Rio de Janeiro

Woofer

Going to Rio in May. Just want to hang out, go surfing and scuba diving.

Any tips on where the best neighbourhood to stay is? (ipanema?leblon?centro?copacabana?)

looking for fun beach, reasonable hostel options and good nightlife

Sweetcorn01

Can't help with any of the above, but would you mind telling me what kind of cost your flights were? was thinking of rio myself around similar time, end of May.

darrenh

Ipanema is probably your best and safest bet. We stayed at the Mango Tree hostel which was cool and good for meeting people.

Naked Lepper

darrenh wrote: »

Ipanema is probably your best and safest bet. We stayed at the Mango Tree hostel which was cool and good for meeting people.

Ipanema has the nicest beach and is generally a nicer more upmarket area than most other districts in Rio, Id spend much more time there than in Copacabana which is hugely over rated and alot more dangerous - especially at night time

Its still reletively safe though once you have your witts about you

the best place to party is Lapa, there is a beautiful hostel there (in santa theresa) called Terra brasilis hostel. Id highly recommend it, the neighbourhood is slightly more dangerous than the main tourist areas but its no cause for concern... if you are an adventurous traveller you will be really glad you stayed there.. the views of the city are second to none from the balcony of the hotel and the people working there are all really nice

also, make sure u go hang gliding, its around 100 euro and is an amazing experience

preddy

darrenh wrote: »

Ipanema is probably your best and safest bet. We stayed at the Mango Tree hostel which was cool and good for meeting people.

Seconded for Impanema, Copa is a kip.

rye catcher

Id also have to recommend Ipanema. Was just there for Carnival which i suppose isnt a great representation of Rio but stayed a few weeks afterwards and Ipanema was most definitely the most enjoyable.
We stayed at a hostel called Piratas de Ipanema, owned by an American guy. It was pretty much a kip but could offer tours of city, trips etc for far cheaper than any other hostel..
Just check out hostelworld.com, they have a really good rating system and makes it all very easy

filthymcnasty

ipanema +1. stayed in copa last year cos we booked too late and while it was grand daytime gets very seedy when sun goes down.
Went out in ipanema most nights and twas savage.

johnp

Just back from Rio.
We stayed in Ipanema when we arrived in Brazil, and Copacabana when leaving.
Ipanema is definitely better.
We stayed in the Mango Tree. Hostel is ok, bit noisy in the mornings although our room was in the front, maybe if you get one at the back it'd be better.
It is a block from the beach, which is quite nice!