Rio de Janeiro Travel Forum

My friend and I are traveling to Rio for 10 days and are looking for others with similar travel plans. We are 27/28 and looking to get away from work and experience Brazil. We are open to different tours/excursions and meeting new people.

Any suggestions in terms of how to spend the time in Brazil would be helpful as we have only booked the flights and nothing else. Help!

Start by taking a look at the site www.ipanema.com, which includes descriptions of neighborhoods, sights, clubs, etc. with good maps.
You may also want to spend a few days in Buzios or Parati.

Depends how far you want to travel. Near Rio, Paraty and Buzios are excellent suggestions, and you might also like to consider Petropolis. Alternatively, you could take a longer trip, either to Foz de Iguacu or Salvador.

I'll be there that weekend, first time there myself. I'm staying at a hotel on Copa. Much older than you two but wouldn't mind having a drink and/or tour of something/somewhere with ya.
Will be checking back on this site/forum for updates! Feel free to email me for more details of my stay!
Maybe see you later!

thanks...that is helpful. Not to be like that but we are looking to meet new women in the normal sense and trying to find some places that might be best for interacting with "non pro" brazillian women. Any pointers would be greatly appreciated...Cheers!

I'm just back from Rio, Stayed there four days (too short really)
On friday night try to go to Lapa. It seems to be the best day to visit it. If it's not raining it seems that the streets fill up completely with people and music. I was there on other days...also good but the locals say friday is the best. Take a taxi to get there as the surrounding neighbourhood can be a bit dodgy.
Also going for a soccermatch at Maracana stadium (biggest in the world) is a must even if your not really into soccer (like me) the atmosphere is amazing. Again take a taxi and watch your belongings as the neighbourhood is dodgy. Don't let it scare you if you use a bit of causion you should be ok. Ask at your hostel if there is a game on;

Hi there! I am listing below a few places where you will find a nice ambiance, great music, beautiful people and good drinks. And they are all off the usual "pro women" circuit. :P I have also included the phone numbers to all the places, so you can ask your hotel/hostel staff to call them just to check opening hours and special events.

Penelope
Rua Francisco Otaviano, 20 - Copacabana
Phone: 3281-0474

The Cat Walk Club Caesar
Rua Olegário Maciel, 120 - Barra da Tijuca
Phone: 2169-7979

Hideaway
Rua das Laranjeiras, 308 - Laranjeiras
Phone: 2285-0921

Sky Lounge
Avenida Borges de Medeiros, 1426 - Lagoa
Phone: 2108-3935

Melt
Rua Rita Ludolf, 47 A - Leblon
Phone: 2249-9309

Guapo Loco - Leblon
Rua Rainha Gulhermina, 48 - Leblon
Phone: 2495-2995

Rio Scenarium
Rua do Lavradio, 20 - Lapa
Phone: 3147-9005

Hope it helps and wish you a wonderful time in Rio.
Regards,
Flavia

thanks for the tip...I will definately check out the soccer stadium and hopefully a game is scheduled during that time. I would think so as we are there for over a week. I am into soccer too so i am looking forward to that.

thanks Flavia...I will make note of the places you mention. Good to hear from a Rio local. Should we stay in Ipanema or copa? Leaning more toward Ipanema but have the question of hotel or apt? If you have another minute would appreciate your thoughts...thanks again!

Hi! I would definitely recommend Ipanema. Copacabana's beach is very beautiful, but Ipanema is a better neighbourhood. It's one of Rio's more expensive neighbourhoods, if you are looking for a place to live, but I don't know if hotels are that expensive, as Copacabana is a more touristic place.

Now, about soccer: you will probably be able to watch the semi-finals of the second turn of Carioca's championship, but the dates aren't set yet. We have 4 major teams here in Rio: Botafogo, Flamengo, Vasco and Fluminense. I support Botafogo, but on 04/06, at Maracanã, Vasco and Flamengo are playing. It is a good option. Flamengo is the biggest team here - the one with more supporters, but also the most hated one.

Hope I've helped!

Go to Lapa. Several bars and places with live music.