Ana's house is a lovely respite from the hustle and bustle of the center of Rio, which itself is a manificent city. Santa Teresa is a funky neighborhood with cool little places to eat and drink, and a fairly short (though a bit terrifying at times as it careens up and down a steep, curved hill) bus ride takes you down to Lapa where there is great nightlife. Ana was a gracious and helpful host, and her homemade breads, cakes and granola were real breakfast treats. The garden of her house is especially beautiful and lush. It's a bit far away from the beaches generally, so if you're looking for that type of thing in Rio I would not suggest staying here. But if you want something quieter and more like a local experience, it's a good option.