Need a Hotel in Rio for 1 night in mid December, including transfer from Airport. Following day need a transfer from Hotel to Cruise Port. Any suggestions as to location & distances would be helpful.

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Eric, Ibis Santos Dumont might be an idea. Can't tell about quality, as I didn't stay there myself, but it is in the city centre just off main road that gets you from international airport and to cruise terminal. It is about 20 - 25 minutes from international airport in prepaid taxi; cruise terminal is just on other side of city centre, probably 10 minutes by taxi.

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Eric

I've only stayed in Ipanema, which does not seem to be a great fit for what you need and therefore I won't recommend my hotel there.

Just a word to the wise, Rio can be a very dangerous city, so be prepared to pay more for good security at your hotel.

http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2010/8/24/142916/933/hotels/Worries_About_Hotel_Safety_Arise_After_Shoot_Out_at_The_InterContinental_in_Rio

I have witnessed someone robbed at knifepoint between their hotel and a taxi, so I am not repeating 3rd hand gossip.

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I have stayed at The InterContinental in Rio; excellent hotel, great service and very safe.

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stayed in the sofitel for the carnival this year. no problems. security first class. upgrade to the club rooms . well worth the extra. enjoy

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The cruise terminal is likely to be in centro (downtown) not so near to Ipanema or Copacabana - the main tourist locations. This is between Galeao (GIG) the international airport to the North and Santos Dumont (the domestic airport slightly to the south)

Centro is not a great area safery-wise so choose your hotel carefully

The Intercontinental is very far south in Sao Conrado and not a sensible option

If you get a spare moment take in this very famous coffee-house http://www.confeitariacolombo.com.br/

It is a total gem of a very grand portuguese colonial cafe and is in Centro in a side street.

Rio straddles the coast so is long and thin rather than radiating out from a centre.... so it pays to know the general layout otherwise you can end up travelling a lot just to get around... this was the most useful map...

http://www.planetware.com/i/map/BRA/rio-de-janeiro-map.jpg

Enjoy... it is a fabulous city, albeit dangerous

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