Taking advantage of Co's reduced award levels for a trip to RIO in a few weeks.Anyone who's been there recently have suggestions of "must see's" besides Corcovado and Sugarloaf?Also any hotel ideas? Was there about 10 yrs. ago and stayed in Arpoador/Ipanema area.Still an OK area? Thanks for any ideas.

I was there twice in the past year...

I stayed in the Rio Othon Palace which is a large 70's-style hotel on copacabana. If you get a high room with a view of the beach, you will sort of forget the old furniture and wood paneling.

Of course the Copacabana Palace is the nicest hotel, but it's also the most expensive. Recently, I think the most popular place has become Ceasar Park on Ipanema. It has both a good location, and nice rooms.

Restaurants:

Porcao is one of the better typical churrascarias, but it is a chain with other locations in other parts of the world (opening in New York soon...supposedly).

Mariu's is also good, and a bit more exotic.

You should get an "acai" at one of the juice stands. It is made from a fruit that is only found in the amazon basin.

Also try the great passion fruit (maracuja).

Activities:

HANG GLIDE (if you are into that sort of thing); it can be arranged at many of the hotels.

The Hippie Market is also interesting.

I would also reccommend the Confeteria Colombo (sp?) which is in the old downtown area. It's an old-fashioned Portuguese/Spanish pastry cafe that is ornately decorated.

Above all...enjoy!

The hop on/hop off busses are a great way to get around to the tourist stuff. You buy a ticket, good for two days, and get on and off on the three routes as much as you want. They go all over the place.

There was a snack bar/restarurant up at Corcovado that had some incredible food, the fruit plate is totally amazine (We were there in October, and are still talking about it) and the BBQ meat was enough for four or five, but served one.

Don't forget you need a visa ahead of time to go, you can't get one when you arrive.


[This message has been edited by cordelli (edited 04-23-2001).]

Gee, a quick search would haveshowed you MANY threads on Rio in the past month in the Forum alone. Did you try that first?

Rio De Janiero Carioca Canuck 03-25-2001 General TravelTalk
LAX Airport Marriott or Hilton? 0524 03-28-2001 General TravelTalk
Los Angeles: Marriott Downtown $95 &Hotel Sofitel BH $139 in April doc 03-28-2001 General TravelTalk
Carnival in Rio ChanelCinq 03-30-2001 General TravelTalk
connecting in Sao Paulo on Varig from Buenos Aires to Rio davidlee 04-04-2001 General TravelTalk
Priority Pass 20% discount Wiirachay 04-09-2001 General TravelTalk
priority pass having a sale EPS 04-10-2001 General TravelTalk
Rio de Janerio - request info! Carioca Canuck 04-13-2001 General TravelTalk
RIO, any suggestions... cordelli 04-23-2001 General TravelTalk




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~ Glen ~

Thanks sofebug and cordell for your helpful replies.BTW, I'm sure looking forward to returning to RIO-sure beats overrated "sunny sydney".