I lived in Alvaro's apartment for three months, and I was more than pleased with everything.

I communicated with Alvaro through Airbnb's messaging system, and he always responded in a timely manner -- no matter my concern.

The building always has a doorman on duty, so I always felt safe. The apartment is a five-minute walk to Copacabana beach, Metro Rio (the city's subway system), and three-to-four grocery stores.

I did worry about the apartment being too small before I arrived, but the space is perfect. I used the kitchen many days, and there is plenty of room in the refrigerator to store groceries. The bathroom is simple, but it is a perfect size for one to use at a time.

Overall, Alvaro's apartment was exactly what I was hoping it would be -- a comfortable space next to one of the most popular beaches in the world.