Rio is best understood from above. Every hill gives you a different version of the city, the bay and the beaches.
Getting there
International flights land at Galeão, about forty minutes from the beaches.
Where to stay
Botafogo or Santa Teresa, with views and good restaurants.
What I would do differently
I would go up Sugarloaf for sunset, then walk down to Urca.
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Prices in this guide are what I paid. They move every season, so use them as a rough guide.