Rio De Janeiro - Rio de Janeiro - TravBuddy

Do you really want to see Rio's best things?
Put on some confortable shows and walk!!!

Wait, wait! You're not going to walk all the way from Copa to Lapa, of course! But I mean, going by bus, taxi or subway, once you get in some new neighborhood, take a walk around.

In Copa? Don't restric your walk only to Copacabana sidewalk. Get into those big, large, full of trees streets and probably you'll find the best Bossa Nova records store ever - with stuff that you are never going to find on the internet, or maybe that brazilian bikini that you wanted for so long, or even fell in love with a girl that volunteered herself to show you the neighborhood around for free, you know.

In Santa Teresa, jump off the train and walk around those tiny streets and find the best restaurants in town, chat with some old lady that lives there for 80 years, and maybe discover the strenth of the (amazing) african culture in Brazil and even so, unfortunately, that we still have problems with racism.

You know what I'm talking about?

Well, that's the kind of trip that I like. Go to same place and not only take some beautiful pictures, but the really see and feel what was it like to live there decades ago, and to live there now, and how is it going to be the living there in a few years from now.

To start with - Ipanema is better beach than Copacabana. Ipanema has higher waves though so be very very cautious.

Beware of pickpockets and crime, dont wonder too much away from your group or 3 parallel lanes away from beach, or else be prepared to be mugged.

Hotel Ceaser Park is one of the finest accomodations in the city (personally I prefer it over the grand copacabana palace. Its very pricey - but extremely safe, and has a private beach with security patrolling.

If you are travelling on a budget, stay on Copacabana side, because it has more tourists and locals around you.

Dont miss the Sugarloaf mountain cable car ride, and the famous vernacular train ride atop the mountain that holds the most colorful and amazing but infamous "favelas".

A world travel cannot complete unless you have been to Rio!