Which area to stay in in Rio?

[tbirdjoy]

I've come to you, the SA experts, to ask a question from those of you who have traveled to Rio.  In March a buddy of mine and I are taking a trip down to Brizal.  We'll stay a few days in Rio and then on to Salvador and Igussa Falls.  I've read a lot about Rio and can't deciede whether to stay on Copacabana (in Posto 6 area) or Ipanema.  (And yes I'm from the Eastern European side of the board and happily married to a Ukrainian girl.  She's in an intense radiologst technologist program and cannot currently travel with me.)  My friend is single and likes Brazilian women, and I just love to travel and do the tourist thing.  So do any of you Brazilian experts have preferences on which area you prefer?  Thanks for you input.

[abrutha]

... in response to Which area to stay in in Rio?, posted by tbirdjoy on Oct 14, 2005

intercontinental rio - i just left there on saturday

[wildbilman]

... in response to Which area to stay in in Rio?, posted by tbirdjoy on Oct 14, 2005

T-Bird,
Cool that you are going to Rio! I assume it's your first visit. The areas of Copa and Ipanema are side by side, with Copa being the older area and Ipa being the newer area. I have stayed in both and in my opinion Ipa is the best area. Cleaner, safer and more developed. A good hotel across the street from the beach (they all are) is the Hotel Sol Ipanema. Great location and reasonable.
You mentioned Salvador and Iguacu. Iguacu is amazing, a good hotel nearby is the Hotel Bourbon, a resort type of place with beautiful pool area. In Iguacu be sure and take the helecopter ride to see the falls from above. You can get a tour that includes the boat tour that will take you up near the falls, a nice hike, and the helecopter ride.

Bill

[tbirdjoy]

... in response to Re: Which area to stay in in Rio?, posted by wildbilman on Oct 15, 2005

Thanks Bill for the detailed info. I've read a lot of reviews on the two beach areas but really wanted to get a first hand perspective some guy who have been there.  I do agree and think that Ipanema is the best way to go.  You're right this is my first trip to Brazil and to SA.  I'm excited about it. I will diffently go the helicopter ride.  I imagine the views from above would be something you'd never forget. My wife is really cool about my traveling without her (only a foreign wife would agree to this) but most of all she's happy that I'm going with a friend.  She's worried about the crime rate in Rio and won't worry as much if I'm with a buddy.

Mark