Originally Posted by
krisk13
VidaNaPraia, funny you should mention GC. I am doing just that this summer, though not from NYC. Would it do justice to a visit to this amazing place for a few hours? No. Then why? Going with non-trek friendly peeps. So making the best.
My rio trip is very similar. Hence trying to get as much info. here to plan with some tlc thrown in for my nature loving side. Appreciate your help, but its not my intention to tick anyone. Having said, I am thinking either MAO or IGU.
RafKa, thanks again for the detailed info. We will be staying in Leblon. So plan is to cab to SM main street/ info booth(unless there is another name that cab drivers use.?) and proceed with a guide from there. That would be tram up top + tour including the MJ statue + walk down. right?Would half day suffice for this? I plan to combine this with either
I. Selaron's Steps + Cristo or sugar loaf , if time permits
OR
II.Copacabana + Ipanema
Which option makes more sense?
Gracias!
Day 1: SM main street is called "Rua Sao Clemente, in Botafogo", just tell the cab Favela Dona Marta, Rua Sao Clemente and he'll drop you off exactly as per the pic. Yes, tour is as you described, probably takes 3hrs or so. From the top of SM they will probably take you to a nice viewpoint where you can see Botafogo bay and Sugarloaf. You can then easily combine it with Sugarloaf AND Selaron's steps, with perhaps some time for lunch at either Fogo de Chao (for bbq), or a Feijoada at Bar do Mineiro (in Santa Tereza, close to Selaron) to have a look around Santa Tereza at happy hour time. Much more unique and interesting than Ipanema IMHO.
Day 2: there's nothing really touristy to see in Copa & Ipanema, and hardly something to fill a day with. You will have "seen" each of them after a 30 min walk around the beachfront (the 3-4 blocks behind the beach are nothing to write home about), plus sitting at a bar/kiosk for a beer/caipirinha. Def worth watching the sunset from Arpoador rocks in Ipanema though. You can use the time you have to do one of your other tours from day 1, if you ran out of time.