r/VisitBrazil

Title: Rio or São Paulo for 3 Weeks?

I’m thinking about spending about 3 weeks in Brazil in early November and would appreciate feedback from guys who have actually spent time dating there.

I’m 44, 5'10", in good shape, and usually get guessed as mid-to-late 30s. I’m reasonably attractive but slightly introverted. I only speak English right now, although I’d learn some basic Portuguese before going.

I’m mostly deciding between Rio and São Paulo. I’d like to meet women through apps, bars, nightlife, beaches and normal social situations while also enjoying the trip itself.

For those who have actually been:

How difficult was dating without Portuguese?

Did you have better luck through apps or meeting women while out?

Would you choose Rio or São Paulo for a first 3-week trip?

What neighborhoods would you stay in?

And roughly what did you spend?

I’m especially interested in firsthand experiences rather than general opinions.

Hello everyone,

I'm a 32 yo woman (living in Paris but originally from Russia) who has already taken two long solo trips to Japan and Thailand, and now I'd like to visit Brazil for about three weeks (late January/early February) 😄

I know Brazil isn’t nearly as safe as Japan or Thailand, but I’m committed to taking all the necessary precautions to ensure I have a safe and enjoyable trip (I’ve already read a few posts on this forum and noted that I shouldn’t carry valuables on me, should avoid taking out my phone in public etc.).

I’d like to go during that time to enjoy carnival, but not the one in Rio...I’d rather go to the one in Olinda (or maybe another one if you have any other recommendations). I don't mind going to Carnival for just one day, just to see what it's like, and then doing something else.

For my first trip in Brazil, I'd especially like to visit the eastern coast of Brazil (Rio de Janeiro, Recife, São Paulo etc. ...Sao Paulo cause I want to visit the Japanese district, because I understand that's where the Japanese diaspora is concentrated...).

I imagine I'd have to fly between the different cities, so let me know which route would be best.

I’d like to enjoy the beach as well as do some outdoor activities (hiking, visiting wildlife sanctuaries). I also want to try the local cuisine or even see some typical brazilian shows or evening events (I don’t drink alcohol, so when it comes to going out, I’ll still be on the safe side)

If there are any sporting events (other than futebol ahah), especially matches in a local combat sport, I’m interested (for example, in Thailand I went to a local stadium where there were only Thais to watch Muay Thai, I was the only foreigner there... I imagine it’s more complicated in Brazil, but if there are events like that and they’re relatively safe, then I want to see).

So I'm writing you this long message to ask for your recommendations (cities to visit, beaches, nature reserve, restaurants...), to find out what precautions I should take and whether, even though I'm a woman traveling alone, this trip is a good idea ? (Knowing that I'm really excited to go there)

Thank you very much in advance for your help and advice and Viva o Brasil ! ❤️

Hi! I'm planning to travel to watch the group stage matches in Rio de Janeiro for the Women's World Cup next year. I just wanted to ask if anyone knows when we can expect tickets to go on sale? Also, should we expect the tickets to get sold out quickly?

We've been waiting for tickets to go on sale before booking our flights but with the way the exchange rates are, it's looking like we need to book our flights sooner than later.

Hi everybody,

My girlfriend and I are planning our first trip to Brazil from December 25/26 until January 9. At the moment the only thing we're sure about is spending New Year's Eve in Rio. Everything else is still open, and we're trying to figure out the best itinerary.

We'll arrive in São Paulo and thinking about take our return flight from Fortaleza. Originally, the idea was to visit Lençóis Maranhenses, but I've recently discovered that January isn't the best season for it, so now I'm wondering whether Fortaleza is still worth keeping in the plan or if it would make more sense to focus on other destinations.

We were also considering Iguazu Falls on the border with Argentina, but we're not sure if adding more flights and transfers is worth it given our budget.

We're not rich and this trip is already a big expense for us, so we'd like to avoid wasting money on unnecessary transportation and constant moving around. We'd rather spend our budget on places that are truly worth visiting.

For a first-time visit to Brazil, what itinerary would you recommend for this period of the year?

Is it easy to travel around the country? Is renting a car a good idea, or is it better to rely on flights and buses? How safe is it to drive as a tourist?

Also, what's the best way to travel between São Paulo and Rio: plane, bus, or something else?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hello everyone! I just got back from a month in Brazil with my Brazilian girlfriend (moved to uk when she was young) I absolutely loved every minute of it. We did the usual touristy places Rio de Janeiro, Ilha Grande & Paraty. I’m super keen to go back again in the near future and would love some recommendations on where to visit! I’ve heard great things about Salvador but I’m down to try anywhere. Thanks in advance!