Ion’s place is the best! This was our first time in brasil and rio, and we couldn’t imagine a better start.
Ion was very welcoming with his two caipirinhas (I think one of the best we have tasted in Rio). He even offered to do groceries with us. We have a friend who lives in Rio Santa Teresa, so we already had someone who showed us arround, but Ion also offered to show us his neighborhood.
The house and the garden are so romantic, it really contributes to a perfect Rio experience. The pool is very welcome on hot days, or to take a dive in the morning. It’s well located in the beautifull Santa Teresa, at the nice square Largo das Neves. At night it’s full of people from the neighboorhood who are relaxing. And a great place to have dinner or drink a caipirinha.
Don’t be afraid that it is an unsafe place. Of course Rio has it’s do’s and don’ts, which also apply in Santa Teresa, but we never felt unsafe.
We will definitly come back, and I hope Ion can show us Santa Teresa then.