http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25818 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25818 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25812 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25812 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24867 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24867 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24610
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]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24610 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24601
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.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24601 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24466 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24466 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24322
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.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24322 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24152 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24152 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24056
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.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24056 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23834
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.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23834 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23827
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.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23827 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23761 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23761 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23759 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23759 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23655
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!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23655 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23639
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.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23639 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23638
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.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23638 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23629
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]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23629 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23557
We went to Christ, forest, Santa Teresa and Lapa Steps- amazing!
Definitely reccommended!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23557 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23260
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]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23260 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23212 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23212