I have read that the area near the U.S. Embassy in RDJ is dangerous. Can anyone suggest a safe, clean, and economical hotel? Can you include nightly prices, ammenities, security, etc..?

We stayed at a hostel in Botafogo. It's not downtown, yet only 10-15 minutes by metro. We paid $40/night and had free breakfast, a kitchen, internet, security (gated neighborhood with a security office), close to the beach.
If you don't mind a hostel then there are TONS in RJ. Just google hostels in RJ and you'll find a bunch.
It was perfect for us because we're simple people and we stayed for 10 days, so we didn't want to spend too much per night. In addition, you're in Rio - how much time are you really going to spend in the hotel?
Hope this helps.

Downtown Rio isn't more dangerous than any big city in the world, in terms of you can get mugged and all, I'd stay away from downtown at night though, since it get really deserted. I'd pick hotels near the subway, 'cus that way you can use the subway (which is the safest public transportation in Rio, and much faster too), which will leave you very close to the embassy.

That would mean hotels in either Copacabana, Flamengo, or Botafogo, as I wouldn't recommend staying in Glória or Catete, as those places tend to have higher crime. In general, if you watch out for your purse, don't wear clothes to bring to much attention to you, expensive watches, shoes and jewelery, Rio is not so bad at all. I lived there for 3 years (and one hour away from it almost my entire life, which meant I went there often), used to come home from college late at night (around 11:30 pm), alone, being a girl, living in Copacabana, which has lots of bums at night, and was never mugged, ever. I'd avoid places close to favelas but really, don't be too afraid of Rio, or you'd miss in getting to know a fabulous city, with beautiful turistic locations and great food, as well as nice beaches, and honestly? You can get mugged in NY, Madrid, London, as much as you can in Rio. Mom was mugged in Madrid but was never mugged in Rio either.

Depends how much you want to pay, how long you intend to stay. Are you both going or just your fiance(e)? We stayed in Copacabana, but because we wanted to enjoy the beach, plus we stayed there for a week.

I am headed to Rio in three weeks for my SO's interview. Yeah!!! We still don't have a place to stay. I am considering renting an apartment in Copacabana. It seems to be cheaper than staying in a hotel. However, I have not ruled out a hotel in Copacabana either.

Does anyone know about the Santa Teresa neighborhood? I saw a cute B&B there.

I stayed at Monte Castelo Hotel
http://www.hotelmontecastelo.com.br/

Very simple and just 10 minutes from the Consulate.
Breakfast was included but like I said it is a very simple hotel... I just stayed there overnight.

IF you intend to go sightseeing, maybe go for a walk at the beach (it's winter, but still it's pretty), I particularly prefer Copacabana. And if one of you intend to cook it's nice to rent an appartment, otherwise a hotel.

I don't recommend Santa Teresa AT ALL. It's cute but high in crime, at night is super dangerous as well, since it's just under a favela.

I'd go with Copacabana, since there's the subway, busses, beach, eating places, etc , all very close.

Renting an apartment can be tricky since short term rentals are steep, and the cheap rentals are contracts for a year or two minimum.

In Copacabana, get hotels starting at "Posto 3" and above, do no stay in hotels that are close to Lido, and from the Copacabana Palace Hotel towards Leme. Not only those are farther from the subway, but also at night is kinda dodgy.

Thanks! I will focus my search on hotels in Copacabana. I think I will feel more comfortable in a hotel rather than an apartment anyway.

I agree with the girls. I think next time we go to RJ we'll stay in Copacabana. It's a nice neighborhood and there you'll find hostels/hotels of all prices.

I stayed in Sol Ipanema Hotel (in Ipanema, obviously) and it was pretty nice. It wasn't that bad for a hotel in Ipanema--like $120-150/night--and it was clean and comfortable. I prefer Ipanema to Copacabana but I "lived" in Copa for 3 months total and enjoyed myself a lot.

Ipanema is A LOT nicer which also means it's pricier, and for tourism, you're not too close to the subway (easier to get to the interview), although you can get a hotel in Copacana that's not close to the subway as well. Hmmm, if the subway is a must have for you, before confirming a reservation I'd call or e-mail the hotel and ask if the subway is in walking distance.

I would never risk taking all the documents and paperwork that were so important to decide my future on a subway. Taxi is way safer.

I personally don't think Ipanema is nicer, the beach in Copacabana was cleaner and the people looked nicer than in Ipanema. Maybe it was that week, don't know, but we liked Copacabana best.

Not only that, but organizing yourself based on where the subway is, considering how abundant cheap taxis are (and I mean WAY cheap), strikes me as silly.



One thing that's cool about Copa beaches is that everybody and their mother goes to the beach and wears a bikini and whatnot regardless of body shape. Ipanema is a much more moneyed area so places like Posto 9 are mostly for showing off really hot bikini bodies. A more self-conscious place.

that won't make much difference now that's winter there, will it?

No such thing as winter in Rio...

It rains a couple of days and that is it...

And even the rain doesn't keep people from wearing speedos all over ipanema...

yeah but even in october the beach was pretty empty, so really the choice of beach based on each one has prettier people in bikinis winter time would be nonsense.

No, it wouldn't. Like I said, there is no "winter time" in Rio.

Regarldless of what time of the year you go, Ipanema (specially in the Posto 9 area) will always be the hang-out place for college students who want to show why they spend so much money on gym memberships...

And Copa, well, will always be Copa...

It's true. I stayed there most of winter 2005, which was FREEZING in Sao Paulo, and people were still mostly naked. The only difference in Rio is that it gets chilly during the evening, but not the day.

average weather for Rio

This shows average highs around 26C in July.

This is sooo true - I liked that as well.
I was sure we WOULDN'T take a subway to the consulate because of the number of important papers in our possession. However, when it came down to it we felt there was no problem.
Botafogo, the metro, downtown was deserted when we went and everything was perfect.