i will go to brazil in july. i would appreciate some help with the following questions, if possible. <BR>1.cheap hotel in ipanema or the one with the best value <BR>2. can i make a trip to iguazcu(sic) falls on the spot in rio? <BR>3.do you have a side trip suggestion to a place where i do not have to take malaria tablets <BR>4.is it possible to visit a ghetto discreetly and tactfully? <BR>5.any other useful info would be appreciated like a cheap restaurant. <BR>thanks and take care. i look forward to going. bill

Hi <BR>answer3 <BR>You should go to the "nordeste"it's the region northwest of brazil and there are fabulous cities <BR>Recife <BR>Natal <BR>and specially Maceio itīs nice city with a beach like Ipanema and much more safe there you can walk on the beach at night!

bill, <BR> <BR>i went to rio de janeiro in 97 and i found it to be one of the most magnificent cities i have been to. it truly is a cidade maravilhosa. <BR> <BR>i'm sure that you can find any hotel around copacabana and ipanema for a decent price. we stayed at the savoy othon on avenida NS de copacabana for only $67R a night (with the current currency devaluation, that's maybe US$40). <BR> <BR>a side trip to iguacu falls is like saying you'll take a side trip to the Grand Canyon from Chicago--brasil is tremendous in size. there is so much to do in rio that you really should stay there and enjoy it! <BR> <BR>visiting the ghettos (favelas) is not a good idea. there's nothing to see there, a lot of drugs run through there, and unless you're with a tour group (which suck anyway) you may get into trouble. <BR> <BR>a good place to eat is the KILOSAURUS on avenida NS de copacabana, just a block west of the beach. it's like 4-5 blocks north of hotel savoy othon--you'll have to ask around. <BR> <BR>make sure you: <BR> <BR>1) check out the Jardim Botanico <BR>2) hike in the Parque Nacional da Tijuca <BR>3) HIKE up the back of Pao de acucar (it's not that hard--but it takes a couple hours) <BR>4) see cristo redentor <BR>5) walk your butt off <BR>6) go to every beach <BR>7)eat your ass off <BR> <BR>let me know if you want more info... <BR> <BR>daniel

I was in Brasil for a month Dec/Jan 98/99... Fabulous time! I would miss Sao Paolo -- it's a big city -- not as charming as NY... In the Northeast I stayed in Salvador, Bahia! Oh so great...the people were charming, helpful and the food so wonderful...there are great youth hostels if cost is a problem and that way you'll meet others who are traveling and can be helpful. <BR>In Rio I stayed in the Sol Ipanema Hotel more expensive becasue of the holiday schedule... I can look for their info and the email of the travel agent in Rio who helped me book this hotel... I was right by the beach (IP) -- which was mroe quiet and clean than Copacabana... Plus there is a great neighborhood to walk through and wonderful restaurants and record stores. I was pretty much inwalking distance of everything, lakes, shops, places to eat and the Hippie Market on SUndays! Plus I coul always walk to Copa... <BR>I would avoid the favelas -- it's just not cool... <BR>I would: <BR>Bring band aids, benadryl (in case you have an allergic reaction to a food, winde, fruit...), bring an ATM card that is also a credit card (Rio has Citibank and Bank of Boston...but this way you can use the Brasilian banks as well..) <BR> <BR>If you need more info write back. <BR>KC <BR>Hav a great trip! <BR>

kc. thank youforthe info. i will contact you at your e-mail address. youhave the kind of info that helps a great deal. take care. bill