Yeah, I'm aware there's a risk of feeling too safe, but I think we're ok.

We didn't make it to Lapa yesterday after all.
As we're leaving on January 1, today will be our last regular evening in Rio.
We have a reservation at Oro at 10.30pm - would you go to Lapa after that (given we haven't experienced that yet) or should we rather stay in Leblon?
We'd like to experience some nightlife, some bars etc.

From what I've heard, Leblon is much more upscale, so they have some nice bars.
But Lapa is more authentic/Brazilian with more locals etc.

I've heard a lot of people recommend Scenarium, but I'm a bit worried about long lines - as I don't think we'd be there before 0.30am (or even later than that)...

Going from Oro to Lapa would be a big shock. Lapa is a "roots" kind of experience, and since you will likely dress up a little for Oro, you are bound to feel uncomfortable walking around Lapa. Unless you go directly to Rio Scenarium, but unless you get there by 10pm you're looking at 1-2h queue.

If you stick to Leblon, you can go to Stuzzi bar, otherwise Brewteco for a more laid back experience, or Belmonte just opposite. Lots of people will be having pre party drinks at these places, so If you talk to locals there they can point you towards other good nightlife options tonight.

Thanks. That doesn't really surprise me, I was actually wondering if it would make sense to get changed at the hotel first (given Copacabana is more or less on the way from Leblon to Lapa - isn't it?).
But I guess we'll just stay in Leblon then. I was just worried we'd miss the best part of Rio if we don't go to Lapa.

Thanks!

Laps is definitely NOT the best part of Rio (I would guess with 95% probability but everyone is different)

Esmjb is right on.

You didn't miss anything by not going to Lapa. Been there, done that.

There is a joke here in Rio taken from an old comedy show on TV called Casseta Planeta................."when going to Leblon, don't forget to bring your passport"..............because it is another world.

I ordered the wine pairing at Oro. It’s been a long time since I’ve been so hungover.
Also, there was a lot of food, i couldn’t even finish all of it.
The food was good, but I wasn’t blown away (also the location of Oro isn’t very exciting).
While I lack experience from restaurants like this, I don’t think it was worth the price tag for me.

Going to Lapa is for the music that has shaped carioca culture, brought with workers from Afro-centered Bahia decades ago, particularly the live samba and dancing with locals who value this experience as an integral part of their lives.
The more upper class Brazilian folks that frequent the bars in Leblon really often seem wanna-be-Europeans.

Just a quick update:
The NYE party at the PortoBay hotel was beyond FANTASTIC. Just wow. I think we need to go Rio for NYE every year from now on.
Hanging out with i380 and his girl-friend was fun.
We also loved Rio, it was just said that it was raining constantly 3 out of the 4.5 days we were there - and it wasn't even very warm when it was raining, I had to wear a jumper.
Is it always this bad or were we just unlucky? We were hoping it would be more like the rainy season we've experienced in Southeast Asia, where it rains for an hour or so every day, but the weather is great otherwise.
NYE and New Year's Day had perfect weather, though.

The only downside was that my phone was stolen on the way back from the PortoBay hotel to the JW Marriott.
On the way to the party, I was still sober and kept my hand on my pocket, but going back I had had a few drinks and was in such a good mood because of the party, I was too relaxed.
It was packed with people (to the point where you were getting pushed into the opposite direction), then suddenly there was something on the ground, like a bag or so.
I saw somebody reach for my girl-friend's handbag (which was empty), then I tripped and 2 seconds later I realized my phone was gone.
Next time I'll leave it at the hotel or ask my girl-friend to put it into her dress like she did with her own phone.

Leaving the beautiful weather in Rio behind was sad, especially since Iguacu/Iguazu had bad weather 2 out of the 3 days we spent there.
We're now in Buenos Aires where the weather is generally good (except yesterday, but that was ok).
We're not really blown away by Buenos Aires, though.
I really don't get the Paris comparison. To me it seems more like a mix of a Spanish and a US city, in a boring way.

Tonight we'll fly to Santiago de Chile (one whole day + 2 nights), and then we'll have half a day in Lima before flying back to Europe.

You were somewhat unlucky with regards to the weather. Im actually enjoying the cloudy/cooler weather considering how white I am and not looking to get burned. As for the phone, well you aren’t the first and won’t be the last. Hard to say for sure what happened since you were drunk but my guess is the commotion was all part of the set-up to rob you.

Yeah no kidding. Last December Rio had "feels like" 55 celcius for a few days..............with real temps in the mid 40's..............it was awesome !!

I think we'll just have to return this year. ;)

By the way, Santiago was nice (maybe because of the rooftop pool at the W hotel we stayed at).
In Lima, we ended up not leaving the airport because it seemed like too much of a hassle.
Didn't want to get robbed again.

PortoBay
 

Sorry that I’m late to the party ( literally) but found this thread super helpful as looking at NYE in Rio this year. The rooftop bar at PortoBay sounds yonour street, can I ask if drinks were expensive? Did you feel like you were queuing the whole time etc?

any feedback would be great! Many thanks

I was in Rio from Dec 2 until Jan 7. We had maybe a week of 35-40 degree weather, the rest of the time it was cooler and rainy/cloudy.

The week after I left, it hit 40 degrees almost very single day, with one day at 54.8 celcius..........luck of the draw I guess.

I stood on the street outside of the Marriott for the NYE fireworks with my wife drinking cold beer from a street vendor. The Marriot had a bullpen set up outside the front of the hotel for the rich gringos who were too scared to step outside the barricades.