To be honest i would have no clue, someone just mentioned it to me so i asked you guys, yet again the easier way out. sorry. If it is just about ok then i could pass. Thanks.

No worries, the Flyertalk community is always here to help you.

Thanks.

After Time Travellers comments about the marriott ("not usually crowded as the hotel is mainly a business hotel, though it does get its share of tourists.") i am reconsidering staying there. We are 2 guys coming there for a holiday and some fun. I assume staying in Copacabana is the best option considering ease and proximity to things. Any suggestion as to a decent hotel ?? i am getting marriott at 220 so obviously looking at something cheaper. Do you guys suggest just stay the marriott itself or something. Priority is need something clean and central and more a local feel.

If you insist on staying at Copacabana, JW Marriott is second only to the Copacabana Palace. Some would rate Sofitel up there as well...

I always recommend Ipanema. It is a much nicer area, and unless you are looking for "red light" fun, also the better area for nightlife.

For "2 guys coming there for a holiday and some fun", I would highly recommend the Rio for Partiers guide book.

Looking for good clean fun and probably where things are easier. Ipanema or Copa do not matter, i have no clue hence asking. Do not need a top rated hotel, like i said need something where probably more tourist and fun rather than a business hotel.

Well, as mentioned, JW Marriott @ US$200 is a good deal. Even two star hotels are almost US$200, at least in Ipanema. You might be able to get a good deal with a three or four star at Copa at maybe US$100-150, since it is off peak season.
An alternative could be to rent an apartment?

Now you have me all confused, you first said Ipanema is better choice than Copa and when i ask for few hotels in Ipanema or Copa your telling me Marriott is good. I know how business hotels can be and may not be a bad idea to avoid them on a holiday, that is if Marriott is more a business hotel.

Marriott might have a business image, but it is located right on the middle of Copacabana beach, one of the world's most famous beaches; very much a tourist area!

The best hotels in Ipanema would be Fasano and Caeser Park, but they would set you back way more than $200 a night. Even crappy two stars hotels in Ipanema, such as San Marco or Vermont starts at US$130+/170+.
Private double rooms at hostels would start at around R$80 (US$50) with shared bath.

If you want a true ocean front hotel, I suggest you take a look at Arpoador Inn. It is the only hotel in the Copa/Ipa area without a road between the property and the ocean. The hotel is located in Arpoador, the beach at the end of Ipanema, close to Copacabana.

For the price, I would stick with JW. You can walk to Ipanema in 20 minutes, or you can take a cab for maybe US$ 6.

Alternatively, I know that RioCharm ([email protected]) has consolidated fares at Southamerican Copacabana Hotel at around US$110; a decent bargain. It is located two blocks from Ipanema. You get room upgrades if you have the Rio for Partiers Guide book.

Wrt trips out of Rio I would echo avoiding the Amazon as it's too far. I would go to Iguacu Falls which can be done in 2 days and is definitely worth seeing.

The Marriott is fine albeit a little sterile. I preferred the atrium view to the ocean view as the windows and rooms are quite small. I don't think it's worth US$220 never mind the regular rates but I would agree with the others that compared to what else you'll get for the money in Rio it's a good deal. Plus it's guest friendly.

I wouldn't get too hung up on the Ipanema is better than Copa issue. I tend to go out more in Leblon than Ipanema but both are less than a US$10 cab ride away. Also safety and nightlife in Copa has improved in recent years e.g. 10 years ago where Domingos Ferreira meets Bolivar was pretty dodgy. Now there are chain bars such as Belmonte and Devassa there that are busy most nights of the week. Also bars such as Mud Bug where you can have a wider variety of beers and check out the local scenery. Having said that I'm often just as happy a busy neighbourhood botequim with a nice cold bottle of Skol in front of me.

A word about meeting the fairer sex. Like everywhere else communication is key. Without Portuguese you're restricted to meeting those who speak English and someone who's educated enough to speak English to a decent level may not have getting close to gringo who's in town for a week top of their list. Blue or green eyes and blonde hair will help though.

Copa is still edgier than Ipanema and with the closure of Help most of the red light night life is now restricted to the area from Balcony up to Princess Isabel and there are far fewer streetwalkers on Ave. Atlantica than in the past. However just because you're in Ipanema not Copa in bars like Shenanigans or Emporio or on the beach in front of Caesar Park don't assume that the attractive girl who's started talking to you is just interested in your vibrant personality.

jefi99 - so your final call would be just stick with Marriott.

oiRRio - the areas and bars you mentioned just bounced right over my head but its good to know. My main criteria would be safety and having a good time with some nice night life, not bothered about the women (not gay lol). Considering my priority Copa or Ipanema.

Yes, I would take the Marriott offer.

When it comes to nightlife, I more or less agree with oiRRio. However, don't forget that Barra and especially Lapa has splendid nightlife as well.

Well Marriott it is then. Now just need to figure out what i need to do in Rio. Managed to look up some on the Iguazu Falls and figured its a 2 hour flight from Rio and cost around $200. Is it just the falls that are there or is there more to see there?? How long would one ideally spend there.

Not a lot to see apart from the Falls. I would say a half a day on the Brazilian side (panoramic) and a full day on the Argentinian side (more visceral). So 2/2.5 days is fine depending on flight times. I'm normally a bit "Meh" on touristy things but it's easily up there in my top ten.

Iguacu is definitely worth a visit. If you catch a morning flight, you can do the brazilian side in the afternoon, and then the argentinian side the next day, and leave in the evening. But that is absolutely minimum. There is also a bird park on the brazilian side.

If you have extra time, you might want to check out the contraband capital of Ciudad del Este in Paraguay (15 minutes from Iguacu), or the Itapua Dam.

The city of Iguacu itself is nothing to write home about.