Roadjunky Travel Forums

Opinions. If traveling around Brazil, is Rio best visited first or last?

depends where you are headed, i think. for me it made a good counterpoint to the beaches and surfing... either before or after would work really.

i had a blast in Rio, found it to be a fascinating and beautiful place - although you have to keep your eyes open as there are dangerous places and times in the city.

I visited in the middle of my trip. I don't think it really matters either way. It's a great city though, deffinitely go there.

Hi stokes8,

For me, Jim is right..**wink.. .. For sure either will be the first or last your travel will be best as what you are wishing for...

Good luck to you and please update us about the outcome of your travel.

Ive been wanting to go there for too long, but looks like Ill be going to central america instead this summer, Guatemala to Colombia. gotta keep up the espanol. Rio someday, hopefully next. The city really intrigues me, seems like quite a fascinating place. It seems to me like such a destination city, that it should be seen either first or last. On say, a three month trip to Brazil, I think I would like to stay in Rio first, and then after tiring of the big crazy, debaucherous city, get out to rural and northern costal Brazil. AAAHHH I wanna go!!!! maybe I can go Guat. to Colombia to Brazil....

Hi
Iif you're not going until December, you should invest in one of those language cds with the book - it's only about $25 and it'll help you a lot. otherwise, it'll be extremely difficult for you to get by in Brazil. plus, spend some time learning the Brazilian look and culture - mugging is very common when ppl stand out as tourists. since December is summer in Brazil, take/wear as little clothing as possible - otherwise you'll stick out like a sore thumb. have a blast!

The language kit is DEFINITELY a great idea (If not, be sure to get a pocket dictionary). Portuguese is a pretty tough language. Pronunciation is quite different than spanish, even if the word is spelled the same. I´m actually in Rio right now. I´m with Brazilian friends, so in most instances I have help, which kinda sucks because it doesn´t help me learn Portuguese much (Though the kids I´m with now speak as much English as I speak Portuguese). But now I´m good enough to talk with people who don´t speak english by myself without my friends trying to translate for me, and when they do it´s frustrating. As far as the muggings, you should be fine during the day in Copa, Ipanema, Leblon, or Botofogo, not sure about other places. I look gringo as a mofo (I´m a snowboarder/skater and dress like one kinda) and no one fucks with me during the day (Knocking on wood right now), but I´m also with locals a lot of the time and I´ve spent about 2 and a half month in Brazil already, so I´m used to it and kinda know the attitude. Do not go out by yourself past 11p or don´t walk in areas after dark where there aren´t many people. Only ride the busses by yourself if necissary during the day and make sure you know where you´re going . You don´t want to end up in Cidade De Deus or somewhere like that. I think to a certain extent, the danger in Rio is overplaid, though horrible things do happen there and you´re never 100% safe. Rio is amazing. My favorite city second only to Las Vegas, probably mostly because I´m from Las Vegas. Just be warned though, Brazil can be a pretty intesnse coutry if you are traveling alone and don´t know the language, especially if it´s your first time traveling.