I am going to Brazil in August for a business trip, and I have decided to add some time for sight-seeing. This is my plan so far:
- Buzios for a few days, staying in Colonna Park hotel if they ever return my e-mails
- The business meeting in Rio, staying near the convention center (I have no choice for this stretch)
- Move to a hotel in Ipanema and see the sites in Rio for a few days before heading back home. I am considering Cesar Park.
I will be traveling solo for everything but the business part in Rio.

I have a few questions....
- Does anyone know the bus schedule to and from Buzios? I do not want to pay for a private transfer if I do not have to.
Any comments on the hotels I have chosen?
Have any of you been to Rio and Buzios in late August? I am wondering if it will be too cool to enjoy sitting on the beach.
Now, for the truly trivial......What do people typically wear for a night out in Rio? It is likely that a couple of my work buddies and I will make it to a club or two. (It makes the meetings the next day so much more challenging!) In my part of the world, the typical going-out outfit is designer jeans and a slinky shirt. Is that too casual for Rio?

Feel free to add any other comments you might have.
Now, I am headed to ebay to look for some Portuguese language CDs!
Ana-Belen

I have stayed at the Colonna Park in Buzios, I liked it very much, it is right on a beach and 10 min walking distance to the center of town.

August is Rio's winter but you can have some days if they're sunny hit 80 degrees if you're lucky.

Ask the Colonna park for a van service referal to take you to Buzios, more money than the public bus and less than a taxi but much better than the public especially if you don't know your way around and speak the language plus the public bus won't drop you off in front of your hotel try www.buziosonline.com

The Caesar park hotel is one of the best hotels in Rio with a perfect location, can't go wrong here if your'e willing to pay the price.

Don't wear your beach wear at night like in some resorts, jeans are fine or any long pants and shirt.

II - By Bus
From Rio to Búzios - direct:

The company Viação 1001 offers daily departures from Rodoviária Novo Rio (Novo Rio Bus Terminal - Rio) at the following schedule:


Leaving Rio: 08:45, 09:00, 09:15, 09:45, 10:15, 11:15, 13:15, 15:00, 15:15, 17:00, 17:15 and 19:30h.

Leaving Búzios: 7:00, 9:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00 and 19:00h.
Fare: From R$ 18.00 to R$ 23.00 (schedules and fares supplied by Viação 1001)

Usefull Telephones:
Viação 1001: 55-21-2516-1001 0300-313-1001 (only in Brazil)
Rod. Novo Rio (Rio Bus Terminal): 55-21-2291-5151
Website: www.autoviacao1001.com.br

TIPS:
You can buy tickets paying by creditcard using the phone 0300-313-1001 (only in Brazil)
In periods of high season (from December to March) and holidays it is convenient to buy your tickets in advance.
Always confirm these schedules and fares with "Viação 1001".
NOTE: To get to the Rodoviária Novo Rio (Novo Rio Bus Terminal) from the Rio de Janeiro International Airport, you can take taxis (about R$ 30,00) or Viação Real air-conditioned busses, with several departures all day.

Dondiega,
Thank you for all the great information. I am always impressed at how helpful and nice people are on this forum!
Based on your post, I am thinking of taking a van service from Rio to Buzios. After a nine hour flight, that seems like the best choice. I can take the bus from Buzios to Rio and save a little money on that leg.
Another question.......With all the Spanish-speaking neighbors, it seems likely that there will be some Spanish speaking people, especially in the tourist areas. Is that the case? I speak Spanish (not fluent yet, but working on it), so I am wondering if that will come in handy.
We had a trip to Brazil planned last year and had to cancel, so I am very excited to have a chance to visit this summer.
Thanks again for your help,
Ana-Belen

I have never taken the public bus to and from Buzios mostly becaiuse of time constraints but once I did take the van service from Buzios to Rio and it was fine, they picked me up in front of my hotel in Buzios and dropped me off in front of my hotel in Rio. Tell them to pick you up at the airport if that is what you want.

Buzios is an international destination and you will find tourists there from all over Latin America and Europe but especially Argentina.

hiya, hope and expect you have booked your hotels by now. Rio is hosting the panamerican ganes and hotels are fuller and more expensive. You will like the cesar park if you're going there, other hotels in ipanema are good too, and less expensive. Breakfast is not included there and is expensive, but you can go nearby and get a great one for a quarter of the price. Such as in cafeina. Great place. Also dont miss a snack at the colombo restaurant in the fort at end of copacabana beach, not open monday but tues-sun 10am-8pm. Excellent and beautiful views and laid back.
for going out Brasilians in Rio are quite casual, high heels, or boots, jeans, nice shirt, a few minis ! You'll have a fun time shopping too in ipanema, near the hotel.
Sitting on beach, who knows, was cold here today, about 20oC, but last week was hotter, about 28oC. Have a go at hang-gliding if you dare, its the best experience here, great fun and views and something to tell all back home, can be filmed !
Let me know what you