Where to stay in Rio?

BRM

Looking for reconditions for places to stay in rio de Janeiro, self catering apartment beside the beach would be ideal but Id also consider a reasonable priced hotel provided it was in a decent area.

PunyHuman

I've no specific recommendations but Ipanema sounds like what you want.

leandro

Hi there! I'm Brazilian but not from Rio. I've been there a couple of times and I recommend you to stay in the south of Rio, which comprehend the most famous areas: Ipanema, Copacabana, Leme, Leblon, etc.

Accor Hotels Group offer a bunch of good and cheap hotels. You can check in their website: http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/reservation/liste_hotels.shtml

Depend on the time you have available over there, you can also go to some cities in the Rio de Janeiro State, some I really love are Saquarema (famous for surfing), Buzios (quality night life), Cabo Frio, Paraty (an historical city with nice restaurants, pubs), there's also Angra dos Reis. To run away from the beach, you can also visit Petropolis, a nice city in the country side, which was the "countryside house" of the Portuguese Royal Family.

Check http://images.google.com to have an idea of what those places look like.

Well, I hope you have a nice trip over there and don't drink too much Caipirinhas hehe

Gaz

Does it have to be a hotel/apartment ?? I stayed in mellow yellow (http://www.mellowyellow.com.br/) hostel, pretty funky place , cheap , lots of activities available and 2mins from beach .... but then again hostels aint for everyone