I'll ramble a bit about my experience. It was from before I trained Jiu Jitsu, so no training advice.
Brazil is a huge country, if you want to see other cities it probably isn't realistic to drive, it would use up all of your time. Cabs, public transportation and walking is what I did.
When I went I used an airline service (I think they were called something simple like "airpasses") that allowed me to get a whole package of in country flights cheap, it was a punch card style (5 flights). I went to 5 different cities and loved them all for different reasons -Rio, Sao Paolo, Salvador, Manaus (in the Amazon, where I got to go out on a canoe on a Jungle tour, and go piranha fishing) , and Natal (which they claim has the world's second cleanest air after only Antarctica...). I enjoyed all of them and would say Brazil is one of the most beautiful countries I've ever been to.
Not alot of people spoke English, and you have to be very aware of crime, especially in Rio. There is nearly an industry of robbing / ripping off tourists who can't stay to follow up. Be careful carrying around nice camera's etc, and have fun.
Also drink a few "suco's" (fruit juice drink...awesome), and while you are in Rio see the big Jesus...there were monkeys all over the place by it when I was there. Visit a few fun clubs. Make it out to at least one Raggae Bar, try to catch up with a Sambo line in the streets at some point in time just to see and feel it.
Check with your doctor or health Department before you go, because it isn't mandatory before you go but my doc recommended I think it was Hepatitis C and B shots and something else (I think C is food and B is in case something happens and you have to get a blood transfusion via medical care down there). I was an idiot and drank the water for a whole month minimally and had no noticeable issues.
Learn the portuguese words
"Disculpe" (Dee-scoop-a) - Sorry,
"Obrigado" (Ob-ree-gaw-dough) - Thanks,
and "fala Ingles?" (fah-lah een-glace) - Speak English?
When I landed in Rio I stayed in an "apartemento" because I didn't know how to ask for a hostel in Portuguese yet. It was like a little condo. I saved a ton more money doing hostels the rest of my trip, and some girls in front of my at customs were staying at "Rio Backpackers" if it still exists and liked it.
You should have a blast!
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Originally Posted by Chris Herzog
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