Does anyone have any suggestions about hiring a private guide for tours around Rio? I think my wife and I might like that better than the regular gray line type. But just in case anyone care to comment on regular tour company? Thanks.

I just got back from Rio and Bruno picked me up at the airport and returned me and I have used him before. I left his email address at work today as I was trying to post then but this site wasnt working too well. You can see a picture of him and his cell number on www.gringomanagement.com in the other services section. Its a good way to see Rio but taking the bus with a tour is not too bad either. Any taxi driver in Rio will show you around. I went to Corcovado this time, I took a taxi to the cog wheel train, it was like $5 then I took the train it was 30 reais about $10 pp. Unfortunately the staute of Christ was totally covered by clouds and I never went back. The view from up there is unbelievable. The same can be done for Sugar Loaf, just hail a taxi and buy your ticket when you get there and you don't have to be on any bus schedule, its all very easy and cheap and safe.

Thanks for the info,dondiega. I was concerned about getting somewhere and not being able to get back. I like the idea of not going with a tour. Any good Don't Miss places besides the two you mentioned? We like to walk (daytime only) so we will go from our Copacabana hotel (Marriott) to whereever by foot if possible and then take taxis back. We would like to visit one of the large malls to get a feel for that part of Rio also, i guess we can get taxis to and from there? We get to Rio on a sunday and i guess the best place to visit is the beach areas on that day? any info will be helpful. thanks.

If you arrive on Sunday the traffic is stopped on Copacabana and Ipanema all day for people to walk, ride bikes etc.. It is my favorite day in Rio. Take a walk to Ipanema to General Osario park for the hippie fair which is one big craft/flea/food/art/everything market, it goes on all day. Then head down to Ipanema beach, stop in Barrill 1800 for a snack or something cold to drink then walk down Ipanema to Leblon. I do the whole walk all the time from the Marriott to Leblon and sometimes end up having lunch in Ipanema(Garota de Ipanema restaurant) or in Leblon at Jobi's. The larger mall near your hotel is Rio Sul, I was just there, its fantastic, it has everything, 5 minutes by taxi. There are also malls in Barra and Sao Conrado(Fashion mall) but Rio Sul should be enough. There is a museum in Niteroi and gardens in Jardim Botanico that other posters on this board may be able to expand on. The Marriott is a good location, nice pool on the roof, great staff, they have chairs on the beach and will get you drinks on the beach or food from the local barracas (stands on the beach that sell beer and drinks including caipirinhas) My favorite there is the VIP barraca. When you get to the airport they will give you a map, to get to Ipanema go down toward Ipanema and make a right on Rainha de Elisabeth and walk all the way to the beach and when you get there make another right.

Hello,

definitely what Dondiega told you is right and of course it is possible to hail a taxi everywhere and go around Rio this way!
But as you just asked for a private guide I have a very good friend in Rio named Sergio who is not an official guide though, but as he like to speak to other country's people and know the city fairly well I could recommend you him as a private guide.
He has time probably only on weekends and in the evenings, but that might not be a big problem for you if in day time you could do other things, like for example visit the usual tourist stuff!
Ah, Sergio speaks english..I guess it will make your trip even more enjoyable if sometimes to explain you about things and maybe to go to not so much touristic places, like Niteroi, Ilha de Paqueta, Barra da Tijuca beach, etc.

Just E Mail me at: [email protected]
if you are interested still on a private guide!

And in case you have more questions, feel free to ask them to me too!

Greetings
Evelyn

Sorry,

the E Mail adress i gave you in the other post was not perfect, it is: [email protected]

Hope to hear from you!

Evelyn

Have a look at
http://www.jeeptour.com.br/ they propose very interesting and differentiated tours in Rio de Janeiro.

David at gringomanagment.com is great. You can write him at [email protected] and he can help you with tour operators and guides as well as apartments.