you'll be fine.

Edited by audidoody on Monday 31st December 11:36

[TigerS6]

I went once in July, and again in October, and will be going again in Feb/March. (all for work)

I'm aiming for Feb, as that's carnival month

The first time we stayed in Copacabana, the weather was shocking, cold and wet.
I made an effort one morning to get up and see the Rio marathon run past, but left after half an hour to go get changed again.

Second time we stayed in Ipanema, "generally" a better area than Copacabana, and a nicer beach.

As for the scare stories, I know 2 people who got mugged, one at gun point. Both were convinced it was their own fault... much like London, if you go to the wrong area at the wrong time, then expect trouble.... I had no issues with being out and about in the populated areas on my own in the evenings, and I was up and out at 6am for a stroll down the beach with no issues. I wasn't dolled up like a tourist (or was trying not to be), but again didn't feel threatened at all.

The must-do tourist activities are already mentioned... sugar loaf (look out for the marmosets!) and the Corcovado.
I had a personal guide (care of the company! how cool is that!) who took me around all the favela's (I loved this, but it is a little more dangerous), down into the city, up to the modern cathedral etc

[M001]

I went there twice in 1999 and I,ll echo audidoody.

I stayed mainly on the seafront where the hotel was and had no trouble but wore no jewellery and only a cheap watch, shorts and T shirt. If you looked down the streets leading away from the beach, you could almost see and sense that it was more dangerous the further you went.

It also came alive quiet late, around 10pm. A couple of times I wandered out around 8 ish only to find a lot of the bars were shut. I returned to the hotel for an early night and was woken by partying a few hours later.

The only concern I had during my stay was being woken in my hotel room one night by someone who obviously had a key, letting themselves into the room when they thought I was out. They quickly legged it when challenged and I think as I arrived with a large aluminium trunk, they must have been tipped off by a member of staff, unless it was the staff and this was in a 5 star hotel. So lock you room at night!