I d like to visit the famous Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro this summer, do you recommend it

asks FridaX

A.� This is a great place to visit to experience the beach culture in Rio, but it is very crowded and less classy than it once was.�Don't limit your stay to Copacabana as there are better beaches in the area. The barrios behind the beach are among the most densely populated areas in the world, fronted by some of the plushest hotels along the seafront.

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Try and avoid reaching the beach via the Tunel Novo as it is a favourite haunt of muggers and pickpockets. Once you're on the beach, however, it is amazing�- it is so over the top! The noises, smells, sights and the huge amount of people will overwhelm you at first, but it is worth experiencing, especially the mosaic pavements along the promenade, designed by Burle Marx, which represent rolling waves.

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The cariocas (as the inhabitants of Rio are called) are the world's best hedonists and pursue pleasure to the max. Along the beach the body beautiful is worshipped, both male and female, so be prepared to watch a lot of scantily clad strutting. Add to this a cocktail of parties, samba, beer and football (floodlit beach football is played into the early hours most nights) and you'll get the general idea of life at the beach.

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You will also encounter a lot of poverty even if you don't venture out of the beach area into the favelas or shanty towns that blanket the surrounding hillsides. You will be continually approached and hassled by the city's homeless and dispossessed - who will ask for money or food from your plate. There is a strange juxtaposition of poverty and wealth here that you never get used to, but it's an experience you'll encounter often in Brazil.

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Q. What�area of the beach would you recommend visiting

A. The Leme end of the beach, closest to Copacabana is quieter and often visited by families and you are more likely to be able to find a space to sunbathe here away from the bustle of Copacabana. Elsewhere, on the other side of the point from Fort Copacabana, are the popular and plusher beaches of Arpoador, Ipanema and Leblon. It is a lot calmer here and the beaches are fantastic, but there are fewer bars and restaurants. The beach at Ipanema is unofficially divided into the gay area and the artist's area. On Sundays, the beach roads are closed to traffic so the rollerbladers, skateboarders and cyclists take over. Ipanema is also the fashion hub of Latin America - so it is full of boutiques and very expensive. The 'hippie market' in Leblon might suit your wallet more.

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Q. What is the weather like there

A.�The weather is pleasant all year round, although summer can be very humid. The Brazilian summer runs from December to February, which is obviously the hottest time of the year, but also the most exciting as it is when Brazil celebrates its infamous 'carnaval'.

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Q. When is the carnaval held

A. The Carnaval is usually held in late February/early March (this year it began on 24 February 2001).�It begins at midnight on the Friday before Ash Wednesday and lasts for five days. It is celebrated all over Brazil, but Rio's celebrations are spectacular and a great tourist attraction.

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In the samb�dromo, a tiered street designed for samba parades, the Brazilians really get down to the top sounds of 16 top samba schools, as they each have their hour of glory. Finding a hotel room, however, might be a bit difficult as the city is literally full of people and prices usually quadruple.

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Q. Is Rio very dangerous and what precautions should I take on my holiday

A. Rio definitely has its problems. A third of the population live in the favelas or on the streets and have no doctors, schools or jobs, so violence and drug use is endemic. Rich tourists are often the target of petty crime and Rio's reputation as a violent place to visit has seen a sharp reduction in its visitor numbers in recent years. Police now patrol so called 'gringo' or tourist areas quite heavily and official figures state that crime against tourists has been reduced by 20% in the last year.

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Do not take any valuables out on the street with you, leave them in your hotel safe. Take only the clothes you're wearing to the beach, and any money you'll need that day. Avoid taking a bag as it will be a target for snatching. To avoid personal injury do not struggle if you are mugged, as your assailant may carry a weapon.

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Also note that a lot of the beaches are naturally dangerous, with extremely strong waves. Copacabana is particularly dangerous, even for strong swimmers. Lots of lifeguards patrol the beaches and helicopters and support boats patrol the water.

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Q. Do I need a visa or any injections before I visit Rio

A. A visa is required for a tourist trip of 90 days or less, one extension is possible. Your passport must be valid for at least 90-days from your date of entry.

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Your GP will advise you on inoculations but it is worth noting that you will probably be vaccinated against dengue fever, Chagas' disease, malaria, meningitis, rabies and yellow fever.

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If you have any travel related questions, please click here

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By Karen Anderson