Once we leave Rio-- perhaps to stay in Buzios the final week-- would we want/need a car? I'm really liking the Casagrande hotel at the tip of that peninsula. So I'm wondering if we'd want to drive elsewhere for dinners and daytrips.
What are caipirinhas?

What are caipirinhas

Are alcoholic beverages...delicious. Made out of CACHASSA (local liquor) lime juice and sugar... they taste like lemonade, so be very careful, LOL.

Hey Maureen, you are really getting into this BRASIL trip. Where are you?
Just walking along the sidewalk along the beach is quite an experience...with so many kiosks to have a cold beer or a capirinhia....
You will see how many brasilians excercise along the beach after work ...it is so invigorating... if any of you is into jogging...bring running shoes, running with the locals along copacabana and ipanema in an experience......

Thanks, miguelgcuadra. We live in Colorado, so with cold weather approaching it's wonderful to plan a beach get-away. And this forum is to helpful, I love to get everyone's ideas who have been there.

Maureen, my suggestion if you go to Buzios is to hire a taxi to take you there. You can ask the hotel that you are going to to arrange to pick you up or find someone in Rio. The fare should be about $100 each way. I wouldn't drive it myself as you do not know the way and you do not want to get lost. When you get to Buzios all the restaurants are more or less in one local area in centro rua das pedras, so you wont need a car but a dune buggy would be ok

I am wondering about the visa requirements for entering Brazil. Do I just contact the consulate?

It is $100. for each of you.
Process is very simple, go to consulate with valid passports, CASH and tickets...pick up passaports following day. No question asked..
Visa is granted for 5 years and first entry must be within 90 days from date visa was issue. Five years life of visa is validated when you enter country and get stamped. so make sure each one of you get a stamp on passaport from inmigration officer. Cause you are going back, right

Since you are interested in Latin America, look at these web sites from my home country. I was born and raised in Nicaragua.
www.granada.com.ni
www.morgansrock.com
www.marinapuestadelsol.com

Thank you again, miguelgcuadra. I am concerned about going "in person" as our nearest consulate seems to be in Houston and we live in Colorado. I'll check into it further.

I did my Visa application via mail thru the Los Angeles office. No problem at all. Everything was quick and efficient. Look up the website Consulate Generral Brasil and you can download the application and requirements. No need to pay an intermediary company to do this for you.

Hello Maureen, do not worry about the VISA thing, call the consulate or read instructions on web site. Do it with plenty of time, in case something goes wrong.
Remember that first entry MUST be within 90 days from date visa was issued. Keep that in mind when applying.

Thanks for your replies, everyone. I'll time the Visa application process appropriately.
I'm wondering if the ocean temps are warm enough for snorkeling and swimming the first of August? I see they are about 20C, but that doesn't mean much to me. Would a wet suit be needed, or not? Are some beaches warmer than others in Buzios? Like on the west side? We are liking the Casagrande hotel there. Thanks again in advance!

Buzios is very beautifull http:www.buzios-explorer.com/ The peninsula of Buzios is 105 miles from Rio de Janeiro. Links to information on the city, history, culture, weather, location map, tourism, accommodations, foods, carnaval, and related links. In Portuguese, Spanish and English.