Rafael’s flat has a really nice Ipanema feel, just a few dozen yards from the beach and with a jazzy decor. It faces the back of the building away from the street so it’s quiet. There’s a mango tree outside the window where marmosets play in the morning. It’s very close to the Arpoador end of Ipanema beach where you can sit on the wall and watch surfers with a caipirinha. (You can take surf lessons there with Gabi, who offers good lessons also through the AirBnB website.)