hi

I will be in rio over xmas and wonder if it will be totally closed or lively?

Also, will be in BA over NY and ask the same question. WOudl hate to get there and hope it wont be a total dead city.

Does anyone recommend a inexpensive hostel/hotel safe for a woman traveller alone? Convenient would be good!

many thanks

Ann

Rio?!
It should be quite busy!!! Oh, yes! Wait and see. Specially if you go to Copacabana where they have the Fireworks. They have a beautiful party by the beach every year.

I can only offer advice for Buenos Aires.

The average cost is about $12.

The Millhouse near the main city bus stop by the congress includes breakfast but there is a night club opposite.

Recoleta hostel north is near the main shopping area as well as the national/international bus terminal, train station and ferry port. This area is well the well healed live and there are plenty of bars near the cemetary where Eva Peron is entombed.

San Telmo is the place where tangos are regularly practiced and more colourful with plenty of cafes and is the place I would have stayed if I went back again.

Boca where the colourfully painted buildings are near the southern port as well as the Boca Junior Football team stadium is. It is an interesting poorer area and relatively safe during the day.

As with ALL cities around the world, crime can occur. However, majority of crime is the 'mustard' trick where they squirt green mustard on you pretending it is bird **** and come to your aid and 'clean' you with tissues. Just shout at them or hit them but do not let them help you. They only do this if you are distracted like taking a photo or reading a map and if no one else is around. They work in concert with a taxi who drive them off if you give them grief I was squirted on 2 ocassions on consecutive days by a couple and a pair of old women! I carried a tube of mustard afterwards to avenge myself if I was squirted again. It is non violent and quite funny at first though the mustard stinks of vinegar. There are variations such as a careless ice cream carrier, vomit, generally anything which gets you dirty and so you require a 'clean'.

With this knowledge and being generally more aware, it is a lovely big city with lots of friendly people and history.

I'm not sure if the fireworks are for Christmas or for New Year's Eve. Friends in the States told me both days are great in Rio, but Dec 31 is better with the Copacobana fireworks.