1

There are plenty of buses that run into town but no metro. The bigger problem is if you are taking taxis. For most of the places I would presume you are interested in seeing you can expect to double what you would pay to say Copacabana.

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São Conrado is close to Leblon, Ipanema, Copacabana and Barra da Tijuca. You will only take taxis if you want to because there are dozens of bus lines to take you from there to most parts of town.

São Conrado area don´t have much to offer... it´s a small isolated neighbourhood. In there, you can go to São Conrado´s beach or visit the famous Rocinha (biggest favela in Brazil). Besides, there are good restaurant options and a shopping center called Fashion Mall.

One restaurant that I recommend in the area is a churrascaria called Oásis. In there, you can taste the famous brazilian barbecue. Though pricy, it´s worth it.
http://www.churrascariaoasis.com.br/en/principal.htm

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Thanks a lot for your answers.

Obrigado!

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Hi there,

I am currently staying at the Royal Tulip in Sao Conrado.

Yes, it is a bit farther away. It is reasonably close to Leblon. A taxi to Leblon will set your back about 10 reais, 15-20 to Ipanema depending in traffic and how far you want to go into Ipanema. And then more to Copacabana. However there are lots of busses that go in and out, and the desk is helpful about telling you how to get around. There is also a free bus to the Botofogo shopping mall. There are also vans that come down past the hotel that you can flag to go along the coast. We've only taken them to Leblon and Ipanema, but I think there are some that go further afield. They're the cheapest, about 2 reais.

As for the area... It's not my favourite. You are right next to both the Rio Fashion Mall (one of the most expensive in the city I'm told) and the Rocinha favela. There aren't a lot of restaurants. The ones in the mall tend to be on the expensive side, but the food is fine. The one with outdoor seating when you first arrive I would recommend, but I don't remember the name. Outside of the mall, there are some supermarkets near the favela, and then there's the favela itself. I just came back from dinner in Rocinha at a nice place, but I went with friends who knew the area. If you have a group of people you are with, going just inside the favela is okay, but I wouldn't go wandering around aimlessly. If you're interested, private message me and I'll give you directions to the place I went. Food was plentiful, good, and cheap!

The beach on Sao Conrado isn't great. It's been fairly empty since I've been here. It also smells after the rains due to sewage from open sewers in the favela. i wouldnt swim in it. I know I'm not selling the area. It's doable, but not ideal. However, I feel totally safe here, even near Rocinha. I would take a taxi back at night, but that goes for most anywhere in Rio.

As for the hotel, it's by no means posh. It's decent. The rooms are a little stuffy, but for the price it's fine. The best thing is the service. Emerson who works the desk is really helpful, and their feijoada lunch on Saturday is actually pretty good.

I do want to say that, given the option, I wouldn't stay in Sao Conrado again. It has been a bit of a hassle getting around, and that definitely does add some cost onto your trip. It's probably still cheaper to stay here rather than in Ipanema, even if you take a lot of taxis, and if you have the time and energy, it's perfectly possible to get around by bus and the vans.

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Hi Caitsera - I'm very interested on your Rocinha restaurant recommendation but I am not able to PM you

Can you please let me know by posting on this thread? Or can you write me to me e-mail: gmillan29@gmail.com

Thank you very much