Travel Planning: Brazil

 

Where in the world am I? Brazil planning

Hi there. I'm Dr. Mary Travelbest, returning from a recent trip to Asia. I'm in San Diego now, sharing my best travel ideas and working on another book for you to enjoy: 5 Steps to Solo Travel, Part C. I'm about to launch on a 90-day trip around the world.

Listener Story Spotlight

I want to tell you about a listener named Juliana who is from Brazil. She was a student of mine and now she works with me. She gave me a list of all the places in Brazil that I should be going to.She and I have known each other for 3 years. She's so beautiful and full of life. I'm so grateful for.

Quick fire FAQ:

The FAQ for today is: 

Should I carry books with me to read on the trip?

I recommend you download them from your local or cloud library. Then you read on the go. Don't carry more than you need.

3 things: neighborhood selection, daylight itineraries, scam avoidance

Select neighborhoods that are walkable and have public transportation nearby if you don't drive. Read reviews on the AirBNB website before you select.

When booking a flight or train, be sure it arrives at a daylight time, which can differ in winter months. If it comes after dark, it will be more of a challenge for you. 

To avoid scams, be cautious when choosing passwords, logging out of websites, and making online purchases. These are very typical scams. If you are suspicious, you may be right to avoid that vendor and choose another. Don't look like a target, either

 

Today's destination is: Brazil.

Optimized for a budget‑minded solo woman in her 60s who loves beaches, nature, and a relaxed—but organized—pace.

 

Date Overnight Key plans How to get around Budget tips & cautions

Rio de Janeiro (Leme / Copacabana) • Easy sunset stroll along Copacabana & watch locals at Arpoador point.

• For a light dinner, try a fresh‑juice "sucos" bar and a tapioca crêpe. Take a taxi or Uber from GIG airport (≈ R$75). Choose a sea‑view "quarto feminine" at Selina Copacabana (~US $45 priv.). Keep valuables hidden on the beach.

Wed 4 Jun Rio • Christ the Redeemer early (08:00 train from Cosme Velho).

• Ride the Santa Teresa Tram then lunch in a colonial café.

• Late afternoon cable car up Sugarloaf for golden‑hour photos. Day‑pass on RioCard metro + tram; cable/Uber for Sugarloaf. Buy Sugarloaf ticket online to skip queue; take a light jacket—windy on top.

Rio Choose your mini‑escape

① Nature: half‑day to Prainha & Grumari wild beaches (shared van tour).

② Culture: ferry to Niterói for Niemeyer‑designed MAC museum & quiet Itacoatiara beach.

③ History: cool mountain air in imperial Petrópolis (bus 2 h). Tours or local buses; all safe in daylight. Pack reef‑safe sunscreen—Rio's winter sun still strong.

Foz do Iguaçu Morning flight RIO → IGU (1 h 45 m; promo fares from US $68 one‑way) 

 

Drop bags, then spend the afternoon on the Brazilian side catwalks for sweeping views of Iguazu Falls (entry R$199 ≈ US $39) 

iguazufalls.com

End day at Parque das Aves bird sanctuary (1 hr) 

iguazufalls.com

Bus 120 links airport ↔ falls ↔ downtown.

Taxi to hotel after dark. Stay at Tarobá Express (single en‑suite ~US $40, rooftop pool).

Foz do Iguaçu Full‑day hop into Argentina's Iguazú National Park for the Devil's Throat boardwalk & eco‑train (passport needed, no visa/fee for US).

Evening option: Itaipu Dam illumination tour. Shared shuttle (~US $25 rt) handles border formalities. Bring ARS pesos or pay by card for Arg. park ticket (US $45) 

iguazufalls.com

.São Paulo Morning nonstop IGU → GRU (1 h 35 m; fares from US $56) 

KAYAK

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Walk tree‑lined Paulista Avenue, pop into MASP art museum (free Sun mornings), coffee in Vila Madalena murals. Airport bus to Paulista (R$55) or Uber. Metro is clean & safe in daytime. Base yourself in Ibis Paulista or female pod at Selina Aurora (~US $50).

São Paulo • Morning in Ibirapuera Park—rent a bike or visit Afro‑Brasil Museum (opens 10 am) 

Tripadvisor

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• Afternoon at Municipal Market (pastel de bacalhau!) & nearby Pinacoteca gallery. Metro Brigadeiro ↔ Luz. Watch bags on busy Linha 3 Red line; pickpockets work in crowds.

 São Paulo Relaxed day‑trip choices:

① Santos coast: historic coffee port + beach promenade (