Rio de Janeiro

There’s a possibility that I may be going to Rio for Carnavale (!!!), but I need some advice. Is Carnavale really the best time to go or is it just overpriced and overcrowded at that time? I really mainly want to see the Samba parade (before I die).

Also, what is a reasonable price to pay for a hotel near the beach in Ipanema or Leblon? 2 girls traveling – I’d like to stay in as safe an area as possible.

One thing I always promised myself was that I’d go to Carnavale in Rio just once before I died, or at least before I got too old to enjoy it. What could be better than massive street festivals with more “people energy” than 1,000 mardi gras (w/ fewer slutty girls and drunken frat boys) by night and endless beaches with beautiful latin men by day?