Angie

Thanks everyone for your suggestions!

Angie x

Eu falo! :)

Sou de Sao Paulo, vivi la ate 1999 e sinto muita saudade!

For a start: Sao Paulo is no less dangerous than other big cities like New York, London or Rome. I say that because I’ve lived in all of these places and happen to be original from Sao Paulo. I won’t suggest that there is no violence there, not at all, but funnily enough I was never mugged when I was living there, and here in London I’ve had my bag/money stolen three times. That said,. don’t let preconceived ideas put you off!

I’d advise spending 2 days in Sao Paulo, there is a great nightlife, great museums and lots of things to do. The hotel Paulista Center Hotel http://www.paulistacenterhotel.com.br/ is centrally located, in the middle of everything, near bars , restaurants and etc. When in Sao Paulo, don’t miss out on the modern art museum (MASP), also the Bixiga district (an Italian ghetto with a brazilian flavour), go have dinner at the Edificio Italia, it’s the highest building in town, with a great view. Go to the Ibirapuera park, hire a bike and cycle around the park, go to the MAM (museum of modern art) and try to go to a traditional Brazilian music gig at the beautifully constructed park auditorium www.auditorioibirapuera.com.br. Also hang out in the Vila Madalena district, that’s the party quarter, with clubs and bars and restaurants for every budget and every taste.

Then I’d suggest catching a bus towards Rio (it’s cheaper!!) via Sao Sebastiao and enjoy the various semi-deserted beaches in there. The village of Camburi is lovely and a good place to stay for a day/night before carrying on to Rio. A lovely place to stay (an not overpriced either) is the Pousada das Praias www.pousadadaspraias.com.br/ – and if you bargain of the price when booking (they are all super feiendly and english speaking), they will give you an even lower price!

Then after that you can catch the bus from Sao Sebastiao to Rio. This will take around 3-4h, depending on the route. When you get to Rio, watch the central bus station, it is a point for professional pickpocketers to oprate. I totally second what was said above, NEVERFLASHMONEY!!! re places to stay in rio…The hostel El Misti www.elmistihostel.com is a great option. Its cheap, clean and friendly and centrally located, meaning you wont have to catch cabs all the time and will be right near a metro station. Ah, when buying metro tickets, always go for the 10-trip cards, it will save you money!

When in Rio, I highly recommend going to the Arcos da Lapa. At the time tyou will probably be there, the samba schools will be rehearsing for the carnival already and there are a couple of small schools in there, people serving drinks on the streets, its a great athmosphere and not that touristy. Also all the usual hotspots like the Christ and the Sugarloaf…Although the sugarloaf i’d go in the evening, the sight from the top is fab. And you get to see all the weird animals (skunks, badgers etc) and is less crowded of tourists. Another cool thing to do when in Rio is going to the Maracana stadium in a match day (try to plan yourself to be there at the day) you don’t need to book anything, as there is always room (the stadium is huge) it is an experience of a kind, really!

Another suggestion is to fly from Rio to Bahia with Gol (the low-cost airline) www.voegol.com.br or even cheaper, try BRA (another low-cost airline but it work with charter flights) www.voebra.com.br is the address. When in Bahia, just relax and walk around, go to the Mercado Modelo (the bric- a brac market), and just stroll around Pelourinho, the historic center (its world heritage site). A good place to stay and again, inexpensive is The Ambar Pousada htttp://www.ambarpousada.com.br/. If you don’;t like it there are loads and loads of cheap hostels there (look out for the pousadas). Check the capoeira playing at the Mestre Bimba school, www.capoeiramestrebimba.com.br and get mesmerized by the natives’ swing at playing the game – If you have time to do a one day trip, go to Morro de Sao Paulo (an island near Salvador), its beautiful.

If you are into mystic experiences and nature sports, go outside Salvador, to Lencois. Her’s some info about it – gosouthamerica.about.com/od/salvsights/index.htm. There are lots of foreigners there, but it is till worthwhile. They do trekking inside caves, snorkeling, flying-fox on waterfalls, its brilliant! When you go there, ask for one of the few English speaking guides, a guy called Santana is very good and can take you to a 3-day trekking experience it will be hard to forget.

After that, if you still have time, head to Brasilia, and see the planned capital built in the 50’s and try a bike ride! You will be amazed with the architecture. It is not amazingly interesting, but it would be a good point to fly from, toward the south. I really do recommend going to Foz do Iguacu, to see the waterfalls, eat churrasco (barbecue) til you explode in one of the many bbq houses spread all over town, then maybe go for a day trip to Paraguay if you need to stock up in electronics? A really good value for money is the hotel Del Rey http://www.hoteldelreyfoz.com.br/ they have the best breakfast ever!! And they organise trips to the falls with a van and etc. Then fly back to Sao Paulo (its easier and closer).

I hope this helps, and that you will have a fantastic time in Brazil!!!

Tchau! Angie

Thanks everyone for your answers! I went to Madrid again and stayed at the Hostal Adriano, it was a good choice, though if you have time and are traveling light, is possible to check out all the numerous hostals in the area and do some bargaining!!

Thanks a lot for such a detailed answer trippity! I stayed there and it was really good value for money. Cheers!

Hi Sashay – thanks for the links and suggestions.

When are you planning to come over? London is a great city, but even better in the summertime.

If you are planning to study at King’s then Camden could be a good location to live, with lots of entertainment and it is not that expensive. I could give you lots of suggestions, it depends on what you are looking to do & budget. feel free to contact me directly! Angie

Hi Erica, that was a very encouraging post, thank you!! Well, the company I work for will pay for up to a month’s worth of accommodation, but time flies, especially when everything is new! I am super excited though and looking forward to my new life in NYC! Thanks again for the uplifting words and I’ll get back in touch soon! Angie

Hi Kevin, thanks for such a detailed answer! I am really looking forward to the thousands of possibilities NYC can offer as you mentioned, I guess these transition times open your eyes to the most valuable things in the ‘old’ and ‘new’ worlds :)

I have already started to study for a theory test for a motorcycle license here in the UK. Is it very expensive to get a license there?

Thanks a lot, I’ll definitely get in touch! : )

Have you been to the ‘Malagueta’ yet?

The formule 1 – http://www.cmnet.com.br/formule1/reservas/Apresentacao.aspx – hotels are quite cheap and decently located, right next to avenida paulista and all the action.