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Trip Report

Buenos Aires And Rio De Janeiro Vacation

Welcome to my Brazil vacation itinerary. I was my first trip to a country in South America and I share some thoughts and tips on how to organize your own trip. Enjoy!

  • View from “Christ the Redeemer+ 7
  • Painting on a building
  • São Paulo
  • Buenos Aires And Rio De Janeiro Vacation
tuncasahin1988
About Me:Hey there. My name is Tunca. İ m a traveller from Turkey.Love seeing new countries and having new stories.İ ll share some of them here. read more

South AmericaBrazil9 days / February 2023

Highs & Lows

Biggest Carnival in the world “Rio Carnival”

Because of the Carnival there was no room in the hostels

Itinerary Overview

Visiting some of the South America countries was my dream and my dream started to come true now. Brazil is my first country in this trip.İ can say this country met my expectations literally.As soon as i arrive Brazil i started to feel South American vibes.Food,culture and people were amazing and just like i dreamed.İ stayed 3 nights in Sao Paolo and 6 nights in Rio. Rio was my favourite. İt was carnival time so all city was partying. İ spend time on one of the famous beach ”Copacabana” in the world. İ danced on the street with other people.İ met local people and even went to favelas with them.İ also visited “Christ the Redeemer”. Rented a bicycle and explore the city.Joined a speking club and met people from all around world.And of course took a lot of photos.

  • 3 Nights: São Paulo
    Sight seeing
  • 6 Nights: Rio de Janeiro
    Carnival and sightseeing
São Paulo - Sight seeing
1

São Paulo Sight seeing

São Paulo - Sight seeing - Painting on a building
Painting on a building
São Paulo - Sight seeing - null
São Paulo - Sight seeing - null1+

So the reason of visiting Sao Paolo actually wasnt on purpose.When i was searching for a flight to Brazil,Sao Paolo tickets were way less expensive than Rio. Thats why i choose Sao Paolo as my first destination.After arriving Sao Paolo Airport i took a taxi and headed to my hostel which cost me almost 50 euros for 20 minutes drive. An experienced traveller friend told me that later to not use airport taxi in any airport.They are always very expensive. They charge you double or triple. So what you should do is to connect wifi in the airport and call Uber. İts much more cheaper.Any way after arriving my hostel ,i started to walk around in the city. İts been told to me my hostel is quite safe area so i felt safe when i was exploring.The first thing that caught my attention was there were too many homeless people and beggers around. But after a while you get used to it.Generally Sao Paolo is a clean and organized city.There are some green areas and nice parks. Sometimes you will see police cars with sirens and lights on, driving crazy , looks like they are in a chase. Dont be surprize its normal:)


 

   After some walking i tried to find a restaurant because i was hungry. So i m sure you heard about it even in the most touristic places in South America people rarely speaks English. So if you dont speak Spanish it will be a little challange for you to comminicate local people.Mostly i used google translation in the beginning but you should start learning Spanish if you dont want to lose time. There are enough different kind of food in the restaurants . So i guess you can find something according to your own taste. On the streets also there are some peddlers who sells popcorn,crisps,hot dog  etc…


 

   İ saw many graffities and paintings on the buildings.İts beautiful that blending art into daily life.İ always love them. They can transform ugliest cities into a cute city.


 

  İt can rain any time if you are in South America and it can stop anytime. So get used to it or prepared for it. Have a rain coat or umbrella.The weather was about 25 degrees when i was there. İts almost same all year.


 

  

Rio de Janeiro - Carnival and sightseeing
2

Rio de Janeiro Carnival and sightseeing

Rio de Janeiro - Carnival and sightseeing - Christ the Redeemer
Christ the Redeemer
Rio de Janeiro - Carnival and sightseeing - Rio streets
Rio streets
Rio de Janeiro - Carnival and sightseeing - View from “Christ the Redeemer3+
View from “Christ the Redeemer

After Sao Paolo, Rio de Janeiro was my second city in Brazil.İ took a bus from Sao Paolo and it takes 8 hours. İt costed me 22 euros. After arriving Rio bus Terminal i took a uber to my hostel. Hostel was by the sea but half an hour drive from down town. Because its carnival time, the hostels in down town were very expensive.This area called “Pontal beach” its a sutible area for surfing. My hostel also had a surfing school and the price was 18 euros for one hour. You need minimum 5 or 6 hours to stand on the board.Sea water was not clean. There is always scum ın the water.The waves were very bıg,  so if you are not a good swimmer i don’t advice you to go.

  Carnival was between 17 -25 February. İ was there on 18th. So before the biggest and final event of carnival  “Sambodromo” the Samba parade, you can party in the street in the “blocos”. Blocos are the parties which orginized by street groups.There is a band playing and singing on a truck moving slowly, people  with different costumes are dancing and partying after them.Along the way more and more people joining the party.İ joined one of these and had so much fun. İf you want to watch Samba school parade you have to buy a ticket for 50- 450 euros.

  The second highlight of my Rio trip was visiting “Christ the Redeemer”. The Symbol of Rio.You have to take a cable car to get there. İt costs you about 20 euros. At the top where the statue located, you can see a panoramic city view.İf your budget is more you can book a helicopter trip to see it for 200 euros.

Q & A

  • What would you have changed?

    İ would like to see more places in Brazil but its a very big country. İ couldn’t where to go and went to Colombia.
  • Anything go wrong during the trip?

    İ had to change my hostel because it was full.
  • Restaurant recommendations?

    Just go where local people eat. Other ones are quite expensive.
  • Tips you would give a friend?

    Learn some Spanish before going Sout America.
  • Packing tips?

    Don’t forget a hat and mosg
  • Transportation Tips?

    Puplic transportation is very complicated. Use uber.

Lodging