Travel to Brazil

Renato K asked:


Hi, my name is Paulo, I’m from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
I am searching about how American citizens imagine as it is Brazil and to know the preferences of them about what they would like to do when they travel. Sorry, if some words are wrong.

Theresa

Romijn A. asked:


The Colonial Period – the site of Brazil’s capital was found by the Portuguese explorers when they entered the Guanabara Bay on January 1st, 1502. Since the bay was considered to be the mouth of a river, the city was named in honor of the day, Rio de Janeiro (River of January). The French traders attempted to settle down in the Guanabara Bay area in order to gain a strategic and economic foothold in Brazil.

They were evicted after a two year struggle (1565-1567) and Rio’s site was moved up onto a hill which was later known as Castle Hill, in order to protect from further unwanted invasions. Rio rapidly developed thanks to huge exports of sugar that were grown on the surrounding plains. Later on, diamonds and gold were found in the Gerais mines and Rio further developed which lead to a rather significant European migration, resulting to the movement of the capital from Salvador to Rio in 1763.

Increasing sugar cane export competition came from other South American countries which lead to the Rio’s economic crisis mainly because of the depleted mines. They revitalized the economy by exporting coffer and resettling the Portuguese royal families. During this period, new buildings were constructed and Rio suffered many infrastructure improvements.

Independent Rio – during this period, Rio introduced the public transportation in the rudimentary form of horse drawn trolleys. Thanks to this, Rio de Janeiro further expanded into Botafogo and Tijuca. They later on introduced the steamboat service from Rio to Niteroi. Rio wasn’t only the political center of Brazil but also the economical and cultural one too. Most of the newspapers, artists, writers were in Rio and so was the busiest port in all Brazil. The railroad infrastructure was greatly improved during this period.

Rio as the capital of the Republic of Brazil – in the year 1889, Brazil became a republic and Rio de Janeiro remained the political capital of the country. During the next few years, the River of January began to look like a modern city mostly because the Central Zone was practically destroyed, allowing new buildings to be constructed. The north of Rio became a highly industrial area while the south was the location where the wealthy people lived. The street cars were electrified and represented the primary means of transportation in the city. After the end of World War II, they were replaced by automobiles.

The shift from an agricultural based economy to an industrial economy occurred creating a mixed blessing which caused a massive increase in the population of Rio. Although the city needed people to fill in the spots in the industries there still was a serious surplus of labor along with a worrying influx of unskilled and quite poor workers. This situation still occurs today and puts intense pressure on Rio’s resources.

Rio today – during the 1960s, the capital was moved from Rio to Brasilia in order to decentralize the overwhelming power available in Rio. All of the jobs associated with such political power were transferred to the interior of the country. This, along with a quite slowing economy and increased economic pressure from Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro is trying to remodel its role in the complex Brazilian economy.



Pedro

sandra hamilton asked:


Brazil is the 5th largest country, both in terms of area and population, in the world.

Brazil is a geographically diverse country. The topography of Brazil ranges from the flat Amazon Basin, stretching from the north to the west, to the Brazilian Highlands in the south east rising to about 4000 feet. The highest point in Brazil is the Pico de Neblina (3014 m). The physical feature of the country is well depicted in the physical map of Brazil.

Brazil is divided into 26 states and one federal district. The Brazil political map points out the major cities and administrative divisions of the country. The largest state of Brazil is Amazons while the most densely populated state is Sao Paulo. Brasilia is the capital of Brazil.

Many of the cities in Brazil are truly amazing; the more popular and well known Brazilian cities include: Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and Brasilia. Each of these cities is rich with Brazilian culture and history, have an abundance of natural beauty, and an extremely hospitable local population.

The people of Brazil are extremely friendly, and you’ll find a Brazilian can never have too many friends. They are always excited to meet new people, and if you are in any need of help don’t hesitate to ask a Brazilian. They will go out of their way to ensure you’re happy in their country.

Visiting Brazil you can see that Brazil is somewhere which has not been developed to the extent of Dubai or Spain, so it offers a bit of exclusivity. See the following facts proving political and economical attractiveness of Brazil property investment:

• Brazil - 5th largest country in the world with a population of 182 million making up South America’s economic powerhouse

• Self-sufficient in terms of oil and has over 1/3rd of the world’s water reserves

• Well known producer of aircraft, automobiles, coffee, iron ore, steel and, of course, footwear (Brazil’s super-trendy Havaiana flop-flops)

• Predicted by many as one of world’s next superpowers, under the highly successful leadership of President Lula who has helped turn the economy around (Goldman Sachs predicts that by 2050 Brazil will be the worlds 5th largest economy)

• Inflation at all-time low, currency stable and favorable to investors, industry performing well and interest rates falling quickly

• Price rises of over 20% p.a. are predicted in main property in Brazil development zones

• President Lula’s policy of “high priority sustainable development” allows foreigners to own 100% freehold on property

• Budget of $USD 750 million just been set aside for enhancing tourist infrastructure such as airports and roads

• Tourist numbers to north-east already up by 134% over past few years and the region is on course to enter the coveted top 20 of tourism destinations in the world by 2007/2008

The Times newspaper recently quoted well respected city financiers: “Brazil remains one of the fastest growing emerging markets”, “We expect interest rates to continue to come down, providing a boost to domestic sentiment and interest from foreign investment”, and “The market represents extremely good value for investors now”.



Byron

Andy Adams asked:


In the previous part of this article I began covering the top ten locations for UK tourists to visit this year in South America, already covered was Panama City, The Atacama Desert in Chile and cookery classes in Mexico.  The rest of this list continues with some destinations a bit further south including Brazil, Peru and even director Francis Ford Coppolla’s lodge in Guatemala.

7.    Pantenal, Brazil

Brazil is famous for their football team, carnivals and the enormous statue of Jesus that overlooks Rio de Janeiro but aside from these iconic symbols there is a wealth of nature lurking just miles away from the cities.  One such location is Pantenal; it holds the title of the world’s largest wetland and many people in the know claim that the amount of nature present rivals even the Amazon!

Pantenal is just one of the many emerging holiday hotspots in Brazil as well as the Serra Geral Mountains in the southern part of the country.  Recently interest in Brazils has been sparked by the sighting of tribesmen in the jungles within Brazil.  You may not be looking to join a native tribe but the nature in Brazil can certainly rival the draw of the big city.

6.    Peru

Peru is a popular destination amongst backpackers and gap year students partially due to all the ancient ruins which are a spectacle to see.  Manchu Picchu is a popular hot spot for hikers, but beware; the hiking is tough going. 

The culture of Peru is a historic one too with many of the communities sticking to traditions that have lasted generations free of the trappings of modern life.  Some holiday companies have an easy time getting people to come to Peru because in some cases the locals will insist you stay with them as hotels are few and far between in the mountainous areas. 

By sharing the living space of a local family you can get the most authentic feel of what life is like in the region, plus all you’d need to pay for is your flights to the country which doesn’t hurt!

5.    Guatemala

When the man who directed the Godfather and slaved over Apocalypse Now to the point of exhaustion chooses a holiday spot you can rest assured that it will be worth it. Francis Ford Coppolla owns a lodge in Guatemala called La Lancha and is set in an amazing area of Guatemala that should impress the Indiana Jones’ out there.

There are many ancient Mayan ruins which served as inspiration for the latest adventure of Dr. Jones this summer nearby such as Tikal which is home to the enormous pyramids and encroaching jungle undergrowth seen in many movies.  Similar architecture can be found at Uaxacatún which is home to large stucco sculpture traditional to the area.  Yaxhá is a wonderful lakeside location that many people who have seen Indiana Jones and the kingdom of the Crystal Skulls will be familiar with.  It is most definitely worthy of booking flights, packing the fedora and bullwhip to go exploring if you are looking for a more historic and interesting holiday.

In the final part of this article I’ll be covering the final four destinations that I recommend for holidays this year.  With cheap flights to Mexico and other countries now may be the best time to explore new grounds.



Rebecca

Pdiddy asked:


Hi, I am getting my passport back on March 21st, I am leaving for Brazil on April 1st. Can I get my visa when I fly into Rio De Janeiro from Atlanta, Georgia, USA? Do I have to wait to get my visa before I come to Brazil or can I get it on arrival? If so how and where do I get it? Any info would help. Thanks guys!

Sylvia

crazy_train_123 asked:


I will be travelling to Brazil (Cosigua / Rio de Janeiro / Sao Paulo) in January 2007 on business and was looking for recommendations as to which trains I should ride while I’m there. I enjoy riding trains but do not know much about the rail network in Brazil. Are there any large freight railroads there? Any information at all will be very helpful. Thank you!

Scott

Andre Skowronski asked:


We all know that vacation rentals in Rio have proven to be a winning proposition for local and international tourists who seek for fun, quality, security and privacy in Rio de Janeiro. The major reason apart from fair prices is that hotels do not allow guests or private invitees in their facilities while in beach rentals you are able to live the spontaneous life of a native Brazilian. But do you know what the basic rules are when renting a vacation rental in Brazil? If you don’t, read this article in order to familiarize with the local guidelines. If you have a rough idea, a review is always beneficial. This is why we I decided to write a simple checklist on the most important issues so that you can research in advance your stay and avoid unnecessary problems.

The first thing you need to know when renting a vacation apartment in Rio is that it’s a legal well established business within the tourist industry in Brazil. Many Brazilians and even foreigners buy apartments in Rio exactly for this purpose. Investors commonly buy used apartments and renovate them to offer the best comfort as beach rentals. Let’s now discuss the main points you should be note when selecting an apartment.

Prices: prices in vacation rentals in Rio can vary significantly. Generally the more luxurious, the more expensive are the apartment prices. Beachfront apartments also carry a premium in their prices. Another rule is obvious, the greater number of rooms, the pricier it gets. Prices are normally charged by number of nights. That is, if an apartment costs US$ 100.00 p/day, 10 nights will be US$ 1000.00. Discounts can be considered above 30 days rentals. Prices per day can decrease for longer periods, since a longer stay will be booked. How much per day? Usually fair vacation rentals can be found starting at US$ 90,00 a day. Two bedrooms apartments in Ipanema or Leblon, all beach neighborhoods can vary from US$ 150 to US$ 300 a night, on average. If the apartments are located in high floors, if they have private pools and/ or hydro massage bath tubs, prices can rise significantly.

Locations/ Neighborhoods: Like any other major city in the world, prices vary by per different neighborhoods and zones. Most expensive vacation rentals are all found on the South Zone (called “Zona Sul” in Portuguese), specifically in the following neighborhoods: Ipanema, Leblon, Lagoa, Copacabana, Flamengo and Botafogo. Barra da Tijuca, once a separate beach neighborhood, also offers some very luxurious flats and residence services, but you need to have a car to drive around since public transportation is limited there. Ipanema, Lagoa and Flamengo have been considered the safest neighborhoods, since prostitution is heavily combated in those areas. Copacabana has a large selection of vacation rentals, and can sometimes turn into a good cost/benefit relation. Need some one liner neighborhood highlights? Here they are. Ipanema is famous for its fashion shops, trendy restaurants, and gorgeous beach. Ipanema can also be considered as the essence of the hype Carioca. Leblon is the utmost global neighborhood in Rio, with an upscale shopping mall, many 5 star restaurants and cozy bookstores. Lagoa has a very nice park, tranquil night kiosks around the lagoon and some fine restaurants like Mr.Lam and Bar Lagoa, founded in 1936. Copacabana has a wide apartment selection, ample public transport and Rio´s most eclectic environment. Flamengo is a very traditional neighborhood hosting the world´s largest in-city park, called Flamengo Park. Famous art-d? buildings like the Biarritz and Tabor Loreto are one of the neighborhood’s assets photographed by many architecture admirers. Barra da Tijuca area has a visual scenery very similar to Miami, with large avenues, modern malls and exclusive beach front flats including Sheraton Barra Suites.

Rental Agencies: The most popular way to find a rental agency is through the web. Rio offers several rental agencies, some of which have been providing this type of service for more than 25 years. The great majority of vacation rentals in Rio are serious in their business, delivering what they claim. Most of them display a list of vacation rentals they own or represent, either by neighborhoods or by number of rooms. They present up to 10 pictures of the rentals and a small description of the amenities and apartment surroundings, so you can familiarize with the region. When you are choosing the apartment, first try to identify yourself with the neighborhood you are staying in, as well as your budget. This will save you time and help in the selection process. Once you know what where you want to stay and how much you can afford, browse through the apartments list and see if there is anything you like. Once you see something you like, send an e-mail to the company stating which apartment you have in mind, and a second or third option, case that apartment is taken. (Many rentals offer an on-line bookings calendar view, which may save you time as well.). To find a list of rentals agencies in Rio, type in Google “Vacation Apartment Rio” and check the results. You will find more than 10 agencies only in page 1 of your search.

Payment Methods: Most Rental agencies in Rio take Pay-Pal, money wires, credit cards and cash. A reservation deposit is necessary to secure your apartment reservation. Companies have different reservation deposits policies. These deposits can vary from 30% up to 50% of the total stay amount. After the agency acknowledges the initial payment, the balance due is normally paid on entrance and key delivery of the vacation apartment. Most companies however do not return reservation deposit for Carnival and New Years holidays, due to great demand. Check the cancellation policy in company’s website or via e-mail.

Rental Amenities: Vacation rentals in Rio also vary a lot in terms of their included amenities. Most of them offer by default a complete kitchen, cable TV, Internet access, air conditioner in the rooms and linens/towels. This would be the minimum acceptable. One level above, rentals can provide CD/DVD player, clothing washing machine, coffee machine, and safe. Luxury apartments in Rio and residence service flats additionally can offer hot-tubs, private pools, and even gourmet kitchen utensils

Do´s and Don’ts: Another fundamental tip when selecting an apartment is to be attentive in the reservation process. Once you have decided for the rentals agency and the apartment in mind make sure you have all your questions and concerns promptly answered. It is the agency’s obligation to make sure you feel comfortable with your choice. Your rentals contacts should be courteous and receptive. Don’t hesitate in finding another agency if they are rude, since that attitude may follow through your stay, and you definitely don’t want that in your vacations. If you have any friend in Rio de Janeiro, ask him/her to visit the apartment. This procedure is pretty common. Another tip would be to try to plan ahead. As soon as you have your travel dates secured, start your “apartment hunting”. Be sure to ask for a contract as well, and read all of the buildings do´s and don’ts.

Rio rentals for tourists and vacationers are numerous but even so, Brazil is famous for having the most exotic beaches in the world and thousands flock here every year. So it’s wise to remember that the best vacation apartments in Rio get filled up very quickly especially in during New Years holidays and Carnival, so make sure you book well in advance.



Ryan