Tranquility in Rio?
 

Looking at different accomodation options in Rio, apartment versus hotel. Going to be staying there for ~ 5 days during the second week of January.

Looking for recommendations (or even accomodaitons) on an area that is close to one of the beaches, yet away from the hustle and bustle that is inevitably RJ. Is this possible?

Any info is appreciated.

Thanks!

The Sheraton is probably your best bet. I find it a bit too removed from the chaos of Rio but it sounds like you want to escape all that. Have fun.

The Le Meridien is at the quiet end of Copacabana. You can be in the "heart of everything" in a minute, but it is quieter over there - not like you are on some deserted island or anything, but then, it is Rio.

Thanks for the tips.

Isn't the Sherton smack dab up against a favela?

I remember reading that somewhere about one of the big chain hotels, and I swear it was a Sheraton (though my memory is dodgy).

The Sheraton has its own beach and is somewhat distant from the rest of Rio. It is however located right by one of the city's largest favelas, the inhabitants of which may share the beach with the hotel guests.

Never had a problem...
 

My partner and I have stayed at the Sheraton Rio four different times, 3 times during Xmas to New Years and once during Carnival. Although the favela is behind and above the Sheraton we haven't had any problems. During the day we walk from the Sheraton down to Impanema which is a great 20 minute walk. At night we take cabs but again, never had a problem.

We are staying there again next year during Carnival. Personally, we like the hotel although sometimes not everything goes real smooth there.

Late night/early morning there are frequent police road blocks along the route between the Sheraton and Copacabana. They have been known to give tourists a hard time for not having visa/passport (or a certified copy) on hand ... though most of the time the taxi just rolls down your electric window for you so the police can see your face and your on your way without stopping.

Also consider Barra (the Hilton there used to have good rates) for a nice upscale place to stay. Note that in Barra you'll have the same issue noted above with this location if transiting to Impanema/Copacabana/Centro at night.

What is acceptable for a certified copy of your visa/passport? What "certification" is needed?

This is second hand info for the most part (casual conversation with other travelers): Apparently, there are offices around that are the equivalent of a notary public in the US that will do this for a small fee.

Now the first-hand info: The only thing I have ever done in Rio is keep a NON-certified copy of the photo page and Brasil visa page of my passport. I've asked in the hotels before and they have told me that is good enough ... but I have heard that the certification is technically required and that some folks have been given a hard time before. After over a dozen trips to Rio no one has ever asked me for my passport (after clearing at the airport of course).

Of course your real passport should be in the hotel safe at all times locked up ... IMO anyway.

A simple colored photo copy has been accepted when such a thing happens on the roads there. But if you don't have it, it's usually no big deal. Even a foreign accent saying "passport, hotel" has always given a pass when it comes to someone I know who has gone through it.

Has anyone stayed at the Sheraton Barra? It looks like it might be the right spot, although it is a good distance from the main beaches.

The Sheraton Rio Hotel & Towers was less than impressive when I saw the "Candid Traveler Photos" on TripAdvisor. That and a review stating a running gun battle occurred outside the hotel has caused me to strike it off the list.

The Sheraton Barra is in fact located right on the beach. Thirty years ago Barra da Tijuca was basically empty – just a few vacation homes along a beach that stretched for miles. Now it is an upscale mostly high-rise suburb – sort of a Brazilian Miami Beach. It is significantly quieter than the rest of the city, but traveling from Barra to Ipanema or Copacabana or downtown Rio can be difficult and time-consuming. There is a lot of traffic and roadblocks are fairly common. The minimum taxi travel time between Barra and the rest of Rio is about half an hour.

The Sheraton Barra opened 2 years ago - great property, all rooms have a nice balcony with beach view. The "other" Sheraton in Rio is backed up against the favela, and there is nothing else but favela for several blocks, making even the smallest trip out of a the hotel a bit of a nuisance, and a long walk or short taxi ride to ANYWHERE.

Regarding a copy of your passport, best bet is to take a color copy of your photo / signature pages together, as well as a copy of the page that has your visa, and one more of your page with the entry stamp for good measure. If you do encounter police that want to go so far as to question if you have your passport, (almost always Military Police who are just looking for a few $R) - then this will show that you're prepared and be more than what is required. Many times tourists who do have a copy of the photo/signature page are questioned as to if they are beyond their visa stay, having the above 3 pages would quickly end this line of questioning.

However, on the road between Barra and Copa, if stopped by police, usually just stating that your a tourist on vacation (in English!) will get you waved on.

*Edited to add the following*
As the original poster was asking about apartment vs. hotel - if it is your first visit, I would definitely recommend that you stay in a hotel. The location really should be based on what type of vacation you're here for. Relax / beach / watersports can be great in Barra, with some nightlife. More on the side of nightlife and clubs, Ipanema. As for Copa, well Copa is Copa......

Safe nice Rio apt, 2 blks fm Ipanema/copacabana
 

Just got back. Rented a nice 2 Br apt 2 blocks from Ipanema and Copacabana beaches. Safe, pleasant area, a/c, high speed internet. Agent is gringomanagement.com. I can give more details if you want.

My vote would be for the Intercontinental. Out of the way in Sao Conrado, but just 10 minutes taxi from Ipanema. Next door is the chicest Rio shopping mall. Across the road is the beach.

[QUOTE=pr0digy25;6891383]Isn't the Sherton smack dab up against a favela?

QUOTE]


So is the entire city...

No favela near Ipanema or...
 

Surely D.Lurker is joking. All the beaches on the south side of the city (Copa, Ipanema, Leblon, and ___ (I forget the name of the fourth) are far removed from any favela. We swam at Ipanema and walked around the others--no sign of crime, criminals, or unfriendly people. Just lots of Brazilians and a few foreigners enjoying the city.

Well depends on your definition of far. Apart from Rocinha and Vidigal at the end of Leblon beach, Jardim de Alah in between Leblon and Ipanema and Cantagalo between Ipanema and Copa I can’t think of any favelas close to the beaches in Zona Sul. ;) The proximity of some of these slums is the reason why some streets in Copa are more dangerous than others e.g Sa Ferreira and Souza Lima because of Cantagalo and why some bus routes e.g. 474 from Jardim de Alah are more dangerous than others at night. In Copa at least, the “danger” really can vary drastically street by street.

As a general piece of advice one of the dodgier times in Copa is late afternoon on a Sunday when many youths from the Zone Norte favelas are heading home by bus from the beaches in Copa. Ave. Nossa Senhora is much quieter than usual then and a quick grab on a tourist makes it a profitable trip to the beach. :eek:

Second for the Intercontinental. Stayed at the IC Rio over New Year's several years back. Have also stayed at the Marriott Copacabana, so I can compare staying in Sao Conrado,vs. being in the middle of things. Not only was the service great at the IC, but it also has more land - so you can get a removed resort feel and lay out by the pool while still being a quick taxi away from the main areas. As mentioned, the beach is across the street and the mall is next door. And we had an amazing view of the mountains and ocean from our room.

The proximity of some of these slums...
 

There's no need to be frightened--just careful, as you might want to be in Rome, Madrid, or other big tourist attractions. We stayed in Copa, right on the border of Ipanema/Arpoador, went to the beaches in the day, walked the oceanfront avenue in Copa and many streets in Ipanema in the evening. We were far from any favela and near to crowds of people, many of whom warned us to take care of cameras and shoulder bags--like we would in lots of places.

It would be a big shame for someone to avoid Rio or the beaches there because of fear of crime. Keep your valuables locked up, stay where there are people, and enjoy.

I've used gringomanagement.com with wonderful results myself. I second this recommendation.

$120/night for a large 2 bedroom beachfront apartment. Linen service was available (schedule ahead of time) for around $30 per service, IIRC. I found having an apartment vastly superior to any hotel experience I've had (though I've never been in a hotel in Rio)

Just to reiterate you were not far from a favela if you stayed in Arpoadaor. ;)

Whilst I agree there is no need to be afraid in Rio it is NOT the same as being in Rome or Madrid. I would wear a watch in both of those two cities, I don't in Rio and I would advise others against it. I also go out with a max of R$150-200 and try to avoid bringing a credit card. If they want to rob me of my R$100 and mobile phone they can have them.

If you don't think the location of favelas is a factor then you are being slightly naive IMO. During Carnaval there will groups of faveleiros gathered at the end of some of the streets I mentioned and it won't be to dance Samba. ;) Having said that I've seen muggings in Ipanema mid-afternoon on Visconde de Piraja and a murder in Copa on Ave Nossa Senhora circa 10pm. All the victims were Brazilian.

I've dealt with Dave although not stayed in his apartments and don't know him personally. He is very prompt and attentive in dealing with queries and emails IME. However AFAIK he has to work thru a 3rd party in Rio who is not always as efficient. ;) Also he is not as cheap as some of the local apt. brokers but this extra cost may be a safer bet for those not familiar with the local market and/or Portuguese. OTOH apts. priced in US$ tend to offer better value than normal when the Real is strong against the US$ as it currently is.