Iam considering a vacation to Brazil in July or August and i need help.?

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nostatic

Hello,

As you already know, July and August are Winter months in Brazil but since you will be so close to the equator, you won't be cold especially in Recife. It may rain or be more cloudy than the spring or summer.
What should you bring?
You should wish to blend a bit with the locals to avoid attention so bring jeans, shorts, and t-shirts (but not too many really white T's), beach trunks, a couple short sleeve shirts w/bottons for going out. I would buy flip-flops in Brazil. Bring maybe a Fordors travel guide, cold medicine, stomach medicine, easy drying underwear, sneakers, very low profile sox, a copy of your passport, actual passport w/ valid Brazilian visa, your cell phone if it is GSM with quad band or at least with 900 and 1800 MHz ( you can buy a brazilian sim card in the city that you decide to stay). I also had my hepatitus A and B shots. Yellow fever shot may be considered if you go to the rain forest.

What cities?
Recife is a good choice. It has natural beauty but be aware of your personal environment. It is just as dangerous as Rio so don't wear a bunch of jewelry or fancy watches. Maceio is for me more beautiful and a cheap and short bus ride away. You also can get to Salvador quickly. It has a nice historical interests. These are all cities in the Northeast. If you don't speak Portuguese, you will have a little problem being understood. There are fewer English speakers there than Rio. Now Rio is still a must see due to the mountain views and the layout of the beaches. Florianoppolis is very nice and relatively safe but is in the Southeast of the country. I haven't even mentioned Manaus and the Rain forest. If you like traveling and have the money, you should visit.

How much for a 2 bed apt?
Well in Recife, one could find one for $400 to $900 /mo depending on how close to which beach. Maceio is much cheaper. That was a private apt. For hotels, if you stay away from the big names, you should find a hotel in Recife for $60/night. You will need to ask around or try some of the websites advertising apts. http://www.aluguetemporada.com.br/scripts/imovel-detail.cfm?idimovel=500488757

My tips:
Try to blend in - don't show your money
Don't drink water from the faucet (I don't brush my teeth w/ it)
Be warry of eating food from the strrt vendors
Be warry of eating raw veggies from certain restarants (they could wash the food w/ regular water)
Bring your bank ATM card. Use it in Brazilian ATM's to pull out your Brazilian (Reais). Just check on the back of the card for the right systems to mach the right banks. HSBC and Banco do Brasil are better for this. Don't try to go to a cash exchange place in the US or Brazil. It is a rip off.
I

Have fun and be safe! I am here on Sao Paulo right now. There is nothing to see here.

nola_cajun

try .. http://www.brasilemb.org/ .. i haven't looked through it but i'm sure its useful. You can also try typing *touring Brazil* *tourism in brazil* *visiting brazil* *vacations in brazil* ..into a search engine. . so you can read as much as you can before you're visit.
If you would like a book .. try a lonely planet book :

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9781741040210&itm=2

they are very useful .. i took it on the trip with me .. it tells you the dos and donts.. what to bring and not .. tells about customs.. tells you about every state and alot about the cities.. has some basic phrases.. its a great book to get started. and funny enough.. i met many tourists who had the same book in brazil =)

in response to lilmama2 .. the water will not make you sick..
i drank from water fountains in brazil and I was fine...

oh yea.. and DONT fly Varig

If you have any questions feel free to message/email me

boa sorte

Hello

~bring cashier checks~

lilmama24

Brazil is a beautiful place!If you are traveling on a budget I would suggest houseswapping. It is a way to save a ton of cash.Search online for sites. Also make sure if you havent already get your passport, it takes awhile. Get any shots youll need as well. I would go to rio, the beach is so ridiculous!I didnt drink the water, only bottled. I dont know if it will make you sick but I wouldnt chance it. Take a camera and lots of memory cards, visit some of the old churches, the city is really beautiful. Take some cash, but I would also take a visa or amx card.Some of the small vendors wont take them but it will come in handy for other things and if you have an emergency. Also if you dont want to burn to death take some sunblock. Try to check the exchange rates often as it changes, to make sure your not getting ripped off. Have a fun!

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