Expert: Ken Rapoza Cruz - 10/28/2008

Question
I'm arriving in Rio at midnight and want to organise a driver to pick me up from the airport. Can you suggest a reputable company. Also, travelling overland from Rio to Salvador - any suggestions on the best travel route?  Am in Salvador for Carnival and wonder how safe it is. I will be with friends.

Answer
Wow...youre going to be in Brazil for a few months then. When you arrive in the airport in Rio, you will see a number of taxi stands inside where you can pay up front by credit card. Any one of those is fine. Red banned cars are more expensive than white band cars...or taxi comuns (common cabs).  Dont pick up a cab from the street. Only use a cab paid for by the airport. Mark my words.

Overland, huh? Maybe a bad idea unless you have a good offroad vehicle. The roads start to suck bad once you enter Minas Gerais state. The scenario will be great, but its not one straight shot highway. Ive never done that kinda roadtrip so I cant help you there. The best roads are from Rio on south, not Rio on north. The further north you go, the crappier the roads. That said, I cant make any suggestions for the best travel route.  Take a plane!