I am traveling to Rio in a few weeks. I am looking for any review related to Ceasar Park (Hotel) in Ipanema. How is it, etc. Should I be closer(on)Copacabana beach instead? HELP!!!

Howard, based upon your other post you had better stay in Copacabana. Depending on what you have in mind to do there keep in mind that 5 star hotels will not let you bring your grandmother into your room for even tea in the afternoon, security is very tight. Most 4 star hotels will let you bring your new found friends into your room but they will keep their documents. Like I said before check out this website: www.blameitonrio4travel.com. You can also rent an apartment email Vanna at [email protected].

So where's better to stay Copacobana or Ipanema? <BR><BR>Which has the better beach, which has the better nightlife?

Ipanema has the better beach especially on Sunday, its packed, no traffic, its great. Ipanema has most of the better restaurants. Copacabana has all cafes along Ave. Atlantica, its very lively day and night filled with all types of people, very colorfull. Both have great night life.

The beaches in Rio are not very good as there is a three carriageway highway (in both directions) cutting between the beach and the bars. You have to cross this every time you want to go for a drink in a decent bar/cafe, (although there are vendors on the beach). I would recomment getting out of Rio if it is beaches you are after. FYI - Taxis in Rio are so cheap it does not really matter where you stay as you can just get a cab to take you anywhere.

Well, yes for the most part the beach in Rio whether it is Ipanema or Copacabana is not ideal for swimming. It is the Atlantic Ocean, its rough cold and sometimes not pristine. If you want ideal swimming conditions try the Caribbean. As far a drinks are concerned, nobody runs across the street to get a drink, so whether there are 3 lanes of traffic or there are 10 lanes of traffic it doesn't matter much. What you do is rent a chair from one of the chair vendors and an umbrella then as you sit there someone from one of the barraca's will sell you what ever you want: beer, caiparihin's, food. People will be walking by all day selling all types of food too, sandwiches, hot dogs, chips, ice cream, all types of beach food. Beers are about .50 cents sandwiches are maybe a dollar or 2, everything is cheap, and everybody is friendly and just make sure you do not put down your valuables unless you’re a marathon runner.

Copacabana is much more of a seedy place as compared to Ipanema. If you are looking for prostitutes and keeping a tight hold of your wallet so it doesn't get pick pocketed is ok with you then consider Copacabana. Otherwise, Ipanema is a no brainer.

Nearly all beaches in Brazil outside Rio have bars right on the beach where it is far more relaxed (and cheaper). The beaches in Rio certainly look picturesque but they are crowded, polluted and the food and drink is not that great. Further up and down the coast there are great beaches (and it is still the Atlantic) that are on a par with what you will find in the Caribbean, S E Asia etc...

Will, can you give us an example of some place to go outside of Rio up or down the coast? Please enlighten us and cheaper too?

To Craig,I have been to Rio over 40 times and most of those times I have stayed in Copacabana and enjoyed the nightlife there. I have never been pick pocketed and I do not know anybody who has and I know many people who regularly go to Rio and who live there. As far as prostitutes are concerned, yes Copacabana has more than Ipanema because there is a district near Princess Isabella ave near the Le Meridian hotel. The other places they are found is 2 cafes on Ave Atlantica and on the beach in front of the othon palace hotel and the meridian hotel. Plus one big discoteca on ave atlantica. This is certainly not all of Copacabana so your assessment is an over simplification. I can assure you that in New York alone there are many more places they are found and many more in numbers, so do people say that about New York, absolutely not. And in many other major cities in the world.

There are so many places it is hard to know where to begin. Buzios is perhaps the most famous place nearby - Buzios is a peninsula with lots of beautiful beaches off it. It does get a bit crowded sometimes and it is still possible to spend a lot of money there but it is much better than Rio if you want to enjoy the beach.

Well Will, there are not too many too mention, we just wanted one and Buzios is not it as I can see you caught yourself. Yes Buzios is a nicer beach destination but it doesn't have the life that goes on in Rio it is much more tranquil and it is not cheaper I can assure you that it is much more expensive. It is also a 3 hour ride outside of Rio so it is not a day trip, it's a different destination than Rio. Nice try and so is your comments about the favela's on the other board. I have never been to a favela or taken the tour but everyone who takes that tour raves about it, have you taken it?

Buzios is no more expensive than Rio except at peak times - if you go in December / January prices often double / triple etc. If you were to go today it is dirt cheap.<BR><BR>Even in high season, when you compare the quality of the seafood in Buzios' beach bars with those in Rio it makes Buzios seem great value as the seafood is much better and at this time of year, cheaper. Also, in my experience, the waiters are far more attentive in Buzios than in Rio and bring you over a new bottle of beer before you even need to ask.<BR><BR>Buzios is 2.5 hrs on a bus - if you drive you can make it in just over 2hrs. Anyway, I never said it was a day trip, did I?<BR><BR>I think you should reread my messages and your own. I claimed that if you are after beaches you should get out of Rio. You agree with me that Buzios is a nicer beach destination but then go onto say that my message is wrong.<BR><BR>Sorry I think it is yours that is wrong.

Carioca<BR><BR>That is my message above.<BR><BR>No I have not been on a Favela tour but I have visited many of the neighbourhoods in Rio. Many that tourists would not ever visit.<BR><BR>When I first visited Rio I did telephone a company that did favela tours and they told me the favela they took tours around was the one at the end of Leblon, where the road bends round into some tunnels before going onto Barra.<BR><BR>Yes you would be a fool to go in there without a tour guide, but this is one small favela left by itself in one of the plushest parts of town! It has electricity, water etc (I know a lot of other favelas do). If you head inland and north of Copacabana and the centre you will find favelas without electrcity (or illegally plugged in to the grid where the lights fade on and off) and where you hear gunshots. That is a proper favela. No doubt you know all about it as there is enough sensationalist tv about favela crime on the rio tv networks.

Will, sorry I don't know what got into me, maybe too keyed up on coffee or something. Well anyway the favela that you are refering to sounds like it could be Rocina (THe Rat) which would be like you said past Leblon and Ave Neimeyer and the Sheraton and then above Sao Conrado. Wether they have electricity or not this is one of the biggest favelas in the neighborhood. People are advised to not walk down the beach in Sao Conrado because the inhabitants of this favela would be looking to releave them of their valuables. The only other favela close to there would be the one on the hillside by the Sheraton called Vidigal, this one which is right after Leblon as you make the turn on Ave. Neimeyer, their turf is that section of Ave. Neimeyer, some muggings are attibuted to them. Just don't walk in these 2 neighborhoods and you reduce your exposure.

My partner and I are staying at the Sheraton over New Years and after reading the last post I am concerned about how far we will be from the favela...is it safe in and around the Sheraton including the beach? All comments appreciated...

Yes it is safe.<BR><BR>The main beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon are very well patrolled by police during the day.<BR><BR>In the tourist areas surrounding these beaches it is generally OK at night but you should watch out and be aware of your surroundings.<BR><BR>Don't go down deserted alleys, don't walk everywhere with expensive photographic equipment, watches or jewellery. If you have top travel with things of value take a taxi. Your hotel will be able to arrange these for you.<BR><BR>Rio is full of favelas and the proximity of these favelas to really plush parts of toen makes Rio and incredibly fascinating city. It is very<BR>obvious what is a favela and so long as you don't walk into one you will be OK. Do not worry - your hotel staff will look after you if you have any worries and can advise you on all aspects of safety.<BR><BR>Seriously Rio is not really that different to any other large city. Just be alert, look confident and the odds are very much stacked in your favour that you will be OK and will have a great trip.<BR>

George, you and your partner should be ok on the premises of the Sheraton because you are in a secure location, nobody but hotel guests will be able to enter the pool area from the beach. On the other hand all beaches in Rio are public beaches so since the Sheraton is right on the beach then you will be sharing that beach with the natives. They won't bother you but just don't leave that $600 Nikon on your towel when you go to take a dip in the ocean because when you get back nice and refreshed they would have wiped your towel clean. Other than that the Sheraton is isolated so you won't be doing much walking from the hotel, you will be taking taxis to and from the hotel. The hotel has a taxi desk in the lobby where you pay ahead of time for your destination or you can go out the front door and negotiate with the taxis waiting to steal the business from the hotel, they are very aggressive. In order to use them you should have an idea on how much it should cost to go where you want to go because they will want to maxamize the fare as much as possibe but they are eager.

Thanks to Will and Carioca for their suggestions! It's the regular posters such as yourselves, Don and a few others that make our trip planning that much easier.

http://transito.rio.rj.gov.br/<BR><BR>If you want to see live pictures of Copacabana and Ipanema, go to the above site, click on zona sul, then click on the various camera pictures to see the location desired.