As you all know, Rio is a tropical paradise. The beaches are worldwide famous, and I'd suggest that you visit as many as possible, starting from Copacabana. There you will find an incredible variety of things going on literally all day. Some people play volleyball and soccer up to 02:00 a.m. (the beach is very well lit). Ipanema is the next beach within a short walk of about 4 km. If you want to take a breather, the best thing to do is to grab some refreshing coconut water (coconuts, as well as other tropical juices, are sold everywhere for about a dollar fifty) and watch the waves hit the rocks at Arpoador, a rocky site between Copacabana and Ipanema you can't miss. There you'll see fishermen, divers, children, musicians, etc. For a visit to other beaches I'd suggest you take a cab or rent a car. Go see Sao Conrado, Barra, and if you are adventurous enough, talk to one of the guys that keep landing from the sky in that area for a hang gliding lesson, or go to the top of Pedra da Gavea (Gavea Rock) for information. Where to stay: there are plenty of options, and it all depends on your budget. The hotels by the beach are all quite expensive, but inside Copacabana you can find nice little hotels that serve breakfast for about, say, forty bucks a day. Any Rio guide can provide you addresses and phone numbers. But anywhere you decide to stay, make sure it's in the South Zone (the area where Copacabana and Ipanema are located). There is a very important reason for that: safety. Another safety hint: don't use flashy jewelry, or even wedding bands while walking around. Be very discrete with your cameras, too. You don't want to have an unpleasant surprise, do you? We never know... If you're going to Rio during the summer, use a very strong sun screen, because it gets REALLY HOT! And take a look at the crowd that head for the beach on a Sunday morning (specially after 11:00 a.m., that's the time cariocas hit the sands). You'll be amazed! If you're staying for carnival, then, the fun is guaranteed anywhere you go. If you want indoor fun, there are plenty of carnival balls to choose from. Make sure you pick a nice club, wear a fancy costume and party all night! For the best clubs and bars in town, go to Ipanema and Leblon (neighbor areas). There you'll find the coolest spots. For shopping, go to either Rio Sul or Barrashopping, depending on where you're staying. Barrashopping is the largest mall in Latin America, and there's even a monorail for transportation. It really is huge! You can find some bowling around there, too. It even has a duty free shopping area. Rio Sul has great fun places, too, that include two nightclubs and great bars and restaurants. Check it out! Finally, make sure you visit the Sugar Loaf, Corcovado (The Christ) and all the beautiful parks around. You might understand the reason why Rio is so special.

Some news I heard of recently:

Planet Hollywood Rio hasn't been inaugurated yet, but it should be soon. The park, though, is operating and is a success! I'll keep you posted as I find out more about the P.H. deal!

February 5, 1999: Just came back from Rio, and I had the greatest time! New Year's Eve on Copacabana beach was as amazing as always, with over two million people celebrating together under twenty minutes of non-stop fireworks and laser shows. As good as it gets! Summer is sizzling, be sure to wear tons of sunscreen!

Looks like the P.H. Rio project is on hold, now that the restaurant chain is not doing so well. If you wish to see an all-national theme restaurant, check out Rock in Rio Cafe, inside Barrashopping. I promise you'll enjoy it! Rock in Rio was a huge rock festival that happened in the 80's. Lots of big bands played in it, like Queen, AC/DC, Queensryche, B-52's, Rod Stewart, just to name a few.

If you have any questions, comments or if you are just another Rio lover like me, send me an e-mail or sign my guest book! I would love to know your impressions and suggestions.

Summer is just ending in Rio, but that doesn't mean the heat is over! Rio is literally a "hot" place. Temperatures don't vary much, as winter for us means dealing with "freezing" 55-65 F for a couple of weeks, usually around June-July. Yuck!!! Last week, Brazil celebrated 500 years since its discovery in April 22, 1500, by the Portuguese. Lots of festivities took place all over the country. If you are interested in news from Brazil, good newspaper sources are www.jb.com.br (Jornal do Brasil), and www.oglobo.com.br (O Globo) - in Portuguese. I heard some of Brazil's best female singers will be performing soon in Florida. For more info, check out www.brazzil.com, and go to calendar. That's all for now, and thank you for stopping by!

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