Saquarena Area

Hi Sea Angel, from what I know Saquarema is a nice place, but if your husband will be working in Rio (capital) it might be a long drive...

Cheers!

We want to live in Rio.
How about Copacabanna?  Is that a good area?  Is Copacabana the same as Ipanerma?

There are only a few areas inside Copacabana that are ok. Ipanema is the following beach, much more expensive, but safer. After Ipanema is Leblon, which is the best part of Rio for living, in my opinion. Jardin Botanico and Lagoa are also very nice. Barra da Tijuca is said to be cool, but I think it´s just a little bit far...

Thank you, MP

Do you know exactly where will your husband work? That might be very important in order to choose a place to live, traffic can be a nightmare...

Hi, I talked to a friend and he gave me 2 webpages:
moraiscunha.com.br (real state office)
zap.com.br (newspaper classifields)
The problem is that everything is in Portuguese...

Good luck!

Thank you.  Do you know of a reasonably prices not to expensive hotel in a nice area in Rio?  Sorry so many questions.

I will be getting there April 20th.

Ask me as many questions as you want!!!
To find a non expensive hotel in a nice area in Rio is quite a task!!! I would recommend decolar.com.br.
Prices in Zona Sul might be around 150USD...

Hi Sea Angel,

I know a friend who could help you look for an apartment in Barra da Tijuca area. I think his agency only have real estates in Barra da Tijuca. They could rent you a hotel room in weekly/monthly basis. Last time I went to Rio I rented a hotel room in Transamerica in Barra da Tijuca for 2000Reais for 1 month. This is significantly cheaper compare to the hotel daily rates. And the place is nice. The only difference with this one compared to renting directly to the hotel is that the complimentary breakfast is not included. But around Parque das Rosas near Transamerica Hotel there are a lot of restaurant where you could find cheaper food. They also have a lot of different options for hotels. I think they also have some rooms in Sheraton Hotel in the beach front its much expensive than Transamerica. Transamerica is about 5-10 minutes walk to the beach.

But of course there is always a lot more cheaper pousadas (traveller's inn) around Copacabana, Ipanema or Leblon. But as they say it, Barra da Tijuca is an expensive place so considering the price for the apartment is quite ok already.

If you wanted his contact number just sent me a private message and I could give it to you. He could speak English and he could give you the rental contract in English also.

Thank you.

Where is  Barra da Tijuca area?  Right now I am just going for 2 weeks, but I will keep that in mind.

Barra da Tijuca is located in the southwest area (Zona sudOeste) of Rio de Janeiro. The place is mostly residential area so its not that crowded compared to Copacabana or Ipanema. It's about 20-30minutes by bus from Copacabana or Ipanema if the traffic is good. Unfortunately the subway connecting Barra da Tijuca to the Centro had just started construction. There is a bus from the Galeao (Antonio Carlos Jobim) Aiport that is going to Barra directly via Linha Amarela instead of taking the long route via Zona Sul (Copacabana, Leblon and Ipanema). Most of the part of 2016 Olympics games are planned to be held and built in this neighborhood. So it's a little far if you wanted the blinking night life. During the weekdays, you wont even see that much people on the streets because everyone is at work. I just wanted to stay here because it's peaceful and quiet.

Sea Angel,

Barra da Tijuca is a great option.  You will get much more real estate for the same money comparing to (Zona Sul)Copacabana, Ipanama,... . My partner and I have a house in Barra and we travel back from Colorado every year.  The beach is clean and the area is very safe.  We have been traveling there every year without any incidents for the last 10 years. If you are staying in Barra the best way to (Zona Sul) area is by bus.  You can take any bus going to downtown Rio eg.: Castelo.  They all travel via beach front through Zona Sul. You then can choose to go all the way to Downtown of get off sooner eg. Copacabana.

good luck and have a great time!