Traveling to Brazil on vacation, any tips?

Leaving soon on vacation to Sau Paulo, Brazil. Any advice on what to do, what to avoid? I know there was an IRL race there a few weeks ago, but I don't have complete control over when I can go so I missed that. I have some ideas about museums. But what about gearhead stuff?

 

My advice is find someplace else to go. I was just there on business in March and I'm going back in a month or two. Go to Argentina.

 

are you going solo?

 

Dave, why do you say that? Would be good to know.

Benny, going with wife to spend time with her son & his wife. He works with the US Treasury and his assignment is up in August which means they will be coming back to the states.

 

Alex Barros runs a track school in Brazil.

 

Avoid the hookers with Adam's apples.

-jim

 

Sao Paulo is just a f@ckin' shithole. There are some great places to go and see but you walk out the hotel door and go left instead of right and you're in a favela (slum). If you have someone there who knows the town then I'd give it a go.

The trafic is insane (there is nothing in the US you could even try and compare it to) and picking up gifts is not as cheap as you'd think it'd be. No one speaks english, not even the people that say they do. The chicks are just "eh" looking, no matter what the hype says (want to see HOT chicks, go to Venezula or Argentina). The airport (GRU) is f@ckin' f@cked up!!!!

I just didn't like it there.

Good points, you don't need to carry cash, just a credit card (keep maybe 100 real in your pocket if you have to carry cash). Everyone and everything takes plastic (I think the hookers might even take 'em). The beer is freakin' AWESOME. The food is good, they make this thin crust pizza there that is insane. Get it with the salami/ sausage/ ham type meat on it.

Watch the motorcycle couriers, they are entertaining.

 

Make your way down to Ipanema or CopaCabana.

 

Dave, thanks for the specifics. That will help. Looking forward to some good beers.

Chaotic, my wife and I are 62, and she's a very straight doc. She's only been in one casino and that was for a concert. We're probably not going to get too wild.

The Alex Barros school looks interesting. For sure I'll try to hit all the bike shops (motor and pedal). Son's wife is from there and her family own a horse ranch outside of town. We'll spend a little time there on the weekend. Hopefully traffic will be a little lighter on weekdays. It would be cool to find a museum of engineering or ? I went to the museum of engineering in Chicago years ago and thought that was exceptional. Whatever happens I'll make most of it.

 

DUDE!!!! You are going to try and drive while there? The only way I can describe it is a 16 wave 600cc race at Nelson with the grid made up entirely of PNs. Do not hit one of the couriers with your car and if you do and he's not dead, take off.

Edit: the traffic is worse during the week. Forget about driving anywhere between 8 ~ 9:30 AM and then 3:30 ~ 6 PM.

 

All the hot brazilian chicks moved to South FL. Truth.

 

Then it will have to be taxis or on foot. I've commuted in Seattle traffic. If it's worse than that then I'm not attempting to drive.

Steeltoe, the only hot chick I want to see is the wife! I'm too old for trouble.

 

There's a couple of videos on youtube. Maybe I'm being a bit over dramatic about it all in all but Seattle has nothing on San Paulo. I live in the DC area and that has nothing on Sao Paulo for traffic.

Cabs can get pricey but it's not a bad call. Have your hotel arrange them and don't just take any taxi that comes along (use your common sense).

That's probably the best advice I can give: Use your common sense while there. Don't ever get drunk and "wing it."

 

Don't get kidnapped!

 

go to Florianapolis if you want to go to a beach that's really nice, decent folks and a fun nightlife.

 

I have spent a great deal of time in Sao Paulo. Here are some ideas:

Churrascaria - Some excellent BBQ type places. The Brazilians have done a successful job in exporting these to the U.S. and elsewhere. Don't eat lunch, and eat a light breakfast. I also recommend a strong drink, the caipirinha, made with cachaça, lime, and sugar and ice (you may not be able to finish it!). My favorite beverage during the meal is Guarana Light (similar to a Diet 7 up). Finish the meal with a nice cafezinho (I prefer mine with milk, and a little sweetener).

Italian - Sao Paulo is more italian, and Rio de Janeiro is more portuguese. In the Bixiga neighborhood, there are some very good places, and also very near downtown, a place called FAMIGLIA MANCINI. On that same street there are also 2 other restaurants with the Mancini name, but I have only eaten at the FAMIGLIA MANCINI.

Another style I like quite a bit is mineira (from the state of Minas Gerais), and a pretty decent place is "A MINEIRA", located just a block from Avenida Paulista, on Rua Eugenia de Lima. Fairly reasonable prices. Just half a block away on the corner of R. Eugenia de Lima and Alameda de Santos is RASCAL (pronounced Hoss - scowl). Great salad bar, wood oven pizza, italian food, steak, etc. (more expensive as well)

Consider trying feijoiada. It's a stew of just about everything, and typically prepared on Saturday (but also on Wednesday). the word for beans in portuguese is feijao, so feijoada would have beans, pork, pork trimmings, you get the idea. It is considered by many to be the national dish.

Museums - I suggest Parque de Ibirapuera, where there are several museums. It's a good place for riding bicycles, taking a walk, or a run. I thought the Japanese immigration museum was interesting. There are more people of Japanese descent living in Sao Paulo than any other city outside of Japan. If you get the chance, go to the Sky Bar at Hotel Unique. Here is the website. Never have stayed there, but it's close to Ibirapuera. Here is the website

http://www.hotelunique.com/

MASP is another museum, it's located right on Avenida Paulista. I happen to like the indoor - outdoor bar and grill that's almost right behind it, called OPÇAO

As for motorcycle bits and pieces, I know of one "bairro" located in the downtown area that is full of little shops. Friendly places for sure, but they are mostly for the small displacement courier type bikes, as I recall.

Consider going to the theater. Performances will be in portugese.

O'Malleys located on Al. Itu is a decent bar, not my favorite, but quite popular with the ex-pats as well as locals. You could catch some excellent live music there as well. You indicated your age, and I think you will feel comfortable there. They have Guinness on tap there. I really like their menu so I'd often go there just to get a good meal, or even just good bar appetizers. It's located quite close to the Renaissance hotel, and in the Jardins area. A good churrascaria right around the corner is Vento Haragano, but I prefer two other places just down the street (Rua Consolaçao).

Last suggestion, try a lunch stand that specializes in a good açai. Great for a mid afternoon snack.

Very expensive place. Dollar/real exchange rate has improved a bit just recently to 2.03, but still plan on spending big dollars for most everything. If you use credit cards, I strongly recommend that you tell your financial institution that you plan on using their plastic while in Brazil. I generally just use the ATM.

 

I was in Sao Paulo twice for work. I don't really desire to go back. Eat at a "barbeque" and you'll get plenty, remember the guy will keep adding to your plate until you tell him to stop. The national drink is a "capirina" (sp?)...its an acquired taste and okay.

Under advice of our interpreter, we didn't stop at stop signs if it was night...just did rolling stops.

 

Advice: take me.

 

Davek when are you going to be there next? I'm going to be there at the end of June for a week and then in Argentina in August or September.

 

I take exception to that statement.

Morena Baccarin moved to NYC.