Hi,

im not sure if maracana will host games in february
anyways, if you cant catch a game in maracana, you can go to Engenhao. But its not the same experience

Thanks, do you know any games are going on in February? As much as I googled the seria A season starts only in May.

In february, the only football running in Rio will be the state championship (campeonato carioca)

I have a question that I'll have to do some more research on my own but it cant hurt to ask here as well. I'm a US citizen and I have a 90 day visa for Brazil from Oct 2011. It says it is valid for 10 years, but I was there already for like 75? days. Do I need to reapply or do anything else, or can I show up to Rio good to go in 10 days? I keep waking up too late to go to the Brazilian Consulate but I don't even know if they can help me since I'm in Canada.

They stamp you for 3 months, and then once you are in the country you can go and get an auto extension for another 3 months, so you can live there for 6 months out of the year for many years without jumping through any hoops on the 10 year visa.

Note: I've never actually been to Brazil, but I read the whole thread and other information and took notes.

What are the locals like? How dangerous is Rio now? Is there a spot to see a lot of pictures of Brazil (Rio) streets etc during the day to get an idea of the activity and people. I always found that interesting.

how are the locals in which way ?
still dangerous for naive tourists
google images ? goole street view ? not sure what you are looking for

Just heading to vegas but with a friend possibly wanting to go I have renewed interest in this. So will probably just come and check it out for myself. No experience with google street view but will check it out

i want to go to the world cup next year... but the news doesn't look good at the moment. Riots and protests in Rio and other parts of Brazil.

Any advice on going to the world cup next year?

yes.
dont come!

If you are a huge soccer fan, then coming for the World Cup is fine. But if you want to visit Rio, then for the love of god pick a different time (april, may, and october are my favorite months).

would you like to elaborate why not go to the world cup? i AM a huge soccer fan, and i would have thought that the world cup in Brazil would be perhaps the most epic celebration of football the world could possibly see.

because the country is completly fvcked up...
i plan on leaving specially before the world cup.. and yes, im a soccer fan!

I also want to go to WC next year
but you sound like something big is going to happen , why is that?

also Rio is a megacity and everybody is crazy, but try others cities more quiet, the south of Brazil is amazing

Too many people, too high prices, culture lost in waves of foreigners. Most cariocas I know are planning on getting the hell of here for the World Cup.

Exactly!

and world cup is an ilusion here. The country is too big.. its gona be impossible to follow the games.. and if you stay in one city, you will be paying 500usd to see a couple of ****ty games

im leaving too !

haha you guys are cynical.

the world cup in brazil is going to be the greatest footballing event the world has ever seen. no doubt it will be hectic, expensive, challenging, and often frustrating. but can you seriously argue that there won't be a fantastic atmosphere? people playing football everywhere. cultures from every part of the world drinking together, watching games everywhere.

impossible to follow the games? why, they dont have tv's? they don't have internet? haha, come on...

by the way, if you're leaving, can i borrow your house? promise i won't have any big parties.

i dont think it will be fantastic atmosphere..
now, during the confederations cup, there is nothing fantastic..
also, there isnt people playing football everywhere..

but yes.. you may enjoy the games from the tv !

about the house.. if my place is not sold, i may rent for you, no problem !

the confederations cup is a tiny competition with only 8 teams. nobody really cares about it.

maybe i am extremely naive, but i always visualized Rio as being like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAzd_PrVdzA

and this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMJTpUTHVmg

aren't there people playing street football all over the city? and on the beach? isn't footvolley everywhere.

Brazil has fascinated me since i was 8 years old watching the Selecao at the world cups. When I saw that the world cup was being hosted by Brazil in 2014 I said to myself "I MUST be there."

I know people who have been to Rio and they say it is an amazing city. And carnival is the best party you can find in the WORLD.

Combining my love of football, my fascination with Brazil, and my desire to travel... surely i will enjoy this.

Why do you think the atmosphere won't be fantastic?
Did you see the Brazil fans sing the anthem last night?
It was like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEN4nFuV6oI

Look man. i understand you are 'down' on Rio and all... but given my innocent, ignorant optimism do you really think i'm going to show up and be like "wow this is ****... everyone is unhappy everywhere. people are being robbed all around me. i can't get a ticket for less than $500. the whole city stinks. nobody is kicking a ball ANYWHERE. the beaches are dead quiet. the weather sucks. and the only place i can watch tv is on this ****ty 16" television set, downstairs from my 16-bed dorm that i'm paying $120 a night for..."

hahaha :-)

but seriously, if you are willing to rent out your place, i have a few friends and we'd definitely take you up on that offer.

haha
yes.. extremly naive.. thats for sure !
no.. people dont play street football all over the city.. not at all !!
not very much on the beach eighter..
we do have more footvolley (that i used to play myself before get injuried) and altinha (this one got forbided by our mayor.. lol)
i know a lot of people who came to rio and loved too.. also people who loved el savador, hondurar, kenya, mozambique etc..

yes, i saw the brazilians singing the anthem last night..
the truth is that people dont even know the lyrics (im one of them).. and they tried to sing just as part of the protest (have you seen the riots ?)

also, carnaval, as i mentioned in OP, is the "biggest party in the world"..
there is the official parade when you go to sit and watch.. and the street parties.. that happens in many different places in the city during the carnaval week.. and also a little bit before(in rio)
but its denfinitly not the best party in the world.. not even close..
id still recomend you much more to come during carnaval then during world cup.. its a much more unique experience

and i dont think you will come here and complain about everything..
but, for me, when it comes to travel (or many other things), its not just about get a plane and go somewhere.. its about having the best time of my life..
that said.. yes, you will have fun in rio.. but that doesnt mean its the best option you can take!

they banned altinha?? nooooo i love that game!

well... when i travel i also like to have the 'best time of my life' but that is such a subjective concept.

i live in australia and probably the most popular tourist destination amongst australians is BALI. and i went there once and i thought it was a *****hole. but to other people it is like a cheap tropical paradise.

for me, the idea of brazil is exciting enough in itself to want to board a plan and go and see for myself. i have also never been to a world cup, so essentially i am killing 2 birds with one stone. and whatever happens, happens. i just don't want to be robbed or kidnapped. do you think it's likely that either of these 2 things will happen?

one more thing... i live in Perth. we have probably one of the highest rates of immigration influxes in world in the last few years. so many people come here from all parts of the world, due to our strong economy and high level of employment opportunities, with a good quality of life..

but do you know what? it's f-cking boring here man. i like this city, i can appreciate it for all its good qualities. but almost everyone here will agree that the nightlife and the "vibe" in the city is NOTHING compared to europe. even Sydney and Melbourne are miles ahead.

so seriously, i don't think Rio de Janeiro is going to disappoint me during the world cup, as far as "vibe" goes...

they "banned" altinha... it has some regulations now..

its not likely that you get kidnapped.. but robbed its pretty likely

and i agree with you about perth.. never been, but i wouldnt like to live there.
and its not because the "life quality" is good, that the enterteinment is good. Also the opposite is true.. so do not expect a super exciting city, just because its a mess.

i hope you like the vibe. My personal taste in "vibe" leans more toward to more touristic cities.. where everyone is traveling and enjoying.. rio is so big that its kinda stressfull.. everyone is working.. the traffic is horrible and etc..

but dont get me wrong.. im not trying to convince to not come.. im pretty sure you are already decided anyways

The World Cup is good for the very poor (plenty of targets to scam, rob, and vend) and very rich (politicians and big business lining their pockets) here in Brazil, but I have yet to meet a normal person that is looking forward to it.

I'm sure if you are the average drunken Aussie tourist (preferably fresh out of the mines with some cash, or robusto from poker) it will be great though.

these "average drunken aussie tourists" bring shame to our entire country. sadly the reality is that it is the cashed up mining meat-heads that you are most likely to see waving our flag abroad. not good for our image, but what can ya do...

i'm going to the world cup. in brazil. depending on the ticket draw and how things pan out, i may end up spending more time in Fortaleza, Sao Paulo or Brasilia.. who knows... but either way, it's something i must do

thanks for the insight though! it is really appreciated.

a few more questions, i find you to be quite knowledgable mr 40s :3 ...

where do you think the 'best party in the world' is?
if you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
one more... what is a good career path for someone in their early 20s to pursue, in this current economic climate? (i have a commerce degree)

thank you and good day.