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Hilarious Brazilian food cooking classes, ideal for rainy or cloudy whether. You learn, you eat, you mix Brazilian drinks, you take photos ... flat out fun.
Rua Ronald de Carvalho 154, Copacabana
www.cookinrio.com
Hey all, I had the opportunity to see the favela Rocinha as well and thoroughly enjoyed myself. What was the most fun was hanging out and just being there with the local people, Zezinho's friends and family.
I did not want to go with a huge group of people on a structured tour. And my main requirement is that I wanted my money to go to somebody, a local who lives there in the favela. Many of these companies like "favela tour" or "be a local" charge a lot of money for a short 3 hour visit and your with 10 or more people. I know, as I did research before chosing who I wanted to see the community with.
So, I was referred to a local "Zezinho" who seems to be giving back in his community and is not out to bilk some sorry as* tourist out of his greenbacks! Well worth the money spent for the 9 hours we spent there.
Its obvious this guy loves what he does. He presents the community honestly and makes sure before you leave that you will probably know more about favelas than the average Carioca does. This guy has tattoos of the favela houses on his arms and legs and everybody in the favela knows him! He is like an ambassador for the favela Rocinha.
We had a great time, just the four of us and we highly recommend local people to give you a tour of such a fascinating area of Rio. Stay away from these large companies as they do not hire local guides and the time spent there with them is not worth it. If you are looking to hang out in the favela, drink some beer, listen to music and not have a time limit (we spent 9 hours there), talk to Zezinho. He will make sure you have a great time absorbing favela culture!
Check out his website for the info you need!
~Chris
This boutique hotel will make you feel at the paradise doorstep. Amid the Atlantic rain forest and the ocean, it is the ideal place to relax while getting to see some of the Brazil's best landscapes: the Sao Paulo north coast.
There is a lot of to do nearby in terms of eco tourism and it's close to breath taking deserter beaches.
The hotel also have a superb restaurant. Ideal for couple and those arriving or leaving the country as it is only a couple of hours from the Sao Paulo international airport.
Take the excellent bus service from the Caixas de Sol bus station. The bus stops and turns around outside the museum.
Bezerros is a city in the interior of north-east Brazil. It is a one-hour car ride from Recife, the coastal capital of the the state of Pernambuco.
Many tourists head to Brazil just for the beaches, but take a visit to the interior and you will see the real Brazil. Bezerros is a good base for this. It is located between the lush topical coast and the dry Sertao, within a hilly dividing line between the two known as the Agreste.
The Serra Negra range of mountains offer spectacular views of the great dry plans that spread out beyond the hills, with lakes and caves where visitors can rock climb, trek, horseride or take a Jeep tour. Bezerros is the "Gateway to the Serra Negra"
The city offers other attractions. It is home of the Crentro de Artesanato do Pernambuco, with representations of the work of 220+ artists. The works tell a story of the folklore, legends and mythology from the region, expressed in many ways, and materials. Also in the region are the most famous artists of woodcut printing, the family of J Borges. The work is featured on the cover of popular literature, the Cordel (Chap Books). The Carnival here is also a great expression of creativity and one of the most popular in the interior. These three features make Bezerros the "Creative Capital of Pernambuco".
Carnival in Bezerros is also unique as it features the use of masks. Neighbours feed neighbours a corn porridge called Ángu during carnival. The masks save the greedy from embarrassment, allowing them to eat as much as they like. This gave rise to the name Papangu (eat Angu), and gives Bezerros the third claim to fame as "City of Papangu".
If all this is not enough, you can also take a walk around the cities markets, historic churches, well maintained squares and the old railway station, The railway was built by the British owned Great Western Brazilian Railway. Today the station houses the city museum and a museum of Papangu Carnival.
From Bezerros it is also possible to take short trips to Gravata (waterfalls, forest walks and horseriding), Bonito (the best waterfalls in the region) or Caruaru, home of earthenware sculptors and large craft markets. Caruaru also hosts the best São João Party in Pernambuco, during which Frevo, a music of the north-east and of carnival, can be heard.
I really recommend taking a tour around one of the favelas in Rio de Janeiro - it is one of the most interesting (and exciting!) things I have done during my travels. It's a real eye-opener to wander down through the tiny streets of the favelas, seeing how so many people live in such poverty. All the people we passed seemed happy, were incredibly friendly and loved to have their photos taken (except for the drug dealers, who we were advised not to photograph!). Absolutely fascinating trip, with the added thrill of a ride on the back of a motorbike to get there. Great views of the city too.
Rocinho favela, tour arranged by bealocal.com
Cabana Copa gains consistently high reviews from all who stay there, its location is safe and convenient, it is close to the metro and bus stop and is very clean. Moreover, it’s independently owned so there is a very high attention to detail, a more personable approach and the manager is on site everyday.
They offer nice big lockers for all your bags allowing you to explore and enjoy the Copacabana beach (two blocks away) without the constant worry of the safety of your luggage. Friendly and helpful staff complete the package.
As the door of the room swung open, there it was. The bed. The most enormous bed I've ever seen. Forget the Pelourinho, forget Salvador, forget Brazil even. I just wanted the bed. It was delicious. A great plain of white sheets. I didn't see my boyfriend all night.
To be fair, I was sold on the hotel just with the image of that bed. Yes, there was a pool, and it was in the heart of the Pelourinho, and you could have breakfast at any time. Any time. Four in the afternoon if you so desired. But the bed. There was nowhere else to go. I don't have a bed fetish (well actually I sort of do, is anywhere finer?) but I had slept for two months on the worst mattress, it was as effective as putting a yoga mat on pallets. I'm sure its limp foam still holds the imprint of my discomfort.
Casa do Amarelindo is a French owned boutique hotel, right in the Pelourinho of Salvador. The Pelourinho is the 'old district' of Salvador, now a World Heritage site. It's goes for all your senses - the sounds of samba and bossa nova, the smell of fresh oranges and sandalwood, the coloured colonial houses, the cobbled streets and squares accommodating street peddlers and capoeiristas... it's a fascinating city. You can still breath the dark history of colonial Brazil and its murky past of slavery, but also feel the culture that was ignited as a result of the European and African fusion. The music, dance, religion and food of Salvador are all products of this meeting of cultures.
Casa do Amarelindo is a perfect boutique B&B. It is in keeping with the colonial style, but benefiting from the elegance of it's French owners. It has a fantastic restaurant, two terraces, a small pool (you will need this, even in winter Salvador is hot) and most rooms have a view over the bay. The bay of Salvador is more industrial than the word 'bay' evokes (don't go imagining the Mediterranean riviera) but the view is still impressive.
The rooms are all spacious, not all have the immense bed, you'll have to ask for it! The French owners are delightful, they've really sunk in to Salvador, embracing it, whilst bringing their European standards to the table. They have an instinct for what guests want - hence the all day breakfast offer and the ability to have breakfast wherever you want in the hotel. Also they have double glazing - which you need in the Pelourinho, the music doesn't stop. These touches really make it stand out.
The staff are really wonderful - genuinely kind, always happy to go that little bit further for you. Many of them were involved in the initial construction of the hotel.
Condor Airlines do good cheap rates to Salvador, via Germany, so get onto it. Within hours you could be by the pool, sipping caipirinha, eating gorgonzola and banana toasts, listening to the rhythms of Gilberto Gil. Then you, or two of you, or even three of you, can sleep like octopuses.
Oficina Francisco Brennand is a sculpture garden, ceramic gallery and art gallery. The work is of 82-year-old Francisco Brennand, an internationally recognised sculptor, sometimes referred to as the Salvador Dahli of Brazil. His work is sensual, bordering on erotic, natural and mythological.
He travelled to Europe in 1949 and was influenced by Gaudi, Miro, Leger and Picasso.
The water gardens are by Brazil's most famous landscape artist Brule Marx, and the sculpture gallery is housed in an old ceramics factory. His painted art is housed in a new gallery. All are within a protected area of Atlantic forest on the outskirts of Recife.
If in the area this is a "must see". His work can also be found around the city of Recife, especially on a section of the reef in Recife Antigo, home to his sculpture park inaugurated in 2000 for the new millennium. It can be accessed by row boat from the quay side in Marco Zero square, the centrepoint of the city from where distances to all other cities are measured.
This is a wine shop in the Jardins/Bellavista Area in the centre of San Paulo. Incredible selection of world wines and excellent advise in English for restaurants in the city. Great place.
Probably the most incredible hotel I have ever stayed in. The design and attention to detail was inpeccable. The Skye bar on the roof had the most amazing cocktails and Sushi and is full of the beautiful 'Paulistas'.
www.hotelunique.com.br
Melhor Visualização: 1024X768.San Paulo
Travel Box is a travel items store that carries everything a traveller needs; maps, travel guides, luggage, tech stuch, first aid kits, personal care items, plug adaptors etc.
English spoken (a plus for Salvador) and very friendly staff.
They also sell a bus pass for a city tour "Salvador Bus". You must check this store out!
Rua Marquês de Caravelas, 148 - lj 3
Barra, Salvador
Tel: +55(71)3264-6793
www.travelbox.com.br
contato@travelbox.com.br
Athome is a small hostel in the heart of Jericoacoara with a relaxed vibe and homely atmosphere. The rooms are en-suites with private bathrooms and comfortably furnished.
There is plenty of outdoor lounge space, like the large garden and spacious veranda with hammocks. A fully equipped self-catering kitchen is available free of charge.
The owner is fluent in English, German and Portuguese and cares personally to make travellers feel right at home and have a great stay in Jericoacoara.
Jericoacoara was considered one of the ten most exuberant beaches of the planet, so let's put aside any concern and bring focus mainly on what the nature created over many years to our pleasure.
There are no doubts of the beauty diversity in Jeri, so it’s not by chance that the trips in buggy are the most searched by the tourists. Natural lakes between huge dunes, unexplored beaches and natural rock sculptured in `Serrote’ surrounds this magic place.
Don’t forget: Jericoacoara is located within a National Park where ecology has a very valuable meaning among the residents.
Located about 166 km south of Fortaleza, the small fishing village of Canoa Quebrada is one of the most beautiful beaches in Ceará state. Canoa Quebrada's main points of interest are its beaches, its buggy excursions, its dunes and falesias with heights of up to 30 meters, and its nightlife on Broadway, the main street.
Canoa Quebrada was declared an environment protected area, with an extension of 70,000 hectares from the Porto Canoa to the mouth of the Rio Jaguaribe. The local population has about 3,000 inhabitants between native, Brazilians and foreigners living, particularly Europe.
For more information visit: www.canoabrasil.com
The only company which goes all the way from Fortaleza to Canoa Quebrada beach is São Benedito - phone: (085) 32721232 (Fortaleza)
I did hang gliding and a city tour in Rio with a small tour company called Brazil Expedition; great tour and good English!
We went to Christ, forest, Santa Teresa and Lapa Steps- amazing!
Definitely reccommended!
We met friends who had arrived in Rio the day before us. They went to the yellow taxi kiosk at the airport and got a ticket with a price for their ride to Copacabana. But, after being escorted to their waiting taxi the price was crossed out and a new price written on the ticket. The man who had escorted them to the taxi then handed the ticket to the driver who crossed that price out and added his own price! Essentially they ended up paying 95 Brazilian Reals,(US50) for a journey that should have cost a lot less. Of course, like us, they don't speak any Portuguese which makes it very difficult to argue in these situations.
We had read about these sorts of problems on a few different travel sites and my husband booked our transfers to Copacabana with Rio Airport Transfer, who he had seen comments about on this site, and paid 50 US for a smooth journey to our hotel in a very nice car.
I'm sure everyone has different experiences and there's always a few people who get conned by opportunists, but for the sake of convenience we prefer to book in advance and know what we're getting for our money. We would recommend Rio Airport Transfer for those like us who prefer less stress.
Happy Travels!
Jan
Take a one-hour Jangada Trip. A jangada is a typical sailboat from Norther Brazil's fishermen Village. It's an amazing trip that will take you to the beautiful reefs and swim among colourful fishes. Relaxing trip in Porto de Galinhas
http:www.portodegalinhas.wiki.br
Porto de Galinhas Jangadas depart from main beach, check low tide time day before to organize your trip
Looking for an English speaking Church in Brazil? Try Christ Church Anglican Church. The people are friendly, the worship and teaching good, it's well served by public transport and there's plenty of on site parking. Services at 8am and 10.30 am and children are welcome.
Rua Real Grandeza 99, Botafogo in Zona Sul. Tel 21 2539 9488 It's website is christchurch.no-ip.org/
I reccomend a nice and cheap hostel called Arpoador Beach House between Ipanema beach and Copacabana Beach. The best spot in Rio is called Arpoador area: there's a great sunset from there!
Rua bulhoes de Carvalho 470
www.arpoadorbeachhouse.com
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