If we had a single word to describe my experience with Alexandre and his son, Rafael, I would say: EXTRAORDINARY! We think we met one of the friendliest and most helpful persons in my life. Alexandre told us all the do's and dont's in Rio, then constantly wrote us every day to ask about our trip and to give us tips and weather info (it can be tricky in Rio in November). He even wrote me a couple of days after we left to tell me the the translation of the word 'goat' in Portuguese, as we read that a nearby restaurant had a goat dish, but didn't know how to ask for it.

Now about the apartment....It's a pretty roomy studio, featuring even a hammock (no balcony though, but no need actually). It's freshly redone with all that one needs for a short stay. The Lapa area is highly attractive by night, featuring many bars, live music pubs and street bistros (but tourists should be a little cautious). The apartment is withing walking distance to most of them and Arco da Lapa and the Cathedral. The metro is also pretty close, I'd say 15 mins walking. All in all, a great experience for us and thumbs up for the host.