I know it's way too early to actually start booking flights/hotels/tickets and stuff but I'm trying to set myself some expectations before I start planning for this. I looked around rest of BS for this topic but I couldn't find it. If I missed it and there is a thread, please link me to it and delete this one. So far I've really got nothing planned apart from the fact that we will stay in Rio for the whole trip instead of following around Japan or whoever all over Brazil since that'll be too expensive. My budget is 10,000 US Dollars (hoping to do it in less than $8000) for two weeks and I'm going with 3-5 friends (more like 1 or 2 once they realize they can't afford it). If there is anyone who has been to World Cup/Euro/Confederations Cup/Asian Cup and have any suggestions I should know in advance about getting tickets and booking flights/hotels, it would be really helpful. I know we have friends on here who live in Brazil so anything from you guys would be really appreciated too. I know I'm being really broad here but even telling me to go on Tour Packages would be helpful. Thanks.
Ask your questions and if possible I'll answer. I don't think we have any user from Rio de Janeiro lurking here, that would be great. By the way, São Paulo is the place if you want "japanese things", like restaurants, Karaoke bars, Temaki Houses , biggest nikkei colony outside Japan and High-tier japanese-brazilian girls, OK, just kidding
Sao Paulo for a life IMO. However 10.000$ it's really expensive, especially if you will not follow your team around the country and watch them live in stadium...
Don't really have any specific questions right now concerning Rio/Brazil. I also don't really need Japanese things during the World Cup. More worried about being prepared when tickets/flights/hotels finally become available so I'm not too late and don't fcuk myself any more than I have to. I'll def be asking about the local stuff once the Finals are closer. Is Sao Paulo better than Rio? I keep hearing Rio is the place to be. I wish I can follow my team around but I don't think I can afford hundreds of dollars flying within Brazil. Maybe I'll go see games if they are close to Rio but I'm ok with just being there, watching World Cup games at the stadium even if it's not my team, and going through the whole World Cup experience with people from all over. I'll be 25 in 2014 and it'll be my last chance to go without really thinking about my future financially. I think the price sky rockets for the World Cup more so than the Asian Cup but if I spend less than $10k, I won't be complaining!!
It depends, do you want a nice beach? If so, then go to Rio. But I should warn you, from the moment that you arrive at the airport, you'll be explored, taxi drivers will be willing to suck every single penny (aka all your money) that you have by cheating/lying about the places, same applies for street vendors. You should be aware about the burglars from the slums and the places near the beach/hotels, they usually go in gangs.
Nsato, ( and other folks planning to come to Brazil) Following Japan around would cost you a money that sure you cant spend. First we have to hope that JFA will play in the Southeast region which the 3 biggest cities in Brazil are located. São Paulo - Rio de Janeiro - Belo horizonte. If that´s the case, you wont have problem visiting, touring and watching the games in both 3 cities, since they are relatively close, specially by plane (over 40 minutes flight). Make your registration in the FIFA website since you´ll be getting your ticket that way. However, if you´re planning to buy the tickets here...well...it´s gonna be tough. We´re having problems trying to get the Confederations Cup tickets already, imagine for the WC. About Rio de Janeiro...it is the most famous destination for tourists, im sure you can have a good time there. São Paulo, apart from the japanese neightboorhood, its "just" one immense city. You´ll probably enjoymore of your Brazilian experience in Rio tho.
Thanks for the warning. I'll be mentally prepared. Thanks Todoroki. A1, A2, B1,B2,B3,C1,C2,D1,D2,D3,E2,E3,F1,F2,F3,H1,H3,H4 will play at least once in those 3 locations. That's more than half the teams participating. Hopefully we'll get lucky. Do you know if there will be other form of public transportation besides by plane that will get us to Sao Paulo or Belo Horizonte? Google tells me it's around 5-6 hrs by car. Maybe there will be buses or something running just for the World Cup? It'll probably be too much for me to pay for the flights and also hotels in more than one location. Also, can you register already for tickets? Tried finding it but couldn't on their site.
From listening to Tim Vickery from the BBC world football phone in, who live in Brazil. He believe that Brazil is a very expensive country to visit, the Hotel in Brazil cost more than the Hotel in Europe. Traveling around Brazil is very expensive since it's a big country, there isn't really any public transportation. Everything will be over inflated when the 2014 World cup start. 1ok maybe the minimum that you needed but if I were you I would bring extra cash to just in case.
You can get the bus from Rio to BH...maybe around 8 hours of travel for 75 to 110 reais, depending on the type of seat (more or less confortable) youre willing to get. You can always look for hostels too...they are much cheaper than hotels and you save some cash for more adventures. Tickets now only for Confederations cup. We´ll need to wait until feb 2014 to get WC tickets.
There is. The problem is to connect a continental country under cheap prices. We´re not talking about Europe, where you blink and you´ve crossed a border without knowing.
Do you have any recommendation as to which hostels or areas are safe? Only images I have about hostels are from that movie...
That horror movie? www Thank god we´re not having the WC in eastern europe then. Check this out... a friend used to work there - > http://www.elmistihostel.com/ http://www.elmisticopacabana.com/
I'm about to put in a deposit for an apartment in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro. Google tells me it's a tourist location? Do people living in Brazil think it'll be good for the World Cup?
Copacabana is probably the most famous destination in Rio along with Ipanema. I didnt quite understand your last question. What exactly would be good?
I think its the opposite. Since you´re going to Brazil, you should visit as much tourists locations as you can, specially in Rio. The only concern might be the high prices around those areas.
For what I've heard, Maringá (Paraná state) is the top candidate for the city to host Japan at the WC. Former Urawa striker Washington is helping in negotiations. São Paulo is also being considered as Honda and Kawashima visited Corinthians training centre before returning from Confederations Cup.
There are protests every day at many cities. Unfortunately some vandals are infiltrated among the people (I'd say 99% want to protest pacifically) and forcing violent reactions by the police.