Manny

A friend and I are going to Rio on March 10th and are in need of advice on Hotel accomodations. We are interested in Copacabana or Ipanema beach resorts. What are the major differences between the two beaches? We are looking for partying at night and hanging on the beach in the day and not really interested in too much sight seeing. Any suggestions on Hotels and Night Clubs. P.S. Does anyone know if that oil spill is going to be a problem? <BR> <BR>Thanks.

Gary

Unless you are looking for "high class" features in a vacation, it's Copacabana and not Ipanema. The local "middle class" pack the Copacabana Beach every day. If your travelling as a single guy(s), your in for the time of your life. Brasil has the most beautiful & sexy women in the world. <BR> <BR>Hang outside the Mia Pataka Restaurant in Copacabana, right across from beach, in the early evening. A few doors down is the nightclub "Help". Not for the bashful American tourists. <BR> <BR>Don't flash a lot of money. Take only what you need for the evening/day and keep the rest in you hotel. <BR> <BR>Ipanema is worth a look-see and it's within walking distance of Copacabana. But definately don't stay there.

Phil

aaaaah the Help nightclub! <BR>Where all the drunk gringos get robbed and the ladies are very 'professional'!!! ;-) <BR>

Amauri

Hello Manny, <BR> <BR>It depends on what kind of "entertainment" you're looking for. If you want to enjoy things "made for gringos", like fake shows, tons of vendors, and even prostitutes, stay at Copacabana and go to Meia Pataca Restaurant, Scala, Help Discoteque and all those places where only gringos (or people wanting their money) go. <BR>But, if you want real fun, want to meet real brazilian people (including pretty girls) and to know the real essence of Rio... run away from Copacabana! The only nightclub located at Copacabana I'd recommend is Bunker 94. A "don't miss" night Club is Loud!. This ia party that happens every friday at an old movie theater at downtown. You'll have great music (rock, alternative, techno, brazilian music...), meet great people and much more. <BR>You can also try: W! and Provisorio (at Ipanema), Meli Melo (at Lagoa) and Slavia (at Barra). <BR>

barrie

Hi Manny, <BR>I was in Rio in 95 and 97 so things may have changed but I have heard the same horrible things about the disco HELP, especially that prostitutes abound there. What was fun for us in Rio was hanging out with Brazilians and trying to experience what it's really like there. In 95 we stayed at the Meridien which was extremely elegant. We hardly hung out there or at Copacabana beach. I definitely liked the beach atmosphere more in Ipanema, more locals and I felt more safe. Try to get out of the tourist areas, like Copa, and experience the real Rio (food, people, music etc.) That's my advice!