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December 1, 2008
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Brazil BlogBrazil Talk!Cruise from Sao Paulo
Filed under: Brazil General - October 16th, 2006 Your Questions: How far is the cruise terminal from the airport? Is the cruise terminal near the city centre? Are there hotels near the cruise terminal that do free transfers? Could you recommend a website to enable us to book a hotel? I would also like to know as much as I can about Brazil could you recommend good informative websites and books? Our Reply: The cruise terminal in Brazil is not in the city of Sao Paulo. Since Sao Paulo city isn’t on the coastline you will have to drive approximately 1-2 hours in order to get to the port. Santos is the name of the city where the terminal is. In order to get to Santos, assuming the cruise line doesn’t provide that transportation an option is to either rent a car, or catch a shuttle bus from the airport to the bus station called Terminal Tiete. From the terminal you are able to catch a bus to Santos. Once in Santos you will arrive at the bus station there, and take a taxi to your hotel. The Port is in more of an industrial zone, so I wouldn’t recommend staying in a hotel in that area. Santos has a beautiful beach, and I would recommend staying in a hotel right on or near the water. I have found a couple hotels and pousadas, but I had to search in Portuguese because there were only about 3 hotels with English sites, and those are quite expensive hotels. A pousada is similar to a hotel, but usually not quite as large. The name of a Pousada I found is Pousada Sao Marcos. Its website is in Portuguese, but it is very affordable at approximately $80 Reals per night, which is approximately $30 US. As for books on Brazil, when I was in Brazil I found the most useful book to be the lonely planet book on Brazil. If you follow this link for Brazil Stuff and click on Books on Brazil found about half way down the page you can buy the book right online through Amazon. This book has a lot of helpful hints as well as great ideas of things to do while down in Brazil. Feel free to read up about Brazil on our site, and as for other sites it really depends on what kind of information you are looking for. If you want information about the people, places, etc I would suggest simply doing a search on google with the key words being what you are looking for and hopefully you will find what it is you want. Also, feel free to ask any other questions you may have in order to get all the information you wish before your travels to Brazil. Living in Brasilia- Zona Sul
Filed under: Ask Us - September 2nd, 2006 Your Question: I would like to know about the prices of flats (with two bedrooms) in Asa Sul. Is it possible to get a comfortable flat at 400 US dollars per month in that neighbourhood? How much does a two-persons family need per month to live comfortably in Brasilia? Our Reply: The best idea for you would be to look up houses, or apartments on the internet. It is very possible to find a comfortable flat for $400 US per month. The problem is that a lot of people assume if you are a tourist you are able and willing to spend a lot more on a flat. During my search I found places ranging from $900 to $1200 Reals. If you search on the English sites you will probably find that the price will go from $1500 - $2000 per month because they are hoping to get tourists. I found it difficult to find a lot of rental units in Brasilia, Zona Sul, but I know that there are places to rent for $400 US per month. Question #2 How much does a two-person family need per month to live comfortably in Brasilia? As usual there are ongoing monthly expenses such as rent, hydro, water and food. Rent approximately $1000 Reals per month, hydro approximately $60 Reals per month, water approximately $50 Reals per month, and food, depending on how much you eat could be anywhere from $300- $500 Reals per month. So, all of these totals to $1410 - $1610 Reals per month. Of course there will also be other expenses such as going out, clothing, car and insurance if you desire, travel, and more. If you are looking for a rough estimate for a comfortable stay in Brazil I would say for a 2 person family be prepared to spend about $2500 Reals total for the two of you per month. Seashells on Copacabana
Filed under: Ask Us - September 2nd, 2006 Your Question: Our Reply: Thanks for your question. I hope you are able to travel to Brazil and find some beautiful shells. Travel Brazil
Filed under: Brazil General - July 31st, 2006 If you are looking into booking your next vacation, and are tired with the same places you go every year, try something new. Brazil is become more and more popular each year. What more could you ask for, the beautiful weather, the people, the sites you will see. Brazil has everything and more than most other countries that are frequented by tourists. The people of Brazil are amazing. Of course as in any country, you must be careful with what you wear and who you talk to, but a majority of people in Brazil will go out of their way to help you with anything you might need. Brazilian beaches are also something not to miss. The temperature in places such as Rio reach 40 degrees daily during the summer months, and drop down to about 25 in the winter months, which is still quite warm. Beaches like Copacabana and Ipanema are among the tourist favorites. Brazil is a very large country and can take many trips to see a majority of what it has to offer. Weather you have already been, or are thinking about going for the first time, don’t miss out. Brazil is a beautiful country full of beautiful places and interesting cultures. Now is the perfect time to visit the tropical destination. Visa Procedure
Filed under: Brazil General - June 5th, 2006 Your Question: I live in Pakistan and I want to visit Brazil(uberlandia)city. I have some friends there and I want to meet them. Please tell me the whole procedure; how can I enter Brazil from Pakistan. What is the procedure regarding my visa etc.. Many countries require visas in order to get into Brazil. Every country will have their own procedure, and most countries have a Brazilian Consulate that you will need to mail in order to find out what the procedure is for your country. I would love to help you and go into the website, but unfortunately I most likely wont understand as it wont be english;). I recommend that you go into some of your government sites, with keywords being getting a brazilian visa or something similar. There you will most likely be given the instructions in order to obtain a visa. There are a few different kinds available, well at least coming from my country there were, but find the one that best suits your needs, and you may possibly have to mail your passport to the consulate, or visit the consulate for an interview. The best advice I can give is to somehow get ahold of a Brazilian consulate in your country if one exists and ask them how to go about getting a visa for Brazil. Also, make sure that if there are any medical requirements you get them done before going to Brazil, it wouldn’t be fun getting turned away due to something you could have avoided. Good luck! You will have a great time in Brazil, especially since you already have friends to visit. Thanks Cities In Brazil Calling UK from Brazil
Filed under: Ask Us - June 5th, 2006 Your Question: How much does it cost to call England from Rio. Hotels usually cost a fortune , but what about my mobile phone or a public telephone. Our Reply: Unfortunately calling anywhere while in Brazil is quite expensive. I have yet to call to the UK, but I have called to North America and it was approximately $3 reals per minute. Brazil has a very poor telephone system in their country. Even to call within Brazil is very expensive. In order to call within the country, it is easiest to buy phone cards from local vendors. Each phone card will vary in the amount of unidades(units) it contains. When calling within the city of destination it is relatively cheap using phone cards. When calling from city to city, these unidades will be used up quite quick. I found cards of 60 unidades for approximately $7 reals. This number of 60 is not minutes. Depending where you are calling will decide how fast these unidades are used up. It is possible to use these card to phone to the United Kingdom, but I would advise against it as it is probably a very expensive way. If you are looking to call, what I do recommend that I found as the cheapest way is by using the computer and looking for computers with skype. This is a program that allows you to use a head set of a computer and call to a telephone. If you sign up now, and put a credit on your account, all you will have to do is find a computer with skype, and call. Other ways would be to go through a company such as VIVA. In Brazil, there are places that offer international calls for about $1 real per minute. Hope this helps! If you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to ask:) When’s A Good Time to Visit Brazil in 2007, During Carnival?
Filed under: Ask Us - May 25th, 2006 Your Question: I’m looking to travel to Brazil with some friends in 2007 I’m trying to find out when is the carnival or when is the best time to go? I’m from California so yes I’m from America I’ve always heard Brazilian woman are very beautiful is this true? Thanks that’s all the questions I can think of right now I’m just trying to see when to go down there I wanna stay for at least a week and its 4 of us going so I was thinking about just getting a suite to save money any ideas on what to do out there please share thanks hope to hear from you soon! Our Reply: Carnival is a great time to visit Brazil - if you like to party! During the Carnival Brazil comes alive with street parades, live music, and dancing. This celebration lasts for 4 days and is held throughout all cities in Brazil, however the most famous is the Rio Carnival. In 2007 the Carnival will be held from February 16th through to the 21st. If you’re on a budget then you may be a little shocked at the prices of lodging during the Carnival. Because this is a world famous celebration people come to Brazil from all over and fill up all the hotels and apartments, this causes prices to skyrocket! Therefore your idea about sharing a place with 4 friends is an excellent one; you’re also advised to book early while there are still vacancies available. Below I’ve posted a few links to web pages where you can book apartments or hotels: Brazil Hotels Other than Carnival, another great time to visit is during our summer. Our summer begins in November and lasts through to April. During these months the weather is extremely hot, with many days averaging 104F and nights averaging 77F. If you’re only going to stay a week then I’d recommend staying in Rio de Janeiro. PS: And yes, Brazilian women are very beautiful! I think you’ll very much enjoy the women and the beach attire that’s very popular down here For more AskUs Questions & Answers, click AskUs Weblog. Arvore da Vida Editorial and The Church in Sao Paulo
Filed under: Ask Us - May 10th, 2006 Your question: Our Reply: Here are some websites for Árvore da Vida Editorial: Bellow you will find some websites for The Church in Sao Paulo: Cities In Brazil thanks you for your question. Salvador
Filed under: Lisa in Brazil - April 27th, 2006 Salvador as many know if a large city in Brazil in the state of Bahia. Salvador is known for its many afro-brazilian people as well as its amazing carnaval celebrations in the streets. Salvador is along the coast and has some amazing beaches. Pelourinho is the oldest neighborhood in Salvador and has some beautiful architecture, and many tourists walking around with cameras. I was warned many times about this area and it being dangerous but I never encountered anything of the such. This area has many little shops to buy souvenirs such as the Bom Fim bracelets that are very popular in Salvador. Bom Fim is a church that is located just outside the city of Salvador. The bracelets have been known to be good luck. If you make a wish and tie the bracelet on, your wish will come true, and you must leave the bracelet on until it falls off. Once the bracelet falls off, that signifies that your wish has come true. I currently have one on my left wrist:) Still waiting for the wish to come true! Salvador also offers a day trip, or possible longer to a place called Morro do Sao Paulo. This is one of my favorite places in Brazil so far. From Salvador you take a bus costing about $50 reals one way to get to the island. Once you get there, you feel as though you are in another country. The Island is very small, and you can walk everywhere you want to go. There are 5 beaches, but most of the action resides within 3. The beaches are known by numbers, not names. Beach #2 is the place with the action. It is very easy to go to this Island with no place to stay and find one as soon as you get there (depending on season I suppose). Pousadas are similar to motels or hostels in a way. There are many along all beaches, varying in prices from $20 reals - $150 reals per person. This is an excellent place to go to relax and get away from things for a while. It is much less dangerous on this island that the city of Salvador. To return back to Salvador, you simply catch a bus from the same place you were dropped off. The return price is $50 reals as well. Some of the recommended beaches to stay at in Salvador are Pituba, Itapua, Ondinha, Farol de Barra, and Amaralina. The water is very beautiful and green, and the water is good to swim in. There are also many palces to surf if that is what you are looking for. There are other beaches further from the center of the city with georgeous green water, but they are approximately a 40 min drive or a 1 hour bus ride. Overall, Salvador was a beautiful place to visit, and if you are thinking of travelling there, make sure you go to Morro do Sao Paulo. Northern Brazil
Filed under: Lisa in Brazil - April 12th, 2006 Well, I know its been a while since I last posted a blog, but things can get pretty crazy when you are up in northern Brazil. The sun shines all year round, and its hard to come in off the beach and write a blog. Today I decided would be the day to just write a quick note about what I have seen so far during my nordest meaning northern Brazil adventure. Right now I am traveling with 3 friends up to 5 major cities of Northern Brazil. We have so far seen Salvador, Maceio, Recife, Natal and are now in Fortaleza. These cities are all the capital cities of their regions. All of these cities have their own special traits that make them very unique. Salvador is in the state of Bahia and is known for its capoeira, and afro-latino people. There are some amazing beaches here, with a vast coastline. The center of the city has a lot of action, especially in the Pelourinho neighborhood which is the oldest part of Salvador. Maceio is a smaller city, with approx 2 million people. There are many beaches, but a few of them in the city are polluted. If you want to see one of the most beautiful beaches, hop on a bus or cabbing it out to Praia do Francés is where you should go. The beaches are green and gorgeous. From Salvador we decided to take an overnight trip to the city of Morro do Sao Paulo. It was so beautiful. You need to take a boat there from the docks in Salvador, and it is about $50 reals each way. Once you get there you will be amazed with is beauty and relaxed atmosphere. There are many tourists here, which makes it fun to meet people from other countries as well. It is really easy to go there with no plans, and shortly have many because people will approach you and tell you of whats happening that night, and where to stay etc. Recife is another larger city, with plenty of things to do every day of the week. There is another part to it known as Olinda which is where the city began. Olinda has some of the oldest buildings in Brazil. Recife is known for one of is beaches called Boa Viagem meaning good voyage. It was very popular a few years back, but once surfers started getting attacked by sharks, people started to find other beaches to attend for fear of the sharks. You will still hear of a few attacks, so its best to not swim too deep in the waters there. We also took a bus to a city called Porto das Galinhas. This means chicken port. It was called that because it used to be the secret location to here the slaves were smuggled in. This place is very beautiful. It is a 2 hour bus ride from Recife, and once you get there you will feel as though you are in a little touristy town full of cool souvenirs, and postcards etc. The beach here is beautiful and green, and there are reefs right off shore that you can take a boat to for a very reasonable price, or you can swim out to and rent a scuba mask. You will see many tropical fish here. The next city was Natal. I really love this place. We stayed just outside in an area called Ponta Negra. This would be where I would recommend staying. There are many pousadas (hotel/motel type place), hotels, or hostels. There is always something to do in this area. During the day there is a beautiful beach with surfing, shopping, restaurants, and during the night there are clubs, pubs, and restaurants as well. From Natal you can take some day trips. One of the ones we took was to the Dunes. We went by dune buggy to the dune park. It was amazing. It cost $200 for 4 people for the day. You can decide if you want a ride with or without emotion, and we obviously got the one with emotion which was really fun! We were able to stop and do camel rides, sand boarding, ski bunda, and a zip line into the water. All of the activities were relatively cheap, ranging from $4-$15 reals. Another side trip we took was to Pipa. This is another city about 1.5 hours from Natal. It is a small city which can be walked from one end to the other in 20 minutes. Here you will feel a hippi -ish atmosphere that is very laid back and relaxing. If you are interested in swimming with dolphins that is a possibility here. If you get to the bay of dolphins around 10:30 you will be able to stand in the water and watch dolphins swim around you for hours. The only danger here is the tide rises very fast and if you get stuck in this bay you will have no way out until the tide goes back down. So, this takes me to Fortaleza. I have only been here for one night, so hopefully as I spend a little more time here I will have more to tell. I am really enjoying it so far, and we seem to have found the most active part of the city to set up camp. We are right by Mereilles beach. There is beach volleyball, capoeira, soccer, and much more happening here. Ok so that sums up that last few weeks of my adventures here in Brazil. The north is a very beautiful part of Brazil and should definitely not be missed.
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