I had a fantastic time staying with Marcio and Claudio and their two cats, Apoteose and Raposa (beware if you are sensitive to cat hair). From the moment I arrived, I felt very welcome and I had a great time hanging out with them - going to the flea market, getting lunch, and chilling at the beach. They threw a small cocktail party the following night with some friends which was super fun as well. Both were happy to answer any questions and Marcio was always available via Whatsapp. The apartment is conveniently located by the subway station and it's very easy to catch cabs in the area. The beach is a 5 minute walk away. The apartment is small, but comfortable. I recommend staying here if you plan to be out and about most of the time though. There is no elevator so keep that in mind if you have heavy luggage.