PureLuxury

Hi,
I have a business trip scheduled to Rio at the end of this month. Lucky for me I arrive early morning and my conference doesn't start until the next day. My conference ends early afternoon and I depart on the late night flight the following day. Therefore, I have essentially 2.5 days of free time. I am staying in the Leblor area.

I have not reserved a rental car. I will be relying on Taxi/PublicTransportation/Walking

Any suggestions of what attractions to see or activities to participate. Also, please provide good eateries...

Thanks
Robin

luademochila

Pão de Açucar (Sugar Loaf) and Corcovado (Christ the Redeemer)- great views. You may spend at least half a day on each attraction. From the bottom of the Sugar Loaf you may walk by "Pista Claudio Coutinho". I do not know a souce of information in english, sorry, but you may take a look at the pictures here:

http://viajeaqui.abril.com.br/blog/p...io-de-janeiro/

From Leblon, I suggest you walk until Ipanema and Copacabana, maybe stopping at "Forte Copacabana". "Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas" (lake) is a good call too.

If you like shopping centers, there's the Rio Sul (bigger) and Leblon Shopping (smaller).

A very good place to eat is Porcao:

http://www.porcao.com.br/porcaoSite/...de_ipanema.php

I suggest you take a look here, a list of the best restaurants of the city:

http://vejario.abril.com.br//comer-e...o-642265.shtml

Using Google Chrome you might use the translation feature.

Since your time is short, I would not go to the city center. I believe this is enough to fit your schedule.

Be careful with taxis, that's a world advice. Taxists like to rip off tourists. Public transport is frequent enough on this area. Anyway, I'll leave you my brother-in-law e-mail, he is a tourist guide:

[email protected]

Marcos.

VidaNaPraia

A good informational site for Rio is www.ipanema.com with listings of museums, sights, beaches, etc.
The two heights (Pão de Açucar (Sugar Loaf) and Corcovado (Christ the Redeemer) are the must sees.
Walking in the historic downtown (with a snack at the Confeiteria Columbo) or in the charming Santa Teresa neighborhood or taking a short ferry ride from Praca XV across the bay to Niteroi for the view back to Rio are some other interesting/fun things.
For an evening, try one of the samba clubs in Lapa for live music. Maybe Carioca da Gema or Scenarium.

Taxis (look for the name and phone number of the cooperative painted on the back fender) are quite safe IMO and most drivers I have met are merely hardworking family men trying to make an honest living to feed their families.
You can get along quite easily on your own, by taxi, without a tour, but if so inclined, check reviews of many Rio guides on TripAdvisor and/or try this well-respected and well reviwed one:
http://donrafaguestsinrio.blogspot.com/

PureLuxury

luademochila and VidaNaPraia
Thank you so much. Your information will save me a lot of time planning my short visit to Rio. Thanks for mentioning the Samba Clubs for Live Music. I will have 4 free nights to enjoy the music (I live in New Orleans--music is in my blood)

pgriffin

If you have an adventurous streak then hang-gliding off Pedra Bonita is an excellent way to spend half a day. Not cheap but a great rush and nice views of the entire city. You could combine that with half a day on Ipanema beach.