Merlin Copacabana Hotel, Rio de Janeiro

Advantages: Beaches, gorgeous tropical islands, unbelievably great value.
Disadvantages: Having to keep your wits about you, but no real problem.

...They call the city of Rio de Janeiro "Cidade Maravilhosa" (The marvellous city), I have to say that visiting Rio was an eye opening and awe inspiring experience. This review is a selection of the best parts, with a few pointers on what not to do there. SAFETY TIPS ------------------ **Hotels First of all, it is recommended that tourists stay in a Hotel that is on the coastal road of Copacabana beach - Avenida Atlantico, or one of the coastal roads that run adjacent to Ipanema beach. Or choose one that only a short distance from the coast. This is because if you want to go out at night, you will not have to walk down any side roads, where you are only asking for trouble. Therefore it is much safer to take a taxi. Take 'Sul' taxis. They are yellow, with a blue strip down the sides. We were tricked a few times by other taxi... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Spectacular, exciting and perfect for budget travellers.
Disadvantages: Is that a knife in your pocket or are you just trying to rob me?

...Rio De Janeiro ranks amongst the most exotic cities in the world. It's nature attractions are world famous and its people legendary for their party tendencies. Despite being a budget friendly city it also has appeal for those on a 5 star expense account. Like most Brazilian cities it has many problems, its ghettos are to be avoided and the city's gun culture gets worse by the day. Rio has a population of 7 million but you might be surprised to know that its cousin Sao Paulo just down the road has an enormous populace of 17 million. The city is split between the Zona Norte, the industrial and poorest area, and the Zona Sul, the playground of the wealthy. The city's most famous suburb is Cuidad De Copacabana that occupies a narrow stretch of land between the coast and the jungle. Between Copacabana and Ipanema you'll find the city... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: So much to do
Disadvantages: Nothing at all

...Rio de Janeiro is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and very famous for the atractions you must seen. When you arive in Rio at the International Airport there is nothing to worry for even knowing that you have still to travel about 40 min to get IN the city.The first part of the city that you see is Lagoa = lagoon, very interesting with buildings around the lagoon and when the night comes is more beautiful than during the day, because the lights reflects into the water and makes the water looks like a big mirror.Leblon is going to the right side of Lagoa, and its where you have the uper class living in there and good restaurants,bars and don't froget to stop at Balada to take any kind of juice you can imagine and maybe a sandwich yumyum,cinemas,beach,and much more as like Flamengo Football Team that is the favorite brazilian... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful