Travel Planning: Brazil

 

Where in the world am I? Brazil planning

Hi there. I’m Dr. Mary Travelbest, returning from a recent trip to Asia. I’m in San Diego now, sharing my best travel ideas and working on another book for you to enjoy: 5 Steps to Solo Travel, Part C. I’m about to launch on a 90-day trip around the world.

Listener Story Spotlight

I want to tell you about a listener named Juliana who is from Brazil. She was a student of mine and now she works with me. She gave me a list of all the places in Brazil that I should be going to.She and I have known each other for 3 years. She’s so beautiful and full of life. I’m so grateful for.

Quick fire FAQ:

The FAQ for today is: 

Should I carry books with me to read on the trip?

I recommend you download them from your local or cloud library. Then you read on the go. Don’t carry more than you need.

3 things: neighborhood selection, daylight itineraries, scam avoidance

Select neighborhoods that are walkable and have public transportation nearby if you don't drive. Read reviews on the AirBNB website before you select.

When booking a flight or train, be sure it arrives at a daylight time, which can differ in winter months. If it comes after dark, it will be more of a challenge for you. 

To avoid scams, be cautious when choosing passwords, logging out of websites, and making online purchases. These are very typical scams. If you are suspicious, you may be right to avoid that vendor and choose another. Don’t look like a target, either

 

Today’s destination is: Brazil.

Optimized for a budget‑minded solo woman in her 60s who loves beaches, nature, and a relaxed—but organized—pace.

 

Date Overnight Key plans How to get around Budget tips & cautions

Rio de Janeiro (Leme / Copacabana) • Easy sunset stroll along Copacabana & watch locals at Arpoador point.

• For a light dinner, try a fresh‑juice “sucos” bar and a tapioca crêpe. Take a taxi or Uber from GIG airport (≈ R$75). Choose a sea‑view “quarto feminine” at Selina Copacabana (~US $45 priv.). Keep valuables hidden on the beach.

Wed 4 Jun Rio • Christ the Redeemer early (08:00 train from Cosme Velho).

• Ride the Santa Teresa Tram then lunch in a colonial café.

• Late afternoon cable car up Sugarloaf for golden‑hour photos. Day‑pass on RioCard metro + tram; cable/Uber for Sugarloaf. Buy Sugarloaf ticket online to skip queue; take a light jacket—windy on top.

Rio Choose your mini‑escape

① Nature: half‑day to Prainha & Grumari wild beaches (shared van tour).

② Culture: ferry to Niterói for Niemeyer‑designed MAC museum & quiet Itacoatiara beach.

③ History: cool mountain air in imperial Petrópolis (bus 2 h). Tours or local buses; all safe in daylight. Pack reef‑safe sunscreen—Rio’s winter sun still strong.

Foz do Iguaçu Morning flight RIO → IGU (1 h 45 m; promo fares from US $68 one‑way) 

 

Drop bags, then spend the afternoon on the Brazilian side catwalks for sweeping views of Iguazu Falls (entry R$199 ≈ US $39) 

iguazufalls.com

End day at Parque das Aves bird sanctuary (1 hr) 

iguazufalls.com

Bus 120 links airport ↔ falls ↔ downtown.

Taxi to hotel after dark. Stay at Tarobá Express (single en‑suite ~US $40, rooftop pool).

Foz do Iguaçu Full‑day hop into Argentina’s Iguazú National Park for the Devil’s Throat boardwalk & eco‑train (passport needed, no visa/fee for US).

Evening option: Itaipu Dam illumination tour. Shared shuttle (~US $25 rt) handles border formalities. Bring ARS pesos or pay by card for Arg. park ticket (US $45) 

iguazufalls.com

.São Paulo Morning nonstop IGU → GRU (1 h 35 m; fares from US $56) 

KAYAK

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Walk tree‑lined Paulista Avenue, pop into MASP art museum (free Sun mornings), coffee in Vila Madalena murals. Airport bus to Paulista (R$55) or Uber. Metro is clean & safe in daytime. Base yourself in Ibis Paulista or female pod at Selina Aurora (~US $50).

São Paulo • Morning in Ibirapuera Park—rent a bike or visit Afro‑Brasil Museum (opens 10 am) 

Tripadvisor

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• Afternoon at Municipal Market (pastel de bacalhau!) & nearby Pinacoteca gallery. Metro Brigadeiro ↔ Luz. Watch bags on busy Linha 3 Red line; pickpockets work in crowds.

 São Paulo Relaxed day‑trip choices:

① Santos coast: historic coffee port + beach promenade (1 h 30 m bus).

② Embu das Artes craft town (45 min EMTU bus). Buy a round‑trip bus ticket; depart before dusk.

Wed 11 Jun — Free morning for souvenir shopping on Paulista, then head to GRU airport for onward flight. Allow 3 hours pre‑international departure.

 

Essential Practicalities

E‑visa now required for U.S. visitors entering Brazil from 10 Apr 2025; online application fee US $80.90 and proof of ≈ US $2 000 funds (3 bank statements) are needed. Apply at least 3 weeks ahead. 

VFSE Visa

New York Post

 

Weather: Early June is Brazil’s mild winter—pleasant 72 °F / 22 °C in Rio & São Paulo, warmer at Iguazu (upper 70s °F) with possible mist; pack a light rain shell for the falls.

 

Money: ATMs are plentiful. Withdraw in R$ and use cards where possible. Carry small notes for kiosks, buses, and street food.

 

Health & safety:

 

No yellow fever shot is demanded for the coast, but it is recommended for the Iguazu region.

 

Wear non‑slip shoes on Iguazu catwalks (spray makes surfaces slick).

 

Use registered taxis or ride‑share at night; avoid deserted beach stretches after dark.

 

Language: Basic Portuguese greetings go a long way; Spanish is understood in Iguazu. Learn “Obrigado” (thank you from a woman).

 

Hand‑Picked Stays (private room prices, low‑season)

City Comfortable & friendly Approx. US $ Why you’ll like it

Rio Selina Copacabana (female dorm or priv.), Ibis Budget Botafogo 35–60 24 h desk, beach steps away, rooftop bar.

Foz Tarobá Express, Che Lagarto Hostel 35–45 Central, free shuttle to falls stop, tour desk.

SP Ibis Paulista, Soul Hostel (single) $45–60. It is Walkable to the metro and lively but safe at night.

 

Quick Activity Bucket‑List

Region Must‑do Nice extra

Rio Watch sunrise from Leme end of Copacabana; Sugarloaf cable car; caipirinha & bossa‑nova in Lapa. Short jungle hike to Mirante Dois Irmãos for postcard view.

Iguazu “Devil’s Throat” platform roar; boat‑ride under the falls (waterproof bag!). Evening jungle moon‑bow walk (full‑moon nights only).

São Paulo MASP’s suspended concrete gallery; bike Ibirapuera lagoon; coffee tasting at Octavio Café. Live samba at Bar Brahma or vinyl jazz in Vila Madalena.

 

Approximate Trip Budget (USD)

Category Rio (3 nts) Iguazu (2 nts) São Paulo (3 nts) Total

Lodging $150 $80 $150 $380

Flights (internal) — RIO→IGU $68 IGU→GRU $64 $132

Inter‑city buses / ferries $20 $25 (Arg. shuttle) $25 (Santos) $70

Sight tickets & tours $65 $110 $40 $215

Meals & local transit $30/day × 8 $240

Grand estimate ≈ $1 040

 

(Budget assumes dorm‑style breakfast included and a few splurges; private rooms or extra tours will raise totals.)

 

Enjoy Brazil’s unbeatable mix of beach life, rainforest thundering waterfalls, and South America’s most cosmopolitan metropolis—at a tempo that feels adventurous yet comfortable. Boa viagem!

 

Smart Move and Slip up pairings

Brazil slip ups, are that there’s no way I can see all of the country in a week. So I have to be very picky about only going to the Rio and Sao Paolo regions, and possibly Iguazu Falls, if that works out and I am able physically and mentally.

 

 

Can you figure out A RAH LO

 

Local, regional, and global esims

Local towers and networks in that country. Anticipate which eSim you need. 

Whole wide world 90 days $59 for me.

My first time in India, I thought it was part of Asia. 

I found out that I missed out the night before I was leaving.

 

Supported countries. Read that carefully. It helps you make a decision.

My code to get $3.00 off is MARY2856. You get the discount, and I get the credit.

 

Timer won’t start counting down until you get to the country you are traveling to, and once it connects, the plan will start—for example, 30 days and 5 Gig.

Validity starts when you get there.

Refill as needed. 5G devices

 

Watch this video for instructions.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi1Cb1tEeSI

Resources Roundup

 

How do you travel if you don’t know anyone who can go with you, and maybe you want to see some unique places that no one you know cares about?

Maybe you want to travel because you never saw these places while you raised your children and supported the family. You may want to visit where you were born and want to do it on your own. You may want to lie on a beach in Tahiti and have a long nap. How does one get to do this? We will help you with instruction, guidance, and good stories.

This book must be published now because 14.8% of women are over 65, and most outlive their spouses. Another large chunk of women are in their 50s and early 60s and have years of activity to go. Plus, there are 38 million members of AARP, many looking for active choices on how they live and travel. 

Gone are the days of your travel agent booking your paper airline ticket. You will not likely contact a travel agent for your trip.

The more we understand others and their cultures, the more we can get along with them. Dr. Mary Travelbest is like Rick Steves for Women adventure travelers who are seasoned in years but have yet to gain travel experience. My daughter, my co-author, Tina, and I have been traveling since she was born 22 years ago. She’s also made many solo trips, including visiting her sister in China for a month this year. She’s completed her degree in Business, working on a Master’s degree, and living/working in the San Francisco area.

This book needs to be published so the Golden Years can be just that for those who like active travel. 

 

The take away mantra is to go and find peace where you rest and bring good to others 

 

You can travel solo and never be alone. Dr. Travelbest.