I am going to Brazil for 6 months from December info needed!!!!?

Question

Can anyone advise me on the best places to go, things to see etc. I want to travel all over Brazil and also perhaps go to other parts of South America. If you have any advice on that also then please inform me. Does anyone know of a really secluded beach/cove which will be like my own desert island. Also any really Cultural things to see and do. Any info will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks very much.

xx

Answer 1

It is definelty worth the visit. I have been twice to Rio and I was simply magical. The best time would be either January or February, it's summer and although it's crowded it's not that crowded as in Carnival. First time I went there I stayed in Sheraton Leblon, excellent hotel but a bit far from the action. Second time I went for Reveillon (New Years!) and I stayed in Praia Ipanema Hotel (4 stars, excellent location) on Ipanema beach. Every day I would cross the street and sun bathe at the beach! Wonderful place, excellent food and lots of things to see. Go to Buzios and Angra, two favoulous places to visit. Also, I went to Petropolis and I like it a lot. I will definetly go to Brazil for a third or fourth time, it is worth every penny!!! Watching the fireworks at the beach (Copacabana) was a surreal experience. The best view (to me) is not from Christ the Redeemer, it's from the Sugar loaf.

It is quite safe if you stick to the normal places, dont go to favelas and dont walk at noght in Copacabana. Try and sty in either Ipanema or Leblon.

I recommend you buy the Fodors trip guide. I did it and I took a lot of advantage of tips they gave us. It's the best and if you are speding 6 months there are several other provinces worth the visit. I also recommend the Niteroi museum and all of architect Oscar Niemeyer's buildings.

Answer 2

The eastern side of Ilhabela in Sao Paulo province is close to sao Paulo and one of the best beaches in Brazil.  You must take a 4X4 to get there.  I think you have to stay on the western side which has hotels but not as nice beaches.  Ilha Grande is very nice and has plenty of secluded beaches, as well.  Further North is Jericoacoara and the island of Fernando de Noronha which have very beautiful and private beaches.

Culturally, Salvador, Rio, Sao Paulo and the Southern Agricultural Centers are the centers of Brazilian life and can be quite different from each other (Africans in the North, Germans in the South etc)