Where exactly in Rio should I stay?

My friends have decided to take a week long trip to Brazil and plan to stay in Rio. Its now a matter of finding what area to stay in. We are all just out of college and are just looking to have fun and let loose.

I have been looking at house rentals and comparing the location to my maps and books that I have. Does anybody have any recommendations? We're also trying to decide whether to stay near Ipanema or Copacabana.

Not Copacabana.
If you will rent go for Leblon. Its a continuation of Ipanema, but better, safer, nicer. Same beach, diferente name.
In the surroundings of Leblon also are nice:
Gavea, Jardim Botanico, Alto Leblon.
There are, in Brazil generally, someting we call Apart-Hotel, they are cheaper than hotels, but with some service and you get a little kitchen etc.
The "Rio Flat Service" in Leblon is good priced, nice view, great location.
Dont rent cars and if you are using taxis the Radio Taxi is better than the Yellow ones, it麓s a bit more expensive but they don麓t cheat and you can set the price in advance.
Need more help let me know.
Im in Rio.

If you want to stay near the Ipanema, the Miramar Palace is closeby, as well as the Savoy Othon -- assuming that you want a place that's a bit cheaper.

Definitely check http://www.tripadvisor.com/ to read up on reviews before you book.

You didn't mention when exactly you want to go, but if you visit http://www.resideo.com/br/riodejaneiro/ and click the 'Check Availability" button -- type in your dates, then sort the results by price.

Have fun!

I really don't know, but in Toronto:
But a lot of American are sleeping in the Streets of Toronto as all Hotels, Motels, Condominiums, Subway, Street Cars, Buses, Cabs and Restaurants are FULL of BEDBUGS!
TOXIC MOLDS!
VERY STRANGE TOXIC GASES!
THIEVES!
SPIES Systems to steal private communications!?
And
of course SARS! that kills tourists on spot! Even if they go to Hospitals, and Doctors, and Nurses have SARS too!

I would definitely stay near Ipanema or Lebon
The downside is that everything is more expensive there.

I would recommend finding a place on craiglists >
http://rio.craigslist.org/
or check out
http://brazilbedandbreakfast.com/#anchor...

Definitely Leblon or Ipanema. Safer, cleaner and beautiful. Good beaches.

For a list of hotels and air tickets to Rio, go to :
www.brol.com

no...copacabana not a good place to stay, definitely not!
leblon and ipanema are the places to be.
there's a very nice hostel in ipanema called adventure hostel. but you can also find apartments to rent in ipanema or leblon

Rio de Janeiro?? Oh dear... violent horrible city, watch the film called City of God before going, then if you change your mind go to Salvador or Fortaleza, if you going Rio good lucky and I hope you dont die, cheers