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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

anyone been to Brazil?

30 replies

cushionedwell · 30/04/2022 13:43

we are thinking of going next year but looks overwhelming.
we'd like to stay in rio then one or two other places
would like a nice beach place to finish off
any recommendations please?

OP posts:
Toponeniceone · 30/04/2022 13:51

Yes! Stayed in Ipanema and Copacabana. You could go out to Ihla Grande?

hellcatspanglelalala · 30/04/2022 14:01

Yes, didn't rate Rio to be honest and wouldn't have wanted to stay more than a few days. Definitely worth visiting the Iguacu falls for the day. When we were researching we though Buzios looked nice so it might be worth looking at?

Happymama24 · 30/04/2022 14:03

My husband is Brazilian and there are some gorgeous beaches up north. We usually base ourselves in Fortaleza and go from there. They have great tours to all these places that you can book out there if that was something you are interested in.

chisanunian · 30/04/2022 14:04

A friend of mine had to go to Rio on business a few years ago, and she said she'd never been so scared for her own safety before. She was relieved to come home.

Original poster
cushionedwell · 30/04/2022 14:04

thankyou that's really helpful
any tips for what area of rio to stay in?
we will have our three adult children with us so i am sure they will want some nightlife . A quieter place for us OAPs

OP posts:
Cascais · 30/04/2022 14:08

Itacare

Toponeniceone · 30/04/2022 14:17

I haven't been for a while. Just make sure you get a nice hotel. Mine had a swimming pool on the roof, which was pretty cool for a backpacker. Just think of the sights you want to see. I did: Christ the Redeemer, Sugar Loaf mountain, the football at the maracana, the beaches, Tijuca National Park which is an urban rainforest, Ihla Grande. You can book tours when you're there. I had already done iguacu. So excited for you.

PurrBox · 30/04/2022 14:20

Absolutely loved Rio, thought it was stunningly beautiful and teeming with life.

jimboandthejetset · 30/04/2022 14:34

Rio is absolutely beautiful and very exciting but you also need to keep your wits about you (as you do in many places). Iguacu Falls are stunning too. I'd love to go to the Pantanal to see the wildlife, should I ever go back. I'd also be very curious about Brasilia.

Original poster
cushionedwell · 30/04/2022 14:42

i'm
just booking the flights and will take it from there
but please any recommendations are really welcome

OP posts:
MonkeysandParrots · 30/04/2022 16:43

We went a few years ago, did Rio & Buzios. Loved both.

In Rio, we hired a private guide for the day which was worth every penny. She was a Rio native, loved her city and it showed. We saw so much more than we would have on an organised tour or going indepently plus we learnt a ton about Rio that only locals know. We stayed, I think, at the Sofitel which is on the corner between Copacabana and the next bay along, very central.

In Buzios, we stayed in a B&B which was carved into the rocks at the side of the bay, just gorgeous. My husband still talks about a blue cheese & lobster risotto he ate at a beachside cafe there.

It was more expensive than I anticipated albeit worth if for the 10 days we were there.

TizerorFizz · 30/04/2022 17:03

@cushionedwell
We went a few years ago. We found Rio ok and did the “must do” sights. The Ipanema beach area is fine. Copacabana Beach is huge. We stayed at the Windsor California. It was very good. Santa Teresa is a lovely area. Keep your wits about you everywhere. It’s a lot easier to go on organised trips around the city. Ours were pre booked with tour operator.

We went to Iguaco Falls. You must go to the Argentinian side too. It’s actually the best side! The beach at Paraty is well worth a visit but we went further north to Praia Do Forte. It’s near Salvador. That’s another must visit city. The Praia Do Forte area is Brazilian! Hardly anyone speaks English. It’s fun and laid back. Salvador is based on African slave culture and music. It’s fantastic. Trancoso is another beach area.

We also went to Ouro Preto. There is a a great driving route which takes in several colonial towns with superb churches. It’s quieter but there are great places to stay. Hope that helps.

You also have the Pantanal and the Amazon!

zafferana · 30/04/2022 17:34

Rio + either Parati or Buzios is a common combination for people who want city + beach. For area, we stayed in Copacobana, but if I went back I'd stay in Ipanema. A friend stayed in Leblon (the other side of Ipanema) and said that was nice too. Rio is edgy, for sure, so follow the advice, be careful and you'll have a good time. The food and music is absolutely amazing. I loved it.

Silkierabbit · 30/04/2022 17:40

We went about 10 years ago when my DH was doing some work for one of their oil and gas companies. We flew to Rio and stayed at the Portobay Hotel and had a room with a balcony overlooking Copacabana, and hotel had rooftop pool and on way back we stayed at the Sheraton which had an outdoor pool. We went on organised trips and took safety advice from hotel, hotels were good and good to see the sights but the 4 nights we were there was enough for us. At the Sheraton we could hear gunshots which someone asked the waiter about and he said that's normal and at the Portobay at breakfast there was a man trying to buy prostitutes at breakfast. Shock

We also went to Paraty which I preferred, we had an interesting transfer down there by a firm and the driver kept shutting his eyes and one of the Argentinians with us offered to takeover the driving but he continued, we did get there OK. Paraty was lovely cobbled streets, horses and carriage rides, fishing boats you could pay to take you for a ride, lovely beach and we went to stay a short taxi ride away in Pousada Bromelias which was lovely in the rainforest with a pool. Would happily go back there if it was easier to get to. Only saw beautiful flowers, rainforest and insects, no wildlife (could well be we just missed it though) but we saw the monkeys in Rio. I would stay here again pousadabromelias.com/eng/video.asp?Idioma=en, think also on Booking.com. Of the Rio hotels preference of those 2 would be the PortoBay as location was nicer and lovely view from balcony.

This is Paraty www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Tourism-g303503-Paraty_State_of_Rio_de_Janeiro-Vacations.html

WildFlowerBees · 30/04/2022 17:45

Have been to several place in Brazil, went to the Rio carnival which was absolutely brilliant. I didn't feel particularly safe and pickpocketing is rife. Watched a young lad try and pick pocket my friends phone when I confronted him he couldn't care less! Go and enjoy but keep your wits about you.

TizerorFizz · 30/04/2022 18:16

We had very safe drivers and good cars. We hired a car in the Minas Gerais area but driving back to Rio airport was stressful. Lots of utterly maniac drivers. The towns in that region are superb though and away from throngs of tourists.

Original poster
cushionedwell · 30/04/2022 18:26

this is all so helpful thankyou all.
we have been to Cape Town and Buenas aires so are aware of the need to be careful - sounds like this might be up a notch though
think we'll keep RDJ to a must do and then move on

OP posts:
LadyJGrey · 30/04/2022 18:34

As others have said, we did Rio and Buzios, which was a great combo.
We also hired a local Rio guide, which I’d thoroughly recommend. (He took us to one of the favelas, which obviously you wouldn’t venture into on your own). As well as the usual sights. I really enjoyed both Rio and Buzios.
We stayed in a hotel over looking Copacabana beach, it was a beautiful view.

resipsa · 30/04/2022 18:42

I've been twice. Loved Rio, Curitiba and Ig Falls. Rio is one of those iconic beach cities like Sydney and Cape Town that means it's a must. Enjoy!

resipsa · 30/04/2022 18:46

PS The driving is terrifying. I've visited 60 countries and I'd say it's the worst.

Scoobydoobydo · 30/04/2022 19:37

A few years ago now. Got robbed on the beach at 6.30am by 2 men holding a knife to us.
They only wanted cash and then they ran
Police not interested

Original poster
cushionedwell · 30/04/2022 19:57

that must have been terrifying for you.
We were attacked in Paris randomly years ago ( i'll never go back) and my son in law was badly beaten up in Walthamstow not so long ago as part of a robbery .
bad things happen everywhere I guess .

OP posts:
TizerorFizz · 30/04/2022 20:45

@cushionedwell
Our hotel gave us info on where not to go. Especially after dark. I would pay attention to what they say.

Blueotter10 · 30/04/2022 21:06

I went to Trancoso a few years ago (an internal flight from Rio or Sao Paolo + a short drive), it was absolutely stunning and felt very safe.

MayBeeMee · 01/05/2022 18:30

Buzios is gorgeous, but Rio was far edgier than I expected. There is no way we would have ventured out of the hotel in the evenings for any sort of nightlife, even in the ‘safe’ areas, and we are well travelled. Police are everywhere, and are heavily armed, even walking along the edge of the beach.
My tips would be to hire a driver, ask hotel staff for advice on where is safe and to learn some Portugese. Few people outside of hotels speak even basic English.

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