Hello,

We are going to Rio on May 16 and will be in Brazil until May 25. BlameItOnrio4Travel recommends either the Princess Copacabana or Vilamar as our hotel. Does anyone know if these hotels are ok?

Also planning a trip to the Amazon, looking at the 3days/2nights cruise in www.brazilianfiesta.com. Anybody has any experience with them?

Finally, my parents are with me...they will not be going to the Amazon, any recommendations as to what other tour they can go to, like Iguazzu falls?

thanks in advance

I didn't see any pictures of the Princess on his website but I did see the Vilimar, I don't know the hotel but it looks great. The only thing I would say is that it is probaby 1 to 3 blocks away from the beach and I prefer to be on the beach for security reasons. Take a look at the Orla hotel on his website it is beachfront but a little bit more money. Stay away from the Debret as they will put false charges on your bill and smile in your face.

Don't know about the hotels. Stayed in cheap ones myself.

But Foz do Iguycu is absolutely worth a few days. A marvellous place. I used several rolls of film there.. For a shorter trip, Parati, just south of Rio is a beautiful colonial town with a lovely coastline. You can also take daytrips out to small paradise islands there.

Enjoy your trip

Another good trip about 2.5 hours away from Rio by car is Buzios, great place for beaches and relaxing. Check out www.buziosonline.com, In March I atayed at the Collanna Park right on the beach in Sao Fernandez it was great. Last year I stayed at the Casa Brancas nice too. Years back in Buzios I stayed on an island hotel called Nas Rochas and another time a hotel called Mandrugada, all good.

Hello,

thanks for the suggestions...

Princess Copacabana is on their list of apart-hotels. Looks very nice and from what they told me, the balcony has an ocean side view. Just refurbished late last year..they also said that it is in a nice area...

Looked at Buzios..really nice, but, I don't think we have enough time for it..maybe next time...I think we will need at least 3 days for Buzios, right?

I think I will book a trip to Iguazu falls for my parents.

Also researched some personalized tours..found some lonely planet recommendations....www.travelrio.com and Pedro Novak tours http://www.privatetours.com.br/about.htm
These private tours sound great!

thanks again.

buzios is great check out chez machau