Zona Sul- the sun zone, this term covers (amongst others) Copacabana, Ipanema, Flamengo & Botafogo. The first two are where most of the action is if you want women wine song and the beach!
There are lots of hotels, more expensive if they are on the beach front. Also many apartments of varying price and quality. Not all the hotels will let you bring girlfriends back, most will, although they may have to register at reception. Apartments do not usually have any such trouble . If you want a hotel right on the beach front (Avenida Atlantica) you will pay more, and the same goes for apartments
We recommend getting a place a few blocks back if you want to 
economise. Still only a 5 to 10 minute walk to the beach. If you want us to find and book an apartment or hotel email us at the address below with the required information. You will probably find that we can get a better deal for you than booking your end through a travel agent.
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>>Click for More Photos of Copacabana<<
Ipanema which is right next door to Copacabana is more upmarket and consequently more expensive. 
Not the favourite area to stay for single guys who want to meet friendly outgoing Brazilian girls. But if you want an area that is more tranquil ( for a big city that is) then this is it and Copacabana can be reached on foot or by a short taxi ride.
About a 20 minute taxi ride from Ipanema/Copacabana ( assuming no traffic jams) this is a more spread out modern Brazil. It has fantastic beaches good shopping and restaurants. Also has a good night life but not the same intensity as Copacabana. One of the good things about Barra is that you can rent better quality apartments at a cheaper price than in Copacabana. If you don't want to spend all your nights in Copacabana then this could be the area for you. I recommend it. I live there.
Apartment/Hotel Enquiries
If you want to keep costs down we recommend an apartment. We can offer a wide range starting with prices from below $50 a day upwards, and on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.
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There are some great areas to visit and stay, all within a few hours drive from Rio. If you are staying for more than 2 weeks then a 5 day or a weeks break in one of the following areas could be ideal once you have found a girlfriend ( or two!).
Buzios
About a 3 hour drive to the east of Rio, over the Niteroi bridge. This is a charming area, small quaint town with lots of coves and beaches. Popular at weekends and holidays with Brazilians, quieter during the week. Popular with the middle class and wealthier Brazilians.
Cabo Frio
Close to Buzios, bigger and busier. If you want more nightlife than Buzios come here.
Cabo Frio & Buzios Link
Angras Dos Reis.
This is to the south west along the coast road to Sao Paulo. About a 2 hour drive. Fantastic cliff side road through tropical rain forest and down below deep blue sea with many islands. Great place to rent a boat and take your girlfriend cruising around the islands which are close to shore. Best to do as a group as renting boats with a crew are not particularly cheap.
