Don

We are planning a three to four week holiday in December/January 2000 to South America from my home in South Africa. I'm amazed at how little tourist info there appears to be. We like the outdoors but also cities if they are exceptionally special (attractive rather than touristy).

Areas that would be on the itinerary - Amazon, Pantenal, Rio, BA, Patagonia. Anyone got any suggestions. Is the planned time too short. Can you refer me to a good guide book. I usually find Fodors suits my needs very well. I like to travel with a certain amount of comfort but if the experience calls for a tent in the bush - so be it!

chandler

the Guttenberg for travel in South America is the South American Handbook published by Footprint. it's a British publication, been around for 75 years.
chandler

chandler

the Guttenberg for travel in South America is the South American Handbook published by Footprint. it's a British publication, been around for 75 years.
chandler

Maria

Just a tip on Rio . . You should plan on no less than a week for Rio. True, you can do the beaches in Rio in a few days, but there are so many beautiful, beautiful, places that are nearby. For example, Parati (4 hour bus ride from Rio) or Buzios (3 hour car trip from Rio) or Angra dos Reis (3? hour car trip). Parati is a quaint, colonial style town with cobblestone streets and many pousadas. It is refreshingly non-modernized and is appears as though it did long ago. Buzio and Angra are beautiful beaches where you can relax and enjoy beautiful scenery. The beach scene in these two cities is more relaxed than Rio. But book your hotel early if you decide to go here, because Angra dos Reis and Buzios are very popular vacation spots for Brazil and your trip is in the middle of summer!

Jt

Maria is right cant do Rio in a week. Really deserves more attention. You might consider Falls de Iguacu on Brazil/Argentina boder, like water falls? makes Niagra falls look tiny. Also you might Consider "Ouro Preto".

Jill S.

In Rio stay at the Praia Ipanema Hotel. It is a 4 star hotel, all rooms are waterview, large and have small balconies overlooking Ipanema Beach. Rate is about $179.00 per room per night, but it is well worth it. Other hotels in the same category are much more expensive. While in Rio, make sure you see Corcovado - the Christ Statue..only go up when there are no clouds...or else you won't see a thing! Best time to go is for the sunset! Also, make a day trip to Petropolis and see the Royal Family's Summer Palace (circa 1900), and the Crytstal Palace. Take a Schooner Cruise on the Bay of Sepatiba south of Rio, and visit tiny tropical islands...well the list goes on for Rio. In the Pantanal...stay at the Pousada Caiman...you must fly into Campo Grande, and then they will pick you up and take you on a 5 hour ride into the Pantanal until you reach the Pousada located on an enormous cattle ranch. You will see an amazing array of wildlife. I was there with Bird Watcher's once and they counted 169 species in 3 days!
Make sure you go to Salvador da Bahia...stay at the brand new TransAmerica Hotel....and make sure you have at least one dinner at Tempero da Dada in Pelourinho!
Well, just a few tips...email me if you need more! Jill

adriana

Hi.
I am brazilian, who lives in the northeast of the country, in a state named CEARA, where is jericoacoara, one of the ten most beaultiful beaches of the world. Do not loose too much time in Rio. There is really a baultifull place but the water is cold in the beaches and they are always very fool of people, so you never get time to enjoy nature. Parati is nice, but if you have interest in ancient cities and churches you will have it a lot in Ouro Preto - MG, which is really really interesting. Small, with many churchs build by african slaves and portugueses, in the meadle of many mountains... In Bahia, do not forget to get a boat to travel to Morro de São Paulo, a beaultiful beach, full of places where you can snorkel on the ocean. Do not forget also to try a trip tp Lençois, a city in the mountains, full of water falls and trekings, very beaultiful too. If you have the time, try to go to Fernando de Noronha, the most beaultiful place in Brasil, for those who enjoys nature. but let it for the end of your trip, cause nothing will shine after you visit this Island.
If you come to Pantanal, do not forget to came to Bonito city. It is an unforgetble place. Lots of caverns, rivers, rafting, treking, snorking, water falls, etc..
if you want more tips, try me. I love to travel and I love may country, so, I travel a lot over here.
Best Regards,
Good trip,
ADRIANA

marta

Dear Friend,

I agree that Brazil is wonderful. But I assume that you are used to beautiful beaches, as you live in South Africa. Therefore, if you are interested in new stuff, spend as much as possible in Argentina. The mountains at the north of the country, with stripes of different colors, is something to be seen. You are going to the Patagonia (it's a must), try also the Glaciar of Tierra del Fuego. Search the web about this amazing place and you will not regret it.

Enjoy!!