Mara - I'm from Brazil and try go back every other year to visit friends and to be a tourist
My biggest recommendation is to get the Airpass (offered through Varig) where you can fly to any 5 cities for about $400. Last year I did that and visited Rio, Sao Paulo, Salvadro, Foz do Iguacu and my hometown of Sao Luis. I definitely recommend Rio, Salvador and Foz.. Great cities! Let me know if you want to know anything in specific!
I love Brazil! I am not an expert like Joina, but I spent three weeks there last year and loved it. It is one of my favorite places in the world and I travel quite a bit. We did Rio, Salvador which was beautiful, Lencois which is great if you like to hike (but just to warn you there is only one flight there per week), Fernando de Noronha (sp?) which is an island that is also a wildlife preserve. The island is amazing they only allow a certain number of people on the island and there are empty beautiful beaches, dolphins coming into the shore at sunrise, kyacking, etc. You have to pay a tax each day you are there about 10 to 15 bucks, but it is well worth it.
I guess it depends what you like to do. When my boyfriend and I travel we like to have a city, a beach and hiking so we split up the trip that way. Oh, and we also got the Varig pass it is well worth it.
Oohh I'm going to Brazil in 3 weeks! I've never been so I can offer you no advice. I'm going to Manaus briefly, but going on a boat trip on the Amazon.
mckenke - the lencois are in Maranhao, near my hometown of sao luis! I never mention my hometown because not many people know about it, but I'm glad to hear that it's becoming more and more popular.
mara - mckenke is right, what do you like to do on vacation? Brazil is so varied, you can do pretty much anything you want. Rio for beaches and nightlife, Manaus for the amazon, Salvador for the culture, Foz for the breathtaking view, and so on...
maddie - I spent some time in Manaus as well on my last trip. Boat trip is definitely fun! That is if you don't mind living in dirt for a few days
Maybe we passed through your hometown on the trip back to Salvador from Lencois? I am jealous that you grew up in such a beautiful area. I loved Lencois! I am trying to figure out how I can get posted in Brazil for my job. My boyfriend would love it down there just for the football.
Oh, Mara that is the other thing I recommend if you like sports at all go to a football (soccer) game. Don't do one of those trips (they will over charge you), just look in the paper figure out when there is a game and take a cab. We went to a game I think the tickets were about $2 we sat on cement slabs, but it was awesome. I loved the energy, but I am also a sports fan.
hey Maddie - I've been to Manaus - stayed in a village off the Amazon too - great trip - the time you are going is good too. Are you taking a cruise or are you taking a boat to take you to a village you'll be staying at? be sure to drink caparinas (sp?) - don't have ice - whatever you do - I was sick for months after being there. Don't eat anything raw that has been washed with the water, keep your eyes shut in the shower, and brush your teeth with bottled water... did I mention stay away from the water? I'm sure you have all your shots for all the lovely diseases like cholora and your malaria pills...
Don't know where you are staing in Manaus, but I stayed at the Tropicale - there's a great night club nearby on the beach - if that is where you are, be prepared to dance the Samba till 6 am...
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quote: Originally posted by: detroit "Don't eat anything raw that has been washed with the water, keep your eyes shut in the shower, and brush your teeth with bottled water... did I mention stay away from the water? I'm sure you have all your shots for all the lovely diseases like cholora and your malaria pills... Don't know where you are staing in Manaus, but I stayed at the Tropicale - there's a great night club nearby on the beach - if that is where you are, be prepared to dance the Samba till 6 am..."
Hahahaha... Maddie, you made me laugh out loud! The comment on keeping your eyes shut in the shower
Aaahhh! Caipirinhas and samba all night long! Those were the days...