Argentina / Brazil - Trying to do too much?
Dec 22nd, 2006, 05:45 AM
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Argentina / Brazil - Trying to do too much?
Hi,
Just by way of introduction I would like to assure you that I am no longer a confused bride 2 be! That wa last year whilst trying to plan my honeymoon!
I would like peoples opinions on the following dilema.
We are based in the UK & have travelled all over the world with the exception of South America - in fact I was planning a trip there when I met my now husband - I ended up in Scotland rather than South America, never mind!
Anyway that was in my youth 8 years ago, when I would have happily backpacked and stayed in guest houses or hostals where ever I went.
My tastes in food and lodging have gone up a notch or two - but our sense of adventure has not been quashed. We enjoy exploring on our own rather than tour groups where possible.
So in looking at finaly getting to South America I cannot decide where to go - we will have 14/15 nights "on the ground" after factoring in the overnight flights from Europe.
In no particular order the things I have been looking at on the list are: Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls, Perito Moreno Glacier, a stay on an Estancia, Rio and a beach stop & flop type place at the end.
Looking at the map it looks quite simple??
3 nights BA
1 night Estancia
2 nights Perito Moreno
2 nights Iguazu
3 nights Rio
5 night Brazilian Beach
Does this look like suicide? Should we reverse with inernational flights to Rio & finish on an Argentinian Beach?
Can we do a day trip to get a sense of the pampas rather than stay over?
We will be travelling in November & specifics of accomodation not needed at the moment - but advise on itinerary - have I missed a must see?
I've fought to get my South American Trip over my husbands wish to go to Japan so I want to get the most out of it I can.
Thanks for your help in advance
Liz
Just by way of introduction I would like to assure you that I am no longer a confused bride 2 be! That wa last year whilst trying to plan my honeymoon!
I would like peoples opinions on the following dilema.
We are based in the UK & have travelled all over the world with the exception of South America - in fact I was planning a trip there when I met my now husband - I ended up in Scotland rather than South America, never mind!
Anyway that was in my youth 8 years ago, when I would have happily backpacked and stayed in guest houses or hostals where ever I went.
My tastes in food and lodging have gone up a notch or two - but our sense of adventure has not been quashed. We enjoy exploring on our own rather than tour groups where possible.
So in looking at finaly getting to South America I cannot decide where to go - we will have 14/15 nights "on the ground" after factoring in the overnight flights from Europe.
In no particular order the things I have been looking at on the list are: Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls, Perito Moreno Glacier, a stay on an Estancia, Rio and a beach stop & flop type place at the end.
Looking at the map it looks quite simple??
3 nights BA
1 night Estancia
2 nights Perito Moreno
2 nights Iguazu
3 nights Rio
5 night Brazilian Beach
Does this look like suicide? Should we reverse with inernational flights to Rio & finish on an Argentinian Beach?
Can we do a day trip to get a sense of the pampas rather than stay over?
We will be travelling in November & specifics of accomodation not needed at the moment - but advise on itinerary - have I missed a must see?
I've fought to get my South American Trip over my husbands wish to go to Japan so I want to get the most out of it I can.
Thanks for your help in advance
Liz
Dec 22nd, 2006, 06:34 AM
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Hi Liz,
Sounds like a good itinerary, have not been to Brazil, so I am partial to AR, having been twice and travelled all over the country.
With this being said, yes, you may do a day trip to an Estancia from BA, so you could do 4 nights in BA without any problem and still have enough time to tour the city.
Another alternative to the Brazilian beaches would be Punta del Este in Uruguay. We have not been (we are not beach people), but others have raved about it. Yet, the Brazilian beaches are supposed to be fantastic too.
Two nights in Perito should be ok, as long as you have a full day and a half for touring, same said for Iguazu Falls, a full day and one half is all you need.
Sorry I cannot give you more advice about Brazil, but if you want anymore for AR, please feel free, it's become one of my favorite countries to tour.
Sounds like a good itinerary, have not been to Brazil, so I am partial to AR, having been twice and travelled all over the country.
With this being said, yes, you may do a day trip to an Estancia from BA, so you could do 4 nights in BA without any problem and still have enough time to tour the city.
Another alternative to the Brazilian beaches would be Punta del Este in Uruguay. We have not been (we are not beach people), but others have raved about it. Yet, the Brazilian beaches are supposed to be fantastic too.
Two nights in Perito should be ok, as long as you have a full day and a half for touring, same said for Iguazu Falls, a full day and one half is all you need.
Sorry I cannot give you more advice about Brazil, but if you want anymore for AR, please feel free, it's become one of my favorite countries to tour.
Dec 22nd, 2006, 08:13 AM
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Your itinerary is about right. I would spend one less night at the Brazilian beach and instead stay one more night in BA.
Or you could add a couple nights in Mendoza or Salta (Argentina) and do some wine tasting.
Owlwoman has a good idea about going to Punta del Este instead of the Brazilian beach; it's much closer to BA.
Do you have any particular Brazilian beach in mind?
Best recommendation would be to work with a local travel agent. There are a couple of names that keep getting great reviews in these forums (should I say fora?...).
Have a great trip.
Or you could add a couple nights in Mendoza or Salta (Argentina) and do some wine tasting.
Owlwoman has a good idea about going to Punta del Este instead of the Brazilian beach; it's much closer to BA.
Do you have any particular Brazilian beach in mind?
Best recommendation would be to work with a local travel agent. There are a couple of names that keep getting great reviews in these forums (should I say fora?...).
Have a great trip.
Dec 22nd, 2006, 03:28 PM
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South America is very large. For starters, Brazil is actually larger than the US. Unlike the US, however, most people live along the coast and there are totally inaccessible areas. While I have not been to Brazil (I just did my first trip to South America--to Chile), if you are going to go to various places in Brazil, you will spend a lot of time flying around very long distances.
Very few people going there on their first trip realize just how huge South America is.
I had my first taste in Chile and want to return to see Argentina, Brazil and Tierra del Fuego. I loved it!
Very few people going there on their first trip realize just how huge South America is.
I had my first taste in Chile and want to return to see Argentina, Brazil and Tierra del Fuego. I loved it!
Dec 22nd, 2006, 05:28 PM
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Personally, I think it's alot of flying to do. But, if you go to Rio, you could drive from there to Buzios, which is only a two hours or so drive, I believe. I also think that that Buzios should have more summerlike weather in November than Punta del Este. Someone else may know about that better than I do.
Dec 22nd, 2006, 09:08 PM
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Just thought I'd wish you luck in your next trip. I enjoyed your adventures on the Africa forum. Since I'm planning my first Brazil trip too, I don't have lots of advice other than I'm doing only Brazil and would have liked even more time there.
Dec 29th, 2006, 02:43 AM
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Hello.
I have been in Buenos Aires last november, it's a lovely city.
http://www.cafetortoni.com.ar/ http://mapa.buenosaires.gov.ar/sig/index.phtml http://www.metrovias.com.ar/ http://www.trendelacosta.com.ar/site/
I strongly advise you to stay there 5 nights, at the cost of suppressing your stay in Estancia and/or Perito Moreno (it's worthy the sacrifice). You will see that hotels are usually overpriced in Buenos Aires, there are not cheap & confortable hotels. You may try Ayres de Recoleta http://www.ayresderecoleta.com/ where we have been: very confortable, in a quiet corner of Buenos Aires.
The next stop could be Foz do Iguaçu (in Brasil), to visit the extraordinary waterfalls (the best views are enjoyed from the brazilian side). Don't miss the boat trip with Macuco Safari http://www.macucosafari.com.br/ Two nights are ok, is the minimum recommended stay lenght.
Three nights is Rio de Janeiro will be ok for visiting the most important sights. Dont miss the combined tour package Corcovado + Floresta da Tijuca proposed by Jeep Tour http://www.jeeptour.com.br/roteiros1.htm
Now about brazilian beaches ... the best ones are those in the northeast coast, for exemple, the coast of Bahia http://www.bahia.com.br/ You may proceed to Salvador, which is a unique brazilian city, very "african", which deserves at least one day of your attention.
Salvador is a noisy town, so I recommend you either Mercure or Ibis hotels in Rio Vermelho http://www.accorhotels.com.br/destinos/Salvador_pt.asp
From Salvador you may easily reach the village of Morro de São Paulo http://www.morrodesaopaulo.com.br/main.shtml located in Ilha do Tinharé, by small plane, with Aerostar http://www.aerostar.com.br/empresa/default_pers.asp It's a short trip (40 min approx), wonderful views, don't miss, it's unforgetable.
I strongly recomment you this calm, nice, confortable hotel in Ilha do Tinharé http://www.hotelportodozimbo.com.br/
This hotel is located about 2 km away from the small village of Morro de São Paulo, on a very nice beach. You will see there is a huge concentration of bar, restaurants and small hotels in the village of Morro de São Paulo and around it: it's sometimes very noisy, it's a good idea to select a hotel far from it, for sake of a wonderful sleep.
Have a nice stay in South America, specially in my country, Brasil.
I have been in Buenos Aires last november, it's a lovely city.
http://www.cafetortoni.com.ar/ http://mapa.buenosaires.gov.ar/sig/index.phtml http://www.metrovias.com.ar/ http://www.trendelacosta.com.ar/site/
I strongly advise you to stay there 5 nights, at the cost of suppressing your stay in Estancia and/or Perito Moreno (it's worthy the sacrifice). You will see that hotels are usually overpriced in Buenos Aires, there are not cheap & confortable hotels. You may try Ayres de Recoleta http://www.ayresderecoleta.com/ where we have been: very confortable, in a quiet corner of Buenos Aires.
The next stop could be Foz do Iguaçu (in Brasil), to visit the extraordinary waterfalls (the best views are enjoyed from the brazilian side). Don't miss the boat trip with Macuco Safari http://www.macucosafari.com.br/ Two nights are ok, is the minimum recommended stay lenght.
Three nights is Rio de Janeiro will be ok for visiting the most important sights. Dont miss the combined tour package Corcovado + Floresta da Tijuca proposed by Jeep Tour http://www.jeeptour.com.br/roteiros1.htm
Now about brazilian beaches ... the best ones are those in the northeast coast, for exemple, the coast of Bahia http://www.bahia.com.br/ You may proceed to Salvador, which is a unique brazilian city, very "african", which deserves at least one day of your attention.
Salvador is a noisy town, so I recommend you either Mercure or Ibis hotels in Rio Vermelho http://www.accorhotels.com.br/destinos/Salvador_pt.asp
From Salvador you may easily reach the village of Morro de São Paulo http://www.morrodesaopaulo.com.br/main.shtml located in Ilha do Tinharé, by small plane, with Aerostar http://www.aerostar.com.br/empresa/default_pers.asp It's a short trip (40 min approx), wonderful views, don't miss, it's unforgetable.
I strongly recomment you this calm, nice, confortable hotel in Ilha do Tinharé http://www.hotelportodozimbo.com.br/
This hotel is located about 2 km away from the small village of Morro de São Paulo, on a very nice beach. You will see there is a huge concentration of bar, restaurants and small hotels in the village of Morro de São Paulo and around it: it's sometimes very noisy, it's a good idea to select a hotel far from it, for sake of a wonderful sleep.
Have a nice stay in South America, specially in my country, Brasil.
Dec 29th, 2006, 03:23 PM
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Hi,
To add to FauxSteMarie's comments, Brasil is also bigger than Australia which should give you a view of the huge distances between cities. It is also the only Portuguese speaking country in South America, although they are very familiar with Spanish.
We visited Brasil in Jan of this year (North East) where the beaches stretch for miles and are virtually deserted. The weather was wonderfully hot (30C+) although very windy which I didn't expect so take care in the sun, the breeze is deceiving. Also, strong currents in the sea - many coastal areas (north & south) are havens for wind surfers.
The people are very friendly and don't speak much English - another bonus as we had great fun communicating, often in charade fashion!
Try and get to a local football match if you can, even if you don't support football - the atmosphere is electrifying.
Dining out is different - in most restaurants the menus are set for 2 persons e.g. if my husband wanted steak then I had to have steak too, although some do offer meals per person.
Another option is the restaurants where you pay by weight. Basically this is a self service buffet and your plate (and the food on it) is weighed. This is very common in Brasil and this way you can eat as much or as little as you want.
Due to distances and time, we only got to tour a little around the North East but I would love to go back and see other regions/countries.
Have a good trip. VHS
To add to FauxSteMarie's comments, Brasil is also bigger than Australia which should give you a view of the huge distances between cities. It is also the only Portuguese speaking country in South America, although they are very familiar with Spanish.
We visited Brasil in Jan of this year (North East) where the beaches stretch for miles and are virtually deserted. The weather was wonderfully hot (30C+) although very windy which I didn't expect so take care in the sun, the breeze is deceiving. Also, strong currents in the sea - many coastal areas (north & south) are havens for wind surfers.
The people are very friendly and don't speak much English - another bonus as we had great fun communicating, often in charade fashion!
Try and get to a local football match if you can, even if you don't support football - the atmosphere is electrifying.
Dining out is different - in most restaurants the menus are set for 2 persons e.g. if my husband wanted steak then I had to have steak too, although some do offer meals per person.
Another option is the restaurants where you pay by weight. Basically this is a self service buffet and your plate (and the food on it) is weighed. This is very common in Brasil and this way you can eat as much or as little as you want.
Due to distances and time, we only got to tour a little around the North East but I would love to go back and see other regions/countries.
Have a good trip. VHS
Dec 31st, 2006, 06:23 AM
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Ok... here go some advices/tips from someone who lives in Brazil since I was born. First of all, Brazil it is larger than Australia but NOT from the USA. November is a very nice month to come, not crowded yet, nice temperatures (25C - 35C). If you or your husband don't speak protuguese or even spanish, I don't recommend you to rent a car. Two reasons: 1) roads and streets access are not very well planned; 2) very large distances between the cities I'll recommend you. Not to mention some dangerous places around the metropolitans areas. So, having that said, I must ask you a few questions: Main reason to come to Brazil? Beaches? If so, I would recommend you Rio de Janeiro and Buzios (someone already posted a reply in this thread), a small town 2 hours (160km) north from Rio. I'd also recommend the northeast Brazilians beaches, such as Fortaleza and the #1 choice among Brazilains travellers Jericoacoara.
Have you ever considered Rain Forest? I've spent 4 days in an amazing treetop hotel (Ariau Hotel) in the middle of the Forest. Simply amazing! Totally safe... more than Rio de Janeiro ans Sao Paulo. Another interesting option is the Pantanal, world’s largest wetland area, located in the Cetral Region of the country. I've seen you mentioned Iguaçu Falls. This is an amazing waterfalls system (more than 250) located in the triple border between Brazil, Argentina and Paraguai. As you can see, so many options but totally geographically opposed. I'll be more than happy to help you with your itinerary.
Have you ever considered Rain Forest? I've spent 4 days in an amazing treetop hotel (Ariau Hotel) in the middle of the Forest. Simply amazing! Totally safe... more than Rio de Janeiro ans Sao Paulo. Another interesting option is the Pantanal, world’s largest wetland area, located in the Cetral Region of the country. I've seen you mentioned Iguaçu Falls. This is an amazing waterfalls system (more than 250) located in the triple border between Brazil, Argentina and Paraguai. As you can see, so many options but totally geographically opposed. I'll be more than happy to help you with your itinerary.
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