As other have alluded, take safety very seriously. Wandering around after dark (which will happen early at this time of year) should be limited to busy streets with lots of pedestrian traffic. Robbers don't need complete seclusion in Brazil--just a few seconds with you in a vulnerable spot is all they need for a holdup.

I've been to ~50 countries, including gems like Haiti and Zimbabwe, and Brazil ranks up there with any of them in terms of crime. Particularly when it comes to robbery. I don't mean to sound alarmist or anything, but it's simply a country where you cannot wander around random city streets at night, so don't plan on that and don't be in the mindset of doing that.

Granted there are areas in each city that are fine. Pelourinho in Salvador, Paulista in Sao Paulo, Savassi in Belo Horizonte--those are fine. But don't wander away from them on side streets.

In Rio, I'd pay significantly more to be on Ipanema compared with Copa, just based on what I saw. Subway access doesn't seem like that big of a deal to me--just a take a bus to Copa and hop on the Subway there. Buses are super easy to use. Easier than the subway except probably for going to the stadium. We took them all over.

In Sao Paulo, buses are much more difficult due to the layout of the city, but I took them a little bit to save on taxi costs. Much more of an adventure riding the bus in SP.

https://nicoledegreg.wordpress.com/2...ticular-order/

#7 is the most important for the ones going to the WC imo.

If you're in São Paulo you just need one kiss on the cheek. All other states that i've been to use two kisses. Gotta learn that to not look awkward as **** :P

Either of you have any info on Porto allegre? It's the one city I plan on hitting that's not on Clark's itinerary.

I went to PA on my first trip thru Brazil. I remember freezing my butt off and not much more. So, bring a jacket.

I've been following this thread for a while. I'm confirmed mad jelly.

...but the above is something that no one has mentioned yet. I mean, Brazil is a tropical paradise, but it can get kind of cold in June. Especially in the south, but even around Sao Paulo.

It's probably nothing to those of you who are coming from above the tropic of cancer (which is probably 95% of this thread )... but if you're more used to warm weather and expecting tropical paradise, be warned.

locked up airfare and Manaus accommodations now on to Rio accommodations.

Thanks to ClarkNasty for the guidebook recommendation, it is worth the 5 bucks it costs and I also used Clark's method of searching independent hotel chains by going directly to their website (ended up finding one of the last two rooms at a top Lonely Planet pick). I'm looking in Leblon for accommodations (as it is supposed to be safer). What are the downsides of Leblon?

I found out someone I work with will also be there during the world cup. He mentioned that the Brazilian airlines have air passes. They even have discounts if you're flying into the country on their airline. Looks like a decent way to book multi leg trips and it looks to offer some flexibility. But I'm not sure how well this will work for the world cup.

11 days until the ticket results. one time FIFA!!

Lol, people are asking up to 50k to rent their apartments during the World Cup in Itaquera - São Paulo. Pictures of the places with the value in the subtitles in the link below.

http://copadomundo.uol.com.br/notici...htm#fotoNav=11

@Clarknasty,

First time on the forum, so please excuse me if I break a rule without knowing.

Not sure if someone has posted something along these lines, but you shouldn't forget Avianca and Azul as airline carries. These two airlines also operate in Brazil and have promised to cap their prices at 999 Reais, or about 425 dollars. Not a great deal, but if you ever run into extreme pricing at GOL or TAM, make sure to head to Avianca and Azul. Also, in my research, Avianca has had pretty competitive pricing in comparison to TAM for flights during the World Cup.

Quoting only the relevant section:

"However, of note, there are really only two options for travel within Brazil after one has cleared customs:

TAM: www.tam.com.br
GOL: www.voegol.com.br"

True, but I think he was looking for a package for the entire world cup, starting from the US.

I do agree that Azul is cheaper and better than the others, despite being a relatively new company.

No need for a package, I'm booking things one at a time. I had no idea there were other viable airline options, will check them out.

Hello both of you

I will be in Rio with my brother and 2 friends from June 17th - 23rd. We are all between the ages of 24-28 & supporting Mother Russia for obvious reasons (Greatest country on the planet)!

Flights: For now this is alll we have booked.

Tickets: 1st phase of ticket sales was not fortunate to us, even tho all of us applied to 3 games:

Spain - Chile: Rio
Belgium - Russia: Rio
Uruguay - England: Sao Paolo

Hopefully we will have more luck in this 2nd phase.

Accommodation: Since we are going to be in Rio for all 7 days, we are going for an apartment rather than a hotel room. We would like to be situated in Copacabana or Ipanema due to beach & nightlife. We are using AirBnB & VRBO to look for the apartments, and it seems like they are going for about 600$ a night. I have never booked through these sites, so I have no idea if its a scam or not. From the research I did it seems to be legit as long as you pay attention (look at reviews, join date etc etc).

If there is anything else I should be looking at when it comes to accommodation, let me know please. Also we are down to meet up with any 2p2ers.

Ivan

Wont be staying in Brazil for the final?

Ivan,

vrbo has plenty of rentals in Rio available for weekly rent. Your pricepoint is about right for nightly rentals but it drops as your stay extends.

yeah I have been seeing around $600 a night for Leblon for a weekly rental. I found one for $260 a night that looked good (on airBnB) ( a little more run down than some of the others but still looked fine) and hesitated. It got snapped up a couple of hours later...

Came to post about the US Supporters Club Tickets, it appears they are doing a weighted lottery based on how long one has been a member. SO if any one has been a member since the inception ('09) it looks like you will have a decent shot...me (joined in December) prob not so much...

Fack.

Outlaws are basing their entire stay in Natal. Kinda bums me out but for the total price I really can't complain. The other games will be day trips but I imagine I'll at least get down to Recife at some point.

Natal is a great place. Lots of things to see, unlike Recife.

They even have "asski".

















They also have the biggest "cajueiro" in the world.





Camel rides!

Yep, I spent a week in Natal (Pipa actually) last October. It is great... if you like doing all of the above ...and sitting on the beach drinking coconuts (although obviously you can do that basically anywhere in Brazil).

Also, I can't recall anyone mentioning it itt, so I'm guessing there are no games close by, but one of my favourite places in Brazil is Arraial d'Ajuda. That lonely planet blurb basically nails it.

In the past, Arraial was the playground of the wealthy, which isn’t far removed from the upmarket tourists the town tends to attract: the place is an extremely popular vacation spot for well-off Argentineans. More recently, however, a new wave of international backpackers and nouveau hippies have brought a little diversity to the idyllic surroundings.

It's like any other beach town, but seem a little less scummy than what you often find in popular beach towns and a bit more "hippy" ....but not smelly hippy. Live music and markets and things.

So if anyone is going near Porto Seguro, I would recommend checking it out.

Disclaimer: I was last there in 2011, so I can't speak for the last few years[/i]

Oh my Brazil (or at least Rio) sounds rather scary.

Clark and others, have a great trip. Impressive planning ITT.

1) Clark, if you don't mind me asking, what is your line of work where you can afford the expense of this trip and take 1 mo off work? Not looking for specifics, just curious.

2) Always thought KansasCT was a Kansas fan living in CT (where I am). Sounds like I was several thousand miles off.

Anyway, have a good trip and gogogo USA!!

Hahah nah, it's just because I love the movie Lucky Number Slevin.

By entire I mean like 16 days which is just too much in one city I think. But whatever, I'm certainly excited to go and experience it. It's my third time to Brazil, but just my buddy's first. So I'm concerned he won't get the full experience. We'll have to make a side trip.

So we paid $1600 per person back in September for plane tickets from Toronto to Rio De Janeiro:

Original itinerary:

Depart: Toronto (11PM) June 16th Arrive: Rio De Janeiro (3PM) June 17th (1 Stop: Sao Paolo)

Depart: Rio De Janeiro (3PM) June 23rd Arrive: Toronto (3PM) June 24th (2 Stops: Santiago & Miami)

Today I go on Expedia to check tickets again, and they are about $1300. Go and view my itinerary and see that the flight from Miami to Toronto on our way back got cancelled for some reason. Obv snap call Expedia to see whats happening and they tell me I have an option to cancel the trip and get a full refund.

They give me a full refund, and find new flights for $1350 per person.

New itinerary:

Depart: Toronto (3PM) June 16th Arrive: Rio De Janeiro (6AM) June 17th (1 Stop: NYC)

Depart: Rio De Janeiro (11PM) June 23rd Arrive: Toronto (1PM) June 24th (1 Stop: NYC)

In conclusion, 16h more in Rio for $250 less per person. SHIP ITTT!

Rig,

I just took a new job last year and warned them in advance that I had this trip planned.

LK,

You're very close (1hr flights IIRC) to Recife and Fortaleza. Def plan some side trips.