My husband and I are planning a trip to Brazil for 8 days in January. We plan to spend some time in Rio and then head to the beach. A friend suggested the beaches in the northeast (Fortaleza and Jericoacoara). I really don't know much about the country and its beaches yet. We are the kind of travelers who do not need luxury and a raging nightlife (besides, I imagine we can get that in Rio), but who do enjoy comfort, good food and charm. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks!

There is a great little place near Rio it's called Buzios and is 110 miles north east of Rio about a 2.5 hours car ride. It has 22 little beaches and has plenty of little pousadas right on the various beaches. Just walk out to the beach stay there all day with restaurants right on the beach and at night the Rua das Pedras has all the night life you need in centro.
www.buziosonline.com
www.blameitonrio4travel.com

Thanks! I had actually started looking into Buzios. Do you know anything about the Pousada Casas Brancas? It was just written up in the NY Times and seems like a nice option.

I wish I would have seen that article. Actually I have stayed there, its not on the beach but in walking distance to several different beaches. It is in walking distance to downtown too where all the shops and restaurants are, it is very centrally located. It is also a very nice pousada high up on a hill with great views from your room and pool and deck area where you can have your breakfast, its a great place. Also look at the Collana Park which is on the beach but further from downtown.

Here's a link to the story: http://query.nytimes.com/search/arti...tures%2fTravel

Thanks for your advice!

Thanks for the link, actually I and some friends learned about Buzios about 1985 when Travel and Leisure magazine had a big article on it also very similar to this one. That is when I stayed at Nas Rocas which is on a private island in Buzios it was great but somewhat removed from the central part of town. The article mentioned the restaurant Satyricon which I ate at in 1987 and just this past March 2003 in Buzios it is excellent. They also have a restaurant in Ipanema which I eat at all the time, its great. Have fun.

I will have to pick your brain for restaurant suggestions in Rio and Buzios before we go. Eating is my favorite part of traveling! Can you recommend any hotels in Rio? From reading the board, I think we'd like to stay in Ipanema. Many thanks!

Hi Mic, I returned recently from my Rio and I stayed in Hotel Marina Palace in Leblon, next to Ipanema. Though I liked the hotel, next time I will stay in Hotel Sol Ipanema.It's much better located, right in front of the best point of Ipanema beach and behind it you have the best shopping in Rio and great restaurants.
I had 2 fabulous dinners in Zaza Bistro (in Ipanema) and Toq Final (in Leblon). This last one had an excellent ambiance and food and live brazilian music. But be sure to book it. It gets full.

Hi Don I went to Don Camilo and had an exclllent pasta with seafood, you recomended it to me, remember? Mic, that is also a place you should consider in Copacabana.
I liked Buzios but liked Parati much better., south of Rio, after Angra dos Reis.

Oi Tere, vc vai bem? sim Eu me lembro vc. Good to see that your back Tere, can you tell us a little about Parati and your pousada in Buzios? Glad you liked your dish at Don Camilios, did you eat inside and did they have the Italian opera singers that night? The hotel Sol Ipanema is the first hotel I ever stayed at in Rio back in 1980, yes it enjoys a great location but Tere did you get a chance to go inside and see if it has been renovated or maintained at all?

Dondiega, I have decided to spend 5 nights in Buzios in January at the Colonna Park and 2 nights/3 days in Rio at the Ipanema Plaza. I know that you have discussed these hotels before, but was wondering whether you had any final thoughts before I book. Thanks!!