Brazil - Please critique my 10 day Rio/Buzos/Sao vacation

5 ppl basically the whole family flying down to Rio May 5-15.
We are going to rent a car as it makes the most financial sense.

Friday - arrive at around 7am. Check out Rio, sleep in Sheraton $140 rate + brekkie and 2000spg points for BRG
Sat and Sun night stay in Buzos(got an excellent deal at an all inclusive for under $50/night)
Monday - Thursday Sao - Renessance on a bunch of vouchers
Friday - Sunday back to Rio probably sleep in a vacation rental or a groupon hotel( waiting for the deal to show up)

Side trips: While in Rio - Petropolis, Angra dos Reis, Paraty, Praia do Abricó

While in Sao side trips - Santos, Campos do Jordão, and Indaiatuba

Now as far as Sao I did not find too many things to do, even though we have 4 nights there still not sure as to what to see there, well besides Maracana that is. : )

What do you guys think? Doable? Not worth going to any of the places? Another recommendation?
Open to suggestions... : )

btw me, my gf and bro are a huge house/minimal music lovers and I heard Rio/Sao have a lot of fans(unlike DC), so which big clubs are worth checking out : )

Well, I thing renting a car is a good idea as you're going to be doing quite a bit of driving!

You've not much time in Rio itself but what's doable depends on your stamina.

I assume you know Praia do Abricó is a well-known nudist beach ;)

In Sao Paulo - Santos, Campos do Jordão, and Indaiatuba will require a day each. Not sure about the attraction of the last one for one day. As you'll have quite a bit of beachtime in Rio I'd also question the point of Santos. If you were here at the weekend I'd recommend a trip out to my home town of Embu das Artes (Google it), only 25 KM from the centre, but even mid-week it's worth it and much less crowded.

To avoid disappointment, note that Maracana is in Rio not Sao Paulo.

5 ppl basically the whole family flying down to Rio May 5-15.
We are going to rent a car as it makes the most financial sense.

Friday - arrive at around 7am. Check out Rio, sleep in Sheraton $140 rate + brekkie and 2000spg points for BRG
Sat and Sun night stay in Buzos(got an excellent deal at an all inclusive for under $50/night)
Monday - Thursday Sao - Renaissance on a bunch of vouchers
Friday - Sunday back to Rio probably sleep in a vacation rental or a groupon hotel( waiting for the deal to show up)

Side trips: While in Rio - Petropolis, Angra dos Reis, Paraty, Praia do Abricó

While in Sao side trips - Santos, Campos do Jordão, and Indaiatuba

Now as far as Sao I did not find too many things to do, even though we have 4 nights there still not sure as to what to see there, well besides Maracana that is. : )

What do you guys think? Doable? Not worth going to any of the places? Another recommendation?
Open to suggestions... : )

btw me, my gf and bro are a huge house/minimal music lovers and I heard Rio/Sao have a lot of fans(unlike DC), so which big clubs are worth checking out : )



Since you asked for a critique, here is my first response: your schedule reminds me of an old comedy (inspired by a book of the same name) called, "If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium" The play involved a whirlwind tour where a lot of in transit time was consumed simply to "see" many places rather than visit many places. There is an enormous differences in these two statement. In short, I think you are trying to do too much in ten days.

When you wrote, "Sao" I assume you meant Sao Paulo. Firstly, Sao Paulo is a huge city that could consume your entire ten days while in Brazil. There is much to see and do in Sao Paulo. You wrote that you would spend Monday to Thursday in Sao Paulo.

You also wrote that you would take side trips to three other cities during the period you allocated to Sao Paulo. Santos was one city you mentioned which is a beach town that deserves more than just a drive through as your schedule seems to indicate will happen.

You said another "side" trip would be to Campos do Jordão. This is a charming and quaint resort city somewhat like a small European village. I cannot imagine anyone attempting to visit this gem of a city in a fly-by-night fashion.

I could write more of the places you mentioned but I think you get an idea even from the portion I did cover. I hope you remember that YOU asked for a critique, of your planned trip.

Quite simply, aside from my comment about the comedy, if you attempted the schedule you presented, I doubt that anyone in your group would have an enjoyable time. Five people in a little car for hours upon hours in the heat would make most people uncomfortable. I know I would never attempt such a trip like you proposed nor would I accompany anyone with a trip planned like you proposed.

You said you planned to travel with a rental car. Do you know how long it takes to travel by car to the locations you mentioned? One example is that it takes between five and six hours to drive from Rio to SP.

I would like to give you encouragement with your proposed trip to Brazil. However, honesty is what you got from me.

Others might be more resourceful and/or enterprising and may tell you that you scheduled/proposed a wonderful trip.

Good luck on whatever you decide.
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Please critique my 10 day Rio/Buzos/Sao vacation

you're making the trip way too complicated, keep it simple and go with the flow, no commitments other to having fun, it's a vacation after all.

There's more than plently to do in Rio in 10 days...so skip Sao Paulo all together, it's ugly and there's really nothing there other than buildings and traffic jams. Oh, I almost forgot, pollution too. cough cough yikes!

also skip the car and save yourself a lot of hassle, you get by in Rio w/o a car just fine using public transport/taxi

take one side trip and spend a few days partying in Buzios, you get there by regular bus service without problems.

Stick to rio and take some time to go to places like Niteroi, Petropolis and Teresopolis

When traveling, its best to have a very low itinerary and make plans as you go, if you're constantly trying to follow a schedule itll create problems between people in the group and just flat out stress.

snip snip

...so skip Sao Paulo all together, it's ugly and there's really nothing there other than buildings and traffic jams. Oh, I almost forgot, pollution too. cough cough yikes!



That's odd. I spend the equivalent of several months each year in Sao Paulo. I have been there at all times during the year for weeks at a time. I find that there is much to do in this huge and interesting city.


You wrote, "Oh, I almost forgot, pollution too. cough cough yikes!"

What kind of pollution do you mean. I have never encountered smog. I know it rains a lot but I cannot imagine what "pollution" you mean that could cause one to "cough cough yikes."
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That's odd. I spend the equivalent of several months each year in Sao Paulo. I have been there at all times during the year for weeks at a time. I find that there is much to do in this huge and interesting city.


You wrote, "Oh, I almost forgot, pollution too. cough cough yikes!"

What kind of pollution do you mean. I have never encountered smog. I know it rains a lot but I cannot imagine what "pollution" you mean that could cause one to "cough cough yikes."
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"Nevoa, poluição e horizonte em São Paulo (Foto Petria Chaves)

São Paulo na manhã de quarta, 24.03.10.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cbnsp/4460027510/

thanks for the advice guys.
So it looks like we will have to cancel some of the side trips then and leave them for a later date. But Sao is definitely in the plans. I did not sleep at cheapo Marriott hotels for nothing. I have to burn those vouchers... : )

Anyways I think you all have a valid point though. I will stick to the activities in the cities and will tour the must see offerings... : )

Well, forget the São Paulo coast. It doesn't get interesting until you're almost in Rio state. São Paulo city could be interesting, but you'll find it difficult to navigate, since the city is not obvious. Campos do Jordão in May? OK, it could work. I wouldn't visit Rio's mountain cities, Teresópolis, Nova Friburgo and Petrópolis, since they're still recuperating from the catastrophe of January. Paraty is a good choice. Búzios is really great. Rio city is not in any way car-friendly. If you're visiting it, pretend you're in Manhattan and only rent the car when you're about to leave it. You'll only need a car when you visit Praia do Abricó.

I would fly to GIG, rent a car and drive directly to Búzios. Return to Rio after a couples of days and stay there for a while, then driving to Paraty and from there to Campos do Jordão, ending the trip in São Paulo.

I agree with the others, you're trying to squeeze in too much in your time here. Not only that, I think you're choosing the wrong days of the week for each place. If you MUST go to São Paulo, go in a weekend. Week days are just awful. Buzios is the opposite: weekends are crowded, but you have most beaches for yourself during week days.

Her's my shot at this:

Change your ticket (if possible, of course) to arrive on Friday in São Paulo. Stay there till Sunday, and drop the side trips (just curious, why would you want to go to Indaiatuba, of all places?). On Sunday afternoon take a flight to Rio (CGH to SDU airport, not GRU to GIG).

Forget rental cars in Rio. To go to Buzios, take the Team flight (www.voeteam.com.br) from SDU to Buzios if available (need to see if they still fly this route). You don't need a car in Buzios, taxis are easy and cheap and everything is close by. Stay in Buzios Monday till Thursday.

Fly back to RioThursday evening, stay till Sunday and fly back home. Again, no need for a car in Rio, taxis are cheap and easy and you really don't want to drive here.

Whatever you may end up doing, hope you enjoy and have fun.

FR

fr thanks for the info. the thing is that the flights have all been booked. 3 on US and 2 ot AA and if we try to change them thatd be $150+ pp. So not possible, and no schedule changes until now...

I think we will only need the car to travel from Rio-Buzios-Sao-Rio. It looks like it will be quite a drive but I think it will be cheaper than all of us getting in busses. Brazilian friend strongly advised renting a car because of the pickpocketers in the buses. So why I was told to get a car.

I just reserved mid-class from budget for 10 days for $500 even, which will fit all of us, so it looks like we are in. As far as Buzios I understand that Weekends are super busy but Pacha and all the other world clubs work only then, so hence why we are booked then.
I am just looking for places to stay in Rio on my last 2 days, but everything looks crazy expensive. Not sure what to do... : )

I agree with the others, you're trying to squeeze in too much in your time here. Not only that, I think you're choosing the wrong days of the week for each place. If you MUST go to São Paulo, go in a weekend. Week days are just awful. Buzios is the opposite: weekends are crowded, but you have most beaches for yourself during week days.

Her's my shot at this:

Change your ticket (if possible, of course) to arrive on Friday in São Paulo. Stay there till Sunday, and drop the side trips (just curious, why would you want to go to Indaiatuba, of all places?). On Sunday afternoon take a flight to Rio (CGH to SDU airport, not GRU to GIG).

Forget rental cars in Rio. To go to Buzios, take the Team flight (www.voeteam.com.br) from SDU to Buzios if available (need to see if they still fly this route). You don't need a car in Buzios, taxis are easy and cheap and everything is close by. Stay in Buzios Monday till Thursday.

Fly back to RioThursday evening, stay till Sunday and fly back home. Again, no need for a car in Rio, taxis are cheap and easy and you really don't want to drive here.

Whatever you may end up doing, hope you enjoy and have fun.

FR

Forget rental cars in Rio. To go to Buzios, take the Team flight (www.voeteam.com.br) from SDU to Buzios if available (need to see if they still fly this route).

No, do not fly Team. They're super expensive. If ever, fly TAM to Cabo Frio (CFB), but the best choice are the busses.

I think we will only need the car to travel from Rio-Buzios-Sao-Rio. It looks like it will be quite a drive but I think it will be cheaper than all of us getting in busses.

That depends. In most cases, it's not.

Brazilian friend strongly advised renting a car because of the pickpocketers in the buses. So why I was told to get a car.

He's deeply misguided. Pickpocketers in buses? Did he ride a bus once and got unlucky?

I just reserved mid-class from budget for 10 days for $500 even, which will fit all of us, so it looks like we are in.

Well, that's a really good rate. I think you should stick to it.

I am just looking for places to stay in Rio on my last 2 days, but everything looks crazy expensive. Not sure what to do... : )

Well, Brazil is expensive. I could recommend some hip hostels.

http://www.leblonspot.com/home_en
http://www.zbrahostel.com/

"Nevoa, poluição e horizonte em São Paulo (Foto Petria Chaves)

São Paulo na manhã de quarta, 24.03.10.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cbnsp/4460027510/



Thanks for the interesting web address that shows an unclear day in Sao Paulo.

However, it is not possible to determine how much actual pollution was shown in the photo because the photo says it was "mist/fog and pollution" (nevoa, poluição). I suspect that mist (water) was the major reason for the unclear horizon.

I, for one, have never seen the air as shown in the photo. The fact that the air was worthy of a photo must mean it is a rare occurrence.
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http://www.nossasaopaulo.org.br/portal/node/15281

""Parameters that measure pollution in SP are off" - G1

Published: 14/04/2011 - 14:09

News Vehicular Pollution São Paulo

Numbers used by Cetesb were determined in 1990.
WHO says that maximum exposure limit per day is three times smaller.

G1 SP

The pollution that the population of Sao Paulo breathing may be doing more harm to the body than you think. The parameters used by the Environmental Company of São Paulo (Cetesb) were determined by the National Council on the Environment in 1990 and are outdated.

In Sao Paulo, by the standards currently used by Cetesb, the acceptable amount of dust that can breathe in a day is up to 150 micrograms per cubic meter. By the World Health Organization (WHO), the index should be three times less, at 50 micrograms per cubic meter per day.

The updating of these parameters is very important for taking measures to prevent pollution and alert. "Short term you can, on days of high pollution, prevent contact with the pollution of children and the elderly. But you can also begin to give priority to public transport or alternative non-polluting, for example, the issue of bicycles. This has cost the health and lives of many people, but better late than never, "said Oded Grajew, president of the NGO Network Our São Paulo.

The Sao Paulo government has pledged to upgrade the standards, but this change has no date."

Sorry to dig up an old topic but what All Inclusive did you stay in in Buzios and how was it? Thanks.

Along the cautionary provided by COITO3 regarding Rio's mountain cities, Teresópolis, Nova Friburgo and Petrópolis:

This morning here on Aljazeera Europe, a news feature was shown on the previous flood damage to that region, which remains one year later. It is quite bad, and the interviews with affected residents suggests the relief funds were pocketed by outgoing politicians. The sentiment was both strong and hostile that essentially, nothing has been done.

The damage shown is stark and widespread. Very sad, and unless you were assigned to a relief organization, not anything I would suggest in a travel itinerary. Perhaps that segment can be seen on the AJZ website, or on North American public television.

ORF Radio Tirol news here this morning ( it is now 07:09 ) is also reporting that currently thousands are being evacuated in the same area for more flooding, and Northern part of the state of Rio de Janieiro in the face of a dam that is collapsing, also due to excess rainfall and flooding.

I would be careful with pickpockets, etc. on buses, but I'd fear even more the drivers in Brazil. I've been there for years and still get nervous at how people drive. Not only are car rentals (and gasoline) expensive, but the drivers are, shall we say, a bit impatient and not always careful. One person said that Brazilians, normally known for being laid-pack and peaceful, change when they get into a car, and he was reminded of this classic Disney cartoon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZAZ_xu0DCg The last time we rented a car, in the Rio area, about 3 years ago, only the more expensive cars had any air bags at all (this may have changed). You also need to know the local laws and should have at least some knowledge of Portuguese to read signs, ask directions, etc., at least if you'll not just be on the main highways.