I'm visiting Brazil.......?

Question

I'm going to Brazil in May for 2 weeks. We wanted to see as much of the country as possible. We want to see Rio, Salvador, and Iguassu Falls. My question is were flying into Sao Paulo, should we stay there a day or two or should we go straight to Iguassu? If we stay in Sao Paulo, it would mean we have to shorten our stay in the other cities. Please keep in mind that we are from Chicago, and the big city is nothing new to us.

Answer 1

If you like beaches and nature, the Northeast is also wonderful, e.g.  Natal, Recife.  Salvador is also one of my favorites--I've been there 4 times.  It is replete with afro-brazilian culture.  Morro de Sao Paulo is a wonderful island just 2 hours away that has wonderful beaches.

Although my fiancee is from Sao Paulo, I would have to say that if you have 2 weeks, your time would be better spent in Rio, Salvador (and Morro de Sao Paulo!) and Igaussu Falls.  

You may be able to say money by using a Brazil Air Pass.  See http://www.brol.com/brazilairpass.asp

Boa viagem!

Answer 2

I liked Rio better than sao paulo.  SP was okay, but really just a huge city with city things to do (museums, etc.).  I wouldn't cut my time in Rio to go there, that's for sure.

Answer 3

Most people do not know São Paulo is also a state! The city of São Paulo is really only a big metropolitan city, but I had the chance to go to São Paulo's coast - Maresias- and it is so beautiful and fun, loaded with gorgeous people!

I live in Rio and I think you could also travel around here! There are some great cities not far away ( 200km ). I strongly suggest Arraial do Cabo and Búzius.

Salvador is party all the time!!!! I love there!!! Just make sure to ask the recptionist for a good cab driver and he'll problably guide you through the worthiest parts of the city and 'night clubs'.

Answer 4

Ok, If i understand yor answer y know a distance (by Km - here isnt at milhe) - see

www.emsampa.com.br/xspxspintbra - 152k

São Paulo to Rio - 6 hours by bus  and 30 min by airplain

São Paulo to Salvador - 2 hour by airplain

Im from Rio, but I work in Brasília (Brazil capital), Rio actualment have war between mantrafics and polices in center off Rio. Dont go to Copacabana - because have one favela there. Go to Angra dos Reis because is very beautiful and no have thiefs. If y go to Copacabana, Ipanema, go with one local friend   who know Rio de Janeiro. Dont wake tonight. Dont go by Red Line because some favelas have war between trafics and police man. In Rio de Janeiro no use beautiful clock, colar, joias,  anel - one short (simples). In Salvador have some favelas too and is very danger too. Dont go only and Salvador or Rio. S. Paul (São Paulo) is green - I dont like there. Brazil have some beautiful cities who y know.   Fernando de Noronha is the must beatiful island in Pernambuco ( 5 hours off São Paulo, by airplain). Natal is city beautiful  and have one beach must beautiful (ponta negra) and this city no have thiefs and favelas. Ok

Answer 5

Hey there. Listen do not go to São Paulo because there is nothing new to you it is just an overcrowed industrial city.

Stay as much as it is possible in Rio we have so much things to do here. Iguaçu falls are gorgeous I have been there 5 times.

In Iguaçu falls you should stay as long as 4 days beacause you have also to see the Argentinian side.

Add me to your yahoo messenger please mine is playboy_carioca

Answer 6

You've had plenty of advice already; here's my two reais (rhymes with "Hey, ice!") worth.  Last June I connected from a NYC-São Paulo flight to SP-Iguaçu (a Varig Airlines story ...).  I recommend the same to you, if only so that your first impressions of Brazil are Iguaçu-related.  Iguaçu does deserve three full days, minimum.  Be sure to check out Parque das Aves, a bird sanctuary, at the entrance to the Brazilian national park.  It has over 500 species in its walk-through aviaries.  

Then, I recommend going to Rio de Janeiro.  Flights from Iguaçu land at the downtown airport, which is a way cool introduction to the city.  Sit on the LEFT SIDE (inland side).  Rio deserves four full days, as you'll see.    

Salvador da Bahia, I wasn't so hot on, but listen to those who are.  There's a terrific national park -- Chapada Diamantina -- an overnight bus trip inland from there.  Investigate.

I was born and raised in Chicago, so when you say the big city is nothing new to you, I take it you mean you're city-smart.  Well, don't blow off São Paulo just because it's the biggest city in the Southern Hemisphere and the most important city in Latin America and a mess.  Its answer to the John Hancock Center is Edifício Itália; to Michigan Avenue, Avenida Paulista; to the Art Institute, MASP.

As for seeing "the country" ... Minas Gerais is an excellent four-day trip from Rio, if you don't go to Chapada Diamintina.

Answer 7

You might consider staying in São Paulo for a day or two before leaving. There have been serious delays at Brazilian airports in recent months, so you will save yourself some stress if you get back there early for your departing flight.

São Paulo is a fascinating city, certainly Brazil's most cosmopolitan. There are lots of places where you can hear all kinds of music (more good clubs than anywhere, even more than Rio) and great museums, restaurants and art galleries.

Answer 8

the AMAZON rain forest is a must see, don't forget to take medication for the animal/insect bitters,.,(tropical climate weather),.,.sunscreen is also a must,..,.have fun and don't get burn't,.,..,,.,..,,.,.., seeing is believing,..,

Answer 9

So stay more time in Salvador and go to others nearby beaches. Sao Paulo is a great city, but is a big city like New York . So go stright to Iguassu.

Answer 10

I spent two years in Brazil back in the early 70's.  Granted some things have changed but I will tell you this, a big city is just a big city.  There is nothing to see in a big city that you can't see in any other big city.  Get away from the big city as fast as possible in order to see the country.  Go to the small towns to see what real Brazilians are like and how they live.  Definitely go to Iguacu and don't waste any time in Sao Paulo.  Rio is one of the biggest tourist traps in the world.  Take the tour of Corcovado and Sugar Loaf.  Spend a few moments at Ipanema Beach and then move on.  Get up to the highlands of Santa Catarina and Parana.  The Brazilian forest are beautiful.  The water falls near Canela are spectacular.  Brazil is such a large country, equal to the continental U.S., that you won't see it all in two weeks.  If you can get to Manaus, that would be a worthwhile visit.

Enjoy.