I just got back from Brazil.<BR>I used alot of the info I found in these threads before I got there. Here's some feedback.<BR><BR>LOVED Rio !!!!. Would definitely reccommend Ipanema over Copa. It's safer and more of an authentic experience. Stayed at the Sol Ipanema which was right on the beach. Breakfast every morning was very enjoyable watching the waves crashing onto the beach.<BR>Favourate place to eat was the Garotta de Ipanema - inexpensive but beautiful food and great atmosphere. No problem using the local buses and no problems with theft. Beautiful people everywhere and very skimpy bikinis on the beach. Had to go buy a skimpier bikini myself just to fit in <BR><BR>Went to Salvador for Carnival. It is almost impossible to describe the vibe of a place that parties non stop for a week. It is sooooo much fun. There is more drinking, dancing and kissing than you can imagine. Amongs all this merriment though there is also alot of pick pocketing going on. Was prewarned about this so I bought a disposable camera for Carnival and only kept small change in my pockets. Sure enough the camera was taken and so was the cash on more than one occasion. No matter how careful you are the crowds are just too big and it is inevitable. Cest la vie !<BR><BR>Despite all of this it was still an unbelievable experience and I am heading back to Rio end of May. Got to go back, I left my heart in Brazil !! This time I will even attempt it on my own.<BR><BR>Roula.

Roula, Thanks for the helpful info. on Rio.I see where you liked Ipanema over Copacabana. I've been really confused as to which beach we'd most be happy at. I've heard great things about Caesar Park as well as the Copacabana Palace. Could you give me some feedback? Also, I gather you went with a tour rather than independently. Again, we've been really confused on which way to go. We don't speak the language which I'm sure could make things difficult and we've heard Rio can be quite dangerous for tourist. Please give us your opinion on these subjects. Look forward to hearing from you. Thanks, Sally

Roula, sounds like you have been bitten by the bug and I don't mean a dengue carrying mosquito either. Sounds like you had fun, I know how you feel, if I could go back in a couple of months too I would but I have to wait till November. Yes Garota de Ipanema is one of my favorites too, its on a nice little corner in town.

Sally,<BR>The Ceasar Park is the nicest hotel in Ipanema. it is right accross the road from the beach. I did not travel as part of a tour, travelled independently with 2 of my friends. We were very cautious due to all the things I have read through these threads. We too did not speak a word of Portugese although I think we picked up alot of the language while we were there. Do not be afraid but DO be careful and always aware of your surroundings. I would leave your expensive jewellery/watches at home, and just try to make yourself look as much like the locals as possible. Wear casual clothes, don't stop on corners and look at maps, do that before you leave your hotel room. On the beach make sure you always leave someone on the sand to look after your gear while everyone else swims or leave your stuff near someone who you think looks 'SAFE'and ask them to watch your things. By the way don't take more than your towel, sunblock and small change (around 10 real). Every 5 minutes (on the beach) someone will try to sell you a drink, food, jewellery, clothes and everything but the kitchen sink. You don't have to move an inch.<BR>I think its an attitude thing - if you walk around looking relaxed and confident you should be fine. Don't be afraid to be firm but polite when refusing to buy something that a street/beach vendor is trying to sell you, they are very persistent. Walking around just about anywhere during the day is fine but not really at night. Use the buses during the day but the cabs at night. Don't freak out when the cabs drive through red lights at night. They are permitted by law to do this after 10pm. <BR><BR>When are you going to Rio? I will be there last week of May. <BR><BR>Don, all the info you gave me before I went was very helpful. The cambio near Rio Othon Palace proved to have the best rates as promised.<BR><BR>Cheers,<BR>Roula.<BR>

Roula, Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. We are not sure as to when we are going to Rio. Right now we are just doing alot of research. You mentioned how everyone is on the beach trying to sell you things. That sounds like a big turnoff to me. I'm starting to have second thoughts on whether this is where we want to go. Roula, could you please give me some info. on Copacabana verses Ipanema. Several people have said that Ipanema is nicer yet Copacabana is where everything is happening. Also, did you see alot of poverty? I know there is a large portion of the population that is very poor. I'd find this very disturbing to see. More and more I'm getting second thoughts. Please if you can, help change my mind. Roula, where are you from by the way? Hope to hear back from you soon. Thanks, Sally

Sally,<BR>I am from Sydney (Australia). I am at work at the moment but do you mind if I email you directly later on (it is 11am Friday morning in Sydney). Don't be turned off by what you have heard. Rio is a great place, you just need to be well informed before you get there to maximize your fun factor , just like any other destination.<BR><BR>Roula.

Roula, You most definately can E-mail be directly. I really appreciate you taking the time to give me some insight on Rio. I hope to get to Australia someday. I've heard so many wonderful things about Sydney. Well I'll just wait to hear back from you (at your convenience of course). Thanks again, Sally

Sally,<BR>Don't let others discourage you from Rio. It's a great city and I am planning my 3rd trip for Dec 2002. Rio is not Cancun, a a sterile environment where everyone speaks English and you don't have to interact with the locals if you don't want to. Rio is like Manhattan with a beach and EVERYONE goes to the beach. In some parts of town, you will see lots of "poor" people, in other parts of town you will not. I found it to be safe especially if you stick to the touristy areas of town. <BR><BR>Copa vs Ipanema...I reccommend staying on Ipanema and visiting Copa. In fact, I rarely go to Copa because I don't like the environment there. If you eat at the outside restaurants on Copa, vendors will approach you to sell all kinds of junk. The last time I was there, we watched 2 prostitutes trying to pick up johns among the businessmen a few tables away. NOTE: the prostitutes are very well-dressed and if you didn't know better, you wouldn't have known what they were doing. My mother didn't know until we pointed it out to her. <BR><BR>Ipanema is more upscale and residential and the beach is mainly full of families. Copa is the beach to go to if you want to be seen. The beach is livelier, there are more tourists and more prostitutes and generally shady folk. <BR><BR>As for the vendors on the beach, on Ipanema, all they do is walk by showing their "wares"...they didn't approach us at all. If you want to look at something just gesture to them. If you want more info, feel free to email me. Good Luck.

I'm glad to read that everybody LOVES this country. i must say that being Brazilian nowadays, that's abut one of the only things that make us proud. Unfortunately, I'm not in Rio so I can't comment on what you guys say, but if I can help you next visitors with anything. let me know!