This is our 5th Airbnb booking with Superhost Tiago at his fabulous Casa da Montanha.
Over the last few months, we have repeatedly come back again and again and again (like many of his other guests) to stay at his stylishly elegant guesthouse ... a spacious peaceful place in a highly secure upscale gated community that could easily be our humble "home-away-from-home" for many months as Canadian snowbirds in Brazil.
Perfect for rest & relaxation, we could - without exaggeration - happily stay indoors in this comfortable haven of refuge from the outside world for weeks in isolation without having to step outside for anything.
The property is actually in reality a lot better than what you see in the photos ... really. :-)
It is not surprising that this place is often fully booked and unavailable.
And you should consider yourself extremely fortunate if it happens to be available for any of the dates you are looking for ... when searching online for a highly-rated & safe place to stay in Rio.
If you are not one of Tiago's many regular local guests, you might consider reading our other earlier reviews - an overview & first impressions plus useful information for digital nomads - because the primary objective of this review is give prospective guests (who are not familiar with the area) a brief description of some of the best places nearby for meals, shopping, grocery and leisure activities.
Although you could use Uber, it is - in our opinion - a lot more convenient to stay at Tiago's Casa da Montanha with a car because of its privileged location within a very exclusive upscale neighbourhood of Itanhanga, just outside downtown Rio de Janeiro (12 km).
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Here are some of the places nearby - all within 15 minutes by car - for your consideration:
Praia da Barra da Tijuca (4 km) - the beaches of Leblon, Ipanema and Copacabana are often overcrowded & overrated / this local soft powder white sand beach is nearest to Tiago's place and it is, in many ways, a much better savvy insider's choice for sun, surf & smiles
Supermercado Mundial @ Largo da Barinha (4 km) - there are many supermarkets that cater to both local and foreign tastes which are within a 15-minute drive away ... this is one of the nearest large supermarkets nearby that is frequented by locals
Praia da Joatinga (5 km) - a small quiet but scenic beach
Supermercado Zona Sul @ Barra da Tijuca, Rua Érico Veríssimo (5 km) - if you can't find what you are looking for at the generally more economical larger supermarkets for locals, check out smaller upscale boutique supermarkets such as this ... which often stock up on more difficult-to-find items from overseas for expats & foreigners
Village Mall (7 km) - perhaps Rio's most exclusive luxury shopping destination / as we found out for ourselves, you can expect an exceptional dining experience here at Giuseppe Mar seafood restaurant
Barra Shopping (7 km) - located in the modern well developed Barra da Tijuca district adjacent Village Mall, and although it is only a fraction of the world's largest shopping mall (viz. Dubai Mall in the UAE), this is nevertheless Brazil's largest shopping mall complex where you will McDonald's, Starbucks, Burger King ... and Restaurante Oriento (since 1973), a jewel of a place for delicious but economical oriental buffet-to-go "by the kilo" meals

Carrefour (8 km) - there are a few different outlets of this well-known supermarket brand around Rio / this one is just next to the Barra Shopping complex and it is the nearest & largest hypermarket where we do most of our grocery shopping
Supermercado Zona Sul @ São Conrado, Estrada da Gávea (9 km) - for exotic fruits & foods and other difficult to find condiments, herbs & spices, we drop by at this small but impressively stocked boutique supermarket on our way to, or from, downtown Rio
Praia do Pepino (9 km) - this is the beach where hang gliders & paragliders come in for their landings / an interesting place to hang out and see excited faces flushed with adrenaline coming in hot & fast for touch down on terra firma :-) :-)
Parque Florestal da Tijuca (9 km) - when you stay at Tiago's place, you will living at the doorstep of the largest urban forest in the world ... with lots and lots of awesome hiking trails and breathtaking vistas
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For golf enthusiasts like ourselves, you will be pleased to know that 3 of Brazil's Top 10 golf courses are also conveniently close by:
Itanhangá Golf Club (just a 5-minute walk)
Gavea Golf and Country Club (11 km)
Olympic Golf Course (15 km)
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We are currently on a 5-month winter getaway: a digital nomad work trip in Brazil ... which is, in our opinion, and from our experiences to date, unequivocally hands down the most beautiful country of all countries everywhere on this planet - from North, Central & South America to the Caribbean, Europe, Africa and Asia - that we have travelled to and explored over the last 40+ years.
Significant systemic disparities and social challenges aside, the ecological & geographical landscape of Brazil is stunningly diverse and spectacular ... OMG!!!
The countless beauties & pleasures of Brazil - a feast for the senses and for the soul - are truly beyond the ability of words & pictures to fully describe and share with those who have not personally experienced for themselves this immense country and its charming & welcoming people.
To Tiago, we continue to be most grateful and indebted for his very kind & gracious 5-star hospitality and generous professional courtesies.
You can depend on this outstanding Airbnb Superhost and his dedicated trustworthy staff - including chief resident superintendent in-charge Nilda, her husband & children; Joana who assists with housekeeping; and Elias the pool guy & gardener - for a marvellously pleasant and enjoyable stay in their guesthouse here