Start making your must-see and must-do lists while you explore Brazil during the FIFA World Cup 2014. Even if you are just a soccer fan or a fanatic there are tons of amazing places to see and explore during your stay in this beautiful city and beyond.
Presentation provides detailed itineraries for 3 cities:
- Rio de Janeiro
- Sao Paulo
- Salvador
and offers 3 alternatives itineraries to do in Brazil:
- follow Team USA: Manaus, Recife, Natal
- Family / Resort vacation: Fernando de Noronha
- Adventure trip: Pantanal, Amazon Jungle, Jalapao
This travel class was presented in Austin, Texas on 5/22/2014, sponsored by Hostelling International (HI) Austin as part of their Travel Classes series, and hosted by REI at their Arboretum location.
Presenter: Andre Piazza @AndreAtDell www.slideshare.net/apiazza
1. Andre Piazza twitter: @AndreAtDell
http://www.linkedin.com/in/andrepiazza
Andre Piazza
Hostelling International
@AndreAtDell
#Travel
Brazil
for the
World Cup 2014
Travel class
2. Agenda
• Hostelling International
• Why Brazil?
• Brazil culture + history insights
• Logistics
• World Cup 2014
• Itineraries
• Q&A
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3. What is HI-USA?
• Travel
• Hostels
• Programs
• Volunteers
• Social Media:
– Twitter: @HIAustin
– http://www.hiusa.org/texas/austin/austin
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4. << To help all,
especially the young,
gain a greater understanding
of the world and its people
through hostelling >>
HI-USA’s Mission
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5. Why Brazil?
The World meets in Brazil (30 sec)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7oNV0GvUKs
Come celebrate life (2 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OSicUdlPHk
• Tourism: 13th travel destination in the world
• Rich in Diversity and Beauty
– Food, history, arts, people
– Biodiversity, Landscapes
– Attractions
• Upcoming Events: World Cup (2014) and Olympics (Rio, 2016)
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6. How’s Brazil unique?
• Country of Diversity and Extremes
– Regional differences (accents, food, history, habits,
dance, music, economics)
– Biodiversity
– Education and Wealth disparities
• Creativity and Warmth
• Food
• History and art
• Carnival and Soccer
Brazil in 7 minutes (7 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAm0rpIh2SQ
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10. 10,000 feet view
1. Foz do Iguacu
2. Amazon region
3. Pantanal
4. Brazilian Capital
5. Carnival
6. Beach
7. Chapadas
8. Business
9. Minerals
10. Cold winter
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c
d
f
g
a
b
e
11. If an American was born in Brazil…
Sources:
• http://www.ifitweremyhome.com/compare/US/BR
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_the_United_States
• https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/rankorderguide.html
• http://www.nationmaster.com/country-info/compare/Brazil/United-States
each with
3.6x
higher chance
of dying in infancy
They would make
78%
less money
(GDP per capita is
4.3x smaller)
while having
31%
more babies
ultimately living
6 yrs
less than the US
average
Education
Degree Attainment US Brazil US equivalent US Advantage
High school 86.7% 12% Pre- 1940 7x
College 29% < 4% 1930 - 1940 7x
Masters or Doctorate 10.6% < 0.2% n/a 56x
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12. A country of disparities
• 70% of population lives near coast • Regional economical distortions
Map
Population
Density
GDP Infant
Mortality
Vehicles
Agriculture
produce
Family
Agriculture
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13. Brazilian history in a nutshell
• Discovered by
Portugal in 1500
• Initially divided in 13
territories
• Several treaties
between Portugal and
Spanish crowns
determined west
border
• … and started wars, as
seen in the movie
“The Mission” (De
Niro, Irons, Neeson)
https://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=PvWaD-
NErlY
• Independence
• Empire
• Republic
• Dictatorship
• Democracy (1990
onwards)
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14. Airfare
Prices: round trip
• Low season (Mar–Jun; Sep–Nov): $900-
1500
• High season (US or BR summer, World
Cup): $1800+
• Buy in advance (6+ months)
Airlines:
– AA, United, COPA (hubs in Texas)
– Delta (hub in Atlanta)
– US Airways (hub Charlotte)
– Brazilian Airlines: Gol, TAM departing from
East Coast (Miami, NYC, etc)
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15. Airfare (cted.)
• Travel Duration:
– Dallas – Sao Paulo ~ 11hrs flight
– Typical itinerary from US takes 24 hrs to final destination in Brazil
(including multiple legs and layovers)
• Time zones:
– US spring / summer: Brazil 2 hrs ahead
– US winter: Brazil 4 hrs ahead
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16. Visas and Vaccination
Visas:
• U.S. citizens are required to have a visa for travel to Brazil
• Visas for U.S. citizens normally are valid for 10 years and cost $160
• Ticket holders for World Cup Games are eligible for a temporary
special visa, free of charge. You must apply for your visa through
the Brazilian Consulate in the US
Vaccination:
• Not required to show proof of vaccination at this point (May 2014)
• CDC recommends Hep A and Typhoid fever
• Medicine for travelers’ diarrhea may be handy
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17. Money
• Currency: Brazil Reais (R$) • Exchange Rate (May 2014)
R$ 1 ~ USD 0.45
R$ 2.21 ~ USD 1
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18. Money (cted.)
• Real bills are currently being issued in
new designs
• Both (traditional and new) are valid
• They share similar themes and colors
that ease recognition
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traditional new
19. Money (cted.)
• Brazil is an expensive country these days (clothes, food, cost of
living, real estate, etc)
• Most ”Banco do Brasil” agencies are pervasive and have ATMs that
will allow withdrawals from some U.S. bank accounts.
• Use ATMs inside banks for withdrawals
• International Credit Cards accepted in most establishments
– Restaurants, shopping and establishments in general
– Widely accepted: Visa and Mastercard
– Some places: Amex
– Discovery NOT accepted
– Remember to let your credit card company know BEFORE departing
• Always have cash handy for attractions, transportation, street
vendors, snacks
• Prices on tags include local / state taxes
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20. Where to Stay
• Given the increased demand for hotel rooms, prices may be higher
than normal.
• Advertised rates for standard rooms are currently as much as $350-
1,000 USD per night.
• These rates may fluctuate up until the time of the games, but you
should be prepared to pay premium rates for hotel
accommodations.
• Sleeping in a car (common at the World Cup in Germany) is NOT an
option in Brazil.
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21. Getting around
• Seasons are in reverse in the Southern Hemisphere. 70% of country is within tropical zone =
summer or rainy season
• Wi-Fi available in some places, sometimes paid. Skype Wi-Fi or Boingo a pay-as-you-go solutions
• If following World Cup, will most likely depend on flights / airports
– Infrastructure is outdated and under dimensioned
– Traffic to airport will be jammed
– Airports will be crowded
– Flights will be delayed and cancelled
– Communication will be precarious
• Avoid renting a car. Traffic is jammed, road space is tight and parking spots are limited
• Look for (city) permits on taxis and credentials for their agents / reps
• Subways are usually safe and inexpensive; yet, they are rare
• City buses can be risky. Need to know the itinerary to assess safety
• Phone call apps: Viber and WhatsApp work great for FREE calls and messages (Android, iOS and
Win)
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22. Food and drinks
• Food is almost always mild
and lightly seasoned
• Must try:
– Churrasco (Brazilian BBQ)
– Feijoada (black beans stew w/
meat over rice, green collards)
– Pizza (as delicious as Italian)
– Strogonoff
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23. Food and drinks (cted.)
• Must try:
– Pão de Queijo (cheese bread, appetizer)
– Candies: Brigadeiro, Quindim
– Tropical Fruit juices (infinite options)
– Coffee
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24. Food and drinks (cted.)
• Regional food (each place has its own, always delicious)
• Brazilian snacks: Pastel, Esfirra and Kibe (Arabian influence)
• For the adventurous:
– Chicken’s heart
– Tripe stew
– Beef tongue
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25. Food and drinks (cted.)
• Brazilian soda: Guarana (made from Amazon’s fruit extract)
– Try also the local Coke and let me know what you think
• Brazilian rum: Cachaça /ka-sha-ssa/ aka “Pinga” /peen-ga/
• Brazilian drink: Caipirinha /kai-pee-reeni-a/ (cachaça + lime + sugar + ice)
– Beware of its sweetness, which masks a high alcohol content
• Brazilian beer or wine will disappoint you most times (exception:
artisanal beer)
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26. Cultural Etiquette
• Few Brazilians speak other languages. Yet they attempt at
understanding
• (Reasonable) Contact and affection are customary, signs of good will
• Minimal personal space: public transportation and attractions
• Tipping is not customary, yet a growing trend (pre-added to bill)
• Bargaining is a tool to avoid rip-offs in street transactions; not
customary in establishments
• Some Government buildings require a little more skin coverage
• Beach attire is beach-only. Bikinis and trunks are not suitable for
other places / occasions
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27. Safety
Real threat: Peak-pocketing
– Pervasive: public transportation, downtown, touristic attractions, streets, beaches…
Solution: CONTEXT and AWARENESS
Dos:
• Be conscious of your surroundings
– Where are you coming from? Where are you going to?
– Who’s your company / around you?
– What are / will you be doing?
• Carry fake / disposal wallet; Split money in two pockets
• Use safe in hotels for documents and money
• Operate ATMs from inside the bank
• 911 divided between three services: 190 (Police), 192 (Ambulance) and 193 (Fire Department)
Avoid:
• Unsafe areas / neighborhoods in any city
• Walking alone at night
• Wearing fancy clothes, jewelry or feature gadgets:
– Rings, earrings, watches, smartphones or cameras included
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32. World Cup: Games by Date
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33. World Cup: 12 Locations + stadiums
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34. World Cup: 3 cities to visit
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35. Rio de Janeiro “Rio”
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36. Rio de Janeiro
• Hike (or not) the Corcovado and take selfies with Christ the Redeemer
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37. Rio de Janeiro
Day, sunset or night
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38. Rio de Janeiro
• Take the cable car at Sugarloaf (Pao de Acucar)
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39. Rio de Janeiro
• Run at Ipanema beach and bike from Leblon to Leme
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40. Rio de Janeiro
• Enjoy Copacabana
– Sports (futevolei, beach volley, gym)
– Coconut water
– New Years Eve fireworks
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41. Rio de Janeiro
• Watch a soccer game at Maracana Stadium
• Have breakfast at Confeitaria Colombo
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42. Rio de Janeiro
• Enjoy Carnaval (weekend before Ash Wednesday)
• Visit a Samba school rehearsal
– Mangueira - rehearsals every Sat, 10 pm
– Salgueiro - rehearsals every Wed, 8 pm
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43. Rio de Janeiro
• Jet ski, scuba dive or take surf lessons in Buzios (179 km)
• Visit a colonial city and sail in Paraty (256 km)
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45. Sao Paulo
• Set foot on the Brazilian Financial District “Avenida Paulista”
• Exercise at Parque do Ibirapuera
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46. Sao Paulo
• Visit the Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo (Masp)
• Watch a soccer game of the most accomplished Brazilian soccer
team (Sao Paulo Futebol Clube, SPFC) at the Morumbi stadium
• Watch the Formula 1 Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos (December)
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47. Sao Paulo
• Great restaurants!
– Japanese at Bairro da Liberdade (“Freedom Neighborhood”)
– Italian
– Pizza
– Galeto
– International
• Great concerts and events
– All kinds of brazilian music
– International attractions
• Clubs
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49. Salvador
• Learn about Colonial Brazil as you walk around the city
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50. Salvador
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• Ascend the “Elevador Lacerda”
• Shop crafts and art at the local market
51. Salvador
• Learn about history at “Pelourinho”
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52. Salvador
• Olodum live performance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gh7in5HTcGk
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53. Salvador
• This is Carnaval (Feb / Mar)
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54. Salvador
• Try local food: Acaraje e Vatapa
• Watch and learn to play Capoeira
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb7tOiIKTeE
• Visit a beach nearby
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55. Other great itineraries
1. Follow Team USA during World Cup
2. Family / Resort vacation
3. Adventure / Seasonal
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56. Follow Team USA
Group phase:
• Natal (6/16):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyjLY5GTckE
• Manaus (6/22):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRoMzfTqrwI
• Recife (6/26):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acWI_7hG4Es
Qualifying 1st:
• Porto Alegre (6/30)
• Rio (7/4)
• Belo Horizonte (7/8)
Final: Rio (7/13)
Team USA – Group Games
WC Quarters and Finals
Qualifying 2nd:
• Salvador (7/1)
• Brasilia (7/5)
• Sao Paulo (7/9)
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57. Family / Resort
• Fernando de Noronha https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVJNOskZxAQ
– Paradise on Earth
– Swim with dolphins and turtles
– Scuba dive to see Atlantic ocean biodiversity
– Up to 10 days on the Island to preserve ecosystem
– Surf
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58. Adventure / Seasonal
• Avoid travel during rainy season (May – September) for these
itineraries
• Amazon Jungle
– Fishing
– Biodiversity
• Pantanal
– Fishing
– Hunting
– Biodiversity
• Chapadas (Plateaus: Guimaraes, Jalapao)
– Rafting
– Hiking
– Fauna and flora
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61. Key Takeaways
• Food: Churrasco > Feijoada > Strogonoff > Regional food
• Candies: Brigadeiro, Quindim
• Brazilian snacks: Pastel > Pão de Queijo (cheese bread)
• Drink: Tropical Fruit juices > Coffee > Guarana soda
• Alcoholic: Cachaça > Caipirinha
• Safety: Dodge peak-pocketing by gaining context and being aware at all times
• Rio de Janeiro: Corcovado / Christ the Redeemer > Sugarloaf (Pao de Acucar) >
Ipanema beach > Copacabana beach > Maracana Stadium > Carnaval > Samba
school rehearsal > Buzios (179 km) > Paraty (256 km)
• Sao Paulo: Avenida Paulista > Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo (Masp) > Parque do
Ibirapuera > Morumbi stadium > Restaurants > Concerts and events
• Salvador: Colonial Brazil > “Elevador Lacerda” > local market > Pelourinho >
Olodum > Carnaval (Feb / Mar) > Acaraje e Vatapa > Capoeira
Have fun! Boa Viagem!
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62. Useful Links
• This presentation on Slideshare:
http://www.slideshare.net/apiazza/brazil-world-cup-travel-class
• Visas:
– http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/go/WorldCup2014.html
– http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_United_States_citizens
– http://houston.itamaraty.gov.br/en-us/visas.xml
• General recommendations including Vaccination:
– http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/go/WorldCup2014.html
– http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/brazil
• Brazil Attractions: http://2014worldcupfortourists.blogspot.com/
• Brazil in 7 minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAm0rpIh2SQ
• Rio: http://wikitravel.org/en/Rio_de_Janeiro
• Sao Paulo: http://wikitravel.org/en/Sao_Paulo
• Salvador: http://wikitravel.org/en/Salvador
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63. Reading resources
• Brazil on the Rise: The Story of a
Country Transformed ~ Larry Rohter
• Brazil ~ Michael Palin
• The Brazil Reader: History, Culture,
Politics (The Latin America Readers)
• Brazil: The Once and Future
Country ~ Marshall C. Eakin
• Brazil Travel Guide: Your Guide To
The 2014 Soccer World Cup ~ Gary
Jones
• Lonely Planet Brazil (Travel
Guide) ~ Lonely Planet
• Brazil: National Geographic:
Adventure Map (3401)
• Brazil (Insight Guides) ~ Insight
Guides
• Fodor's Brazil 2014: with a
special section on the FIFA World
Cup (Travel Guide) ~ Fodor's
• Brazil: Amazon And Pantanal
(Travellers' Wildlife Guides) ~
David L. Pearson
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