Beautiful Rio de Janeiro

Two things are a must when visiting Rio. First, is to make one's way up Corcovado Mountain to the the tatue of Christ the Redeamer. This offers truly awesome scenic vantages of the surrounding city including Copacabana and Ipanema, Centro, and the gigantic Maracana soccer stadum (the largest in the world). On the main road up the mountain you pass by (not through) an authentic favela, as well as lush green spaces. The second is the aerial tram ride to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain to experience the beautiful views of coastal Rio.

Quick Tips:

Historically, Rio has had a very bad reputation as a violent city plagued with petty crime, muggings, and indeed plenty of armed robberies. However, I experienced absolutely no problems during my weeklong stay.

Public buses were clean, and the conductors very helpful. Taxis were safe, inexpensive, and the drivers also very helpful. The beaches were lively, with people out and about at all hours. Now that the beaches (Copacabana and Ipanema) are floodlit at night,there is perportedly a lot less crime there.

It is important though to exercise common sense and to take basic safety measures. The key is to the local scene as much as possible to avoid hassles and rip offs. Also, there are certain parts of the city that no tourist belongs, including the favelas and the Copacabana Beach late at night when the prostitutes and johns are out and about.

Best Way To Get Around:

Copacabana and Ipanema are fairly easy to navigate on foot. Public buses from these areas to Centro and the gigantic Rio Sul shopping center in Gloria are plentiful and easy to spot. Taxis are inexpensive and good for rides late at night, or to areas further afield. like downtown. The cheapest way from the airport to any of the hotels in Copacabana or Ipanema is by way of a Real bus. They depart the airport every half hour and will stop at most hotels in these areas. To catch a bus back to the airport simply hail them along Copacabana or Ipanema beach, and they'll stop.

The Atlantis Copacabana Hotel is situated right in between Copacabana and Ipanama, 2 blocks from Copacabana Beach and about 4 blocks from Ipanema and Aproador Beaches. The hotel is simple and can't be beat when it comes to price.

The simple rooms have either two twins or a double bed, fridge, lock box in the closet, and private bath. There's piped in music, and a small TV without cable and thus no English language channels. There's a small (and I mean very small) pool on the roof, but more interesting are the adjacent decks for sunbathing, hanging out, meeting all sorts of people, and the views.

The hotel itself of located in a leafy green and quiet part of what's otherwise a very noisy area. Grocery stores, drug stores, the beaches, and restaurants are all within walking distance. The front desk staff speak English and Spanish, and the doormen/bell hops are very helpful. For US$60 per night I received a single room (two twins pushed together) on the 8th floor facing south towards Ipanema Beach.

The hotel contracts with Italbus, a local tour agency that offers various outings to the various sites. Half-day tours of Corcovado or Sugar Loaf Mountain are US$22. A full day tour of both, plus Maracana Stadium, Sambadromo, and lunch runs US$40.

The Aracata Restuarant is located halfway down Copacabana on a small sidestreet. Its a bit of a whole in the wall, but the food good and the service friendly. Menus are in Portugease and English.

The cuisine is entirely Brasilian, with an emphasis on food from the states of Amazonas and Pará. A lot of sea food and beef, with a wonderfully filling rice that comes with every meal.

The staff is very friendly and servcie always with a smile. Try the Guarana juice! Open late.