"There Once Was A City Ca ..." a Rio de Janeiro Travel Page by ChrisRJ

First-time visitors often are drawn immediately to Copacabana as a place to stay and for their nightlife. Because of this the locals that most want to encounter tourists, whether they are trying to sell something, pick-pocket something or offer you their nocturnal services will also be drawn there. It is by no means somewhere to avoid, but do yourself the favor of sampling the beaches of Ipanema. For most they prove to be the beach of choice.

As soon as your foot hits the sand, if not before, you'll be approached by at least two if not three people trying to get you to pick their beach chairs and umbrellas in which to plant your vacationing derriere. Initial reaction may be to avoid these people at all cost, but to be honest, they're just trying to provide you with something that you're going to want in about 5 minutes anyway. So save yourself the 5 mins deliberation and if you explain that you plan to be on the beach regularly they'll be on best behavior in order to keep you as a customer.

In two seconds you'll be sitting in a chair sipping on a beer with all of your needs catered to. The most we ever paid on our tab, which was for 3 chairs, an umbrella, some beers and maybe a sandwich was about 25 reais (or about $8). Hardly highway robbery.

Nightlife is unlimited and is based entirely on what you are looking for. If it's a sampling of true local culture and sounds, it's right there. If it's to sow your wild oats with women of the night, well to each their own and if it's to sample some great bars and clubs full of great local people, well you'll run out of time before you run out of venues.

You'll also be amazed at how a one hour pre-dinner nap can give you the fuel to get yourself all the way through to 5am.