Lajja

Hi all,
I am visiting Rio and Buenos Aires this April. I was wondering what the weather is like in April. I know it's rainy time for these places but will it be cold?

Also which area should I live in while in Buenos Aires. I've heard good things about Palermo and Recoleta but I am confused which one I should pick and if there are other better areas to live in. I want to be close to restaurants, bars and touristy things.

Lastly, in Rio I've read that Ipanema is the place to stay. But from my research ,hotels are really expensive there. I am looking for something within $120USD.

Any advice would be great.

Thanks,
Lajja

Dondiega

In Ipanema try the Arpoador Inn or Ipanema Inn

katrinab

We stayed at the Praia Ipanema Hotel (in Ipanema clearly!) It was great--clean, great neighborhood, every room has a balcony with an ocean view (some head on and some side view, but we found that balconies were surprisingly rare in Rio and this was a major plus!) This was about a year ago and I think we payed something like $100/night USD.

For more info and pictures: http://patrinadoestheglobe.blogspot....ro-brazil.html

Dondiega

Also take a look at the Mar Ipanama and the Hotel San Marco both on Visconde De Piraja 2 blocks from the beach. And of course the Ipanema Plaza. And the Everest Rio hotel.

Scarlett

Buenos Aires is still very nice in April, with warm days and cooler nights.
Recoleta and Palermo are good choices, every neighborhood has restaurants bars and touristy things. It is also easy enough to get around town that you don't have to stay right where the touristy sites are ..
Will you be staying in a hotel or apartment?
In Recoleta, look at the ArtSuites Hotel. www.artsuites.com.ar

Lajja

Thank you all for the reply. I will surely take these suggestions and check the prices. The Praia Ipanema hotel is now almost $230 a night. That's some inflation from $100 a night when Katrinab visited a yr back.

Lajja

Hi Scarlett,
I would ideally like to stay in a hotel. Do you suggestions for other hotels. I will check ArtSuites out too.

Diamantina

When we in Rio last year we stayed the Sol Ipanema Hotel right across from Ipanema Beach. It is a Best Western, so we got a AAA discount. All the same, we paid $160 a night, not including taxes but including a generous breakfast. The hotel has ocean facing rooms, but our rate was for a "mountain view," or what we would more aptly describe as the "favela view." It was a nice hotel, though, with an excellent location and helpful, friendly staff. Best Western also has a much cheaper hotel in Copacabana, Hotel Rio Copa, which we originally booked, but the location did not seem so great so we switched over to their more scenic Hotel Sol Ipanema.
The last time my husband visited Rio he stayed at the reasonably priced and more modest Arpoador Inn, which is located right where Ipanema meets Copacabana--a good location. I just checked out their website and it seems their standard rooms are under $100 (breakfast included). Here's the link:
http://www.arpoadorinn.com.br/ing/o_hotel.html

Susan7

In Rio we stayed in Botofoga, it was a guesthouse recommended by Lonely Planet. I think it was about $US100 with breakfast. I liked the neighbourhood a lot, it had a really nice feel to it, and the local restaurants were great. It also has the advantage of being on the metro line, but it isn't near to the main tourist beaches. I come from a country of beaches so I didn't mind, but I think most people would want to be at Ipanema or thereabouts.

Santa Teresa would be the other area I would look at if the beach scene isn't a priority, it's on a hill above the centre with access via the bonde (a tram line up and down). I now have my heart set on staying there and improving my Portuguese!

Eddwarm

I've traveled to Buenos Aires three times within the past four years. I've stayed in Recoleta (my choice barrio) on two of those occasions and in the center one time. In terms of areas to stay, I definitely would stay in Recoleta. Palermo is not as convenient as Recoleta in terms of walking and the taking of taxis to and from other barrios. That opinion was relayed to me by my indepedent guide, Marcelo who was indeed quite superb and helpful. His web address is:www.ciceroneba.com.ar. Find his email address and ask him whatever.

<Recoleta is quite accessible!>

When I was in Rio for 7Xs in six years during this decade-- I stayed at the Royal Rio Palace Hotel in Copacabana, once and truly loved this hotel from all aspects. Check out its website. The other six times I have stayed at the Atlantico Copacabana Hotel; its reasonably priced, and the breakfast is quite fine. If you stay there-- ask for a room on an upper floor near the rear. The hotel personnel has been quite accommodating to me.

The hotel is about six blocks from the beach and Av. Atlantica. Take taxis at night. A subway stop (the last one) is across the street. The area is full of smallish shops and narrow streets, but if you do not wish to walk amongst the throng of cariocas-- when you exit, turn left and walk a few blocks, cross the street and walk in neighborhoods-- there are apartments and small shops and not masses of people.

I walked the main drag among the locals, took the subway (with friends because I did not want to do things alone-- I felt safe always by using my head for large city navigation.) ...took metered taxis only. ...did not tip because that is the custom. ...carry small amounts of money and smaller denominations, esp. for taxis.

Hope this helps. If you have other queries, feel free to write, por favor

Riobound

I have been to BA and Rio and in each city I saved a bundle by renting an apartment. In BA I think I paid $350.USD for a week in Recoleta and about the same in Rio for a studio apt. by the ocean, with great ocean views.

Riobound

I have visited Rio a few times with my wife and we have stayed in both Copacabana and Ipanema but we rented an apartment each time. We found it much less expensive and a much better choice for us.
Try contacting Ken at www.ez-riorentals.com. We found out about him on another website and were very pleased with his service and apartments. So much so, that we have used him for each trip and will continue to do so for our next trip.

Jess215

Do you have a hotel recommendation - probably in Ipanema --for a single older female? I'd like to be able to walk from the hotel at night w/o a particular destination - and just walk into restaurants or clubs (for music and a drink) that look interesting - then wander on to the next one and eventually back to the hotel. Am thinking of next January maybe.
Thanks
Jess

mistadobalina

We were in both Rio and Buenos Aires last April, and really enjoyed both. In Buenos Aires we stayed in Palermo, and in Rio we stayed in the Rio Internacional (right next to the Copacabana Palace). While I can't say they're "unbeatable" - since I have no point of comparison - I would highly recommend both.

Palermo was great to walk around - lots of trees, very quiet, great restaurants, great shops, and it seemed quite a bit less expensive compared to the touristy areas in Microcentro and Puerto Madero.

The Rio Internacional was a phenomenal value, with great rooms, great view (all the rooms have private balconies overlooking the beach), a rooftop pool/bar area, and we had no safety concerns.

If you're interested, take a look at our trip diary, which has more thoughts/tips as well as a bunch of pictures.

http://www.justinandcrystal.com/Sout...2008/Index.htm

Best of luck.

Eddwarm

As a man who blended in with the locals, I felt very safe while walking alone at night and being discreet in doing this while in Copacabana; I would definitely avoid doing this for a woman. Since you desire to walk alone at night-- yes, Ipanema would offer a much more semblance of safety, but again, be discreet and discerning.

If you plan to go off beaten paths, DON'T; also take taxis at night!

Baires

Hi,

April is autumn, but still is nice not so cold (warming) and you can enjoy the cool nightlife, palermo and recoleta is a good choice to stay, you can rent an apartment if you want.
Recoleta is very touristy and you have many places to see, if you go there don't miss to visit the '' claustro historico'' it is inside of the pilar's church (up stairs)this church it's next to the cemetery, then you have many pubs and restaurants.
if you want I can help you with more info!
welcome!