Brazil - Sao Paulo - To Do (ABBA contribution by Hendri Budi 18th Dec2014 RIO)

Sao Paulo - To Stay Sao Paulo - To Do 
Sao Paulo - To Eat

Sao Paulo - To Do

Rio
(ABBA contribution by Hendri Budi18th Dec2014)

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Getting from Sao Paulo to Rio

1) By bus

There are a few companies running the Sao Paulo-Rio route, and there are many departures in a day. The buses are air-conditioned and comfortable, there is a toilet in the bus, and they make a rest stop in the middle of the trip. The seats vary, from a normal recliner, to one that opens flat like a bed. If you can sleep on a long bus journey, the overnight buses will be a good choice.

You can ask the hotel concierge to help you book the bus tickets, and it can be done last minute (we booked ours 12 hours before departure). Passport number is required during booking, and you need to bring your passport to identify yourself when boarding the bus.

On paper, the bus ride takes 6 hours. However in practice, the bus ride can take as long as 7 or 8 hours. The tickets vary from R$78-177 each way, depending on the time of departure and the type of seats.

The bus terminal in Sao Paulo is called Rodoviária Tietê, and the taxi ride from the hotel costs R$50-70, depending on traffic and time of the day. The one in Rio de Janeiro is called Rodoviária Novo Rio. Usually just saying "Rodoviária" is enough for a taxi ride or to ask a local for directions. There is a tourist information station in the bus terminals, in case you need a city map or directions.

2) By plane

There are 3 airports serving Sao Paulo: Congonhas (CGH), Guarulhos (GRU), and Campinas (VCP). In Rio there are 2 airports: Santos Dumont (SDU), and Galeão (GIG). CGH is very close to the hotel, while SDU is near the places of attraction in Rio, so CGH-SDU will be the best airport combination to take.

Flight time is about one hour. Price depends on which airport combination you take, and how early you buy the tickets. The concierge claimed it can be as cheap as R$100.

Warning: While you can usually get the cheapest tickets, Campinas (VCP) is really in another city 100km away, and therefore is the most inconvenient to get to.

Getting around in Rio

There are only 2 metro lines, and they ply similar routes. Tickets can be bought at the metro station itself, and a single journey costs R$3.50, regardless of distance.

To get from the Rodoviaria to the metro system, there is supposedly a shuttle bus between the Rodoviaria and the Estacio metro station (we didn't take this; ask the tourist information desk for more information). You can also cross the road to the local bus terminal called Terminal Padre Henrique Otte, and take bus 133/136 (costs R$3) to the Cidade Nova train station. Alternatively, just taking a taxi to a metro station might be easier.

The local bus system is very confusing. Unlike in Singapore, the bus stops may not have a detailed route information of the buses. I recommend doing a very thorough research if you intend to take buses.

Taxi is the most convenient way to get around, especially once you get to the city. Write down the destinations in Portuguese for ease of communication. As usual, ask for a metered ride.

Places of Interest

1) Christ the Redeemer

One of the must-see in Rio de Janeiro, Christ the Redeemer (in Portuguese: Cristo Redentor) is located atop the Corcovado mountain. It also provides a fantastic vantage point of the city.

How to get there: The easiest way is to go to Largo do Machado metro station, exit to the big square, and take the van that brings you all the way to the summit. The company is called Paneiras Corcovado (http://www.paineirascorcovado.com.br/). The ticketing booth is located opposite a church, and is green in colour. It costs R$42 in low season, or R$53 in high season, including entry to the statue's platform.

2) Sugarloaf Mountain

Another landmark of Rio de Janeiro is the Sugarloaf Mountain (in Portuguese: Pão de Açúcar). You can take a cable car to the summit (costs R$62), for a nice view of the city and its beaches.

How to get there: To get to the cable car station, take a taxi from Botafogo metro station.

3) Copacabana and Ipanema beaches

The most famous beaches of Rio de Janeiro, both wide and sandy, if a little crowded.

How to get there: We took a taxi to the Garota de Ipanema restaurant (see below), and then walked to the beach after our lunch. If you go by metro, you can probably alight anywhere between Cardeal Arcoverde and Ipanema/General Osório and then walk towards the beach. There are also many buses passing by both beaches.

There is a nice restaurant called Garota de Ipanema, where the famous 1962 bossa nova song The Girl from Ipanema was supposedly penned. Try the Brazilian steak, served with rice and fries. Also try the local Brazilian cocktail caipirinha, made of sugarcane liquor, sugar, and lime.

Location: Vinicius de Morais 49, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 21072-540, Brazil (Ipanema)

4) Lapa District

Lapa district is home to many restaurants and bars where various forms of Brazilian music can be appreciated. Some places to see include the Rio de Janeiro Cathedral, Lapa Arches, the famous mosaic steps of Escadaria Selarón, and the Municipal Theatre.

Rio de Janeiro Cathedral (also known as Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian or in Portuguese: Catedral Metropolitana de São Sebastião). It is said to be based on Mayan architectural style of pyramids.

Lapa Arches (in Portuguese: Arcos da Lapa), also known as the Carioca Aqueduct (in Portuguese: Aqueduto da Carioca) is an aqueduct that used to carry water from the river Carioca to the city. It is now used as a bridge for a tramway to the neighbourhood of Santa Teresa.

Escadaria Selarón, famous mosaic steps that was used in various music videos such as Snoop Dogg's Beautiful. Sadly, Jorge Selarón, the artist who came up with the steps, was found dead with burn marks on the very artwork he created.

The Municipal Theatre (in Portuguese: Theatro Municipal), considered one of the most beautiful theatres in the country.

How to get there: Go to Cinelândia metro station. The places of interest are within walking distance from each other.

5) Others

You can consider the following as well:

Favela tour: a tour of the slum areas of Rio such as Rocinha. Make sure to book a tour from a reputable guide. TripAdvisor recommends http://www.favelatour.org/.

• Free walking tour: http://www.riofreewalkingtour.com/.
• Take the tour suggested by the hotel. Can be worthwhile if you have a bigger group. Price doesn't include the bus/flight to Rio.

(ABBA contribution by Hendri Budi18th Dec2014)