We'll be spending three nights in Rio just before X-mas and need some advice as to where to stay. As we're only there for a short time we want to be staying close to restaurants, beach, bars etc. Discos and clubs less important.

Can someone please give us the pros and cons on - Copacabana vs Ipanema? Reading various guide books etc it seems Ipanema is safer?
Also, hotel recommendations would be gratefully accepted.
Thanks
E&N

A middle of the road hotel in Ipanema on a grat street with bars and restaurants and 1 block from the beach is the Ipanema Plaza. They have a website or take a look at www.blameitonrio4travel.com

Also about your comment of Ipanema being safer. Ipanema is more upscale than Copacabana and has nicer streets, shops and restauarants in general. Rios problem mostly in the tourist area is petty crime so if you be careful and follow all the rules you should be ok in either Ipanema and Copacabana. Don't let anyone give you a false sense of security about Ipanema vs Copacabana because the petty theives go where the money is and if their are tourists in Ipanema than there will be petty theives. Other than that go anywhere be smart and have a great time. There are also many nice hotels in Copacabana take a look at the Orla hotel.

I was in Rio last week and definitely I would stay in Ipanema...the area is alot safer and quieter than Copacabana...the area is upscale and has great restaurants and bars...with crime I never felt unsafe...as usual take precautions as in any other big city...you will love Rio.

Claudiaestrella
We are going next April and staying at the Ipanema Plaza. Which restaurants and bars would you recommend? Any "must sees"?

Fiona, right down the block from the Ipanema Plaza is one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Rio called Mio. Rua Farme de Amoedo 52. Try it you'll like it. Or Don Camillo Av. Atlantica 3.056 Copacabana.

Claudia, did you go to Copacabana at all during your stay in Rio?

What do people mean by saying that Ipanema is more upscale than Copacabana? I would have thought that Copacabana is more upscale - the beach certainly seems longer (especially as part of Ipanema is Leblon).

UK, they mean that everything you buy in Ipanema cost more money.

We would probably say upmarket in the UK. Upscale refers to size, not cost, to Brits.

thanks Dondiega for the recommendations.

Cook's Tour
"How to be a Carioca"
Cooking
Tony gives the lifestyle of a Carioca a try. Record on my TiVo DVR
Airing Date Time Channel
Sat 09/27 12:30AM 29 FOOD Add to My Calendar

This is on the food channel check it out its about Rio.

Hi Eva,
This may be too late for you, but we just returned from Rio and I thought I'd leave my opinion. We went to Rio solely for a wedding so I didn't know much about Rio before going. We stayed at the Copa. Palace but some of the folks in the wedding party stayed at the Sheraton. If it were up to me I'd pick the Sheraton. I did not see their actual rooms; however, the pool and it's setting and the hotel's location were nicer to me. The pool is large with lots of trees/landscaping and a great view of the ocean. The pool at the Copa is surrounded by buildings. If you enjoy relaxing at the water, you may need a nice pool. It was very difficult to relax on the beach due to the numerous "vendors" - about 1 per minute - really. Our fav. restaurant was Garcias & Rodriguez. We preferred Ipanema/Leblon to Copa; however,they are right next to e/o and with the use of taxis you are near both. Hope you have a great trip.
Leslee

The Sheraton hotel in Rio is one of the only resort type hotels in the Rio area. While it is true that the pool area is expansive the hotel is somewhat remote. For the most part if you want to do anything outside the hotel it will be necessary to take a taxi. On the other hand the Copacabana Palace is the best hotel in Latin America situated right in the middle of Copacabana across the street from the beach with all it has to offer, its truely Rio. The pool at the Sheraton while expansive could be anywhere in the world that the sun shines, you don't have to fly 10 hours for a pool, you can get that much closer to home.

Hey, I'm from rio. Any help u want just e-mail me ([email protected])

I live in Sao Paulo but spend 20% of my time in Rio. Ipanema/Leblon are nicer/safer; Copacabana is full of street prostitutes etc. at night mostly because the vast majority of hotels are in Copa; Best place in Ipanema is the Ceasar Park; another good choice is Marina Suites in Leblon.
Regarding food: Zaza Bistro, Garcia Rodrigues, Gula Gula; Go to Dias Ferreira street on Leblon (Zuca, Carlota). All excellent.

stayed at the newer Plaza Copacabana and were happy with everything. They have decent rates if you book with terramagica.com

When you arrive, request a quiet room with a view and they will accomodate you if they have it available.

Two short blocks from the beach and we never felt unsafe, even though we are usually scaredy-cats. There was a lot of police presence which seems to ward off the riffraff. We walked everywhere and especially enjoyed the extensive and delicious breakfast.

Thanks everyone for your comments. They have been most helpful and we have finally, after a lot of going back and forth, chosen to stay in Ipanema. Only four weeks til we leave and I can't wait to go.
Cheers
Eva

Below is a post from another site, I post it here for all of you to not be lulled into thinking that by staying in Ipanema it is all you have to do in Rio. The below person stayed in Copacabana but went to the beach in Ipanema and that is where he had a problem not in Copacabana.

" We were in Rio (10/3-10/9)and while there are many great things there as the beaches, sights (particularly Corcovado/Christ statue, tropical islands, & Sugar Loaf), restaurants (Porcaos and Maurius are great and all the beachfront outdoor dining venues), and most of the people. No matter what you hear or folks tell you it's not as safe as they would like you to feel. My wife and I were mugged at the entrance to Ipanema beach at noon time and didn't get much help from the police, and special tourist police at that. There were quite a few folks at the police station filing reports and folks we talked to in the hotel and at the airport were also victimized. I won't say that it happens to everyone but be extremely careful, wear no jewelry, leave whatever you can in the hotel safe, try to be inconspicuous (very difficult), be defensive in your efforts (like driving) and always be aware of what's going on around you. We did meet some nice folks, no they're not all stereotypically bad - only a few, and I have to give a plug to Freddy of Freddy's jewelers and Alexander. These folks were marvelous to us in our time of need and I would trust them implicitly in any sort of transactions. Also to consider are the very long flights. We had a reward upgrade to BusinessFirst on CO on the outbound and that was terrific, but they sandbagged us on the return flight for three months. The BusinessFirst cabin was almost empty when we first requested upgrades and we were always "first" on the list but it was nada. I'm sure you all hear this continual plight of frequent fliers of hardly ever being able to get rewards - another gripe with the airlines. They want you to accrue them with a picture of great things in the future, but trying to get them and you might as well be from Mars. "

can someone help me?, I am going to pass the new year at Rio. Is it very difficult to find lodging arriving on december 30 and going out on january 4?, a good tip for lodging ranging to not more than US$ 50 per night for a single room and well located?. Maybe is too much what I am asking, but these forums are extremely useful in these cases. Thanks you very much