Nice report, man. Totally agree on Copacabana being a solid base – Mercure / Marriott area is perfect if you want to be close to both the beach and the action.
For guys planning a first trip:
– Hotel: always double-check if the place is really girl friendly. Some “boutique” spots in Copa and Ipanema will suddenly decide they want to charge guest fees or ask for IDs, so an updated datapoint like this is gold.
– Termas: prices at Centaurus and 4x4 move a lot with the exchange rate, so don’t be shy to ask the lineup about time and rates before committing. Quality can be hit or miss day to day.
– Indies: lately a lot of the best value is coming from independents advertising online. If you filter a bit (fresh photos, clear communication, no rush attitude) you can find gems for a fraction of the classic terma prices.
I always use
this website for Acompanhantes and works great
If anybody needs more recommendations for the first trip, feel free to PM me