any suggestions

The best way for a nice New Year in Rio is in Copacabana Beach. You can start your party in the morning of 12/31, whith a good sunbath in Ipanema beach where you can taste softs drinks like Coconut water or a cold beer . You can have a lunch there, or in the neighbors restaurants, where you don t need to change your beach clothes. Everything is very casual. About 3 or 4 o clock will be fine a nap in your hotel. About 6 o ´ clock, go to copacabana beach to see "macumba" and other religious or folk dances in the sand, and enjoy yorsel withf the cool sound and the presentations of famous singers . Everyone bring and spears flowers in the ocean, one gift to "Yemanja" , the goddess of the waters. At midnight, a nice presentation of fireworks and after this, carnival until the the sunshine. If you have money, make a reservation for dinner in a big hotel (Othon, Rio s, Copacabana Palace, Meridian...)or in a restaurant around . Both includes carnival and breakfast when the the sun is shinning again. If you have ,or don ´t, money, New year is wonderful in Rio and not very dangerous because there is lots of police men at thi time. You need a very previous reservation if you will be stay in some hotel.

I was in Rio recently and I did notice that the Meridian was advertising New Year dinner for $100 per person. Also I did see that for example the Italian restaurant Don Camilio which is right on Ave Atlantica had a dinner for $100 per person and they are right on the ground in the middle of the action.

Don,<BR><BR>Is that something you would recommend? Would that mean that you would have a view of the action?<BR><BR>

George, if I was going to be in Rio on New Years eve that is exactly what I would do, now I mention Don Camilios because it is one of my favorite restaurants and is right on Ave Atlantica where the festivities are going to be you can see more info under restaurants on this website.<BR>http://www.tempero.com.br/