Cricket's Nomad Tips

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.

Buenos Aires, Argentina and Patagonia, Chile

I went here for a 2 week trip in May of 2008.  We did a week in Buenos Aires, a few days in Mendoza (wine country) and a week down in Patagonia.  Perfect combo!

 

Top 5 Days

1. Strolling through Soho and Palermo -- So great to just walk around and catch the big city vibe. Have an Evita day and go to the cemetery and small museum.
2. Soccer Match - Yes, it is a crazy as you've heard.  The bring in the fans of the opposing team after the game starts and they are behind a chain fence.  Then they leave first while home team fans sit in their seats, cause there is so much fighting.
3. Take a ferry to Uruguay - Walk around the historic town of Colonia. You can also stay overnight at beach resorts.
4. Hit a night out in San Telmo - This was our favorite neighborhood.  Full of character and life.
5. Ride Horseback through Patagonia - We didn't see anyone else for hours.  We rode through streams, over mountains and ended the day at a farm BBQ.

 

5 High Style, High Maintenance Hotels

We stayed at a Luxury Collection hotel using our Starwood points.  It was high style, but also high maintenance, so I wouldn't recommend it.

1. Explora - This is the most remote and wonderful hotel ever down in Torres De Paines, Patagonia.  It is a loooooong way to get there, but well worth it.  It is simple and they make sure you have an amazing hike or horse ride every day.  Perfect!
2. Home Hotel - My friend Lina stayed here in Buenos Aires and raved.
3. Mine Hotel - Another boutique hotel in Buenos Aires we heard wonderful things about.
4. Apartments - Rent an apartment in Sal Telmo in Buenos Aires.
5. Cavas Wine Lodge - This is such a special spot in Mendoza.  You have your own cabana with roof where you can sleep in sleeping bags looking at the stars.  Food, wine, artwork and service are top notch.  The epitome of high style, low maintenance.

  
Top 5 Foodie Finds

1. Desde El Alma - A cozy french bistro in San Telmo.
2. El Gran Danzona - A cool sushi and bar joint.  Very hip.
3. Bar Uriate - Good little stop in BA.
4. Melipal - Our most delicious meal of the whole trip in a vineyard in Mendoza.
5. Explora - We ate gorgeous meals by the fire every night.

 
Top 5 Misses

1. Meat - There is way too much of it.  Try to exlore bites other than steak houses.
2. Pollution - BA is dirty!
3. Tango - This was fun, but very touristy.  If you are going to do it, then go to a little place like El Viejo Almacen in San Telmo.  We did just the show and had a lovely dinner beforehand.  Just not our thang.
4. Mendoza - We liked it, but it was snowing while we were there.  I would have preferred to go to the falls or the Lake District.
5. Big Hotels - There are so many lovely boutiques to explore.

 
Top 5 Tips

1. Weather - Make sure you go the right time of year. We were there in late fall in May, and it earlier fall or spring are tops.  Remember, opposite seasons as the States.
2. Evita - I became obsessed.  I read a biography and watched the movie.  Her story added so much to my love of this area.
3. Cab it - super cheap, no need to get a car.
4. Patagonia - Heck, you are already almost there.  I can't rave enough about it.  It is hell to get to, but worth it!
5. Iguasu Falls - people raved and we wish we would have done instead of Mendoza.  Next time.