I'm trying to get ideas for a hotel I can afford for the 3 nites I am in Rio before my cruise. Everything seems to be coming in at about $700 - $800 a nite!!! as it will be Carnivale time. 2/17-2/20.

It does not have to be 5 ***** but would like a clean, safe hotel and area as I am an older woman and traveling alone.

Thanks...

My dear, it is getting very late for "trying to get ideas". You must book soon. You can't imagine that places book up completely for this world famous party.
"a hotel I can afford for the 3 nites" is going to be even more difficult because most accomodation is sold in packages for the whole Carnaval period. Since demand is there, and this is the time when most money to carry the business through for the year is made, few places are willing to compromise. I advise trying to call the properties you may be interested in directly.

You should be looking in the neighborhoods of Ipanema, Arpoador, Copacabana, Leblon (the main tourist neighborhoods) but also Catete, Flamingo, Gloria, Botafogo would do at this time if you can find a place that will agree to only 3 nights. Alternatively, you could pay for the part of the package you won't use, or extend your visit for a few more days prior to the cruise.
I find www.ipanema.com to be a good source of intro info on the city.

You should encounter no problems because of being "an older woman and traveling alone", but do your best not to show valuables, wander in deserted places (no matter if they appear to be chic or innocuous), or generally look clueless. Taxis are a relatively cheap way to get around, as is the metro during the day (but does not go to all the sights).
Crime in Rio is opportunistic. More tourists (=Carnaval), more opportunity. Don't create that opportunity for yourself.

Have a good time.

I work for a travel company and don't know of any hotels that will accept less than a 4 night minimum stay during Carnaval.Is the cruise line offering any pre-cruise options? I know some hold a block of rooms for their passengers...the rates aren't cheap but it might be worth checking in to.

Augustos Copacabana nice for me for this in the past

they do have minimums for Carnivale.

Copacabana hostels www.hostelbookers.com for better value

virtualtourist.com for other options beach camping nice

in some areas if super budget... lots of locals do this.

Can get dodgy in some areas...

Augustos Copacabana Hotel Rio De Janeiro : Instant Confirmation and low rates for Rio De Janeiro Augustos Copacabana Hotel with Agoda. Each of the 103 rooms at this 4 ...
http://www.agoda.com/.../rio_de.../a...ana_hotel.html

Good deals here booking up fast though so book quickly and

insuremytrip.com from $1 per day best way to do this...

The Earlier the better for Carnivale... for Solo Female

Copacabana/Ipanema preferred areas...

journeywoman.com good tips for you.

All the Othon hotels are nice usually a bit more though

Have fun!

brazilforless.com

brazilnuts.com

good locals to help you if needed.

ALWAYS pay with CC never wire money

petite 43. I do have a back up reservation thru the cruise line and for 3 nites plus transfers it will be $2000 + w/ no breakfast included!! So I do have a roof over my head.....I was just trying not to spend sooo much $$$.

I've not done Rio before so Im not familiar w/ the different areas and my TA is looking hard but nothing much is coming up.

It is all like you say.....5 nite minimums etc etc. I understand their need to make money.....I just have to understand my need not to blow all my $$ on the first 3 days if I can help it!

Thanks Quovadis.....we'll check out the Augustos Capacabana! Right now Trip Ad says its all booked for carnivale week but I"ll have my TA see what she can find out.

You should be calling hotels directly. You personally, and not some TA to whom the Brazilians on the other end will respond "commercially". You can find one longish list of hotels on www.ipanema.com, which also has other good info about Rio, and more on Tripadvisor. The tourist neighborhood hotels will probably be full up, so look for the neighborhoods of Catete, Botafogo, Gloria (nearer the centro, but still safe and convenient).

Try Travelzoo http://tinyurl.com/6jkyfag I just saw this.

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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

I am having the exact same trouble! Our cruise gets in on the 20th and we'd like to stay for 2 nights. Are you leaving on the 20th with HA line?
Maybe we could fine a hotel or rental and split the nights...just a thought. The place the cruise ship booked for us is far away, and almost 2000.00 for 2 nights!
I am not sure how to send my contact info safely. If interested then reply, and I will try to figure out how to send you my contact info. Thanks.

Hi Alpha 1 Yes indeedy...I am cruising w/ HAL leaving on the 20th, I have already booked my air leaving here on the 17th.....and I arrive on the 18th at 1 AM....so I actually need the hotel for 3 nites or else sit in a lobby somewhere till 2 PM the next day!

The HAL package is indeed $2000 +.....and ouch!!!

This Travel zoo looks interesting and I will check it out....

Hey good to know someone else will be aboard.....there is not much action for our cruise on Cruise Critic

FORGOT! Thanks Orlando Vic for the tip!

We return home from Rio on the 22nd. I am at a loss...thinking of canceling because it will be so crowded in Rio and the HAL hotel is very far away.
I really want to stay in Ipanema or other close beach where I could walk around.
Anyway, If you have any luck with travel zoo let me know!
Thanks

Thank you Orlando Vic!!

Good luck to both of you! Our cruise departs Rio on February 18th and we really had to scramble to get our reservations at the Sheraton Rio. I think I made them on 7/1/2011 and now they are 100% full.

FWIW, I subscribe to the weekly Travelzoo newsletter, and they have some amazing bargains from time to time.

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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie