Expert: Edison - 12/19/2007

Question
Hi,  

My name is Ian and my Fiance Rosana, me and my 9 year old daughter are traveling to Brazil Feb 29 through Mar 16 2008.  I was hoping you could give us some expert advice on what to see and do and how to travel within Brazil.  We plan on flying into Sao Paulo renting a car and staying there for 3 days then driving to Rio for another 3-4 days, we need some advice on what else to do and see while we are there.  We don't have lots of money to spend, but enjoy nightlife, the outdoors, the beach, food and music.  Can you help us plan our itinerary and give us tips on what we need to watch out for and what we need to do for advance preparation?

Thanks for your help,

Ian

Answer
Hello Ian,

Sao Paulo is a big city, with a lot of museums, shopping malls, good restaurants and night life.

Rio has a lot of beautiful places to visit and great night life and music. Most visit: are Corcovado, Sugar Loaf, Ipanema Beach and Carnival shows.

I would not recommend renting a car to drive in Sao Paulo or Rio. The traffic is very bad, the drivers very crazy and not safe. Instead, I would ride the subway in Sao Paulo and take tour buses (reserves in most hotels) and cabs to visit Rio.

You can take a bus (executive) from Sao Paulo (Tiete Bus Station) to Rio to save some money and enjoy the countryside. The buses are very comfortable, on schedule and great variety of destinations and schedule.

If you are little more adventurous, try to rent a car in Sao Paulo and drive to Rio via de cost line: Guaruja, Ilhabela, Ubatuba, Parati, and Angra dos Reis.  The beaches, towns and road scenery are unforgettable beautiful.  You would need at 3-4 days to enjoy them all. Just check the weather before going. Sometimes rains a lot.

I am listing some web sites below with a lot of tips, information and comments from other travelers.

Have fun,  

Edison

Sao Paulo:
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/South_America/Brazil/Estado_de_Sao_Paulo/Sa...
http://www.mytravelguide.com/attractions/ctattractions-75323405-Brazil_Sao_Paulo...

Rio:
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/South_America/Brazil/Estado_do_Rio_de_Janei...
http://www.viator.com/tours/Rio-de-Janeiro/Corcovado-Christ-Redeemer-and-Sugar-L...
http://www.viator.com/Rio-de-Janeiro-tours/Day-Trips-and-Excursions/d712-g5
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/South_America/Brazil/Estado_do_Rio_de_Janei...

Sao Paulo to Rio Beaches towns:
http://gosouthamerica.about.com/cs/southamerica/a/BraIlhabela.htm
http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/03/12/travel/12beach.html
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/South_America/Brazil/Estado_do_Rio_de_Janei...
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/South_America/Brazil/Estado_do_Rio_de_Janei...
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/South_America/Brazil/Estado_do_Rio_de_Janei...