Expert: Ken Rapoza Cruz - 1/11/2009

Question
Hello,

I'll be leaving for Brazil at the end of January, kicking off a 6 month trip around South America...   I plan on spending about a month in Brazil.

1)  I'm lucky enough to be around during Carnival...  I would have spent it in Rio, but a colleague went 2 years ago and recommended Sao Luis for Carnival instead...  Any suggestions on where to be during the middle weeks of February?  (I'd prefer parties over parades anyday, but, I don't want to be closed-minded...  I'm also worried about an overabundance of tourists in Rio...)

2)  I have a good friend's wedding in Mexico at the end of March - a week at an all-inclusive resort.  Any recommendations on how I can cheaply get to Cancun?  I'm not sure if a flight+hotel package to Mexico can even be purchased in Brazil, but I guess that would work out the best...  (Flight-date flexibility would be a bonus, to allow some sightseeing in Mexico...)

You are providing an excellent service!  Thank you very much, in advance.

Answer
Yoni:

Rio is geared towards the Carnival parades at the Sambadromo, but there are a growing number of block parties as well. I doubt they are safe. Carnival in Rio is for the favela dwellers. Its their life. Then it is for the middle class young who like to party, and, of course, tourists. They say that carnival in the northeast is the best, but I have never heard of the Carnivals in Sao Luis, Maranhao. Ive never been to Maranhao so I cannot recommend it. The carnivals in Bahia are very good, too, where there are large street parties and big busses with bands playing to adoring crowds. It can get a bit overwhelming at timies, though. If your friend recommends Sao Luis, go for it. Id also recommend Salvador if you want a mix of cultural tradition and beaches.

2) You can definitely purchase flight and hotel packages to Cancun in Brazil, no question about it. They are not a dime a dozen, but you can find them. Try Valeria at Tour Company, valeria@tourcompany.com.br. Tell her Ken Rapoza sent you. She can read and write English, but speaks Portuguese. If you have trouble communicating, go through me. She is the best in teh business that I have dealt with so far. If she doesnt get you to Cancun from Brazil, she will know someone who can.

Cancun, mind you, is a u niquely American vacation spot, so I dont know if Brazilians think Mexico and think Cancun. It might be more Mexico City, or Acapulco. I really don't know. Valeria will.