Again, although it may be a exceptional thing for a Brazilian or homesick ex-pat, for someone who lives abroad, this is NOT the attraction a tourist, who can find this fairly commonly at home, is looking for when flying thousands of miles on a trip to Brazil.

Which is why tourists choose to vacation in Rio, NOT New York, London, Miami, Berlin, Milan --the varied opportunities to absorb the unique culture of Brazil, and of Rio; the music, the atmosphere, the spectacular scenery, etc. Tourists have options (whereas all Brazilians, or ex-pats, may not); they choose Brazil and Rio for a reason--it offers what they cannot get at home.

And that is EXACTLY what most foreign tourists come seeking!
(I do agree about the beer, maybe, but even Brazilian beer "bem gelado" --super cold-- can be delightful on a hot night at an atmospheric bar with a hot band and sultry singer.)

And that's because it's SUCH AN EXCITING, SOPHISTICATED PLACE to stay? Do New Yorkers flee NYC on the weekend? No way. They swarm to its cultural sights.

Untrue, as I can personally attest. (Don't live there, but close enough to spend lots of time.)

And as a post-script: The one thing that is exceptional in SP for this gringa is the variety and number of amazing sorveterias (ice cream stores) all lined with tubs of flavors you can't find anywhere but in Brazil--Italian artisinal gelato makers meet exotic tropical fruits galore....

If Long Island had tropical beaches with year-round good weather, maybe they would!

Anyway, I am not implying that SP has tons of attractions which are world-class (although the food, especially japanese is). But taking into account OP's preferences, I don't think it's such a crime to advocate taking 2 days out of their total 10 days' time in Brazil to visit a city, which boring as it may seem to some, has its Unique (pun intended) attractions and is truly cosmopolitan.

On a separate note: I wholeheartedly agree about the ice creams. Am in SP right now and just tried Bacio di Latte for the first time, and it is to die for! Fortunately they recentlt opened a branch in Rio - albeit in Barra.

On my first visit to SP some 20 years ago, the Monday newspaper front page had a photo of utterly stopped traffic on the way to the beach that Sunday, with people sitting on top of their cars sunbathing.(Has traffic getting to the beach, and elsewhere around the city, in which you can only drive on certain days with even numbered license plates and alternate days with odd, gotten better when I wasn't looking?)

But it may be a crime (IMO) to advocate taking two days out of a total 10, after traveling thousands of miles, to see it in lieu of Ouro Preto or Tiradentes or Salvador's Pelourinho or Ilha Grande or Iguacu falls or other examples of Brazilian culture/nature that can't really be found elsewhere.

Let's hope you cariocas get your Olympic transportation system out to Barra up and running in a timely manner so you can get your fix of Bacio di Latte more easily.

Hi all! Thanks for all the opinions, I see Sao Paulo is quite the controversial city :cool:

I probably should have clarified some things a little more.
As someone mentioned, I make electronic music for a living and am definitely an appreciator of all things music (local and international) and nightlife whether it's clubs or beach parties. Although in this case I will probably prefer more casual beach/street parties or local bars as I'm traveling alone and find it easier to mingle ;) But I also do love checking out the top nightclubs clubs around the world. I've partied in most major international cities already.

My main reason for wanting to spend time in Sao Paulo is because it is obviously a major destination and would love to say I've checked it out, even if only for 24 hours. Since I already have to pass through there twice to get to/from Rio, it seemed silly not to at least spend a tiny bit of time there. That being said, I'm not really the type to check out museums, or fashion and shopping for that matter but I wouldn't mind grabbing a nice dinner and having a night out.

I also realize people's opinions on cities is very much a matter of personal preference. Someone might travel to New York City and have their wallet stolen and think it is the worst city ever, while on the same day someone else gets engaged there and has nothing but fond memories. As an example, most people will probably tell you they think Paris is one of the greatest cities in earth. But I find it to be overpriced and overrated.

At this point, I'm leaning towards spending 1 night in SP after I land (Friday night). I figure it will be a chance to rest up after a long flight, have a night out and then fly to Rio on Saturday morning. Who knows, If Sao Paulo ends up really grabbing me, I can always cut my time in Rio short and spend more time there on the way back. Once I'm in Rio I'll also plan to do a day trip to Paraty or Buzios or maybe stop there on the way back.

Also with regards to Rio being boring during the week, I've definitely found in my travels that Friday/Saturday are going to the best nights to go out no matter what city you are in. I can't see this being different for Rio than anywhere else, unless you go to some nonstop party places like Cancun or Ibiza.

Thanks again for all the valuable feedback, if anyone else has any other feedback/suggestions/itinerary ideas please let me know :D

PS. nsummy, I'll be there during the end of May !

Just a note or two (or...):
Paraty is not a day trip from Rio or from SP. It takes 4 hours by bus from Rio and a further hour (in direction of SP) to a decent beach in Trindade.
Personally, I would not want to do Buzios as a day trip either; too rushed.
Weather in May for beaches around Rio (and SP) is going to be cool(er), OK for sunning, but maybe not for swimming/water sports.

May is a quieter time for partying in many places, including beach towns, than the months that run up to Carnaval. Since many casual visitors come previous to Carnaval, by reading their accounts one could be forgiven for assuming that the party is always at full pre-Carnaval intensity.

If music is what you're about, Salvador is a center for Brazilian music. It may, however, be a bit quieter in May than before Carnaval, and electronic is not perhaps its forte, though there is some innovative stuff going on.
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I'm not totally negative about SP. There are some things I like. I've had the priviledge of being shown about by (native) Paulistanos. But I've had 20 years of wandering around Brazil on a regular basis, which has allowed me time to see what I consider the cultural and natural gems of a vast country. Those gems I would still recommend before SP to a new tourist who may not ever be back.
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@OP--I think from your last post you've got the idea; plan for just the day you land, but if what you find in the city inspires you, be flexible to stay longer, or return after seeing what else the country offers.

And just rememeber that getting from the aiport (GRU) to the Jardins area in SP can take HOURS - often 3 hours! - depending on traffic.

And if you are not in business/first class, leave LOTS of time for check-in and security at GRU when you leave. (Still need decent amount of time for security regardless of class).

Luckily my eyes didn't deceive me in December; I can confirm without a doubt that the thong bikini is alive and well amongst the cariocas in Zona Sul :) Everyone has a different definition of trips & vacations. Certainly no one would take a vacation from the US to solely spend a week in Sao Paulo, but to stop there for 1-2 nights isn't unreasonable. The way everyone was suggesting to get out of there immediately you would think invalyd was landing in San Pedro Sula. I don't know how anyone can claim tourists don't vacation in Paris, London, Milan, etc. I just spent a week in Paris last year. Along with spending 2 weeks in Rio. Its not a binary subject, you can do both.

Sao Paulo isn't that controversial but generally Paulistas and Cariocas don't like each other. Take the Boston - New York sports rivalry, multiply it by 3, and make it about the cities instead of sports and there you have it :) That said you will still be hard pressed to find a carioca that won't at least admit that SP is a fun place for a couple of days. You won't regret stopping there. Granted you aren't going to be blown away by how great the city is, but for good food and going out at night, can't be beat. One word of caution though, I would try to get an early afternoon flight, not a morning. Most of the night spots there don't even open until midnight so that gives you a good idea of how late you will be up if you go out. I had a noon flight out of there & I still had to hold back. Uber works great there too so I would advise using it. and if possible fly out of CGH to Rio. You are talking a 20 minute ride to the airport vs 1.5+ hours to GRU.

As for Rio, I still have to sadly say Sun-Wed. the nightlife just plain sucks, and to be honest even isn't that great on the weekends. Rio has perfected hanging out, socializing, and chilling. But there is a giant discrepancy between what locals consider a good night club, dancefloor, etc and what the reality is with the rest of the world. It can't be explained, you just have to see it for yourself. You will be having a great time with good music, and suddenly they will switch to funk and your ears will feel like they are bleeding. Cafe Del Mar there ranks in the top 5 worst "clubs" I have ever been to. Again it depends on a person's definition of night life. I can just say in my experience of traveling the world and going to high end clubs, small bars, big bars, dive bars, music venues, and everything in between that I haven't been even moderately impressed at night in Rio.

I also travel solo and if you want to hang out in the sun and sip beer, Rio is it. The only big issue is that many of these hangout places are generally filled with groups of people, and only tables, no bar stools, so meeting people can be a challenge at first. I've run into the same issues in Europe though too, so its really nothing new, just finding the right spots. I know a Brazilian UFC fighter that lives in San Diego. He fought in Rio last year and I asked him where he went for his after party, hoping he would know about some hot bar or club that I didn't know about. He told me he just went down to the 24 hour kiosk in Copacabana and drank beer until the sun rose. That right there pretty much exemplifies Rio de Janeiro :) If you can meet some Brazilians online before your arrival I think your time there would be much more enjoyable. There is a giant language barrier & some of the practices are completely foreign to Americans (charging drinks to a consumption card, paying cover when you leave, etc). Having a local with you makes life much easier there. Of course that is probably why my Portuguese is so terrible. I always have someone with me that can translate ;)

Very interesting perspective nsummy. I for one am a day person, I like to spend my energy during the day and have a restful night.

Regarding SP, besides being ugly, the other thing that's detestable is accent of the paulistas, a fun example of what I mean is in the movie "No Mato Sem Cachorro" http://www.adorocinema.com/filmes/fi...iler-19451703/

Oh don't get me wrong, I love Rio; I will put up with the poor nightlife for the day life which can't be beat. I just have to be honest with myself and admit that is some aspects its not the perfect place, namely the terrible beer and notion that ketchup packets are classier than using the bottle (still trying to figure that one out haha).

I have heard about the accent but know so little Portuguese I can never detect it. My carioca friend told me it is like comparing a southern US accent to the north. Not sure how comparable that is though. How the hell is that guy wearing a hooded sweatshirt during the day in Rio?! Glad to see terrible romantic comedies exist in all parts of the world hahaha

Thanks again for the feedback!

Here's my current itinerary:
Land in SP Friday 10am (GRU)
Friday Night @ Grand Hyatt Sao Paulo
Leave for Rio 2pm Saturday (CGH)
Arrive in Rio Saturday afternoon
Rio -> Sao (GRU) -> Home the following Monday

Still looking at taking a 1-2 day trip from Rio to Paraty, Buzios or Ilha Grande. If anyone has recommendations on where to stay in Rio I'm all ears. Seems like Barra or Ipanema might be the best options? I see there's a brand new Hilton opening in Barra a few weeks before I arrive.

It takes pretty much a whole day to get to Ilha Grande because of bus and ferry schedules. Paraty is even further down the coast than Angra dos Reis, one transfer point for the ferry. If you have your heart set on this trip, it would make more sense to do it on the way to Rio.
Buzios, on the other hand, is about 100 miles north of Rio. Cabo Frio or Arraial do Cabo are also possibilities.
But on the schedule given above, you have time for none of them, and barely sufficient time to see a bit of Rio. Hope you hit some clear days there to go up to the Cristo and/or Sugarloaf.

Staying in a Barra means that you will spend your time in traffic and your money on long taxi journeys. Hotels are indeed being built there because many Olympic venues are planned for there. The promised transportation has yet to be completed,

Thanks, I guess Ipanema it is then!
I'm not really set on any of those particular destinations, but 9 days in Rio seems like a while, so i thought it could be cool to go somewhere close by for a few days, especially if Rio is very quiet during mid week.

Good personal day, I am Brazilian, so already I apologize for my English.

Come on, I suggest you know Ipanema is a very beautiful place. Being that gives to meet Leblon (Brazil artists), Copacabana (not all it seems). Leblon and Ipanema are the affluent neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro. You can go by bike using the BikeRio. I have used and it is very cool, just use the phone's App Credit Card it releases when the bike. But you would have to have internet in Brazil, you'd better use a pre-paid.

NOT TAKE TAXI !!! Brazilian loves to take advantage of tourists.

I suggest know the "Pão de Açúcar", "Cristo Redentor" (have vans for it who speak English, can be done in confidence hotel). Will not catching vans on the street not, they may want to cheat.

There are slums around, so do not walk on the beach as TOURIST (cameras of the neck, side camcorders, talking loudly in another language). Try to be discreet, and women use bags in a "X", not to have the danger of being swept away.

Avoid walking at night in Rio de Janeiro, and weekend the main road closes for cycling, and may even be lucky enough to see the Ferrari and Porsche.

I think only, qualuer doubt'm here, or send private.

Hugs.

Hi,

I've been to Rio twice in the past three years. Spent about a month there total. On the first trip, I was mostly in Ipanema and Copacabana. Knew I was going to love it the minute I walked onto Avenida Atlantica and saw those two huge mountains at the end of the beach. Got further confirmation as I rode around on the city bus and saw tropical forest. Definite beach vibe, but in a city that sort of reminds me of San Francisco. People mentioned earlier that the nightlife is slow during the week. Keep in mind, there are more than five MILLION people in this city. There is always something going on, and I guarantee you, you will see, hear, eat, and experience things in Rio everyday that you will never get to enjoy in the US. On that first trip, I saw Spain play Tahiti in the Maracana, I went to Sugarloaf and Cristo Redentor, I went to an amazing concert by Grupo Revelaçao, and watched a few sunsets at the Arpoador rock at the end of Ipanema. I ate and drank really well, too. And I didn't even make it to the real party until the second trip. Spend Friday and Saturday night in Lapa. There is a street party under the arches. Take the ferry to Niteroi and see the modern art museum. Rent a car (or bus and cab) your way to Prainha, an amazing beach a short way down the coast. Go to Parque Lagé. Go to the Feira de São Cristoval. Go to the market by the Uruguaiana metro station - blocks and blocks of shops and vendors. I hope to go back again soon and next time, I plan to check out the Santa Teresa neighborhood, the Pedro de Sal street party, and maybe see a Flamingo game. As far as safety goes, I speak Portuguese fairly well, which helped tremendously as I wandered about and got lost multiple times every day. One old lady while I was wandering around Lapa said that it was a high crime zone. I met some girls that were robbed at the block party in Lapa. For some reason, they brought their purses to a street party with thousands of people. My advice would be, bring spending money for a night on the town, no credit cards, no camera, no passport, no iPhone. Lock all that stuff in your hotel safe! Don't go wandering about with things that you would be really upset if you lost them. Definitely, do not take valuables on the beach. According to O Globo, they are having big problems with massive theft on the beach. In spite of the crime, Rio is probably one of the most beautiful cities on earth, I met a lot of very nice people there, and there is a lot of interesting culture to enjoy.