Travel Tips - Rio

So, apparently Rio de Janeiro is notorious for lacking in decent accommodations. Which is strange b/c I wonder where Snoop Dog and Pharrel stayed, ate, and partied when they filmed their video in Rio.
But, if you go to Rio, here are just a few little tips:

1. Accomodations -
Don't believe the Portinari Design Hotel - I did. I believed their fancy website and outstanding lighting and photography. I also believed Travel and Leisure (which I always rely on), when they told me it was a good value - the only design hotel in Rio. Well, the whole thing about the Portinari being a "design" hotel is a joke. I should have taken my own pictures and posted them on this blog just to uncover the shenanigan they have going on in that hotel. It was like a Motel 8...let's just say. And then, there was this whole shenanigan where they charged my card when I tried to cancel the reservation after seeing the horrible room we were given. The hotel manager, a fellow Spaniard, offered me the honeymoon suite if I would come back again. Long story short, a couple of friends and I stayed at the hotel our last night in Rio, and it was so ridic. They had us wait like 1/2 hour for the room....then, we go up to the room and guess what? they had turned the conference room into a makeshift hotel room and tried to pass it off as such - which was awkward. they even went through the trouble of covering up the sign that read: Conference Hall with a sheet of white construction paper. so, of course, we ripped the paper off and took photos by the sign. then, i asked for a safe deposit box and never got it. then, i was told to make sure i checked out soon, as it was around 1pm....at which point I said, right, b/c you guys are waiting for the next guests who are going to occupy the conference room - which elicited a little chuckle from the hotel manager. All in all, an awkward letdown. total diappointment, and frankly, it was just irritating. irritating. and that's not good.

2. Food - there is a lot of good food in Rio, actually. So, head to:
Zuka - really cute place and super good food, and great service!
Copa Cafe - but make reservations
Pecado - really cute decor/atmosphere and super yummy food, and great service!
Zaza - definitely make reservations

3. Activities - paragliding.
Despite the incredibly awkward gear you have to don, it's amazingly exhilarating. You cannot beat the view and the experience. Just make sure you don't get ripped off with the price.
Foresta da Tijuca - forest.
It's really nice and lush and verdant and there are waterfalls, and views. definitely worth exploring.
Favela - ghetto.
If your taxi driver will do it, drive through a favela. it's incredible.

5. Angra dos Reis
T+L and several locals told me it's beautiful. didn't get to go, but apparently it's gorgeous to take a boat ride around there.

6. Beaches
They are ok. But, we come from the West Coast....so......

8. Best experience ever
Go to a soccer game at Maracana stadium. I've been to the world cup.....and this has more energy than some of the games I went to. I can safely say the brazilians at Maracana had more energy than the Swedes at world cup.

9. Going out
I'm a bit more of a grandma these days, so the only place we checked out one night was Baronneti. It was a letdown. It was kind of like an under-18 club with bad music, watered down drinks, a cover charge, and unfriendly people...I mean, we ended up having a dance party anyway, making lemonade out of lemons, but it was a challenge w/ the bad music.

10. Job Opportunities
If anyone feels like teaching kids in Brazil, I know of a school looking for teachers.