Frommer's^® Brazil, 1st Edition

by Shawn Blore; Alexandra de Vries

• ISBN13: 9780764564680
• ISBN10: 0764564684
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-04-01
• Publisher: Frommers

Summary

You2ll never fall into the tourist traps when you travel with Frommer2s. It2s like having a friend show you around, taking you to the places locals like best. Our expert authors have already gone everywhere you might go-they2ve done the legwork for you, and they2re not afraid to tell it like it is, saving you time and money. No other series offers candid reviews of so many hotels and restaurants in all price ranges. Every Frommer2s Travel Guide is up-to-date, with exact prices for everything, dozens of color maps, and exciting coverage of sports, shopping, and nightlife. You2d be lost without us! Frommer2s Brazil is the premier guide to the country, with complete coverage of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Salvador, Bahia, Natal, Brasilia, and more. You2ll get details on Carnaval, Ponta Negra, the Amazon, the hang gliding in Rio, the prawns of Ilhabela, and the moquecas of Salvador. Whether you2re an archaeology buff, an outdoor adventurer, or a partier in search of a good time, Brazil presents so many diverse travel options that it2ll make your head spin. Frommer2s Brazil will help you plan a memorable trip, starting with our highly opinionated lists of the best experiences the country has to offer.

Table of Contents

List of Maps	ix
The Best of Brazil	1	(13)
The Most Unforgettable Travel Experiences	1	(3)
The Best Beaches	4	(1)
The Best Outdoor Adventures	5	(1)
The Best Ecounters with Wildlife	6	(1)
The Best Museums	6	(1)
The Best Festivals & Celebrations	7	(1)
The Best Views	8	(1)
The Best Hotels	9	(1)
The Best Pousadas	10	(1)
The Best Dining Experiences	11	(1)
The Best Markets	12	(1)
The Best Nightlife	13	(1)
Planning Your Trip to Brazil	14	(31)
The Regions in Brief	14	(2)
Visitor Information, Entry Requirements & Customs	16	(2)
Money	18	(2)
When to Go	20	(5)
Carnaval, the Mother of All Parties	21	(2)
Brazil Calendar of Events	23	(2)
Health, Insurance & Safety	25	(4)
Tips for Travelers with Special Needs	29	(2)
Getting to Brazil	31	(4)
Planning Your Trip Online	35	(2)
Frommers.com: The Complete Travel Resource	36	(1)
Getting Around Brazil	37	(2)
Tips on Shopping	39	(1)
Tips on Accommodations	39	(6)
Fast Facts: Brazil	40	(5)
Settling into Rio de Janeiro	45	(48)
Rio de Janeiro Essentials	46	(12)
Adventures in Parking with the Flanelinhas	54	(1)
Fast Facts: Rio de Janeiro	54	(4)
Where to Stay	58	(16)
Where to Dine in Rio	74	(19)
Don't Shy Away from Street Food	77	(3)
You Say Farofa, I Say . . . Blech	80	(13)
Exploring Rio de Janeiro	93	(55)
Suggested Itineraries for First-Time Visitors	93	(1)
The Top Attractions	94	(8)
Other Museums & Cultural Centers	102	(2)
Architectural Highlights	104	(4)
Neighborhoods to Explore	108	(4)
Favelas, Rio's Hidden Neighborhoods	112	(1)
Beaches, Parks & Plazas	112	(6)
Know the Beach Rules	114	(3)
Where to Go for Spectacular---and Free---Views	117	(1)
Especially for Kids	118	(1)
Organized Tours	118	(2)
Outdoor Activities	120	(1)
The Only Spectator Sport in Rio	121	(1)
Shopping in Rio	122	(8)
Staying Connected: Internet Cafes in Rio	127	(3)
Rio After Dark	130	(11)
Some Brazilian Words to Help You Through the Night	131	(4)
Nightlife Zones: Lapa	135	(3)
The Kiosks of Lagoa	138	(3)
Everything You Need to Know About Carnaval	141	(7)
Reveillon: New Year's Eve in Rio	147	(1)
Side Trips from Rio de Janeiro	148	(31)
Buzios	148	(8)
Petropolis	156	(7)
Ouro Preto	163	(9)
The Inconfidencia Mineira	164	(3)
The Incredible Aleijadinho	167	(5)
Mariana	172	(2)
Tiradentes	174	(5)
Settling into Sao Paulo	179	(31)
Sao Paulo Essentials	180	(9)
Fast Facts: Sao Paulo	186	(3)
Where to Stay	189	(11)
Where to Dine	200	(10)
Exploring Sao Paulo	210	(34)
Suggested Itineraries	210	(1)
The Top Attractions	211	(7)
Architectural Highlights	218	(2)
Neighborhoods to Explore	220	(2)
Plazas & Parks	222	(2)
Some Spectacular Views	223	(1)
Especially for Kids	224	(1)
Organized Tours	225	(1)
Outdoor Activities & Spectator Sports	226	(1)
Shopping in Sao Paulo	226	(5)
Sao Paulo After Dark	231	(7)
A Side Trip to Ilhabela	238	(6)
Salvador & the Best of Bahia	244	(55)
Salvador Essentials	245	(6)
Fast Facts: Salvador	249	(2)
Where to Stay	251	(6)
Where to Dine	257	(6)
A Glossary of Bahian Dishes	258	(2)
Acarajes & Abaras	260	(3)
Exploring Salvador	263	(15)
Suggested Sightseeing Itineraries	264	(8)
Understanding Candomble & the Terreiros	272	(5)
The Ever-Present Capoeira	277	(1)
Shopping	278	(2)
Salvador After Dark	280	(4)
Carnaval in Salvador	284	(4)
Side Trips from Salvador	288	(11)
Recife & Olinda	299	(27)
Essentials	300	(4)
Fast Facts: Recife & Olinda	303	(1)
Where to Stay	304	(5)
Where to Dine	309	(3)
Exploring Recife & Olinda	312	(6)
The Passion Play at Nova Jerusalem	313	(5)
Shopping in Recife & Olinda	318	(1)
Recife & Olinda After Dark	319	(1)
A Side Trip to Porto de Galinhas	320	(6)
Natal	326	(16)
Natal Essentials	326	(4)
Com ou sem emocao?	328	(1)
Fast Facts: Natal	329	(1)
Where to Stay in Natal	330	(3)
Where to Dine in Natal	333	(2)
Exploring Natal	335	(4)
The Extreme Dunes of Genipabu	337	(2)
Shopping in Natal	339	(1)
Natal After Dark	340	(2)
Manaus & the Amazon	342	(24)
Manaus	343	(13)
Fast Facts: Manaus	345	(5)
The Lowdown on Amazonian Cuisine	350	(6)
Introducing the Amazon	356	(3)
Amazon Lodges	359	(5)
Boat Trips	364	(1)
Riding the Riverboats	364	(1)
Deeper into the Amazon: Expedition Tours	365	(1)
Brasilia	366	(19)
Brasilia Essentials	366	(5)
Fast Facts: Brasilia	371	(1)
Where to Stay	371	(3)
Where to Dine	374	(2)
Exploring Brasilia	376	(6)
Lucio Costa & the Failure of Brasilia	379	(3)
Shopping	382	(1)
Brasilia After Dark	383	(2)
Iguacu & the Falls	385	(15)
Iguacu Essentials	385	(3)
Fast Facts: Foz do Iguacu	388	(1)
Where to Stay in Iguacu	388	(3)
Where to Dine in Iguacu	391	(2)
Exploring Iguacu Falls	393	(5)
Those Too-Cool Toucans	397	(1)
Shopping in Foz do Iguacu	398	(1)
Iguacu After Dark	399	(1)
The Pantanal	400	(26)
Cuiba & the North Pantanal	400	(12)
Fast Facts: Cuiaba	404	(5)
Beware Macaw-Related Pantanal Souvenirs	409	(3)
A Side Trip from Cuiaba: Chapada dos Guimaraes	412	(3)
Campo Grande & the South Pantanal	415	(6)
Fast Facts: Campo Grande	416	(5)
A Side Trip to Bonito	421	(5)
Fernando do Noronha	426	(11)
Fernando do Noronha Essentials	426	(5)
Fast Facts: Fernando do Noronha	428	(1)
Where to Stay	429	(2)
Where to Dine	431	(1)
Exploring Fernando do Noronha	432	(5)
Appendix A: Brazil in Depth	437	(12)
1 A Look at the Past	437	(5)
2 Cultural Notes & Business Etiquette	442	(1)
3 An Introduction to Brazilian Food & Drink	443	(2)
4 A Brazilian Music Sampler	445	(2)
5 Recommended Books & Films	447	(2)
Appendix B: Useful Terms & Phrases	449	(5)
1 Basic Words & Phrases	449	(1)
2 More Useful Phrases	450	(2)
3 Numbers	452	(1)
4 Days of the Week	452	(2)
Index	454