I just spent a month in a gorgeous apartment in leafy Lagoa. It was in a secure, small Art Deco building on a street that is located between three great shopping/eating areas and a taxi rank. The price was £2,000 all in, and included a cleaning lady once a week. It's one street back from the lagoon itself, so I spent many afternoons just gawping at the view as I walked, ran or cycled along the water-side footpath to the bars, restaurants, boutiques and, most imporant, the beach of Ipanema!
Rua sacopa, Lagoa, RJ;
email: plinioprofeta@uol.com.br