How Long You Need: 4–5 days
Budget: $$–$$$
Stay At: The Hotel Copacabana Palace. Considered Rio’s most traditional and deluxe hotel, this five-star haven has been the escape of presidents and royalty alike, offering rooftop tennis, sophisticated Italian dining, and every amenity you could ask for. $320–2,000 per night, copacabanapalace.com
Eat At: Porcao. For only $21, you’re given a card that’s green on one side and red on the other. Keep it flipped to green, and it’s an all-you-can-eat orgy as swarms of waiters deliver sliced pieces of barbecued steaks, chicken, filet mignon, sausage, and other assorted meats. (The red side means no thanks!) Tip: Don’t eat too much at the beginning -- they save the good stuff for later after the tourists have already had their fill.
The Must-dos: If you can time it, dress in your best whites and celebrate New Year’s Eve at Copacabana Beach. Or try to plan your getaway around Carnival in late February so you can party for four days straight.
Just to Say You Saw It: Check out the 98-foot Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado Mountain, especially if you need to repent from a vacation of decadence.
by The Nest Editors
1/31/08
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