Copacabana,

Reading some of the other reviews reminds me of the advice I got before I first came to Rio, You would think you were visiting Baghdad the way some people talk, Rio is truly the Cidade Marvilosa. In my experience each of the areas of Copacabana, Leblon, Ipanema and Barra de Tijuca had things to offer the tourist and all are different. Just use your common sense and stay in the busy populated areas, The Brazilian people are the most friendly and hospitable people I have ever met anywhere in the world, like any big city there are dangers of theives and pick pockets but anyone who has been to London or New York will laugh at the worrymongers. By the way if you are looking for Fantastic beaches, great nightlife and high class opulance in a crime free environment just jump on a bus to Buzios, a Fabulous and by western standards cheap peninsular voted one of the 10 most beautiful places on earth, just 2 hours North(about $10 US bus fare)But to sum up Copacabana, It is a fantastic beach by day but there are a lot of Prostitutes by night (My family and I just enjoyed people watching and seeing the girls trying to attract the attention of the punters) it is only 2 minutes by taxi to Ipanema at night where the nightlife is much more middle class. One great thing about Copacabana is Marius in my opinion the best Churrascuria (Brazilian Barbeque restaurant) in Rio. No trip to Rio is complete without a visit to Marius (actually is is in Leme but as far as we are concerned it is Copacabana) just jump in a taxi and ask for Marius Carne, Be prepared to be stuffed with some of the finest meat you will ever eat and at a very reasonable price too.

canopy above, visit Christ the Redeemer which is a gigantic statue on the peak of a cliff and hang glide over the Igua�u�s falls. But the first I must see Pantana. Its perfect for spotting alligators, jaguars, anacondas, spider monkeys and gibbons--not to mention flocks of tropical bird�s toucans, parrots and macaws, I would like to wrestle an alligator and film the fight. I always want a physical challenged or I might rock climb of abseil at one of there popular beaches or jet ski and show them how we do it down under.

I really liked staying at this hotel and I will go again I had so much to do and I really stayed fit and healthy. I will also recommend it to a friend. I also liked chilling out on the beech and swimming in the pool it was so clean and cold. I really enjoyed it and hope to come back soon! I also thought that the staff were very kind and helpful!

Copacabana is a part of Rio that seems to both cater to tourists and take advantage of them at the same time. Everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING, is for sale there. There are many establishments catering to adult entertainment and there is an air of danger when walking at night so it isn't the best for families. Poor street kids, at their parents prompting, will assail you at every opportunity and beg for change. My favorite thing about Copa was a little restaurant called The Office that had good American style breakfast. I found that while I was in Rio, Ipanema/Leblon and Barra de Tijuca were much more lively, vibrant, and full of local color. All of the best and newest clubs in town are in Barra though it is a little far from everything else in town. A walk down Ipanema beach revealed why guys wrote songs about the girls there. Everyone there was fit and active and many people were surprisingly friendly. My first day there on the beach I was invited to a party on the sand then to Guapo Loco a Mexican restaurant/bar later in the evening. In conclusion, Ipanema and Barra are great. Copacabana is just risky.

I was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, I live now in Colorado for over 12 years, but go back to visit every year. Well, I hate to say that Copacabana is a bad place to visit, but it is not longer the most pleasant place to be. It is generally catered to please tourist appetite for shopping eating and night live entertaining. Barra da Tijuca and Recreio has now been the places of choice for not only Brazilian to live but also tourists looking for clean beaches and sophisticated shopping for over 10 years. It is about 10 Miles south of Copacabana. It is easy to rent apartments or get a hotel room. On the other hand it is more difficult to go from place to place. Most likely you would need to rent a car or commute by taxi or busses. Also, so you know the reason Copacabana is such an undesirable place today is that most it�s residents moved away to Barra and Recreio log time ago, so now it belongs to the transient tourists and the industry that feed their needs.

i hated it i love quiet relaxing holidays and this was all about pushing and shoving i do not recomend this place and i also got pickpocketed and so did my wife i asure u i really dont think this is a place worth going to espesially if you have kids.

Brasil is a great place to spend your time... Very good looking people, nice folks, and a culture to envy!!!! THere's nothing else to say... its pictures says more than 25 words. Tarcisio Souto

This place is a wonderful place to enjoy. You can go there to just relax and sunbath or go surfing in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Although you have to watch out for the "pivetes" that might come swarming down from Rio's slums and rob you. But this place is so beautiful that it is worth the risk.

If you are to visit Copacabana, splurge on a hotel room overlooking the beach, choosing your stay as close as close as possible to "Posto Seis" ask your concierge or travel agent to ask for you - you will be a walking distance to Ipanema, Feira Hippie and other atractions like the "Confeitaria Colombo", "Cassino Atlantico (A Mall)" good bars and restaurants, saving you on car rental...

Copacabana is one of the most densly populated areas on the planet. No matter what you want or don't want to buy, someone is selling it on Atlantic Avenue. The view is amazing and on Sunday the beach is packed. There is an element of locals that preys on tourists and most of them want to cheat you. And it can be dangerous at night. But it is a beautiful, fast paced, fun place to go.