Chez Lagarto is a hostel targeted to very young people, but it isn't specially cheap. If you want to be quiet, don't go there to sleep, but you can take profit of the different kind of activities they organize.

Don't carry a camera. Yep, you heard right. That is what our front desk admonished when I tried to leave to take pictures. I was stunned and dismayed. No camera? What is the point of being in Rio if you cannot take pictures? The problem is that teens and young hoodlums from the slums prowl the beaches and snatch anything that is worth selling...an expensive camera makes a great target. So, to solve the problem, I bought some fruit at a local mini-market and used the thick, no-see-thru shopping bag to carry the camera, only taking it out when I took pictures. On the beaches, the problem seemed not nearly as serious as warned. I took pictures of surfers and sat in one spot for quite a while. Some of them came over to look (digital) and when I told them I took pictures of surfers in South Carolina, some of them took up station next to me and behind me. That way, no one would be tempted to come and grab the camera with its telephoto lens. Wow! Contrast that with the fact that a day later some radio and telelvision students were doing a class project on crime and asked me to talk on-camera about the Japanese tourist who had been shot in the face and killed right in front of her Copacabana hotel earlier that day. Curiously, the police cruise around in cars and their presence is not obvious. Contrast this with Salvador de Bahia where street crime is almost unheard of, probably because you see policemen in pairs on every street corner in the areas where tourists and visitors are likely to meander. So, in Salvador I could carry my camera openly.

You have to go to the Corcovado and take a walk at Ipanema´s beach.

Don't forget your sunglasses!

Besides the world popular places to visit like Corcovado and the Pão-de-Açucar, when it comes to enjoy the night life, you should consider visiting the Lapa neighborhood.

Churrascaria Marius an der Copacabana Seafood Fleisch à Discretion! Einfach herrlich! Es lohnt sich nur schon, einen Blick in das Restaurant zu werfen!

The "tropical islands" is a must see. Only an hours drive from Copacabana by bus. Explore lots of little beautiful islands by sailboat while drinking PinaColada's. The most beautiful place in the world!!! Tours are not expensive and can be booked at the concierge at any hotel.

I LOVE this place..........!! One of my best holidays ever!!! Best shopping EVER, great beaches, Corcovado is a MUST!!! Shopping, shopping, shopping!! Great food and drinks!! Men a little arrogant.....!! Taxi drivers from HELL. Believe me, rather walk!!!

Churascaria Porcao in Botafogo

While in Rio, definitely take the time to check out the famous spots - Sugarloaf, Corcovado, Impenema, and maybe a samba school. But if you want something a little different, try hang-gliding. Definitely a different view of the jungle and beach. I recommend Just Fly. http://www.justfly.com.br/