Rio, Manaus, Buzios..What to choose??
 

Hi,
I and my wife are planing a weeks trip to Rio in August. We are students and so would love to economize the budget. We are contemplating on staying for 2 days 3 nights in Rio, but then are not able to decide whether to go to Manaus or to Iguazu Falls,Sao Paulo, Buzios after Rio. So our questions are-
1. Is the time and money well spend in going to Manus instead of other places?
2. If yes, whats is the best way to travel from Rio to Manaus?
3. If not, is it feasible to cover Sao Paulo, Buzios, Iguaza Fall in roughly 5 days?
4. What will be best route to save time on travel??

Thanks in advance

TravelSeek

Manaus is out of the way for most of your destinations, so I would skip it. Buzios is in the state of Rio so by bus only 3 hours from Rio de Janeiro. Sao Paulo is just another big polluted city, skip this too.

IMHO this is what I would do:
Iguazu Falls
Buzios
Rio de Janeiro

I would go to Iguazu first, then fly in to Rio and go straight to Buzios then return to Rio de Janeiro then return home.

Thanks Dondiega,
I think we would skip Sao Paulo and Manaus. Finally just a couple of things..
1. any suggestions for Rio to Iguaza falls flight
2. and for Rio Buzios travel (bus companies??)

Thanks
TravelSeek

For flights call the Brazilian travel agent in NY www.bacctravel.com

for Buzios www.buziosonline.com

depending on the pousada you pick they may be able to provide van service from Rio to Buzios or you can go to the Rio bus station called the Rodoviario the central bus station and they have buses all day to Buzios, the cheapest way.

I have been to Buzios several times but always took a car service except once I took a van service coming back which was very good and much more economical.

hiya, i live in rio and take groups around brasil, as for manaus it's nearly 6 hours to get there and to see much you then have to catch a boat which would take a few more, a day or two to really see anything, Expensive internal flights too. As for sao Paulo, yep, just another big city, just good for shopping, eating out, theatre etc. Nothing new for visitors from abroad. Iguazu is a great option, its expensive to stay at either of the two hotels - cataratas, or sheraton in park but is a great place and possibility. if not stay in the town and go into the parks by day.
As for Rio, really easy to get to Buzios, 2 hours or so, toll road most of way. Can go by bus or get a car to drive you. I can recommend some good, safe and reliable drivers who speak english f you want. just let me know. In buzios its quite fun to be near the centre, or our on one of the beaches and then hire a buggy to drive around and visit the area. Quite cheap and great fun so dont forget your driving license.
If you need any help with tips for rio, restaurants, bars, live music, trips etc feel free to ask.
hope this has helped. good luck.

Oh yes. good idea to go to iguazu first. spend at least day and a half there to go to both sides, you may need visas and then up to rio, on either morning or evening flight. Good luck !

Hi Dondiega and Gypsyluce,
Thanks for all your help...it is really a great help. As for flights I think I may contact the BCCTravel guys and see what they have.
Also are the hotels in Iguazu always costly?? I was wondering since we are going off season..they might just be cheaper.
And yes Gypsyluce,I will have some specific questions as the day of travel approches

hiya again from a sunny warm rio, the hotels in iguazu arent cheap as the 2 in the park have that monopoly, one on either side. So if need to go cheaper stay outside of park and go in during day. Feel free to ask any more questions and if i can help more.

I will do:
1th nigth iguacu falls(take pictures)
2th&3th nights Rio(have fun)
3td&4th nights Buzios(chill&relax by the beach)

If you are only staying 1 or 2 nights in Iguacu Falls, please by all means splurge and stay in the National Parque on the Brazil side at the Tropical Hotel Manaus. The amount you would save by staying outside of the parque you will end up spending on taxis to the parque and you will waste time going back and forth. And take a look at the once in a life time views by staying in the parque:
http://www.tropicalhotels.com.br/hot...age?HO=figuacu

After living and working in Rio for 6 years, I finally took a trip to the Amazon and did not regret it. It is very much worthwhile to make the trip.

Buzios is wonderful and would recommend Abracadabra Pousada as a less expensive alternative. It is next door to the famous Casas Brancas.

If you really would like to economize on time -- fly from Miami directly into Manaus on TAM Airlines. They have daily flights that leave Miami in the early evening and they arrive right after mid-night. Spend a few days in the Amazon. Fly in the afternoon to Iguacu Falls --again arriving right after mid-night. Then end up in Rio. You can fly back from the States from Rio.

hi, if you stay at the eco resort hotel das cataratas on brasilian side in park it makes a difference in price if you stay in rooms with or without view of falls. The hotel is close to falls but not right in front, has view of some of them. the breakfast area is mostly outside with view of falls, lovely. It takes about 20 min from entrance in park to hotel itself. To go to argentine side takes about an hour to get to falls on the other side. you'll need your passports and make sure they're stamped in and out, or not at all. takes longer to do argentine side than brasilian. You can use brasilian money or dollars on both sides. Good food at restaurants.
I'll give you more tips on rio closer to the time.

Hello gypsyluce, Jill_Brazil, dondiega and biocobuzios,
Thanks for all your help. Right not now we are in the process of booking hotels and will surely have questions.
So thank you all and keep posting.

TravelSeek