Rolling Stone : Glitzy Rio de Janeiro

Monday, January 25, 2010

Glitzy Rio de Janeiro

Fotos: Ipanema Beach, Copacabana sidewalk, Corcovado
Large: Copacabana Beach

In January 1502 a Portuguese explorer Gasper de Lemos sighted the magnificent granite domes and white sandy beaches of Guanabara Bay. He mistook the inlet for a river mouth, which he named Rio de Janeiro.

The settlement here has since blossomed into the world's most spectacular city with, in the metro area, 11.7 million people, know as Cariocas. Rio squeezes itself between the mountains and sea. Fantastic surf beaches alternate with rocky headlands and towering granite knobs resulting in many barrios, or mini-cities with exotic names .... Botafogo, Copacabana and Ipanema. Flying into Rio reveals a beautiful sight. It is an unforgettable experience for tourists as this marvelous city becomes a reality.

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Accommodation in Managua and Granada

Accommodation in Puerto Varas

Puerto Varas is a tourist town with a wide spectrum of accommodation, ranging from five star hotels (5), to large backpackers (2) to numerous small family guest houses, or hospedajes. Hostels can be found from the website Hostel World and provide private rooms for US $20 to $45. Large backpackers, Casa Azul and Compass del Sur are listed with Backpackers Chileand offer economical accommodation ranging from $10 to $20 dorms to shared rooms with a buffet breakfast for $3.50. They are similar to a large South African backpackers and offer tours, excursions, Spanish classes, you name it and they'll provide it.

Most economical are the family guest houses or hospedajes costing $10 to $15 per person, and listed in guide books like Lonely Planet. A family may rent out to travelers a couple of rooms in a large family house. If you are lucky you may get to share their kitchen to cook meals and learn some Spanish for free at the same time. So you learn how a Chilean family operates. In Puerto Varas I have gone back and stayed at the same hospedaje three years in a row. (and with a different companera each time, which confused mama)

Cape Town for backpackers

Backpackers are very well accommodated in Cape Town. There are dozens of exciting backpackers to choose from. A little booklet called "Coast to Coast" lists them all, with details for booking. The same information is on the Internet for Southern Africa, just put in "Cape Town" for the region.

I shall not recommend any backpackers because that would be unfair and half the fun is finding a good one that suits you. Important factors in your choice are that the backpackers should have good Internet facilities, a good kitchen and dining area, a travel bureau office, a swimming pool, and be close to a popular restaurant, plus any more factors? Many backpackers have ALL these facilities and are converted mansions of old. Lucky you!