Brazil

  • America,  Argentina,  Brazil,  Country Guides,  TDM,  Tips

    Iguazú Falls (Brazil & Argentina): Practical Travel Guide (Rates 2020)

    Note October 2019: thanks to the internet users who just visited the falls (thanks Anne-Laure and Alexandra), I was able to update most of the prices. Please note that the high inflation in Argentina makes the exercise difficult. When I wrote the article for the first time, the rate was 1€ = 16.38$AR. Now, the rate has increased to 1€ = 64$AR (October 2019). Remember to take a lot of dollars or euros to exchange on the spot because the distributors are often empty and take a lot of money or go through Azimo when you are in La Plata (near Buenos Aires). A. Which side to visit? The French…

  • America,  Argentina,  Bolivia,  Brazil,  Chile,  Cuba,  Our Itinerary,  Paraguay,  Peru,  TDM,  Tips,  Uruguay

    5 months in South America & Cuba: Itinerary & Transportation (Argentina, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil, Cuba)

    Update May 2017: Here is the latest version of our itinerary in South America, Cuba & the Caribbean. All that lasted 5 months… I found transportation a bit complicated to understand in South America, some border crossings are recently impossible (especially Los Antiguos – Chile Chico), I had to tear out a lot of hair to establish this itinerary. There are many land border crossings, especially between Chile and Argentina, make sure you have enough blank pages in your passport. Click on the button at the top left of the map below to access the list of destinations. CHILE Easter Island(round-the-world ticket) Santiago (round-the-world ticket) Punta Arenas (plane 160€/person) ARGENTINA…

  • America,  Brazil,  TDM,  Travel Journal

    Rio de Janeiro (Brazil): the return (2/2)

    After Ilha Grande, we are back in Rio de Janeiro, waiting for our plane. Check out our first part about Rio here   Day 1 : After calculation, we realize that it costs us exactly the same to go back to Rio by buying ourselves the boat/bus/Uber tickets, as to pay a transfer “boat – minivan with drop-off”, 110 reais/person. So why get tired? We take a speedboat and then a minivan. The trip lasts a total of 3 hours. The owner of our guesthouse is already waiting for us with a smile on her face. She understands my Portuguese, yes! We have a large studio of 30m2 just for…

  • America,  Brazil,  TDM,  Travel Journal

    Ilha Grande (Brazil): a small paradise on earth

    Only 3 hours from Rio, Ilha Grande (“big island”) is an island with no road/motorized vehicle. Once reserved for prisoners and lepers, this island has become a must-see in the Rio region. It is spelled IL-HA and not IH-LA Part 1: Travel Diary Part 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Diary Day 1 : This morning I discovered with horror red patches covering my arms, neck and legs. It itches a little. I don’t have a fever. But we still leave for Ilha Grande, hoping that the fresh air will calm me down and cure my allergy We go to the bus terminal of Paraty and finally someone explains us…

  • America,  Brazil,  TDM,  Travel Journal

    Paraty (Brazil): Travel diary

    After Rio, it’s time to explore the surroundings. The weather isn’t very nice at the moment, so instead of going to Ilha Grande where the main activity is to go from beach to beach, we decide to go to Paraty Part 1: Travel Diary Part 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Diary Days 1 & 2 : We take an Uber to go to the bus terminal of Rio. This terminal is located in a crappy area so it is better to go there by cab or Uber. We buy 2 tickets at Costa Verde on the first floor on the right. 90 reais/person for Paraty The departure is planned…

  • America,  Brazil,  TDM,  Tips

    Learn Portuguese to travel to Brazil: review of the Michel Thomas & MosaLingua method (promo code inside)

    For our two weeks around Rio, I thought it would be nice to have some bases in Portuguese just in case.. Even if the receptionists of hostels/hotels almost all speak English, this isn’t the case for waiters, street vendors, bus terminal employees… most of the premises in a way. Knowing a few basics in Portuguese is always better than nothing I started learning Portuguese 10 days before the trip, but I was in Uruguay and Argentina, surrounded by Spanish speakers, so the learning did not progress much The day before departure, I was finally motivated to listen to two CDs by Michel Thomas in a row and learn 100 words…

  • America,  Brazil,  Country Guides,  TDM,  Tips

    How to visit Christ the Redeemer in Rio: Transportation, tickets, budget, advice

    I find the Lonely Planet (Kindle version) from Brazil particularly sloppy. The proof: I have to find out for myself how to go and see Christ the Redeemer all by myself. The information found on the Internet isn’t very clear either. So I give you here the simplest version, with the least amount of waiting to visit one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Note: Uber is really cheap in Rio so forget about shuttles, towers etc. I did the calculation for you, it’s the simplest and cheapest way (when you travel with 2 or more people). City Center -> Christ the Redeemer Take an Uber (X or…

  • America,  Brazil,  TDM,  Travel Journal

    Rio de Janeiro (Brazil): a city full of contrasts (1/2)

    Oi, tudo bem? We are finally in Rio de Janeiro! Our small passage in Foz do Iguaçu did not make us realize that we were on the Brazilian ground because too close to Argentina. But this time, yes! We hear the accent carioca everywhere around us, we are well in Brazil! Part 1: Travel Diary Part 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Diary Note : The last time our luggage went through a Brazilian airport (in transit from Bolivia to Paraguay), my luggage was very badly treated: padlock ripped off and bag searched (0 loss fortunately). I realized this because my stuff moved around. So, this time, for our trip…

  • America,  Argentina,  Brazil,  TDM,  Travel Journal

    The Iguaçu / Iguazú Falls (Brazil & Argentina): a wonder of nature

    The Iguazú Falls are one of the most extraordinary experiences we had during our world tour. We will easily classify them in the top 10 of our trip Part 1 : The Iguaçu falls on the Brazilian side How to get there How we come from Paraguay, we choose to spend a night in the city of Foz do Iguaçu, at the IguassuCentral Bed & Breakfast hotel,which I highly recommend since it is next to all the buses and good restaurants. From the city bus terminal near our hotel, we take the famous bus 120 towards Iguaçu National Park, for 3,75 reals/person. This bus is very busy, both by locals,…

  • America,  Argentina,  Brazil,  Country Guides,  Paraguay,  TDM,  Tips

    Paraguay-Brazil border and visit the Iguazu Falls from Ciudad del Este

    Part 1: How to cross the Paraguay-Brazil border? Ciudad del Este – Foz do Iguaçu Ciudad del Este is a shopping paradise for Brazilians and Argentines, and everything has been done to make their shopping experience the best possible (themed shopping malls, several currencies accepted, bilingual staff…). The Paraguay-Brazil border crossing is super easy for Paraguayans, Argentines and Brazilians For other countries, you will need, in addition, two stamps Note: if you do not plan to spend a night in Brazil, you aren’t obliged to ask for exit/entry stamps. The Iguazu Falls on the Brazilian side can be visited in a few hours, you can possibly stay in Ciudad del…