We will have a day and a half in Rio before our birding tour begins. The tour company has us booked at the OCEANO COPACABANA HOTEL and we hope to spend alot of time at the Botanic Garden.

Any recommendations for places to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner in the area of the hotel or the Botanic Garden that we could walk to?

FYI - We've already been advised to leave the Botanic Gardens by 6pm (I assume they really mean "before dark"), and we plan to take taxis getting to/from the Botanic Gardens.

Thanks...

While you're in Jardim Botanico you might want to try this excellent Italian Restaurent Quadrifoglio


http://www.fodors.com/world/south-am...ew-189899.html

We took the local bus from Ave. NS Copacobana to the Jardim Botanico and back, a couple of weeks ago, on a Saturday afternoon. Taxis are fine, of course, but the experience of getting the bus was fun, you pay at the front, $R2.30 and squeeze though a turnstyle, the people we met were very friendly and helpful, and it made the whole outing an adventure. Buses are # 571 #572 or #594 - "via Joaquet" or #Jardim Botanico". We caught the via Joaquet one.

The Gardens are splendid! Lots of monkeys too, near the Amazona section. Don't miss the enormous Victoria Regis lily pads. Can't help with a restaurant - did notice tearooms near the entrance.

Thanks Dondiega and Carrabella! We're excited about exploring the Gardens. We'll have to look into the bus system...sounds like that might be the way to go!

Just a small correction:
# 571 #572 or #574 (not 594)- "via Joquei" (jockey club) or "Jardim Botanico".