Has anyone traveled to Brazil during Carnival?
Brazil is one of the destinations I want to make it to up to that time I get adjectives old and crummy! Has anyone ever be there during their Carnival? Any suggestions on airlines and hotels?
Answers: Not during Carnival but yes during New Year's eve or Reveillon. Been twice to Rio and I've stayed within either Ipanema or Leblon as both are safer than Copacabana freshly as the other answerer said. Just bear within mind that either New Year (fabulous fireworks contained by the beach!) or Carnival, prices run as high as they want them to jump as they know is a very large touristy time of the year.
Personally I'm not sure if I would like to turn to Rio during Carnival time, it seems to be a unbelievably hectic time in Brazil!
I spent Carnaval surrounded by Salvador de Bahia last year and it be incredible. I also went to Rio once. The difference surrounded by Rio is that you watch carnaval, within Salvador, you are Carnaval. In Rio you watch the padarde from grandstands. You enjoy this option within Salvador too, though it is more impromptu. But in Salvador you can also buy an abadá, whcih is a shirt that allows you into the float to waltz. This is an incredible way to experience the elation that is Carnaval.
Hotels are extraordinarily expensive during this time, and expect to pay at lowest $200 a night, though it is glib to find as many population as you want to split a room with you. I rented a family's apartment near some friends this was a nice odds that we arranged through someone we encountered on the Lonely Planet message board. As far as flights inwardly Brasil, Gol is usually the cheapest, though expect to pay much more to fly to Rio and Salvador during Carnaval. On international flights, Air Europa connects Spain to Brasil and can be all right. Sometimes cheap flights can be found from the US if you take a super long route on TACA, connecting surrounded by El Salvador and Lima. But otherwise expect to play high prices for flights and accomodation to Salvador and Rio during Carnaval.
Brit, stay contained by Ipanema. It is safer than Copacabana. You pay for what you attain in a hotel. The Copacabana Palace is sweet, but pricy. Whatever you do, stay away from the Sheraton. It's nice, but away from the tourist areas, and surrounded by favelas, so it's not sheltered to walk to Ipanema from near. Take a direct flight from Atlanta on Delta. Flight number 60 and 61 round trip. Otherwise you have to stop on the blacktop in Sao Paolo and it add 3 hours to your flight time.
Buy the book Rio for Partiers. It's a great guide to Carnival, the city, and staying safe.
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