Recommend place for 4 days in Brazil

fletch

I've a trip coming up to Brazil. I've 9 days booked in Sao Paulo (going with someone who's visiting family) and then 5 days in Rio. I want to cut my time in Sao Paulo a bit short and go off and see somewhere else on my own. 9 days is just too long for me in a city on my holidays.

Can somebody recommend somewhere else to visit in Brazil (no more than 2 or so hour flight from SP) that I could spend 4 days?

I know that's very vague but I'm not very knowledgeable about the area and what there is to see and do. I would like to go somewhere beautiful by the sea but am open to other suggestions.

BobbyBobberson

How about going to see the Iguazu falls? Flights are 90 mins and you could see the Argentinian side one day and the Brazilian another?

I have never been to florianopolis but its highly recommended by all who have, another short flight too.

fletch

BobbyBobberson wrote: »

How about going to see the Iguazu falls? Flights are 90 mins and you could see the Argentinian side one day and the Brazilian another?

Thanks....had been thinking about that alright but slightly put off by the €300 flight...wondering if it's really worth it.

BobbyBobberson

fletch wrote: »

Thanks....had been thinking about that alright but slightly put off by the €300 flight...wondering if it's really worth it.

Depends what your after really, have you priced flights to Florianopolis? I personally really enjoyed the waterfalls but others would prefer the beach for a bit. To help you make up your mind, go to Google flights, put Sao Paulo as starting point and "South America" or "Brazil" as destination and it will show you lots of options and the prices involved. Buenos Aires is a three hour flight but Qatar do it for 200 return.

Good luck!

rossie1977

fletch wrote: »

Thanks....had been thinking about that alright but slightly put off by the €300 flight...wondering if it's really worth it.

It's an amazing part of the world though 4 days would be a little too long. I have been to Argentina side. Walking through rain forest and seeing the thousands of butterflies and strange animals is an experience in itself

You should be able to get flights from Rio or SP for €100 one way. Two airports serving Igazu, one in Brazil, other in Argentina

BobbyBobberson

Agree on the 4 days part, we did it in a 2 nights. It was pretty good, the scale of them is incredible.

imme

fletch wrote: »

Thanks....had been thinking about that alright but slightly put off by the €300 flight...wondering if it's really worth it.

How much were you expecting.
Iguazu is a quality destination, impressive falls alright.

Maybe take a bus OP instead of a flight, not necessarily Iguazu, you could go to Uruguay, close enough, a different tongue though.

I found busses ok in Brazil but there are reports from time to time of robbery etc.

How about manuaus (sp?) On the Amazon. By flight probably.

Haven't been but it gets good reports.

BobbyBobberson

imme wrote: »

How much were you expecting.
Iguazu is a quality destination, impressive falls alright.

Maybe take a bus OP instead of a flight, not necessarily Iguazu, you could go to Uruguay, close enough, a different tongue though.

I found busses ok in Brazil but there are reports from time to time of robbery etc.

How about manuaus (sp?) On the Amazon. By flight probably.

Haven't been but it gets good reports.

I was in Manaus actually, loved it! Very humid as you would expect, went out into the Amazon for a few days which was great.

Balmed Out

Paraty or Isla Ghrande options.

jim-mcdee

If your going for carnival in a few weeks Recife

fletch

Balmed Out wrote: »

Isla Ghrande

Thanks...think I'm going to go with this suggestion and go see Lopes Mendes Beach. The island looks lovely and unspoilt and a different experience to SP and Rio

Yenwod

fletch wrote: »

Thanks...think I'm going to go with this suggestion and go see Lopes Mendes Beach. The island looks lovely and unspoilt and a different experience to SP and Rio

I actually found other beaches on Ilha Grande nicer than Lopes Mendes - although I’m not a beach person per se. Ilha Grande is lovely though. Paraty is well worth a visit too, probably a bit more to do plus you can do a short bus hop to Trindade which has a really beautiful beach.

Enjoy whatever you decide

pdpmur

Balmed Out wrote: »

Paraty or Isla Ghrande options.

My experience (a few years ago) is that Paraty is quite touristy but in a fairly laid back fashion (by comparison with Rio). You can do some day boat cruises (nearby small islands, snorkelling etc) and there are forests also nearby for walking/cycling. A few beaches in the locality of Paraty but they are nothing special.

Trindade beach is a short bus hop from Paraty and is even more laid back again - small but with a beautiful beach with forest coming down to the shore and a few places to stay (probably best to book in advance).

I didn't get to Isla Grande but would definately do so if I went back again.

Rio is an easy bus ride away from Paraty and Isla Grande so no flight hassles.

imme

pdpmur wrote: »

My experience (a few years ago) is that Paraty is quite touristy but in a fairly laid back fashion (by comparison with Rio). You can do some day boat cruises (nearby small islands, snorkelling etc) and there are forests also nearby for walking/cycling. A few beaches in the locality of Paraty but they are nothing special.

Trindade beach is a short bus hop from Paraty and is even more laid back again - small but with a beautiful beach with forest coming down to the shore and a few places to stay (probably best to book in advance).

I didn't get to Isla Grande but would definately do so if I went back again.

Rio is an easy bus ride away from Paraty and Isla Grande so no flight hassles.

It is like getting a recommendation of visiting Killarney if visiting Ireland.

Nothing wrong with Killarney, I like Killarney. (I liked Paraty and IG.)

But it is safe.

Balmed Out

imme wrote: »

It is like getting a recommendation of visiting Killarney if visiting Ireland.

Nothing wrong with Killarney, I like Killarney. (I liked Paraty and IG.)

But it is safe.

Dont understand the attitude.

Hes looking for a recommendation for 4 days between SP and rio. Not really enough time to be trekking the amazon and as for iguazu its nice and all but hardly off the beaten track or massively different then many other massive waterfalls. A few days surfing or whatever floats your boat in IG or if with a partner a romantic trip to Paraty make a lot more sense.

grimm2005

Have heard lots of recommendations for Iguazu falls and also Florianopolis, but unfortunately never been to either. What I will say though is that 9 days in Sao Paulo is definitely too long. I spent 3 nights there and I was totally done with it tbh when I left. Considering how big the city is I found there's very little for tourists there and it's quite an intimidating city tbh. I didn't really have any bad incidents but I was warned by many people to be on my guard at all times and never have my phone out etc so it it left you a bit uncomfortable when walking around on your own. Granted I was there solo so if you're there with a local you'll probably feel a lot safer.

BobbyBobberson

grimm2005 wrote: »

Have heard lots of recommendations for Iguazu falls and also Florianopolis, but unfortunately never been to either. What I will say though is that 9 days in Sao Paulo is definitely too long. I spent 3 nights there and I was totally done with it tbh when I left. Considering how big the city is I found there's very little for tourists there and it's quite an intimidating city tbh. I didn't really have any bad incidents but I was warned by many people to be on my guard at all times and never have my phone out etc so it it left you a bit uncomfortable when walking around on your own. Granted I was there solo so if you're there with a local you'll probably feel a lot safer.

Absolutely agree with all of this, I was pick pocketed whilst there. I actually misread the OP and thought they were off to see some family of their own in SP. Three days was plenty for me there.

fletch

BobbyBobberson wrote: »

Absolutely agree with all of this, I was pick pocketed whilst there. I actually misread the OP and thought they were off to see some family of their own in SP. Three days was plenty for me there.

I am travelling with somebody who is there to see some family...I think after 9 days, I'd go crazy so am definitely going to head off to Rio early and visit another destination (Ilhe Grande)

mfceiling

BobbyBobberson wrote: »

I have never been to florianopolis but its highly recommended by all who have, another short flight too.

I have!! It was 18 years ago but it was stunning. Went to Ilhe de Santa Catrina and Praia Mole (both have to be spelt wrong!!). The beaches are amazing and they will sell you almost everything that you need for a day of flaking on a beach.
Be prepared for fantastic BBQ meat and ridiculously friendly people. We went to strangers houses for dinner and are actually still very friendly with one guy who is now a pilot for Emirates.

fletch

Thanks for all the suggestions. Have booked a few days in Paraty and Ilhe Grande.

BobbyBobberson

Very good! Let us know how it goes!

fletch

Thanks for all the suggestions. As per usual boards did not disappoint and Paraty and Ilha Grande were exactly the break away from São Paulo I was looking for. The bus trip from SP to Paraty was interesting. My first bus was cancelled due to heavy rain/flooding/landslide cutting off about 10km of road. I managed to get a night bus, that should have taken 6 hours, but instead took 10hrs! :eek:

Paraty - incl visit to Toboggan waterfall


Ilha Grande - incl. Mendes Lopes Beach


We also did a trip to Arraial do Cabo and took a boat trip to Praia da Ilha do Farol which although I was nearly fatigued by beautiful beaches at this stage, was an incredibly stunning place