I'm going to Rio for the first time in December and I'm looking for a little advice before I go. I would like to know a good place to stay that is close to the beach and agreeable to having guests. Also I've read several good things about the Brazilian Specialist, and I was hoping that someone might be able to put me in touch with him. Any other advice on things to do or see while there is also appreciated. Thanks for the help.

1234567@innocent.com

Pappasurf,

I'd highly recommend getting in touch with Don from Americoca tours (?)...great guy with excellent connections who will make your 1st trip a good one. Basically everything in copa is "close to the beach". You can look here to get an idea of "guest friendlyness" or get an apartment. BS is also supposed to be a great guy but I cant comment specifically since I dont know him. I've hung around with Don off and on ever since he landed in Rio and he's always been great. I'd also post something in the trip buddies section if you havent.....

Is that Don's email in your first post?

amerioca@hotmail.com or riodon@gmail.com

Those are Don's email addresses.

Any one of which is supposedly working 50% of the time... Unless it's SPAM THE CH MEMBERSHIP time, of course.

All in all I think Don does a pretty good job. Do you absolutely need a guide...of course not. But I know it took me 2 or 3 trips back in 95 to get a feel for the lay of the land. So for someone who's taking "the trip of a lifetime" I think it makes sense to take reasonable steps to ensure a successful venture. And if your one of the unfortunate few like my good friend Bob....where it literally WAS the last trip (excluding the silver bullet back) of his life time at least you'll go down with your boots on....

"Any one of which is supposedly working 50% of the time... Unless it's SPAM THE CH MEMBERSHIP time, of course."


We were having bad luck with Hotmail for a little while, both in saving incoming and outgoing mail, but it seems fairly reliable now. The Gmail account has been completely reliable to my knowledge. Microsoft has a bug in the system--go figure...

I personally check the email on a daily basis, and try to get a response out within 24 hours. Once Telecom gets off their asses and put a phone line in my apartment, responses will be even faster. We've taken care of many last-minute requests in the last month, so I don't think we can currently be faulted in that respect.



(Message edited by gibletpie on November 17, 2005)

And Don, being, inimitably, Don, responds:

"We're here...we're beer...get used to it!"