Carnaval is Past But The Party is Not Over!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even though Carnaval’s unofficial ending was Sunday, the party continues for those lucky enough to be on vacation. The tourist industry in Rio has doubled over the past few years creating an almost battle for the prime locations during high season. Ten years ago my requests were 80% Copacabana versus 20% for Ipanema. Today, the reverse is true. The appreciation of real estate in Ipanema has many investors reaping great benefits. As we get closer to the World Cup in 2014 things are sure to heat up even more. Brazil has always been considered the country of the future, maybe her time has arrived!

Rio Real Estate in Flux

Rio from Above - Looking out from the top of Sugarloaf Mountain

Real estate in Rio de Janeiro has been appreciating at a record pace since the announcement that the World Cup Soccer Tournament will be played there in 2014. Then came the news a year later that the 2016 Olympics would take place there as well. The bubble that burst in 2008 here in the U.S. was not felt by Brazil, especially not in Rio where real estate was growing at a 15-20% rate. The price of a square meter of office space in Ipanema surpassed that of the same space in midtown Manhattan. The escalation of prices over the New Year’s holiday that just passed was ridiculous and I am afraid that by the time the above mentioned events take place, the market could tank and deflate prices, at least on property values. Botafogo has proven to me the burrough with the highest percentage growth since there is nothing left on the bone in Copa and Ipanema.

Going to the Beach on Christmas in Rio

One of the biggest differences between the northern and southern hemisphere is that while we are having our winter, they are having their summer. This is something that makes a big difference when you are traveling down to Rio. The fact that people are wearing shorts and flip-flops during the months of December and January really makes one take note. When I first moved to Rio, one of the things that was the hardest to get used to was the fact that Brazilians celebrate Christmas on December 24, in the evening. The next day, on December 25, a lot of people in Rio go to the beach. That is such a funny concept to Americans. I appreciate both sides of the equation, but if you are in Rio, do as the Caricoas do!

Let’s see, wear all white, wear something new, flowers to offer

Iemanja - The Goddess of the Sea

When I first spent New Years in Rio de Janeiro, I knew it was going to be special. From the ladies from Bahia setting up shop on the beach with their altars and giving “passas” or aura cleansing to the pilgrims who go there, a constant flux of people arriving with flowers to throw into the ocean and ask Iemanja, the goddess of the seas, to bless them with prosperity all year long. It was absolutely thrilling to see people glowing with their tans and the energy of the occasion. A day of peace and anticipation, they close off Copacabana and people stream through the tunnels on foot, some walking for miles just to be at the party. People set up at intervals selling cold beer out of ice chests, it is so delicious to be here on this day. It seems to get bigger every year, and the whole city prays for a clear night. The fireworks are incredible, music, dancing, it all syncronizes at midnight and creates an explosion of energy and life that if seen from space would be a love rainbow

Baking in The Sun – Rio de Janeiro!

This year marks the occurance of El Nino, an eleven year cycle that is influenced by the sunspots. It has influenced our weather more and more with each passing. We have all noted the increase in weather fluctuation and tropical storms. This year has proven to be one of the hottest on record as far as temperature in Rio de Janeiro. With days on end well above the 90 and even 100 degree mark, it has been great for people visiting Rio on vacation, but terrible for the local population who have to live their day to day lives in this sweltering heat. Thank goodness all the apartments we rent have air conditioning!

The Beauty of Rio de Janeiro

City of Rio
Originally uploaded by tdeprez

Beautiful overhead shot of Rio de Janeiro looking down on Copacabana Beach and Sugarloaf mountain in the distance. Rio de Janeiro is a beauty to behold and the more you can explore it, the more you will fall in love with her!

You will find that Rio is so diverse and the beauty of Corcovado and Sugarloaf are unique from every angle. I love driving around through the city and seeing how the mountains and the beaches meet up and create nice areas of natural reflection. The beaches coupled with the moutains and the lagoon all together make for a million ways to appreciate Rio de Janeiro.

Rio de Janeiro is the Biggest Party on the Planet

There are many places that make the claim to be the “Biggest Party on the Planet” But if you go by sheer numbers as you should, Copacabana Beach on New Years Eve holds the record, year after year. There is an incredible turnout since it is summer in the southern hemisphere, and Rio de Janeiro is one of the hottest places to be during this time. You cannot believe the number of people in the city of Rio during this time of year. Everyone wants to be on the beach on New Year’s Eve. In the afternoon, the native women from Bahia hold court on the beach and build extravagant altars of flowers and stones, dedicated to the goddess “Yemanja” the goddess of the sea. People go there and take flowers and offerings to throw into the ocean, believing the goddess will grant them a safe and prosperous year ahead. Many people stand in line and receive “passas” where one of the priestesses from the northern state of Bahia will cleanse their auras of impurities. Later on, the shore begins to fill with people, mostly dressed in white, as a show of purity, so that the new year may be started clean. It is truly a spectacle, very interesting and exciting, and yes, the biggest party on the planet since over two million people go there to experience it.

Making the Most of Your Time and Money in Rio de Janeiro

When I lived in New York I once realized that our experiences are somewhat comparable to putting coins in a parking meter. Wherever we are, whether we are living day to day in our home cities or maybe on a vacation or business trip, we are feeding a meter. Through our rent or house payment, or hotel or apartment rentals, we are paying for time spent in a certain spot. We are paying some source that allows us to stay in that place. So we have to make the most of our time and money wherever we are. The friends we choose, the restaurants we frequent, the way we spend our time and money is important. When I lived in Rio de Janeiro, I realized even more that people on vacation are really feeding meters. They wait all year to take that special trip, they want a nice place to stay, and a good experience. That`s one reason we are in the apartment rental business, since we know the importance of making the most of your time and money.

Urca – Rio de Janeiro

Talk about “best kept secret”. Urca is the neighborhood I would most want to live in, if I had my choices. It is located underneath the shadow of the Sugarloaf, and home to quite a few classic Brazilian artists. One of the oldest neighborhoods in terms of architecture and existence. There is one of the most incredible views, and a peace, which only exists there. On the weekend, it is great to walk along the waters edge, or go to the beach there, and it is open to anyone to do. But the people who already live there have the privilege of just walking out their doors. People seem a little more laid back here, unlike the hustle bustle of Botafogo or the jet set of Ipanema. To go there for Sunday brunch, or just to hang out on a Saturday is definately a must.

Copacabana One Bedroom Princesa Isabel

Copacabana One Bedroom on Princesa Isabel (map)

• Nice apartment located on the beach

• Comfortable Queen Bed and Single Sofabed

• Air Conditioned

• Cable Television – Internet

  Even a Washing Machine!

   

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Rio Vacation Rentals | Rio de Janeiro Apartments for Rent

Rio Vacation Rentals | Rio de Janeiro Apartments for Rent.

Copacabana Three Bedroom VI

Located on Nossa Senhora de Copacabana near Souza Lima

Excellent apartment on the 6th floor with ocean view

• Two queen + 2 single beds (or 1 extra queen size bed)

• Two bathrooms of one with a jacuzzi

• Air Conditioning

• Cable TV and Internet

  

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Excellent apartment on the 6th floor with ocean view,

Two queen size beds and one with 2 single beds (or 1 extra queen size bed),

Two bathrooms of one with a jacuzzi,

air conditioning,

cable tv and internet

Copacabana Three Bedroom Fifteen

Located on Ave Nossa Senhora da Copa and Rua Boliva

• Two queen sized beds and two single beds

• Or can be made into six single beds

• Two bathrooms

• Air conditioned

• Cable TV and internet

• 8th floor, great location!

• Note: restricted guest policy

  

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