• The ways to get here....
• From the airport (GIG),
• The cheapest way is by the "REAL" bus, this can be caught outside the terminal and will cost about R$7. The bus will make it's way towards Zona Sul (Ipanema/Copacabana), and you need to get off at the "Sol Ipanema" hotel on the Ipanema beach front. From here, walk away from the beach until you get to Rua Barão da Torre, turn right and look for number 175, it is behind a news-stand. There will be a gate there and what you need to do is reach thru the gate and turn the handle, sounds easy but confuses many people.
• Then walk down the Vila to No 20, the last house on the left.
• Taxi from the airport will cost around R$40, they will push for more but bargin hard.
• From the Rodoviaría (bus station)
• Again the "REAL" company have an A/C bus from the station to Zona Sul, cost is around R$4. Other than a cab, this is your best option... and safest. Ask the bus driver to let you off at Praça General Osorio. From there either use your map or ask for directions, most people are friendly around here.
• Taxi is around R$20-25.
• There is also public buses, we don't recommend these as they have been robbed on a number of occasions. They are fine to take when you don't have all your worldy things with you, but we say to either take a cab or the "REAL" bus.
• The numbers for Ipanema are 474 and 485.
• In the area we have 2 undercover security guards 24hrs a day and at night, in the secure vila we have another 6 or 7 security guards. It is very safe here....
• If you are arriving after 10pm, the main gate will be locked. What you need to do is ring the buzzer for number 20 and a guard will come to let you in and show you into the hostel.