Going to Rio de janeiro

Lamps>Gerry

Looks like I'm off to Rio for a few weeks in May... it's on business, so not exactly a holiday, just wondered if any of you have any advice on what's cheap / free to do there in evenings & weekends..


weekday evenings isn't too much of a problem, as I can always stay in the hotel on expenses, but would be nice to get out at the weekends if I can. Also I'm thinking of bringing my wife over for a week or two and it'd be nice if I can have something for her to do while we're over there (while I'm working I mean)

Cheers for any helpful advice.

Tojo_Ralph

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I'd start with boxing off the obvious attractions which are inexpensive, ie. Sugarloaf for a couple of hours with a picnic to watch the world go by from 101 different viewpoints, Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer, daytime walks the length of Barra/Leblon/Ipanema/Copacobana to compare what they have to offer, and if you have any interest in sport whatsoever a visit to the Maracana to catch a game is a must.

Where you stay in Rio will dictate your ability to enjoy the evenings and go walkabouts ..... Do you know which hotel you are staying in? ... Do you have a choice of hotels?

For a weekend break away from Rio, look at Ilhe Grande.

http://www.ilhagrande.com.ar/

peterg1965

Fantastic city, I stayed right on the Copacabana Beach. I went in a July a few years back, weather was marginal, but it kept the pickpockets away! Take sensible precautions as far as personal security goes and stick to the main tourist areas and you will have a ball. I did Sugarloaf, Christ the Redeemer etc and will always remember the place fondly.

bcl999

There's the Hippie Market on a Sunday which will pass a couple of hours and can be combined with a stroll along Leblon beach (Rio's best according to those in the know).

I would give the zoo a miss. The last one I visited before Rio's was Atlanta and I was very impressed with it - large enclosures, etc. The Rio one is like a throwback to the 60s - small cages and concrete. I wished I hadn't gone - it was very depressing and I felt guilty just being there.

Pesonal safety is really no worse than other large cities. If you are street-wise and take usual precautions, you will be fine. Each morning, I would tell the doorman at my hotel where I was intending to go and ask him if it was safe. I went all over the city (but not to northern suburbs, which I think is where there is the most crime, drug-related) on the underground and public buses etc and never once felt I was in an area/situation I'd rather not be. I took just one guided excursion and that was only because it was my next-to-last day and I still hadn't "done" some of the tourist things like Cristo Redemptor.

imnothere

Lamps>Gerry wrote: »

Looks like I'm off to Rio for a few weeks in May... it's on business, so not exactly a holiday, just wondered if any of you have any advice on what's cheap / free to do there in evenings & weekends..


weekday evenings isn't too much of a problem, as I can always stay in the hotel on expenses, but would be nice to get out at the weekends if I can. Also I'm thinking of bringing my wife over for a week or two and it'd be nice if I can have something for her to do while we're over there (while I'm working I mean)

Cheers for any helpful advice.

on friday night go out to lapa where all of the clubs/bars are etc. be careful though as i personally know many people who got robbed there. don't carry any money on you. give the money to your wife to put in her bra, don't carry your camera, phone etc . in general, you should never carry large amounts of money with you. just what you need for the day.

you must visit santa teresa. it's a beautiful hilltop town. you take the 'bonde' (tram but pronounced bon-gee) from downtown, and it takes you all the way up this hill/mountain towards the christ statue. you can stop off along the way in santa teresa as well. it's really tourist friendly and safe up there. i stayed there when i was in rio for 6 weeks and never once felt unsafe

on sundays nights santa teresa also has a samba night and everyone stands in the streets drinking, listening to music etc. there's loads of hippies and foreigners and an all round nice atmosphere

you should also visit a pizza rodisio. it's basically a pizza buffet, but they come around to you they also serve pasta, chicken etc and it's really cheap (13 real/ £4/5). they also have meat ones, where they serve really good quality steaks and meats but i never visited one.

if you have any questions let me know

bcl999

The ones doing the meat are called chiaroscurro rodizio. There's an excellent one beside the Copacabana Palace Hotel called,naturally enough, the Palace Chiarascurro.