Hello- we are planning to visit Rio the wk of Mar 5-14...i was told to stay in either Leblon or ipanema, so i would appreciate any hotel recommendations in the area...
also, our main concern is the crime...is it really as bad as the media and fellow travelers portray?...what precautions should be taken?.what neighborhoods should be avoided and which ones are safe to stay in. ... we are 3 single guys looking for a safe and relaxing trip, enjoying the sights and nightlife rio has to offer..not really interested in the "seedy" side of things....thx!

Both Leblon or Ipanema are the best places to stay in my opinion. Leblon has many restaurants so we can walk to places. There's nothing to worry about if you take the regular precautions. During the night be a little more alert and take taxis to places you want to go. Most of the touristic sites are in the safe region of the city so you'd probably never go to the dangerous part of Rio at night. One hotel that I like is the Caesar Park there. Have fun! Nino

My partner and I just returned from Rio earlier this month over the Xmas holidays. We also went the year before. We stayed at the Sheraton which is a little north of Leblon but it's right on the ocean with a local beach. It's a great walk in the morning from the hotel to Leblon (about 10 min) and another 20 min to Ipanema. We walked it every day and had NO problems. At night it was a $3 cab ride back to the hotel. Ipanema and Leblon are very safe even at night...just use the same caution as you would say in South Beach. You won't go wrong with either Leblon or Ipanema. The only caution I would give you on Rio is it's addictive. Once just isn't enough and it becomes a problem when you are trying to plan subsequent vacations because you always want to go back again and again!!

Leblon and Ipanema are both safe if you don't flash wealth. The shopping street behind the Ipanema beach (2 blocks away from the beach) has many more boutiques than Leblon. Highly recommend the Marina Palace in Leblon or the Sol Ipanema in Ipanema. The Sheraton on a bluff 15 minutes from Leblon proper is snooty and not warm and welcoming. Besides that, there is a favela on the hillside across from the hotel.

I've stayed at the Sheraton three times. Unlike Gessa, I did not notice a snobbish attitude there. I like the Sheraton for having a resort atmosphere so close to the hustle and bustle of Ipanema/Copacabana. The large pool area has trees and flowers and is very inviting, and it's directly on the beach. Most hotels in Ipanema/Copacabana have tiny pools and very little grounds. It's a bit of a tradeoff between being right in the middle of the action or being a few minutes away in a quieter area. If it's in your budget, pay extra for one of the rooms in the four-story wing of the hotel that directly faces the beach. The balconies are big, the furnishings are nicer, and the few toward Rio is breathtaking. As for the nearby favela, no place in Rio is very far from these poor areas.

Hi
I spent 3 days in Ipanema just before X-mas. Great place and I felt safe despite having had expectations of getting mugged at least once. As long as you take normal precautions as per previous posts I think you should be OK. I stayed at Sol Ipanema and can highly recommend it, both for service, food (breakfast) and location.

As I wasn't there long enough I didn't get a chance to try too many restaurants but I must recommend one - Porcau - GREAT buffet style eating - the best meat I've ever had.

Also, there's a tour worth doing if you are interested in seeing a different side to Rio - the favelas - see www.favelatour.com.br. It's a three hour tour which gives you an insight in what's it like to live in the slum and it is VERY interesting. Your money will go towards helping, amongst others, the kids in the area so it's not a bad way of spending a few fractions of your life.

thx guys for your help..i will look into all hotels listed below...i was looking at either the ipanema plaza or mar ipanema as well..has anyone heard much about these hotels?...i was also considering looking into an apartment as well, so any suggestions would be appreciated....Secondly, any recommendations on nightlife within leblon,barra,or ipanema?...thx!

I never stayed at the Ipanema Plaza but I have visited the hotel. Its a new hotel on block from the beach on a great street which has great bras and restaurants with one of my favorite restaurants "Mio's". For an apartment I heard that this one is very high end like a NYC doorman building: www.ipanematower.com.br/home/

You will have to excuse my typos above, that's one block from the beach with great bars.

One other site you can check out for an apartment is: www.vannarioflats.com her email is: [email protected] I know this woman her name is Vanna Rocha, she lives in Rio and has lived in the US. She is very trustworthy and will help you out, take a look at her website or send her an email.

dondiega are those tarrif per week? or per day? do they have kitchens?

www.ipanematower.com.br/home

Cariocagirl those prices are in the local currency The Real and it is per day.

Carioca Girl, I just reread the site on that apartment and yes they do have a kitchen and also breakfast is included.This would be perfect for someone with a family who wanted to stay in Ipanema.

thanks a little pricy for me. but you get the best if you pay for it.

trvlfan20,

I'm headed to Rio with some friends from college (four 26-28 year old guys) who live in NYC and Miami now. We'll be in Rio from Feb. 29-Mar. 8 or 9 looking to enjoy the beach, clubs, and friendly ladies; then we're headed to Buzios for more fun (Mar. 8 or 9-Mar. 13). While in Rio, we're staying in Ipanema at the Everest Rio. We heard Ipanema Plaza and the Everest Hotels were both nice and not too expensive. We booked through www.ipanema.com and got a great rate. You should check it out.

J

thanks J for the tip..I'm gonna check these hotels out today..We're also 3 guys from NYC, in our 20's, looking for the same kind of fun vacation?We arrive on sat Mar 6 in Rio, and then head off to Buzios on thurs Mar 11-13. my assumption is that there may be more going on in buzios on thurs and fri as opposed to earlier in the week?Anyone recommend other cities/towns to visit from Mon to Thurs?
Also, J if u or anyone else has got any tips on Ipanema and Leblon, please share (clubs, bars, restaurants)?There is also a guide book which I am looking to get, don't know if anyone has heard of it or found it useful?visit www.rioforpartiers.com

I plan to talk to some friends who recently returned from Rio on vacation. Plus, we have two friends who currently live there (one from Germany; the other an American living there for a year). I'll try to find out some info for you in advance, but seems like the other posters on this board might have some good info. Also, looks like we'll be overlapping a bit, so, if you're staying in Ipanema, we can just tell you when you get there.

Peace,

J

cool..thx man..can't wait, got one month to go!

Guys, 2 clubs for people your age are: NUTH in Barra and Baronnetti in Ipanema
http://www.nuth.com.br
http://www.brazil4fun.com/menu/single_life/index.asp