Rio’s beaches and mountains are still budget-friendly
By Michael Astor, Associated Press Writer
RIO DE JANEIRO — The weak dollar and a steadily strengthening Brazilian real have seen Rio climb from the 135th most expensive city in the world just a few years ago, to the 31st most expensive today — tied with Barcelona and Stockholm, according to the latest cost of living survey by the Mercer consulting firm.
Thank goodness for the beach!
From the white sands of Ipanema to Copacabana’s honky-tonk to the seemingly deserted paradises on the city’s outskirts, Rio is a beachgoers’ paradise.
The beach is the epicenter of the city’s social scene: It’s where the locals meet, flirt and get old arguing about samba and soccer.
The city’s beaches tend to be divided up into special interests — so visitors should take some long walks to get a feel for where they fit in.
