I am interested in taking a couple of day trips from Rio to some cool areas outside the city. Recommendations on places, tours, etc would be appreciated. Cost is not of particular interest though I do draw the line at hiring a private plane <BR>Thanks.

One common destination would be Petropolis. U can either do a tour or go to the Rodovaria (bus depot) and take one of the buses. Very inexpensive if you do it that way.

Hello Robyn, ..<BR>Well, of course Petropolis is okay for a trip outside of Rio, ...<BR>but as it is not very far you can go there one day (with the bus )and come back the same day.<BR>I would also recommend you to go to some other places outside of Rio:<BR><BR>Ilha de Paqueta (Paqueta island)...<BR>there you can also go in one day and come back, cute island with some smaller streets, no cars, calm, ...<BR>go from "Praca Quinze" with a ferry or hovercraft-boat...<BR><BR>Buzios: there you can go by bus from the bus-station Novo Rio ...about 150-200 kms away from Rio..<BR>it's a smaller village with beautiful beaches, very known because of Brigitte Bardot, who always came there, good nightlife, a little pricy ...<BR><BR>Cabo Frio/Arraial do Cabo/Saquarema: <BR>In the "region of the seas" about 150 kms away from Rio, also beautiful beaches, clear turkise water in Arraial do Cabo, good for diving, ...<BR><BR>If you would like more and better informations about this all, I would be glad if you write me an E Mail, ..<BR>I am a german frequently Brazil-traveller and know Rio very well...<BR>so could give you lot's of advertisements and infos...<BR>hoping to hear from you soon...<BR>Greetings<BR>Evelyn<BR><BR>

lots of crime, prostitution and DENGUE FEVER

so tired of hearing these morons make posts...don't go there...don't go anywhere...stay in your homes and paint the windows black. <BR><BR>Prostitution is everywhere and dengue is worse in Sao Paulo and many carib. islands than rio.

Many people go to Rio just for those things and the prostitutes there are very sweet people if you get to know them. They do it to make ends meet because there is no work and whatever work there is they can't make enough money to live.

Just returned yesterday from Rio, took a day trip to Petropolis and I second the suggestion above.<BR><BR>It is a beautiful city, looks just like Switzerland, lots of chalet-type looking houses. Wonderful old mansions that you can visit.<BR><BR>It is much, much cooler than Rio since it's up in the mountains. The bus ride was very nice, good highway, good scenery.<BR><BR>Take the Facil bus line from Rodoviaria, on first floor of station. Big a/c bus, bathroom, 1st class, cost 8.28 reales one way (about $3.50), took about 1 hr, 10 min.<BR><BR>This was a GREAT day trip.<BR><BR>Hope this helps,<BR>Sandy

Thank you all for your posts - I have some great ideas now..&lt;smile&gt;.

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