Brazil Explore

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Brazil is the largest country in South America and the fifth largest nation in the world. It has borders with every country in South America except Chile and Ecuador. Brazil has 4500 miles of coastline with Atlantic Ocean. It is most influential country in South America. Brazil is a former Portuguese colony. Brazil has a highly diverse population, including indigenous Americans and the descendants of African slaves and European settlers. Most of the African people were from Africa who were bought in to work in Sugar exports and mining . They were used a slave labor. Gold and Diamond were discovered in Brazil, which increased the slave labor in the mining from Africa.

Favela, in Brazil is a colony or a slum area located within or on the outskirts of the country’s large cities, especially Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. There are different levels in these Favelas and good and bad Favelas as well.

Guess what language is spoken in Brazil? It is Portuguese, not Spanish nor Brazilian. This is the only country in South America that speaks Portuguese. It is called Brasil in Portuguese.

Brazil is most famous for it’s Carnival, Samba, beaches and football/Soccer. It’s  famous for Amazon rain forest. 60% of the Amazon rain forest is in Brazil.

Our trip was planned for 2019 December and 2020 New year in RIO. There were so many anxiety moments before even start of the trip. In August there were huge fires in the amazon forest around 80K fires across all of Brazil burned around 906K hectares of land. Then political changes made Brazil little unstable.

Apart from that there is so much talk about safety and thefts. Brazil is South America’s most influential country, but economically it is poor. Crime is more due to low economic people.

Some of the most interesting places to visit:

  1. Rio de Janeiro
  2. Sao Paulo
  3. Foz do Iguazu
  4. Salvador
  5. Manuas

Our trip itinerary

Due to Christmas and New Year we had to adjust our travel between cities. In summary we had 5 days in Rio, 2 days in Iguassu Falls, 3 days in Amazon and 1 day in Manaus.

Day 1 : Arrive in Rio

Spend a night

Day 2 : Travel to Iguassu Falls

Even though we booked a straight flight form Rio to iguassu falls, our flights changed multiple times with stop over at Sao Paulo and finally we ended up. Rio de Janeiro (SDU) → Iguassu Falls (IGU) direct flight. Afternoon trip to Brazil side of the Iguassu falls and a boat tour for kids.

Day 3 : A day trip to Iguassu Falls on Argentina Side

Day 4 : Travel to Manuas & Amazon

Iguassu Falls (IGU) → Sao Paulo → Manaus (MAO), Reach Amazon Eco park Jungle Lodge

Day 5 : Amazon Eco park Jungle lodge

Day 6 : Amazon Eco park Jungle lodge

Day 7 : AMAZON Eco park JUNGLE Lodge & Manaus

Day 8 : Travel from Manaus to Rio

Manaus (MAO) → Sao Paulo → Rio de Janeiro (GIG)

Day 9 : Rio

Copacabana Beach, Bike and new year Eve

Day 10 : Rio – Full day tour

  • Christ the Redeemer Statue atop Corcovado Mountain. Enjoy a breathtaking 360-degree panorama, which affords sweeping views of the city and beaches below.
  • Panoramic visit to the Maracanã stadium
  • Sambódromo (Sambadrome),
  • The Metropolitan Cathedral,
  • The Selarón Steps
  • Lunch at  local steakhouse to sit down to a delicious barbecue lunch – Churrasco restaurant
  • Sugarloaf Mountain

Day 11 : Rio (One more day packed in Rio)

  • Hang Gliding
  • Lunch
  • National Library of Brazil
  • Royal Portuguese Reading Room is truly a hidden gem in Rio de Janeiro’s city center
  • Museum of tomorrow
  • Olympic Blvd
  • Dinner
  • Ginga Tropical Show

Day 12 : Rio to SFO

  • Favela tour

Back to SFO in the night.

 

Things to know before…

1. Do you need Yellow fever vaccine?

We debated a lot about taking this vaccine. It’s once per life time. It’s up to personal choice of taking it or not. In our group of 5 families 50% of us took the vaccine.

2. Mosquitoes

It’s every where in Rio, Amazon, and Iguassu falls. Even during day time you will see mosquitoes in the restaurants. Apply mosquito spray before you go outside especially in the evenings. I used mosquitoes patches some times, not sure if it is effective 100%, but it does work little bit.

3. Bugs

You will see some bugs in the Amazon, not that much to worry.

4. Food

We enjoyed food every where, fresh fish, chicken , and plenty of vegetarian options.

5. What to Pack?

Passports, light clothes, sandals, beach wear, rain jacket, light travel bag, bug spray, mosquito repellent, medicines (you can buy there, but carry minimum), Sun glasses, nice phone to take pictures, cash,

6. Do you need a car rental? Driving on our own?

– Not recommended out side of the city or with in the city. Public transportation or Uber with above precautions is good.

7. Cash withdrawal

Always with draw cash inside the bank.

8. Pick pocketing, thefts and robberies

We saw at least 3 thefts right in front of us during our stay in Rio. Chain snatching, pick pocketing, and a theft and beating a guy. Here are some precautions…

  • No SLR camera in beaches, not even in Copacabana beach.
  • Don’t put your bag on the ground any time. You can take SLR camera in a well organized tours.
  • Taking pictures with phone – Hold the phone tight, always eyes on the phone. Look at the surroundings. Keep one person in the group to look behind and around you while you take pictures.
  • Don’t ask strangers to take pictures, especially local kids.
  • Stay away from any running kids in the beach.
  • Don’t carry more than $40 dollars in the pocket and another $40 in the socks. (We did have to scramble for cash during some shopping couple of times).
  • Only carry one credit card.
  • Don’t carry your passport outside.
9. SLR camera in RIO , even in Copacabana

First day we had couple of people come to us and warn us to keep the camera inside. So, no SLR camera in the beach.

10. Finally is it safe to travel to Brazil?

Yes. Enjoy traveling with precautions and keep an eye on your surroundings. It’s a different experience.

 

Travel time: Dec 2019 to Jan 2020