Had a great time staying at Ana’s place in vidigal. Best view I had the whole time I was in Rio. The apartment is just a few stairs away from the bus stop. No need to walk through the steep/crowded favela streets every time you leave the house.
Uber can pick you up right outside or you can take a scenic walk to the beaches of Leblon or Barra.
Felt safer walking around vidigal than I did in ipanema. The people are friendly, and there’s an awesome trail at the top.