Looking at 3 days in Rio and 7 days in Salvador. I have no idea of the cost of living in Brazil. What would the typical cost be of a mid range restaurant meal and the cost of drinks on an evening out. Any other info on things to do in Salvador would be great.<BR>Thanks in advance<BR>Tone

I was just in Rio last December and will be next week. A typical entree in a good restaurant will be about $8. A typical local alcohol dring will be about $1.60. An imported bottle of wine from Italy would be about $20. A beer on the beach in Rio .60 cents, a beer in a cafe on Ave. Atlantica about $1. Things are cheap in Rio and if you get cash from your ATN card at a Banco do Brasil office you will get the best rate.

Thanks for the info Dondiega. Just one more thing, is Ipenema area the best place to stay in Rio or is Copacabana better. What is the distance between the 2<BR>Tone

Ipanema and Copacabana are in walking distance of each other more or less. <BR><BR>Where to stay depends on your tastes and needs. If you are with your wife/girlfriend/family then stay in Ipanema (Ceaser Park hotel, Sol Ipanema, Ipanema Plaza). <BR><BR>If you are not the above then Copacabana is another choice to make (Luxor Regente, Orla Hotel, Debret Hotel). <BR><BR>I like Ipanema during the day and for Dinner but Copacabana has some interesting clubs to go to at night. <BR><BR>The Debret Hotel in Copacabana is about $50 a day, the Luxor Regente is about $100 a day, the Ceaser Park is about $200 a day and more, Ipanema Plaza $100 a day. <BR><BR>The Debret has breakfast included and is a fine 3 star hotel clean and friendly staff.

Thanks again for the info Dondiega. How familiar are you with Salvador ? I looked at the weather chart for early April and it looks like it rains a lot. It would not put me off going but I might rearrange my time so I can stay in Rio longer. There will be plenty to occupy my time with in Rio i'm sure. I will be travelling with my wife and think we will stay in Ipenema.<BR>Regards<BR>Tone

Hi, I am not familiar with Salvador, I have been to Rio many times and have stayed at various hotels in Rio but that is the extent of my Brazil knowledge. There are plenty of other people on this board that I am sure will jump in that are more familiar with Brazil in total. Good luck and enjoy and if you have any more questions about Rio, just ask.

Check my 5 posters: INSIDE BRAZIL - part 1 of 5, ... INSIDE BRAZIL - part 5 of 5, for information on Rio, Salvador and several other great destinations which, probably, you don't know. I can suggest reasonably priced hotels in Rio and Salvador, should you need. Have a nice trip.

I thought Salvador was more interesting than Rio in many ways - more of an old centre. But when I was there 8-10 years ago or so, it was at height of Brazil's crime wave across many of northern Brazilian cities. At Salvador the tourist desk at the airport would not book me into a hotel in the centre of town for safety reasons (the recommended hotel in Rough Guide had just had an armed hold up where all the rooms were robbed). As a white person you stand out more in Salvador -wealth (not just as tourist but locals too), so you may have to be more cautious. But beautiful old centre, the beach hotel area is great - sit outside listening to some of the best music in Brazil, sung from balconies overlooking the pedestrian area -albeit with 3 hookers (2 really ugly) taking seats next to me and 2 other guys and being rather bothersome. Great Brazilian restaurant which is the main cooking school for Brazilian food, (trainee chefs are the waiters - one per table)MArket was really interesting - on last afternoon, got offered a beautiful little Amazon monkey. When I told the guy that I could not buy it as I could not take it home, he stuffed it in his jeans front pocket to show me how to go through customs. So one of the most memorable places I have ever been to for whole variety of experiences - all in 2.5 days.

Safety is still a main concern for most tourists coming to Brasil. It's true that 10 years ago Salvador was not a very safe town. But considerable and persistent efforts have been made at improving the town, training the police and empowering it in order to upgrade safety. I have been in Salvador a couple of times recently, and I felt safe. Of course, as everywhere else in the world, keep an alert eye, avoid displaying big money, and ask for advice before venturing into unusual places. Look at the beautiful site www.bahia.com.br for lots of information on Salvador and Bahia. I am very glad the author of the previous poster didn't accept buying an wild animal, the illegal wildlife trade persists only because some people don't behave like him. Again, have a nice trip.

Safety is still a main concern for most tourists coming to Brasil. It's true that 10 years ago Salvador was not a very safe town. But considerable and persistent efforts have been made at improving the town, training the police and empowering it in order to upgrade safety. I have been in Salvador a couple of times recently, and I felt safe. Of course, as everywhere else in the world, keep an alert eye, avoid displaying big money, and ask for advice before venturing into unusual places. Look at the beautiful site www.bahia.com.br for lots of information on Salvador and Bahia. I am very glad the author of the previous poster didn't accept buying an wild animal, the illegal wildlife trade persists only because some people don't behave like him. Again, have a nice trip.

t