I've been blessed with work trips to Rio once or twice a year for several years, and work there is in Barra da Tijuca.

The first two times I went, I stayed an extra weekend or two and stayed in Rio proper on Copacabana/Ipanema. Certainly, the nightlife and action are better in Rio on the beaches, and if you are going to make the flight down, you certainly need to do this as part of your trip.

In the last dozen times down, I've not bothered to stay in Rio at all. If going down with new people or someone really eager to experience Rio, we'll just take a car into the city for the day. Don't expect a quick hop in and out of the city. If you are going to go, it is best to make a day of it, but with Uber, you could probably sneak into Ipanema mid-morning, grab lunch on the beach, and sneak back to Barra before rush hour.

With an evening flight home, we've hired a car for the day to take us the Redeemer (and probably cut in line), Sugar Loaf, to lunch, and then to the airport for less than $250 for four people.

In my opinion, the beaches in Barra are cleaner and nicer than Copacabana/Ipanema, but certainly not as iconic. If you have help from the locals, you'll find food as good in Barra as in Rio proper. Barra also is generally viewed as safer overall as well.

If you are looking to go clubbing, bar hopping, and dancing, Barra probably isn't going to be your scene.

Traffic in Barra is a nightmare at rush hour. I've barely made 9pm flights after leaving Barra at 5:30pm. The next time may only take 45 minutes, but I tend to leave right after 5:00pm, and it is consistently a nightmare from Barra to the airport.

Getting to Rio from Barra isn't bad (and it is a pretty drive) if you go late morning, mid-afternoon, and evening.