if you see this condo/apt available for the dates you need it for, BOOK IT NOW! then read on to find out why you made the best decision for a place in Rio.

1. great location on a quiet and safe street. the subway/metro was 1 block walk north of the apt. the bus stations are both 1 block walks away. the supermarket was 1 block away. san diego money exchange was 1 block away and had excellent exchange rates. there is a 24hr pizza place 1 block away. also a restaurant right next to the apt. apt is right by the stairway to the 2nd floor from the first floor so take the stairs to get to the apartment fast.

2. inside the studio apt, everything is as advertised. double bed and awesome memory foam pillows! there's also a single bed transformed from a chair. there's new bed sheets and towels to use. wifi is fast and easy to connect to. tv, radio, stove, microwave, phone all worked. it is clean place and nothing to complain about on the inside.

3. Cesar is the BEST! he met us at the condo and bought us in and did a thorough introduction on the apt and the area. he was available to us all during our trip via whatsapp (we did not have a brasil phone or data plan when we went for carnival 2015). he checked in on us half way through our trip to see if we needed any help or advice and to see see how we were doing. we also had a small issue with the door lock as the heat/humidity in feb which is brasil's summer made the metal in the lock expand, but cesar sent us a 3rd pair of keys in addition to the 2 sets of keys he gave us when we checked in. he directed the 24hr security guard to give us the keys when we got back. what great service and such a great host! (if the lock seems stuck, just keep trying to turn the key to the left while shaking/jiggling the key inside the lock to the left and the lock will unlock and door will open. you have to try to help the lock turn/unlock with the key in it since the heat expanded the metal inside the lock).

all the photos posted here are accurate and the actual place is as advertised and shown in the pictures. the taxi driver from GIG airport knew how to get to the place since it is close the beach about 2 block walk south. highly recommend this place to anyone going to rio!