food good if you like piles of barbequed meat (I do) otherwise not great.

I think Rio is massively over-rated myself - a spectacular setting but the city itself is dangerous overcrowded with not a massive amount to do once you have done the obvious sights, save for the beach.

Copacabana Palace =  gleaming. Drink their Caipirinhas. Sorted.

Very dangerous and violent.  Make sure you get good local instructions as to where is safe and where is not.