Customer Reviews

Top 10 Guide to Rio de Janeiro (Top 10 Travel Guides (Internationalists))

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I never expected to write a review ..., but if it will save someone the money wasted on this book, it is worth the trouble. I am amazed by the inaccurate, positive Editorial Reviews, though I can understand the Customer Reviews. After all, without knowing your surroundings, you can not easily perceive that you have been mislead.

I have resided in Rio for years and purchased the book for visitors whom I can not attend as fully as I would like. However, this book would only serve to gear my guests towards a disappointing vacation relative to what they could experience.

Although the book is written by a Carioca (a Rio native), she apparently has not been out much in the last couple of years, despite the book's year 2000 copyright.

Only 1 of the Top 10 Disco Clubs may be worthy of being listed, whereas the #1 burned down back around 1996 and the #10 virtually went out of business over a year ago. Her #4 "known to be a tourist hangout" is better known as a whore house. Not 1 of Rio's top dance clubs is actually listed here.

The Top 10 Seafood Restaurants fails to include Satyricon, arguably one of Rio's finest, however the author ackowledges it as "one of the best seafood restaurants in town" in her Top 10 Medium Priced Restaurants (though it is not medium priced). The book is full of similar inconsistencies.

The Top 10 Churrascarias (all you can eat steak houses) lists several that are a la carte only, including the (Australian) Outback Steakhouse, an unnecessary destination considering all the great local establishments.

The Top 10 Fresh Juice Shops fails to include some of Rio's best, as well as most famous and popular.

The Top 10 Wine Bars have little or nothing to do with wine, and at best offer a poor selection. And of course some of these establishments have been closed for years.

Admittedly, the book does include many places worth visiting, though not in the order presented. As a first time visitor in 1987 and a first time resident in 1996, with experience hosting visitors from the USA and elsewhere, my suggestions is look for another guide book.

This was a great book I thought until I got to Rio. I bought this book because it was the most recently published (2000). On more than one occasion the book contained dated material. The best example was the Japanese restaurant that was supposed to be in the hotel where I stayed. I was suprised to find out it closed over 2 years ago. Go with the Lost Planet guide. At least they tell you that their information is two years old.

The Top Ten Guide to Rio de Janeiro is a very concise and useful guide. All the information you really need is there and easy to find.

Excellent book! Forget about the comment that some info in the book are dated. C'mon, you are on vacation. Give me that adventure spirit and go w/ the flow. Who cares if that restaurant in the gringo hotel has been closed for two years as long as the Sugar Loaf, the Cristo and most importantly, the Cariocas are all there!!! If everything is so certain and structured, why wouldn't I have my vacation in our boring american suburb? This book conveys the spirit of Rio, which is intensity w/ fun and action, warm and exciting people and lots of new ideas if you leave your American baggage at home. I have been to Rio seven times in the last three years. I think this book is an accurate representation of Rio and Cariocas, that is, if you are not too ANALytical. :) enjoy!