2008 General Reports

[Joe Biden]

Gents,

I was wondering what the HIV/STD situation is in Rio. Have any of you caught anything or have heard anything regarding VD's ?

I know that Brazil has one of the highest HIV rates in South America, obviously a WG is always at a higher risk then others.

Your comments and suggestions will be very much appreciated.

Thank you.

[Jan 156]

Where is the best place in Copa to buy fresh fish? (on a side note: Do I really want to eat the fish that they catch in Copa/Ipanema?) I kinda remember seeing a open market setup thing near Barbarellas, but I dont remember what days or times it was. I am looking for a spot where I can buy fruit and fresh fish that I can cook. THX for any info.

Seems everyone has a favourite place!

Depending to an extent, which part of Copa you are in . . .

I always seem to stay at the Isabel end. There's a fishmonger on Prado Junior that is pretty good. The supermarket had some of those really gigantic prawns - big enough that you want to photograph them - but they were gone in a day. I wanted some for a special picnic in Parque Lage earlier this year. I explained what I wanted to the fishmonger and he sent a runner who came back with a kilo about ten minutes later. They were superb. I marinated them in lime juice and zest. Even by Brasilian standards they were great. Then my garota of the moment announces she's bl**dy vegetarian. Duh!

[Poucolouco]

Where is the best place in Copa to buy fresh fish? (on a side note: Do I really want to eat the fish that they catch in Copa/Ipanema?) I kinda remember seeing a open market setup thing near Barbarellas, but I dont remember what days or times it was. I am looking for a spot where I can buy fruit and fresh fish that I can cook. THX for any info.

The open air market travels to a different location each day. It is the same fish vendor and the same produce vendors, just a different venue. 1.) The market at Fort Copacabana has perfectly good fish and most of it comes from the same supplier as the open-air markets. 2.) Open-air markets: I am unsure of the exact days of the week for each venue but you can ask the schedule next time you go there. Locations are: Ipanema , Pca Gen Osario- tues or weds; Rua Julio de Castilhos (near Sofitel) – sun; Rua Hilario de Gouvea – sat; Barrio Peixoto, Pca Bitencourt - tues?; rua Viviero de Castro, thu?; Leme, rua Gustavo Sampaio – mon?

[Bubba Boy]

Where is the best place in Copa to buy fresh fish? (on a side note: Do I really want to eat the fish that they catch in Copa/Ipanema?) I kinda remember seeing a open market setup thing near Barbarellas, but I dont remember what days or times it was. I am looking for a spot where I can buy fruit and fresh fish that I can cook. THX for any info.

The Pao de Açuca supermarket has good fresh fish. Located on Av N S de Copa, just past Siqueira Campos. It is open 24 hours, but the fish part closes at 8 or 9pm. Some Zona Sul supermarkets also have a fresh fish section. The quality is quite good and they can gut and clean up the fish for you.

[Ryjerrob]

Where is the best place in Copa to buy fresh fish? (on a side note: Do I really want to eat the fish that they catch in Copa/Ipanema?) I kinda remember seeing a open market setup thing near Barbarellas, but I dont remember what days or times it was. I am looking for a spot where I can buy fruit and fresh fish that I can cook. THX for any info.

I remember seeing a a market type place in Centro. I actually read about it in a travel guide, but then walked past this place on accident. Sorry, don't remember the name.

[Bravo]

Where is the best place in Copa to buy fresh fish? (on a side note: Do I really want to eat the fish that they catch in Copa/Ipanema?) I kinda remember seeing a open market setup thing near Barbarellas, but I dont remember what days or times it was. I am looking for a spot where I can buy fruit and fresh fish that I can cook. THX for any info.

[Exec Talent]

I've been living in Brasil for a quite some time and ONLY place where I've ran into a rental agency who rented motorcycles was in Joao Pessoa. In greater Rio area only two wheel vehicle you can rent is a bicycle.

The best time I had in Buzios was when my girl and I rented a dune buggy. We were able to go pretty much everywhere and my lack of driving skills made for some good laughs. Just be aware that regardless where you go the locals will get their parking fees.

[Perkele]

I am headed to Brasil next week for a 2 month trip, I plan on visiting buzios while I am there. Has anyone ever rented a scooter in Buzios? Is it worth having? How much was it per day?

I've been living in Brasil for a quite some time and ONLY place where I've ran into a rental agency who rented motorcycles was in Joao Pessoa. In greater Rio area only two wheel vehicle you can rent is a bicycle.

[Edward M]

Does anybody know if termas are closed on these holidays (April 21 and May 1)? I am planning a trip and want to avoid the first or last day having closed termas.

[Bravo]

I am headed to Brasil next week for a 2 month trip, I plan on visiting buzios while I am there. Has anyone ever rented a scooter in Buzios? Is it worth having? How much was it per day?

[Exec Talent]

I bought Johnnie Walker Blue Label as a Christmas present for a Brazilian friend at $155. The cheapest I saw it in the states on the internet was $164. Local liquor store prices ranged from $220 - $230. I really wanted to buy it for him before I left the US but ran out of time. This is the catalog price so I think it will be good for awhile if anyone is interested.

One thing that is important to add is that had I bought it in the US as originally planned, I would not have been able to bring it on board, but would have had to put it in the checked luggage because of the liquid through US Security rule. That was a good thing until I left the plane, went all the way through immigration and realized I forgot it on the plane. A few tense moments there envisioning a Brazilian plane cleaner having a very merry Christmas before I got it back.

[Sunset Strip]

You are right it is even cheaper in the US. I might buy US duty free next time.
I also think it is cheaper than the $42 US listed on the website once you are in Rio because they usually have a few specials and Jack is usually on sale. As I said I have never paid over $35US.



But, usually I do not because I do not like to put things in the overhead bin, so my stuff is all under the seat, so I try to limit the things I carry on. The liquor would just be another item under the seat preventing me from stretching out.


TJ

[Ryjerrob]

I always buy the 1.75 liter of Jack Daniels when I arrive in Rio. It was $35 US, now it seems to be $42US in duty free. In Rio I notice the 1 liter of jack was R$100-120, or $50. I have never seen a 1.75 liter in Rio. And in the Copa restaurants a few fingers of Jack can cost R$30 or $15 US.

So buying it in Duty free saves me lots of money.



TJ

TJ,

I'm not sure where you're from, but isn't easier if you buy it duty free before leaving the states? The last time I bought Jack it was about $23 for .75L. This was in Atl in the international terminal.

ryjer

[Sunset Strip]

I always buy the 1.75 liter of Jack Daniels when I arrive in Rio. It was $35 US, now it seems to be $42US in duty free. In Rio I notice the 1 liter of jack was R$100-120, or $50. I have never seen a 1.75 liter in Rio. And in the Copa restaurants a few fingers of Jack can cost R$30 or $15 US.

So buying it in Duty free saves me lots of money.



TJ

[Bubba Boy]

They also do it in GRU. Btw, you may think they don't xray your bags when they come off the plane, but they certainly do. Both in GRU and GIG.