Rio de Janeiro Travel Forum

Hi everyone. I am off to Rio for the first time in about a week and a half and would like to know if anyone can recommend tour services to visit the sites: Christ, Sugar Loaf etc..!

Can any-one give me ideas for the gay scene in Rio.will be there for carnaval 2009
Thanks

I am looking for accommodation during Carnival 2009. I'm on a budget so have been looking at hostels. I'm not sure of the best place to base myself. I know that Lapa is close to all the action but am wary that it could be too loud and am worried about safety. I have found a cheap hostel in Botafogo but haven't heard much about this area, is it safe? Would it be too far away from the Sambadrome? Lastly, I was thinking of staying in Copacabana or Impanema but these are further away from the sambadrome - how is the transport with regards to cost and safety. Hopefully somebody out there has some good advice.

Thanks

Hi am visiting Rio for carnaval 2009,does any-one know of any reputable tourist guides and fixers?and approximate cost per day?many thanks Glen

Hi me and my wife will be visiting Rio for carnaval 2009,where can we purchase tickets for sambadrome(sunday or Monday) for sector 2 camorotes ,and approximately how much?Also any good people to act as tour guides whislt we are there?

HI People,
Hope somebody can help ??? Husband and I have booked several times over the past few years, to do RIO, but have always cancelled, Have booked to go in August, 4 nights in Rio nad 10 in Buzios, but panic panic, have just read about a SEVERE OUTBREAK OF DENGUE FEVER, how serious is this for tourists ?? and also can someone recommend a good guide for Rio, appreciate anyone help and advice/
Have a nice day
Joan

Hi. I am travelling around South America very soon however I only have one full day in Rio de Janeiro.

I would really like to visit Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf mountain. is it possible to do this "properly" in a day?

If you only had one day and night in Rio what would you do?

I was just wondering how Cariocas (Rio locals) are towards American travellers... not tourists, with their fanny packs and flashing cameras every 5 seconds... but younger travellers? Do a lot of Cariocas speak English or should I brush up on my Portuguese? :-D

Thanks!!

Hello! I am coming to Rio in November...
I want to bring home a few pairs of Havaianas for myself and friends for gifts. I know they are made in Brazil... This probably sounds silly, but how much are they there, cheaper than in the U.S ($10-30+USD or so)? Are there a lot of knock-offs (which I don't want) or are they pretty easy to spot? Are they easy to find or only sold in a few places??

Thanks xoxo
Julie

Hello! I am visiting Rio in November and wanted to get a manicure or pedicure (or both) in Rio... I do nails at home so I'm interested in their techniques!

A very clean, sanitary place please, for this germ-aphobe :-)

How much can I expect to spend?

Thanks a ton, kisses, Julie

Is it better to rent an apartment in Ipanema or stay in a hotel. what are the pros and cons. we would like to spend $100-$150 a night and split that. Any recommendations on how to find a nice apartment if that is the way to go?

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!

I will arrive on March 23 and will be staying in a hotel on Copa. I will have my evenings and weekends off.
I have read a lot from the pages here on VT, other than the obvious places, what are must see places I should visit during my time there? I don't have a lot of money to spend but this is a chance of a lifetime for me so a little debt from the trip will be ok!!
Thanks for all the ideas in advance and wish me luck!

I am booked to fly to Rio de Janeiro next month. The problem I have is that I am scheduled to fly back from another country (Chile). I therefore have no evidence to present to demonstrate my intent to leave the country as I am travelling on a tour between the countries. This problem is further compounded by the fact that I am travelling on a ticketless airline so have no documents to show my intinerary. Are my going to have problems because of this?

Call me a dirty, twisted or whatever mind, but I'm attracted to garbage dumps. Since I'm going to Brazil this summer, I'd like to visit the largest garbage dump in Rio. If people go to favelas, those grim, crime-ridden places, why not go to a garbage dump, if you feel like it? However, I'm aware of the fact that the poorest of the poor live over there, unfortunately. What I'd like to know: are there any tours going over there (I think I read there are) and how dangerous is it?

Thanks for answering this awkward question,

Dominique

Can someone recommend a samba gafieira teacher that speaks English in the Ipanema/Copcabana area? Thanks!

Hi there, I am Brazilian and live in Minneapolis. I am going on vacation to Rio de Janeiro in march, I will be there for about 3 weeks.
If anybody are going to be there during this time and wanna get together, write me a line...or even if you need any help or something over there.

Hi,

I'm thinking of coming to this area around late march or april. What is the weather like?

I want to tour Rio for several hours before departing RIO.Are there yellow taxis at the cruise ship terminal.? What is a normal cost to get to City Center?
Thanks,
Alan ZImmerman

Can someone recommend a good homeopathic doctor close to Ipanema or Copacabana who speaks English? Thanks!

My husband and I will be arriving in Rio April 4th by cruise ship. We've hired a highly recommended English speaking tour guide. The shared cost for a full day woul be $65.00 per couple. Please reply if anyone is interested and I'll give full details. We will be spending one night in Rio so we've hired him for the next day also.

Hi,

My husband and I are going to be taking samba classes. Can anyone tell me where I can buy ballroom dance shoes for the class. We are staying in south end of Copacabana.

Obrigada!

My cousin and I are visiting Rio next year for Carnival. I'm researching now so I can find out as much as I can about hotels, hostels, carnival and rio in general, as well as any other info that would help make this the trip of a lifetime for us. We'll be staying for 4 or 5 nights. Any suggestions on which Hotels are best or staying in a hostel versus a hotel would be extremely helpful. Also anyone that went to carnival this year or last year that could offer some tips and info about ticket prices and where their seats were would also be greatly appreciated. I'm so excited and have so many questions, so any info I can get would be a priceless. I'm new to this site, but I love to travel and it's a wealth of information from what I've seen so far. I love it! Thanks in advance and I look forward to hearing from my new virtual family :0)

I will be in Rio in middle of next March and I would get an excursion to the Iguazł falls: are there in Rio travel agencies that organize these excursions? How does it cost a 2 days excursion? Do someone have other suggestions?

Thanks
Paolo

Ive heard rumors that the city has all sorts of plans to celebrate the 50 th anniversary of Bossa Nova in 2008, but I havent found any details. Any info of specific events planned would be appreciated.

Hello,

Since I can't seem to find a place where I can have a custom bikini made, could someone recommend a seamstress in Copacabana? Reason being is that I'm big on top and nothing I've tried on here fits. :-/

Thanks!

Aloha!

I am in Copacabana right now and need to find a store that can custom make a Brazilian bikini. Can someone steer me in the right direction to who does that in or near Copacabana?

Thanks.

Greetings to all! I will be traveling to Brazil some time in June of 2008. I will be building a Heat Energy Unit for one of the pulp industries located in the Rio de Janeiro area. I will be in Brazil from 6 months to possibly a year to complete the project. I would like to explore the culture and see as much of Brazil as I can while there. Any recommendations concerning where to visit, eat, or stay would be appreciated. Reply Bob

Hello forumers,

I am looking to train jujitsu at brailian top team. I will be staying in rio, maybe copacobana beaqch, for six weeks. does anyone know the best way to rent an apartment cheaply for this length of time. it will be from 01/02/08 to the 16/03/08. thanks Lucas

I've heard some people say that buying your clothes in Rio is a good bet since you'd be seen as a local and not a vulnerable tourist. Would it be wise to that?

Also, if you're wearing nice footwear, is there a chance I could be targeted? I mean, something like Converse or Nike? I imagine the locals have those. Thanks!