Post: #1

Hello to everyone, glad to finally just get up and join, your threads have always been a source of inspiration and know how. I did try doing searches and did find the Sau Paulo data sheet which is recent too I think(or maybe rio?) anyway it is helpful for the clubbing but I need to hopefully find hotels and as a last resort maybe hostels. My friend and I are on a budget basically just trying to be cost effective not lets "get a rash" misers...but i know i know thats probably an exageration which is why we havent ruled out hostels but we are both leaning on rooms with our own showers.

We land in Rio on a Saturday morning and would like to do 2-3 days....then do 5-6 days in Sao Paulo. And fly out of Sao Paulo on a sunday. I had wanted to land in reverse you know sao paulo then end starting thur or fri in Rio....but I think it turned out more expensive that way. Its not end of the world because it seems SP has awesome venues to choose from during the week.

Where is the ideal locations for hotels for pricing as well as location in both cities while definitely giving good if not excellent safety? What would you recommend?

Would you think we should do 4 days in rio 4 days in sao paulo instead? I was thinking 2 or 3 in Rio because well I read it can an expensive place.

Thank you guys for all your great reads and info.

Post: #2

Anybody ?

Post: #3

As for where to stay in Sao Paulo, the best nightlife is around Vila Olimpia or Itaim, but hotels can get pricey. Vila Madalena/Pinheiros is a good alternative, as well as Bela Vista. Brooklin also if you can get good deals. All are relatively safe, although if you stay in Bela Vista be cautious about venturing into neighbouring Centro which has some dangerous streets full of crackheads. Always take taxis at night (download Easy Taxi / 99 Taxis apps to your phone). Can't comment on hostels because I'm not really familiar with them - I suggest you check Hostelworld for reviews.

I think your lengths of stay in each city are good.

Post: #4

Go for airbnb.com

Do you want to sightsee or just game?

Airbnb.com has very reasonable deals for Itaim, and Jardind though moreso for Jardins.

Jardins has some good daygaming spots but nightlife is really non-existent.
Jardins will put you in striking distance of the metro if interested in sightseeing though.

I cant recommend staying in Vila Madalena because its a little farther from everything.....

Itaim/Vila Olimpia are best for nightlife though i need to check out daygame there my next stop.

If you're traveling with a friend, just share an apt cost

Post: #5

Ok so Itaim and Vila olimpia i will check prices there...yes we,re likely not going to do hostels.

You guys have any recommendations for Rio? My friends friend has a cabby he uses when he's there...he also told him that Rio takes USD. And that the cabby knows the best spots in the favelas that have the hottest chicks...personally tho I happen to watch cidade de deus just the other night and im thinking steering clear all together...I do think id blend in im brown but he's def white but dark haired. Seems like his friend has gone by this cabby many times but im still not sure id venture for it.

We'd be interested in squeezing in whatever sights we can but yes i think we,re both mostly in for some gaming and new experience there. 3 days rio 5 days sao paulo sound good? his friend says we would have more fun in Rio...which maybe points to even split it 4 and 4 days...but i dont know there's valid points made about each.

dont think we can do apts for less than a month much less 3-4 days right?

Post: #6

Here's a good search result link for Rio -
/search.php?ac...order=desc

This is going to be much more tedious, but instead of "Rio de Janeiro," type in "Rio" in the search function clicking on "title". You will have more results to peruse in that situation...but hey...Rio is a very well-known city as many RVFers have had many to say in past about it.

Airbnb.com seems to have higher prices for Rio than say Sao Paulo. I can't comment further because I stayed with someone instead of booking lodging.

(09-01-2014 12:23 AM)JohnConner Wrote:  Ok so Itaim and Vila olimpia i will check prices there...yes we,re likely not going to do hostels.

When I went to Sao Paulo this past May, prices for Itaim/Vila Olimpia were more $$ than Jardins. The opposite is true now. If everything in Itaim/Vila Olimpia is too $$, Jardins would be your best bet. Jardins has some good daygaming spots & at nights is only a 25 reais cab ride to Itaim/Vila Olimpia. The cost is cheaper when getting home back to Jardins due to less traffic.

Here is a local's insight on Jardins regarding location...I can personally endorse it too though I wonder what Itaim/Vila Olimpia is like for daygame out of curiosity -
/thread-34597-...#pid692014

(09-01-2014 12:23 AM)JohnConner Wrote:  We'd be interested in squeezing in whatever sights we can but yes i think we,re both mostly in for some gaming and new experience there. 3 days rio 5 days sao paulo sound good? his friend says we would have more fun in Rio...which maybe points to even split it 4 and 4 days...but i dont know there's valid points made about each.

As a tourist, I think Rio would offer more. Perhaps a split of 4 days for each is best. The thing with Rio is I felt taxis were more expensive mainly because all the points of interest were more scattered.

Sao Paulo has a bigger metro area and is a bigger city than Rio. The "must see" things in Rio will make it bigger from the eyes of a tourist in on a short stay though. Least that was my perspective.

Cristo Redentor (if sunny), Pao de Azucar, hiking, and Barra da Tijuca beach area are the musts for Rio IMO & they're all scattered the f**k apart though public transit via metro/bus will help your causes. Everybody on here loves Zona Sul in Rio (Copocabana, Leblon, Ipanema), but it was empty when I went mainly because it rained everyday during my stay. Well..I'd put that on the "to do list" mainly to get it out of the way.

If I ever went back to Rio, I'd just lounge around Barra da Tijuca for 2-3 days since I got to explore the city in depth already...that is if I'm willing to shell out the dough for lodging.

So yeah just put in the work for Rio via search function....

Post: #7

Really anywhere south of Centro in Rio has some good spots. I like Botafogo and Flamengo personally, but Ipanema, Leme, Copa, and Leblon are more tourist friendly. It's really easy to get around Rio at night, taxis are fairly cheap and buses are everywhere and reliable. Traffic can be a nightmare in the afternoon and evening however.

Santa Teresa is also alright, especially if you want to go to Lapa one of the nights.

Rio does not "take USD." Perhaps a few places, but the vast majority of vendors or venues will obviously want Reais.

About the days thing, I don't think it matters anyways. You are not staying long enough in either city but it is what it is. 2-3 days in Rio, in my opinion, is a waste of time but to each their own.

Post: #8

Ok I want to thank you guys...i will be using your suggestions for Sao paulo and for Rio I will aim for botafogo, Flamengo and St Teresa. I take it these are wise choicest for walking distance and night activity as well? or no?

Ill use ipanema leme copa or Leblon as 2nd choices they probably cost more.

We're def likely just doing hotels.

So far it looks like everyone is polling for 4 days split each we'll be in Rio on sat morning first so then should be in SP wed.

Thanks again...this info is good as we are on a budget and limited in time as you see. But we are going to make the best of it. yes there are other places to visit in SA but honestly we both agreed brazil on a budget could only be done like this...and well it also seemed to offer the best of lots of different factors in South america.
Anyway this is hopefully just the first of many trips and longer ones. Trying to have a balanced trip not pure mongering...the timeline forces us to do more!

Any more must do's and tips are welcomed...even safety ones. Ill def take them into consideration and put it to use!

Post: #9

Botafogo and Flamengo aren't really walking distance to anything, except smaller venues within those neighbourhoods. I also would not walk around in Flamengo at night.

But the reason why I like those two neighbourhoods the best is because they are central (right in the middle between Zona Sul and Centro) and there aren't hundreds of tourists around. They are more "real" neighbourhoods, full of working class Cariocas.

The thing you have to realize about Rio is it's quite spread out and divided into sections because of the mountains. There's nightlife in Zona Sul and Centro and all around. You will have to utilize cabs or public transportation (the buses and metro are quite good) to get around.

Post: #10

Subways works fine (i dont know if the new Ipanema station is finished), and while buses are good, i belive they can be a cultural shock for anglo tourists.

Post: #11

ok we're looking at botafogo or copacabana right now. hey how is dress code?
Is jeans and shoes ok at clubs? can we were decent watches?
during daytime some countries absolutely do not wear shorts...we wear shorts mostly cargo is that ok or will it be "tourist"y?

Im only bringing 1 carry on type bag so it will probably be 2 jeans, shoes, 5-6 shirts, 3-4 cargo shorts, and the sneakers i show up in.

Post: #12

Rio is probably one of the most causal attire I have ever seen in a large city. I also know what you mean by the pants thing, I don't ever wear shorts but many countries in Latin America is pretty much strictly pants. It's not the case in Rio, lots of locals wear shorts in Rio, nor does anyone particularly dress up unless for occupation reasons or if they are going out somewhere that requires it.

Dress codes at night venues are not strict, but some higher end ones might require pants, shoes, and collared shirt perhaps. I would leave any expensive jewellery or watches at home if going to Rio or Sao Paulo honestly. Just not worth it.

Post: #13

thats great to here about the attire...yes the whole anti shorts thing in colombia was petty and comical.

Ok so for Rio we set up shop in copacabana(due to quik beach access) 2 days and we may just stay same place the other 2 days as it seems the distances to sights is a short cab ride away. Like cristo. So basically Saturday and sun we're going to mostly hit the beaches and roam. then mon, tues, do some sights I imagine night life might suck mon/tues? Should we just stay parked in copa all 4 days? Im going to look at barra de tijuca shortly as someone else suggested maybe we'll do that mon/tues.