Brazil: World Cup & beyond Travel class

Andre Piazza twitter: @AndreAtDell
http://www.linkedin.com/in/andrepiazza
Andre Piazza
Hostelling International
@AndreAtDell
#Travel
Brazil
for the
World Cup 2014
Travel class

Agenda
• Hostelling International
• Why Brazil?
• Brazil culture + history insights
• Logistics
• World Cup 2014
• Itineraries
• Q&A
Brazil for the World Cup 2014 @AndreAtDell #Travel 2

What is HI-USA?
• Travel
• Hostels
• Programs
• Volunteers
• Social Media:
– Twitter: @HIAustin
– http://www.hiusa.org/texas/austin/austin

<< To help all,
especially the young,
gain a greater understanding
of the world and its people
through hostelling >>
HI-USA’s Mission

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)

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

Where’s Brazil?
CENTRAL
AMERICA

How Big is Brazil?
Population: 200 million; 5th largest country

10,000 feet view

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
c
d
f
g
a
b
e

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

A country of disparities
• 70% of population lives near coast • Regional economical distortions
Map
Population
Density
GDP Infant
Mortality
Vehicles
Agriculture
produce
Family
Agriculture

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)

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)

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

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

Money
• Currency: Brazil Reais (R$) • Exchange Rate (May 2014)
R$ 1 ~ USD 0.45
R$ 2.21 ~ USD 1

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
traditional new

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

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.

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)

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

Food and drinks (cted.)
• Must try:
– Pão de Queijo (cheese bread, appetizer)
– Candies: Brigadeiro, Quindim
– Tropical Fruit juices (infinite options)
– Coffee

• 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

• 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)

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

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

World Cup: Essentials

World Cup: Groups

World Cup: Chart

World Cup: Games by Date

World Cup: 12 Locations + stadiums

World Cup: 3 cities to visit

Rio de Janeiro “Rio”

Rio de Janeiro
• Hike (or not) the Corcovado and take selfies with Christ the Redeemer

Rio de Janeiro
Day, sunset or night

Rio de Janeiro
• Take the cable car at Sugarloaf (Pao de Acucar)

Rio de Janeiro
• Run at Ipanema beach and bike from Leblon to Leme

Rio de Janeiro
• Enjoy Copacabana
– Sports (futevolei, beach volley, gym)
– Coconut water
– New Years Eve fireworks

Rio de Janeiro
• Watch a soccer game at Maracana Stadium
• Have breakfast at Confeitaria Colombo

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

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)

Sao Paulo “Sampa”

Sao Paulo
• Set foot on the Brazilian Financial District “Avenida Paulista”
• Exercise at Parque do Ibirapuera

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)

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

Salvador, Bahia’s capital

Salvador
• Learn about Colonial Brazil as you walk around the city

Salvador
• Ascend the “Elevador Lacerda”
• Shop crafts and art at the local market

Salvador
• Learn about history at “Pelourinho”

Salvador
• Olodum live performance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gh7in5HTcGk

Salvador
• This is Carnaval (Feb / Mar)

Salvador
• Try local food: Acaraje e Vatapa
• Watch and learn to play Capoeira
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb7tOiIKTeE
• Visit a beach nearby

Other great itineraries
1. Follow Team USA during World Cup
2. Family / Resort vacation
3. Adventure / Seasonal

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)

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

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

Q&A
Q A&
@AndreAtDell
Slideshare.net/Apiazza

Boa Viagem!
Andre Piazza
@AndreAtDell
Slideshare.net/Apiazza

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!

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

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

Brazil: World Cup & beyond Travel class

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