Topic Wiki

***Health Information as of January 25, 2018***

There is a Yellow fever outbreak in Rio and Sao Paulo and the whole population is getting vaccinated. See the CDC alert here:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/alert/yellow-fever-brazil


Curitiba

Trip Reports
Ya'alili - forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=2164.msg946415#msg946415
CGR in Rio, Iguazu (Brazil & Argentina), and Sao Paulo: https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=128303.msg2555280#msg2555280
ad120- https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=130711.0

Kosher Food Options
Contact Chabad Parana for updated information regarding any Kosher food there. Otherwise plenty of snacks and fruits.

Hotels with Points
Four Points by Sheraton, ten minute walk to Chabad.
Radisson, fifteen minute walk to Chabad.

Airport Transfer Options
Cab - Cab to/from Chabad area and hotels should be around R$60.
Executive Bus - Excellent and comfortable executive bus, every half hour to main places in Curitiba for R$12.
Public Bus - There are buses to downtown for R$3, from there you can connect almost anywhere in the city.

Major Activities

Florianopolis

Trip Reports
ChikkyMonkey - forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=2164.msg860807#msg860807
MendyP - forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=2164.msg680690#msg680690
Ya'alili - forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=2164.msg936627#msg936627

Kosher Food Options
Contact Chabad Parana for updated information regarding any Kosher food there. Otherwise plenty of snacks and fruits.

Hotels with Points
None.

Airport Transfer Options
Cab - They are metered from FLN to where you are going. We stayed in Barra Lagoa and it was R$55.
Executive Bus - Yellow buses go between major destinations to the airport and bus terminal - R$6.
Public Bus - Not from the airport. But from the bus station it's tricky but doable - R$3.

Major Activities
Water-sports and relaxing. During peak-season (Dec-Jan) there is plenty to do, such as scuba diving, gliding, boat tours and more. We were there during winter break (Jul) and the waves were great for surfing, and the dunes at Joaquina were great for sandboarding.

There are beautiful beaches all over the island of Florianopolis. During the winter the north beaches tend to be the warmest as the wind doesn't attack it directly. Center/east beaches are really nice, the best for surfing, but can get cold. Mole and Joaquina are the most popular from those. Didn't trek down south on my trip there, but the beaches are supposedly great as well, though very calm and sleepy kind of towns next to them and people going fishing there.

A small town on the west side of the island, has a boardwalk and bicycle path along the water, nice place to go for sunset. Old historic architecture there, many buildings there hundreds of years old. It's about 10-15 minutes north of downtown FLN.

Iguacu Falls

Trip Reports
ChikkyMonkey - forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=2164.msg860807#msg860807
Dan - forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=3052.msg27332#msg27332
Jaywhy - forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=44601.msg937926#msg937926
Ya'alili - forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=38231.msg735169#msg735169
Yehoshua - forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=34693.msg641453#msg641453
ad120- https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=130711.0

Kosher Food Options
There are no kosher food options other than some snacks and fruits. Over the border some stores sell Beigel's and there are a few Freddo Helado locations.

Hotels with Points
Sheraton Iguazu in the Argentina side of the park.
Park Hyatt Iguacu Falls coming soon!

Airport Transfer Options
Cab - The airport is between downtown and the park. Taxi to either of those place shouldn't be more than R$15.
Executive Bus - There are no executive buses on the Brazilian side. Other side there are buses to any place for 40 pesos.
Public Bus - The park and hostels/hotels are connected by public bus with the airport. Not very frequent schedule, cab is better - R$3.

Major Activities

Manaus

Trip Reports
Fan of Dan - Part 1 forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=2164.msg404773#msg404773
Fan of Dan - Part 2 forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=2164.msg406102#msg406102
Fan of Dan - Part 3 forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=2164.msg488834#msg488834
Ya'alili - Coming soon!

Kosher Food Options
Chabad Manaus offers excellent take-out at great prices. More info here - www.chabadmanaus.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/1244281/jewish/Kosher.htm.

Hotels with Points
Holiday Inn by IHG - 1hr15m walk to Chabad.
Park Suites by Radisson. - About a 3h walk to Chabad..

Airport Transfer Options
Cab - Flat rate on leaving the airport to anywhere in Manaus - R$65.
Executive Bus - There are EB in Manaus itself (means it comes with AC here) though non to the airport.
Public Bus - One bus makes the trip once an hour between the airport and downtown, during regular operating hours - R$3.

Major Activities

Porto Alegre

Trip Reports
Ya'alili - Coming soon!

Kosher Food Options
Lechaim Delicatessen - Maybe call before to see if they are open, we went during hours and they were closed.
Rua Fernandes Vieira, 518, Porto Alegre ~ (51) 3311-2323.

Hotels with Points
Sheraton Porto Alegre Hotel - 25 minute walk to Chabad.
Radisson Porto Alegre - 25 minute walk to Chabad.
Holiday Inn Porto Alegre - 40 minute walk to Chabad.

Airport Transfer Options
Cab - Depending on where you are headed, average about R$25-45.
Metro - People mover connects the airport to the nearby metro station, cost R$3 to get to town.
Public Bus - One bus (T5) makes the trip every 20 minutes, cost R$3 to get to town.

Major Activities

Rio de Janeiro

Trip Reports
ChikkyMonkey - forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=2164.msg860807#msg860807
Jaywhy - forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=44601.msg916299#msg916299
MendyP - forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=2164.msg680690#msg680690
Ya'alili - forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=38231.msg773283#msg773283
Yehoshua - forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=34693.msg641453#msg641453

Restaurants
Barilan (Copacabana) - Sunday only meat lunch place inside a school. There is a large buffet and you pay by the weight of your plate.
Rua Pompeu Loureiro, 48, Rio de Janeiro ~ (21) 2235-3110.

Deleite (Copacabana) - Dairy pizza shop and cafe.
Rua Anita Garibaldi, 83, Rio de Janeiro ~ (21) 3507-1973.

Shelanu (Copacabana) - Meat restaurant located inside the Israeli club.
Rua Barata Ribiero, 489, Rio de Janeiro ~ (21) 3042-1483.

Pizzaria Braz (Jardim Botanico) - Excellent pizza chain in BR. This one location becomes kosher once a month by Beit Lubavitch Rio. Usually a Tuesday.
Rua Maria Angélica, 129, Rio de Janeiro ~ (21) 2535-0687.

Hotels with Points near a Shul (Walking Minutes)
Barra da Tijuca - Grand Hyatt (Opening 2015), Radisson - (30 minutes).
Copacabana - JW Marriott (15 minutes).
Leblon - Sheraton Leblon about a 20 minute walk from the excellent Chabad Leblon.

Airport Transfer Options
Cab - Depending from where you are coming SDU should be about R$40 and GIG about R$60.
Executive Bus - service from both GIG and SDU to any place in Rio for R$13.
Public Bus - To get to downtown from both airports is very easy with PB, though if you need to get further EB is a lot better and more reliable.

Major Activities

São Paulo

Trip Reports
ChikkyMonkey - forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=2164.msg860807#msg860807
Jaywhy Part 1 - forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=44601.msg902728#msg902728
Jaywhy Part 2 - forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=44601.msg916299#msg916299
MendyP - forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=2164.msg680690#msg680690
Ya'alili - forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=2164.msg937054#msg937054

Restaurants

Buffet Hebraico (Pinheiros) is located inside the JCC of São Paulo. Best bet would be to go there on a Sunday when they usually have a rodizio there.
Rua Hungria, 1000, São Paulo ~ (11) 3818-8800.

Cantina de Bero (Higienopolis)
Bero Pizza
 the first restaurant and the only one to stay open - Upscale full service dairy restaurant pizza pasta and sushi, they have rodizio of sushi every tuesday and thursday.
delivery to any hotel, great service
Rua sergipe , 220, São Paulo ~ (11) 3064-9022.

Cantina Parma (Higienopolis) - another mediocre pizza shop in SP.
Rua Rosa e Silva, 222, São Paulo ~ (11) 3825-2579.
closed

Celadon (Higienopolis) - a new dairy place that opened this year, Dan was there.
Praça Vilaboim, 73, São Paulo ~ (11) 2738-1500.

 closed

Matok (Higienopolis) - Pizza is decent and their ice cream is good. They cater for most airlines from GRU.
Alameda Barros, 921, São Paulo ~ (11) 3661-2111.

Metsuyan (Perdizes) - Chinese style take-out place with great food, inside the large kosher supermarket SuperK.
Rua Traipu, 66, São Paulo ~ (11) 3663-3030.

Nur (Higienopolis) - They are not cheap, but very good food and great service. They make a rodizio once in a while too. Top eatery in SP.
Rua Tupi, 792, São Paulo ~ (11) 3666-4992.

Pinati (Higienopolis) - Is an Israeli eatery, their food is not that good, and neither are prices. Still probably the only place to get shawarma and falafel in SP.
Alameda Barros, 782, Sao Paulo ~ (11) 3668-5424.

Sushi Papaya (Higienopolis - kosher location) - is a phonomenal sushi restaurant. Again prices are high, but the sushi is amazing, in the ranks of Yakimono.
Praça Vilaboim, 31, São Paulo ~ (11) 3824-0400.

Via Babush (Higienopolis) - Is probably the best pizza place in town. They have excellent sushi rodizios every week also, and all you can eat buffets.
Rua Barão de Tatuí, 115, São Paulo ~ (11) 3494-0000.

Pizza Braz (Higienopolis) - is a popular pizza chain in BR. About once in a month it goes completely kosher and CY. Expensive but probably the best pizza in SP.
Rua Sergipe, 406, São Paulo ~ (11) 3214-3337.

Bakeries, Groceries & Ice Cream
All Kosher (Higienopolis) - Grocery and supermarket, they are on FB.
Alameda Barros, 391, São Paulo ~ (11) 3825-1131.


Goody (Bom Retiro) - A large bakery selection. Don't miss the brigadeiros if they have them.
Rua Correia de Melo, 119, São Paulo ~ (11) 3331-1288.

Menorah (Bom Retiro) - Small supermarket in BR, not everything is Mehadrin Kosher there, be careful.
Rua Guarani, 114, São Paulo ~ (11) 3228-6105.

Pardes (Higienopolis) - They are on FB, supermarket with small bakery section too.
Rua Padre João Manuel, 732, São Paulo ~ (11) 3068-9093.

Sorveteria Sottozero (Perdizes) - Very popular ice cream store that got certified kosher recently.
Av. Sumaré, 840, São Paulo.

Super K (Perdizes) - The largest kosher supermarket in SP, has everything there, prices are high.
Rua Traipu, 66, São Paulo ~ (11) 3663-3030.

Shuls
Bayit (Higienopolis) - Really nice Chabad House, R' Michaan was the Rabbi. main jewish area
Beit Chabad Brooklin - far away from jewish comunity but nice for shabbos, but they are close to many of the main SP points hotels.
Beit Chabad Central (Jardins) - The main Chabad house serving SP, Building is a replica of 770 in NY. Lively Kiddush every Shabbos after Shachris.
Beit Chabad Itaim (Itaim - Jardins Europa) - Beautiful Chabad house in a very upscale part of SP. Best Kiddush Friday night after Maariv.
Beit Chabad Morumbi - Very residential and upscale area of SP.
Beit Chabad Perdizes - Nice Shul, right next to main jewish area, and hotels options nearby.
Beit Chabad Pinheiros - Extremely warm Shul community members, and great Kiddush every Shabbos afternoon.
Beit Yaakov Sephardi (Higienopolis) - Fancy Shul for the ones who can afford it. Will be very hard to enter if you not a member.
Makor Chaim Sephardi (Higienopolis) - On the same note as Beit Yaakov, both of them beautiful and rich Shul's.
Mishcan Menachem Chabad (Jardins Paulista) - Shul with some programs throughout the week.
Talmud Torah Chabad (Bom Retiro) - Basic Shul in a very undesirable section of SP.
Tiferes Chabad (Higienopolis) - Simple Shul, nothing major stands out, better place elsewhere.
Tzeirei Agudas Chabad (Jardins) - A Shtiebel as opposed to a Chabad House, Heimishe Minyan. zayants shul

Hotels with Points near a Shul (Walking Minutes)
Brookin - Grand Hyatt (25 minutes), Hilton (20 minutes), Park Inn by Radisson (35 minutes), Radisson Villa Olympia (20 minutes), Sheraton (15 minutes).
Itaim - Marriott EA (20 minutes), Radisson Faria Lima (5 minutes), Staybridge Suites (10 minutes).
Jardins - Intercontinental (25 minutes), Renaissance (15 minutes).
Perdizes - Holiday Inn Express (15 minutes).

Airport Transfer Options
Cab - Fixed prices from the airport to different parts of SP. To Jardins will set you back about R$120.
Executive Bus - From the airport to various areas of SP, a little more than R$40.
Public Bus - Number 257 goes from GRU to the metro station Tataupe for R$5. From there you can continue on the metro throughout SP.

Major Activities
« Last edited by mendi n on May 01, 2023, 03:39:17 PM »

Author Topic: Brazil Master Thread  (Read 268799 times)

Offline Yaalili

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Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #300 on: May 13, 2014, 06:17:15 PM »
Thanks a lot for your very helpful reply...

Supposing I make Rio work, should I go to Florianopolis Just from Monday morning to Tuesday afternoon? would I need more time in Rio? I'm arriving there 11am shabbos is at 4pm and I can either leave sunday morning, night or monday morning to florionopolis.

I am looking into homaway for Leblon not sure yet bec hotels there aren't really available. but seems like Copacabana also has a chabad house is that worth considering? best western there is available...

I'm not really interested in Sao Paolo, bc we don't like big huge cities with regular lubavitch communities.. more interested in chabad house, tourists etc..

Any other pointers greatly appreciated..

If I had to chose where to put the one extra day it would be Rio.

SP has over a dozen chabad houses, many of which are very unique with charismatic shluchim and fun crowds.  Especially on Friday night.

Yup. You have Beit Chabad Central which is the main one in Jardins. Kind of in between a chabad house and an anash shul. You also got great rabbis and chabad houses in Itaim, Morombi and Pinheiros.

True, though SP does have nice Sunday markets and rodizios.

Yup. Lots of Sunday only places in São Paulo. Though the famous vinte cinco market is closed then.

Offline @jack123

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Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #301 on: May 22, 2014, 11:37:33 PM »
whats the best way to get around SP?

Thinking of stopping there for a day on the way to BA. seems like places we might be- the Hyatt, kosher food, tourist attractions are not so close to airport or to each other. is there great public transportation or is renting a car better? or are cabs very reasonable?

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #302 on: May 22, 2014, 11:57:00 PM »
whats the best way to get around SP?

Thinking of stopping there for a day on the way to BA. seems like places we might be- the Hyatt, kosher food, tourist attractions are not so close to airport or to each other. is there great public transportation or is renting a car better? or are cabs very reasonable?
That's an expensive stop for Americans without Brazilian visas.

Offline @jack123

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Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #303 on: May 23, 2014, 12:02:45 AM »
ya i know but if im going to try to go to both sides of the falls im going to have to get both visas anyway, no?

Offline Dan

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Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #304 on: May 23, 2014, 12:05:54 AM »
ya i know but if im going to try to go to both sides of the falls im going to have to get both visas anyway, no?
Probably not, GIYF.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #305 on: May 23, 2014, 12:07:02 AM »
ya i know but if im going to try to go to both sides of the falls im going to have to get both visas anyway, no?
Yes, but i wouldn't pay that much just to see the Brazilian side. I went to Rio too, making it worth it. If you'll spend a few days in Brazil then it's worth it. Did you read my or Ya'alili's TRs?

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Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #306 on: May 23, 2014, 12:12:05 AM »
ya i have read through both (really great TR's btw, thanks!), but now starting to actually plan my trip.

as of now I have a one way jfk-gru  - in TAM F on a wednesday night right after tisha b'av, and deciding how to divide 6-7 days, hoping to come back the following tuesday night or wednesday. would really like to do the falls, but trying decide what makes the sense for other days and which days to do what. BA, SP and Rio are all options but figured just to do one or two of those (in addition to the falls), not all 3. any guidance is really very much appreciated

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #307 on: May 23, 2014, 12:14:38 AM »
ya i have read through both (really great TR's btw, thanks!), but now starting to actually plan my trip.

as of now I have a one way jfk-gru  - in TAM F on a wednesday night right after tisha b'av, and deciding how to divide 6-7 days, hoping to come back the following tuesday night or wednesday. would really like to do the falls, but trying decide what makes the sense for other days and which days to do what. BA, SP and Rio are all options but figured just to do one or two of those (in addition to the falls), not all 3. any guidance is really very much appreciated
SP is the least touristy which is why I left it out, but Rio will be a zoo because of the world Cup. Hmmm

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Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #308 on: May 23, 2014, 12:18:48 AM »
This is august so I thought World Cup mess should be over. Recent headlines had me a little scared about rio and I'm already flying into SP but maybe well do rio anyway... Just gota work out timing. I don't think my days (wed-tues) are ideal, but they're what I have

Offline Joe4007

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Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #309 on: May 23, 2014, 12:21:39 AM »
Probably not, GIYF.
There are some reports of people getting through the border without it, but based on my experience I wouldn't risk it.
Yes, but i wouldn't pay that much just to see the Brazilian side. I went to Rio too, making it worth it. If you'll spend a few days in Brazil then it's worth it.
The visa is valid for 10 years or so. If he's considering stopping in SP for a day + the Brazilian side of the falls + he can use it for the next 10 years, I would say it's worth the extra $160.

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #310 on: May 23, 2014, 12:22:50 AM »
There are some reports of people getting through the border without it, but based on my experience I wouldn't risk it. The visa is valid for 10 years or so. If he's considering stopping in SP for a day + the Brazilian side of the falls + he can use it for the next 10 years, I would say it's worth the extra $160.
True.

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Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #311 on: May 23, 2014, 12:28:06 AM »
no plans to go back, and read mixed reports about either not needing a visa for a day visitor, or maybe getting one there (for much cheaper), but thought I read upthread it wasnt worth the risk going without getting a visa before, but also thought i read it was really worth seeing falls from both sides...

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #312 on: May 23, 2014, 01:42:12 AM »
no plans to go back, and read mixed reports about either not needing a visa for a day visitor, or maybe getting one there (for much cheaper), but thought I read upthread it wasnt worth the risk going without getting a visa before, but also thought i read it was really worth seeing falls from both sides...
The views are better from Brazil, but there's so much more to see on the Argentina side that it's not worth it to go to the Brazilian side just for the views (especially if you don't have these and risk getting caught). I did the boat ride from Argentina and the views from there are nearly as good as the views from Brazil, the only difference is that in Brazil you are higher up and in Argentina you are at water level.

Offline Yaalili

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Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #313 on: May 23, 2014, 09:27:12 AM »
whats the best way to get around SP?

Thinking of stopping there for a day on the way to BA. seems like places we might be- the Hyatt, kosher food, tourist attractions are not so close to airport or to each other. is there great public transportation or is renting a car better? or are cabs very reasonable?

As for getting around you are probably best off taking taxis and metros. Driving in São Paulo is a huge headache, with the highest motorcycle per car ratio, and renting is not cheap either.

Offline Yaalili

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Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #314 on: May 23, 2014, 09:30:59 AM »
ya i have read through both (really great TR's btw, thanks!), but now starting to actually plan my trip.

as of now I have a one way jfk-gru  - in TAM F on a wednesday night right after tisha b'av, and deciding how to divide 6-7 days, hoping to come back the following tuesday night or wednesday. would really like to do the falls, but trying decide what makes the sense for other days and which days to do what. BA, SP and Rio are all options but figured just to do one or two of those (in addition to the falls), not all 3. any guidance is really very much appreciated

Where are you going to return from? I would probably keep Thursday in São Paulo. Though much better to be in SP for a Friday to Sunday and ba and iguassu mid week. São Paulo and Rio are they two places to be for shabbos, ideally not BA. You will love TAM F, you could read my report on that too.

Offline Yaalili

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Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #315 on: May 23, 2014, 09:32:45 AM »
no plans to go back, and read mixed reports about either not needing a visa for a day visitor, or maybe getting one there (for much cheaper)

I wouldn't risk that, take care of it in advance. Also the Argentina fee can now only be paid online.

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Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #316 on: May 23, 2014, 10:47:37 AM »
Where are you going to return from? I would probably keep Thursday in São Paulo. Though much better to be in SP for a Friday to Sunday and ba and iguassu mid week. São Paulo and Rio are they two places to be for shabbos, ideally not BA. You will love TAM F, you could read my report on that too.
Really, why not BA for shabbos?

Offline Yaalili

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Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #317 on: May 23, 2014, 10:56:26 AM »
Really, why not BA for shabbos?

I spent a shabbos in all three places. São Paulo and rio both have great chabad houses, huge kiddish, very warm style. BA was just very frum community, like davening in regular shul, nothing special about it.

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Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #318 on: May 25, 2014, 12:52:13 PM »
Thanks so much Yehoshua and yalili. I did read both of your trip reports and they have been very helpful.
I will prob return from gru as that's where I've seen more award f availability. I'm thinking just paying for the Brazil visa and doing the following- changing departure to Thursday night and being in gru fri, shabbos, Sunday morning. Then BA for Sunday night-sometime Tuesday, and then going to the falls for Tuesday night-thurs afternoon and leaving thurs night going through gru. Am I rushing too much?

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Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #319 on: May 25, 2014, 01:03:35 PM »
Thanks so much Yehoshua and yalili. I did read both of your trip reports and they have been very helpful.
I will prob return from gru as that's where I've seen more award f availability. I'm thinking just paying for the Brazil visa and doing the following- changing departure to Thursday night and being in gru fri, shabbos, Sunday morning. Then BA for Sunday night-sometime Tuesday, and then going to the falls for Tuesday night-thurs afternoon and leaving thurs night going through gru. Am I rushing too much?
I've  never been to São Paulo but that sounds good at least according to Ya'alili. I'd allow more time in BsAs for sure, and your time in Iguazu is enough. Maybe go back to BsAs and leave from there?