I am in a wheelchair but I get around very well. how accessible is Brazil and where should I look for an apartment? I do not want to get a car, how is the public transportation?

Some thoughts:

Brazil is at best a "second world" country. Wheelchair accessibility can be quite difficult in RDJ. You will be able to move around once inside the Termas including 4x4, 65, Cancun and Monte Carlo as they have elevators.

There is a circular ramp inside the shopping center where L'uomo is located, so you can use that. I think (but I'm not sure because I haven't been there for a long time), you have to go up steps in Solarium. I avoid Centaurus so have no info about them.

As to Help, I don't remember seeing any ramp for either the outside or inside stairs. Ditto for an elevator. Others may know more about this.

Out on the street in Rio is another matter entirely. It can be quite difficult to get around because of sometimes narrow sidewalks made of small uneven stones, high curbs, rudimentary (if any) ramps on the corners. Engineering public ways for those with disabilities is mostly a fantasy in Rio.

Forget buses. I have yet to see one with a lift and the interior aisles are too narrow for a chair. They also drive like maniacs. In my almost 3 years in Rio I have never seen anyone in a chair on the Metro either.

An apartment building with a ramp at the front entrance is uncommon, and unfortunately the lobbies of most buildings are up some steps from the street. I don't believe choosing one neighborhood over another will make a difference either. Frankly I would suggest you use a hotel, such as the Princess Copacabana, rather than an apartment.

Safety will be an issue at night in Copa. Make sure you are always with others when you are on the streets at night, as you will be a target.

Good luck and have fun!

I'm not positive, but I think Royal Rio Hotel had ramps or no steps from the street. But I can't image how you would get around - the taxis are subcompacts. I never saw anything that could transport a wheelchair.

I cannot imagine what the favela rats would do to a gringo in a wheelchair, and would not want to find out. It sucks, but I bet those little fuckers would see a guy in wheelchair as the fattest target they could imagine. And while some of the termas have elevators, just getting to the termas would be a major undertaking.

Getting a nice hotel room and using a lot of escorts would be a good alternative. One thing about hotels though. I'm not sure how mobile you are out of your chair, but one thing is that I would doubt if any of the rooms would have handrails in the showers and toilet. Bathrooms are pretty small there and just getting through the door could be difficult. If money isn't an issue you could try the Marriott, Sheraton, Sofitel, Le Meridian, etc, one of the international chains that may have some US-style handicapped-access rooms with the wide doors, roll-in shower, handrails, etc.

I remember sometime last year during some kind of special olympic in Copa, there were a bunch of wheelchair bound guys in Help having a good ole time.How they got in, I do not know exactly.I would imagine that the guys at Help maybe lifted them up the stairs.

There are sometimes wheelchair bound men at the termas too, even a legless guy in a wheelchair a few years back.In other words, while they may not have access ramps and what not,the Brazilian folks don't seem to have any problems assisting you or accomodating you.That being said be carefull with those bandito fuckers in the street and the theiving ho's out there.

I think with some planning you could do just fine. All you need is to find a wheelchair accessible place to stay and then get a driver/guide to hang with you for your day to day activities. I know some drivers who would do it but if I were you I would ask Don at Riotrips to help. He has dependable drivers and he and Ken could help you out.

All in all, if you pretty self sufficent there in the states, you can do it in Rio. Hell--you only live once. Go for it dude.

If I can help feel free to inbox me.