Estado do Rio de Janeiro Travel Forum

I am planning a dance holiday to Brazil over Carnaval 2010. I will be in Rio de Janiero 2 weeks before Carnaval starts and would love to get some intensive daily samba lessons, (I have been doing samba the last 8 months? can anyone suggest a good local dance teacher or studio? prefferably who speaks english??? very excited to hear your reply@!!!

Hi,

I'll be visiting Rio de Janeiro with a couple of friends for New Year's. We were thinking of making reservations in a Restaurant on the 31st of December... but I've been reading that most festivities are in the streets and at Copacabana Beach.

Maybe we won't make a reservation in a Restaurant and just spend late afternoon.... after 18:00 walking along Copacabana, Ipanema, etc... and eating and drinking (especially drinking) in Food Stalls and bars along the beach?

Does this sound logical? Are they open?

Than at midnight we hope to be at Copacabana Beach to see the fireworks!

Does this look good? Any other recommendations? What else can we do/see on New Years?

Thanks,

Michael

i arive in rio on wednesday the 21 st of october when is the next match to be held at the maracanana stadium and who are playing cheers

Hello, thanks in advance for your advice.

I am traveling with two friends, we are mid 30s, single, like to have fun, bars, party, beach etc. I would like to stay in a safe and accessible area of Rio. I have narrowed it down to Ipanema, Copacabana, or the small area where they meet, arpoador. The cost is not as important as finding the right place. This is a once in a lifetime trip with two friends and I don't mind spending more for the right place.

We have decided it would be best to rent an apartment, and have found quite a few, but I would really like to hear about the areas from someone who know Rio well.

Thanks again!

I am planning to spend a few days on Ilha Grande as part of a 3 week trip to Brazil in January. Is this a good time to visit the island? Will it be possible to find somewhere to stay at this busy time? Any tips would be much appreciated.
Thanks

Hi everyone – Im going to be staying ipanema from 22nd oct – 3rd November and have a few queries ...
Firstly – I can’t seem to get the website for the Babilonia hype market to work – is the market still on? I’ve heard its every second weekend – does anyone know if its on 24th and 25th October or 31st October and 1st November? And is it in the jockey club as I hear it moves around to different locations?
Also – is it easy enough to hire and get around on a scooter bike in Rio? I’m a very experienced driver and I’m very use to crazy foreign driving and heavy rain – but are there major problems with bike theft? Any ideas about how much it would cost for a few days?
Also – I’ve heard that it is a public holiday on the 1st Nov for All Saints Day. Does anyone know if there is any sort of parade arranged or any special events arranged over that weekend that would be worth checking out?
I’m also considering a Flavela tour – but not a mainstream type that would involve a A/C bus and 50 other tourists – I’d be looking for a more intimate small scale local outfit. Any suggestions?
I’m also considering handgliding – and I have heard ‘Superfly’ is good – any comments?
Any advice on any of the above or any other ideas on alternative things to do would be much appreciated! Thanks for your time. Cheers - Vic

Hi everyone – Im going to be staying ipanema from 22nd oct – 3rd November and have a few queries ...
Firstly – I can’t seem to get the website for the Babilonia hype market to work – is the market still on? I’ve heard its every second weekend – does anyone know if its on 24th and 25th October or 31st October and 1st November? And is it in the jockey club as I hear it moves around to different locations?
Also – is it easy enough to hire and get around on a scooter bike in Rio? I’m a very experienced driver and I’m very use to crazy foreign driving and heavy rain – but are there major problems with bike theft? Any ideas about how much it would cost for a few days?
Also – I’ve heard that it is a public holiday on the 1st Nov for All Saints Day. Does anyone know if there is any sort of parade arranged or any special events arranged over that weekend that would be worth checking out?
I’m also considering a Flavela tour – but not a mainstream type that would involve a A/C bus and 50 other tourists – I’d be looking for a more intimate small scale local outfit. Any suggestions?
I’m also considering handgliding – and I have heard ‘Superfly’ is good – any comments?
Any advice on any of the above or any other ideas on alternative things to do would be much appreciated! Thanks for your time. Cheers - Vic

i will be travelling to rio in nivember, one thing that i can`t get an answer to is the " service charge " in restaraunts and bars. can anyone tell me how much will be added on to the final bill? e.g 5% 10% 15% ??? any answers would be greatfully appreciated by anyone. many thanks darren, manchester uk

Hi all:

I was intending on moving to Brazil for a few months to study portuguese, learn more about the culture, and make contacts in the bar/tourism industry. My dream/goal one day is to open a bar in South America (Brazil or Argentina). Naturally, I plan on saving up money and working in the states and then moving to Brazil. But first I'd like to make a few trips down south...ie stay for a few months. So at first I was looking at Salvador, thinking the city was actually safer and cheaper than Rio. After reading up on the city and receiving a sobering account of living in Salvador, I'm not not so sure.

So alas I've turned my attention back to Rio. Would it be unreasonable to find an efficiency/studio apartment/1 bedroom furnished, or even a room..... for US$500-700/month? Also, I understand most places require some type of long term lease, typically more than a year. Is there a way to get around that? Where do people live if they plan on staying 6 months or less? What are the best neighborhoods? I'm looking for a safe place obviously, but not overly touristy. My goal is to get to know Brazilians, not foreigners. Is health insurance needed? I speak intermediate/advanced portuguese so I would be able to get around. Obviously a million and one questions! I am looking to move in January. Any help is appreciated!! Also, I was originally looking to work in a bar or restaurant but now see that would probably be very difficult to do.

Ok we are booking the trip either tonight or tomm. Pretty much we only have like two options for hotel stay within our budget. I think we are gonna stay at Lancaster Othon Hotel on Atlantic Av. We plan to get hotel/flight for 2100$.

We are both 23 and plan to enjoy the beach and go out at night to some bars and clubs. We also plan to visit the Christ statue and maybe one other major attraction. What are some of the best bars and clubs we should go to during our stay? And how much money will we need to bring for a 10 day stay?

I am traveling to Rio De Janeiro , Brazil for the first time from 4th to 12th of Oct. 2009 and would like some suggestions as to where to go? and how to meet people? Does anyone have any thoughts?

We shall arrive by ship in Santos. Now I am looking for a bus-connection from Santos to Paraty on the seashore road. So far I could not find anything. Is Santos worth to spend a night there?

Hi,

I will be visiting Rio de Janeiro for New Years. Can anyone tell us what usually happens on New Years in Rio? What is traditional? Are there festivals... fireworks? What happens?

Thanks!

Michael

Hi,

I will be traveling with a group of friends to Rio for New Years. We will arrive on the 30th of December and depart on the 2nd of January in the afternoon. Basically we will be staying for about 2.5 days. Is it enough?

Hi,

I will be traveling with a group of friends to Rio de Janeiro between the 31st and 2nd of January. We are worried that we won't be able to visit Corcovado and Pão de Açucar because it might be closed for holidays.

Can anyone tell us if these sites are open during these days or will they be closed?

Thanks in advance!

Michael

I'm going on a last minute trip to Rio on Sept 10th for 36 hours. What must I see?

My Friends,
I was told that my favorite discotheque "Club Help", has closed. Is this true?
There was also a very nice Bosa Nova Restaurant on Atlantica AV, near Pricess Isabella. I was there in May 2009, and they had great cuisine, and live entertainment. Are they still open?

Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.

Hi all

I was contemplating a trip to Rio for NYE but unfortunately things conspired against me. I am determined to go to Rio asap and have now targeted either carnival or at some point in Nov 09 or early March 2010. My questions to the experienced are;

After carnival is it generally very quiet in rio?

Is it a good time to meet people or is everyone mega charged from the excitement?

Whats all this business about tickets, I thought carnival was on the street with the real people of Rio?

Is March a good time to go or is Novemeber better? (with regards to action, football, meeting people)

We are aged between 37-42 single guys. we will be going beach, gym, sightseeing, drinking and partying. Will we have time to get anything done during carnival or will the 10 days be sacrificed just for carnival?

I know my questions are vague but any advice will greatly help. Thanks in advance.

Next month we will visit Rio de Janeiro, what is the best, safest (and cheapest) way to get from the airport to our Copacabana Hotel.

We do not want to bargain with taxi drivers for prices, so we were thinking of getting a more expensive taxi (prepaid) from the airport, but now I've read about the REAL buses from the airport, are they still available and safe???

I found the web site for Reunidas (www.reunidaspaulista.com.br if anyone needs it, however it is in Portuguese. Can anyone direct me to an English site or a phone number for English? Thanks so much,
DeeMartinez

Traveling solo is great...except in the evenings (especially Friday/Saturday), when most people either go out to dinner/bars with their traveling companions or with groups from the hostel. Can anyone recommend anything well-suited for the solo traveler (late 20s, male)?

Me and a buddy will be going to Rio for a couple days for the new years celebration. I was wondering what was the best hostel for us to look at staying at?

Hi Everyone,

I'm 35, straight, and off to the Rio Carnival in 2010 and i'm starting all my research now. So i have a few questions which i'm having a hard time trying to find the answers to, so i thought maybe some of you would know. I prefer street party/parades to the Sambadrome option, so i want to be close to where all this will be happening, and i have no problems sleeping at night so i can be as close as possible.

If i wish to be in the heart of all the clubs/bars/entertainment/partying/nightlife and so on, what accommadtion area should i be concentrating on?

Are any of these locations near all the action, anywhere near Ipanema Beach?

I'll be in Rio for 10 nights, so once i've had my fill of Carnival, are there any tips/recommendations, for steak restaurants, jazz bars, beautiful beaches, souvenirs shopping, sieghtseeing, picturesque viewing points of Rio?

Many Thanks in advsnce.

Hey all,
I'll arrive at midnight at Rio International Airport. Can someone advise me, would it be safe to go to a hotel at Ipanema / Leblon / Urca or better to stay at a hotel at the airpor? (I'm a female traveling alone)
Thanks a lot in advance!
Ivonne

Hello Rio Experts! I am planning a trip to Rio for next month (mid August). Although I like the beach, I prefer going when it's HOT not just warm. Apart from the obvious (Sugar loaf, cristo redentor) where should i go? What should i do? I will be there between 5 and 7 days.

About me: I am scuba certified and like outdoor activities like hiking, but I'm also a city girl that likes to shop. I will be with my boyfriend so couple-friendly activities will be good too. AND, my bf is a blue belt in jiu jitsu so anything related to that he will love.

Thanks for any help!!

Best,
Lauren

plan to go to rio in october,is the yellow fever vaccination still required to obtain a brazil visa for australian passport holder as a tourist

I am Australian and a international flight attendant who plans to go to brazil on holidays.I can not give my passport to embassy here to process visa for too long as i need it for work.I have found a place that will process the visa in 4 days for the cost of $156 Aust dollars.does anyone know if this price is resonable or should i wait to get to buenos aires,santiago or uruguay to get one there.thanks heidi

I am planning on visiting ilha grande in the middle of july. can you tell me what to expect as far as weather goes, water temperature, and ocean conditions?where are the best snorkeling spots? also what are some recommendations for spots that must be seen? any additional info that you think would be useful as far as traveling to and from the island, etc. would be much appreciated. thanks!

Where could I get the best deals on Rio and Foz do Iguaçu packages flying from Rio?

I am looking to travel to Brazil for the first time in either Sept. 2009 or Oct. 2009 and would like some suggestions/thoughts as to where to go. We will likely spend a few days in Rio (we live in NYC and are not looking for an urban vacation, just a taste of Rio) and then are planning to spend a week in either Paraty or Buzios. Does anyone have any thoughts/preferences for one versus the other? We are a young couple in our 30s and although we enjoy relaxing at the beach, we do like to keep active and do different things - hiking, water sports, etc. Which would be the best location for getting out to explore the variety of things to do in Brazil (assuming this is possible via day trips with minimal time spent traveling around)? I'm leaning toward Buzios just because it is closer to Rio, but Paraty does sound interesting...

Any insight would be appreciated. Thank you!