Sao Paolo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

I have traveled to Sao Paulo many times for business in 2000.  I went on a fun work trip in 2009 to Sao Paulo and took a quick trip to see Rio.  I would not recommend going to Sao Paolo unless you have to for work, but Rio is a blast.

Top 5 Hotels

1. Copacabana  Palace – Classic, graceful hotel in Rio right on the beach.  Refined and has seen many stars from Grace Kelly to Suri Cruise. I'm being sarcastic. A great, central spot.
2. The Emiliano – Definitely do this if you are staying in Sao Paolo.  Amazing service.  Great restaurant perfect to start your day with a coffee that transforms into a fun bar/dinner spot at night.
3. Apartments in Sao Paolo – When on work I often stayed in nice serviced apartments in the Jardins area.
4. Fasano – I’ve had friends stay here in SP and say it is a very hip design hotel.  Word says to avoid the overpriced dinners.
5. La Suite - This is supposed to be a nice one in Rio.

Top 5 Restaurants / Foodie Tips

1. Figuaro – Amazing outside restaurant in the Jardins area surrounding the biggest fig tree you can imagine.  Upscale. Good fish and meat.
2. Cafe - Who couldn't party hard with all this delicious, strong coffee?
3. Carlota - A tiny little neighborhood spot in Rio in a happening area.  Darling atmosphere with an Asian influence.
4. Acase – Drink the superfood smoothies and eat the fruit whenever you can. 
5. Emiliano brunch - Yes, it is a hotel, but their Sunday brunch is a sure way to stay inside all day.

Top Things to Do

1. Hit the Beach – We drove about 3 hours from Sao Paolo to some lovely isolated beaches.  The water is perfect for swimming.
2. People Watch in Rio – Again, hit the beach.  Hot bods everywhere.
3. See Rio from Jesus’ View -  The city is breathtaking from up high.  I’ve seen it from helicopter and from Corcovada.  It is definitely worth the trip up.  You can take a train, but we just got a driver and did the stairs at the top.
4. Shopping – The shopping in the Jardins area is too opulent for my taste, but there are some markets and malls in SP that are still high fashion.
5. Walk the Neighborhoods – You have to be really careful where you go, but some neighborhoods are fine for a stroll.

 

Top 5 Tips

1. Visa – You need to get your Visa by going into a local consulate at least 10 days in advance.
2. Learn a touch of Portuguese – I expected it to be more like Spanish and couldn’t really understand much.
3. Get a driver – The city is crazy with traffic and you can get a driver for cheap.   Book before you get there to avoid scams.
4. Stay in the right neighborhood – Make sure to check out the neighborhoods in advance.  There are only a few that you will feel safe in, like Jardins.
5. Check out the eclectic cultures – Brazil has the most Japanese outside of Japan.  The Italian, Spanish and Jewish communities are strong here. 

Top 5 Misses

1. Traffic – It can take hours to get through the city.  And the exhaust fumes are ridiculous.
2. Crime – The crime in both cities is horrible and doesn’t make for a relaxing vacation.  Serious white-collar kidnapping in SP and low-level, but frequent muggings in Rio.
3. No middle class – SP is a lotta Compton and a little Beverly Hills.  Nothing in between.
4. Language barrier – Unlike many huge world cities, most people don’t speak English, so bring your Portugese guidebook.
5. Daytime fun – The Brazilians work hard and party hard, but there isn’t a lot of culture or natural wonders to check out during the day.