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 268854 times)

Offline Yaalili

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 12764
  • Total likes: 473
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 157
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Crown Heights, NY
Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #440 on: September 19, 2014, 01:04:25 AM »
Nice!
This thread has been sorely lacking one. I'll add to it when I can get around to it.


Wow, thanks! I guess after spending so long there you probably have the most up to date and comprehensive info. I don't think I can add much. Nice job!

Thanks Yehoshua for taking initiative to start up the thread. Jaywhy can't wait for the rest of the TR!

Offline Yehoshua

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 10172
  • Total likes: 213
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Los Angeles, CA
Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #441 on: September 19, 2014, 01:05:35 AM »

Thanks Yehoshua for taking initiative to start up the thread. Jaywhy can't wait for the rest of the TR!
I wish I could have added more.

Offline MEIR613

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Aug 2012
  • Posts: 4593
  • Total likes: 6
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 7
    • View Profile
Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #442 on: September 19, 2014, 07:05:05 AM »
In SP, Via Babush had pretty good sushi.

It's basically all you can eat of sushi for $20.

Offline Dan

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 50K Diamond Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 67598
  • Total likes: 16909
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16442
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: CLE
  • Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL Dirt, Hyatt Glob, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, DD Diamond, Blocked By @NeriaKraus
Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #443 on: September 19, 2014, 08:54:01 AM »
How can you tell when upcoming Pizza Braz kosher nights are scheduled?
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 Yaalili

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 12764
  • Total likes: 473
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 157
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Crown Heights, NY
Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #444 on: September 19, 2014, 11:30:24 AM »
In SP, Via Babush had pretty good sushi.

It's basically all you can eat of sushi for $20.

Yes they do, they announce them always on facebook when it will be.

How can you tell when upcoming Pizza Braz kosher nights are scheduled?

You can check on Koshermap.br or with Bayit who gives the Hechsher for the night. This past years it was almost always the first Monday of the month.

Beit Lubavitch Rio (Leblon) also arranges a kosher Pizzaria Braz once a month, usually second Tuesday of the month, they announce on Facebook. The one they do it in is in the Jardim Botanico area of Rio north of the Lagoa. Address is Rua Maria Angelica 129.

Offline Yaalili

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 12764
  • Total likes: 473
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 157
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Crown Heights, NY
Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #445 on: September 19, 2014, 12:49:35 PM »
Added a lot more inside, for activities can we just put links to TA and Wiki? ;)

Offline Dr Moose

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Nov 2013
  • Posts: 4195
  • Total likes: 180
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #446 on: September 19, 2014, 12:57:15 PM »
don't forget to update this thread
Hey there! I am using DansDeals Forums.

Offline Yaalili

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 12764
  • Total likes: 473
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 157
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Crown Heights, NY
Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #447 on: September 19, 2014, 01:35:34 PM »
don't forget to update this thread

I did, thanks. But Isn't that your job to update the adopt a wiki thread? :) jk..

Offline Dan

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 50K Diamond Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 67598
  • Total likes: 16909
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16442
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: CLE
  • Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL Dirt, Hyatt Glob, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, DD Diamond, Blocked By @NeriaKraus
Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #448 on: September 19, 2014, 02:45:29 PM »
Loving the Wiki, keep it coming!
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 Yaalili

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 12764
  • Total likes: 473
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 157
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Crown Heights, NY
Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #449 on: September 19, 2014, 02:57:14 PM »
Loving the Wiki, keep it coming!

Thanks, I am sure it will help with your upcoming trip.

Offline Yehoshua

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 10172
  • Total likes: 213
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Los Angeles, CA
Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #450 on: September 19, 2014, 03:01:32 PM »
Loving the Wiki, keep it coming!
Really, your going back? Nice. Where to?

Offline Yaalili

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 12764
  • Total likes: 473
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 157
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Crown Heights, NY
Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #451 on: September 19, 2014, 04:33:33 PM »
Really, your going back? Nice. Where to?

Was mentioned in multiple other thread. See TAM first class and others.

Offline Yehoshua

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 10172
  • Total likes: 213
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Los Angeles, CA
Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #452 on: September 19, 2014, 04:42:01 PM »
Was mentioned in multiple other thread. See TAM first class and others.
Thanks. I've been wanting to go back ever since I left.

Offline Yaalili

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 12764
  • Total likes: 473
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 157
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Crown Heights, NY
Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #453 on: September 21, 2014, 05:02:27 AM »
In this wiki update, all restaurants in SP and RJ contact information were added. Also added approximate walking distances from hotels to nearest Chabad House / Shul.

Offline Yaalili

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 12764
  • Total likes: 473
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 157
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Crown Heights, NY
Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #454 on: October 13, 2014, 08:15:53 PM »
Florianopolis Trip Report - July 2014
Flights from Sao Paulo to FLN are usually very reasonable, so it didn't pay to fly using miles. We were a group of four. Tickets from SAO to FLN were about $60 a pop on Avianca Brazil. Flight was nice, they showed "f*r*i*e*n*d*s" on the overhead screen, and the came around passing out (non-kosher) sandwiches for the short 1 hour flight. Landing at FLN is a beautiful experience, you have the ocean, the mountains and the gorgeous city of FLN. The airport is tiny, you walk from the plane to the terminal where there were two baggage belts and that was it. Taxis were waiting outside, the fare from the airport to the hostel where we were staying in Barra Lagoa was R$55 on a meter, other places more north can be a lot more money than that.

We stayed at Aloha Barra Lagoa, bookable on booking website for just R$30 per person per night. The hostel is located just 1 block from the beach, and in a very small laid-back beach community. Beds were comfortable, and they had a fruits, coffee and juice for complimentary breakfast every morning.

After we got settled into our place, it was already about 3 pm. We went to the local Barra Lagoa Beach, which like all the beaches during off season, was empty. Water was cool to even quite cold, though not freezing rather refreshing. If you make a left at the beach like we did, you can continue going on for miles and miles of beach coast, and you would have to backtrack the way you came, because there is no other exit there, there is a huge forest near the beach with no roads through it from there.

A few hours later we were back to where we started, and we took the pedestrian bridge across the water to the hills of Barra Lagoa, the streets there are really interesting, no cars at all, just curvy alleys that are called streets there. The famous American Barra Beach Club is located there, and a bunch of other hostels. Fair warning: If you have a fear of loose dogs, you might want to rethink going to FLN, they are everywhere you look! The people there say that in certain beach communities there are more stray dogs than people. And in some areas in the hills you can cross paths with them a lot with no where else to go :) - Though after a while you may just get used to them. Most of them keep to their own business.

At night we took a bus into town - don't do it. Very sleepy city at night, was a waste of time. Though there were a few decent bars and pubs there in the area. Once we came back it was already quite late and we headed straight to bed before another full day.

The next morning, we hiked south through the mountain to Mole Beach. The hike was on the side of the highway, and gets very steep at certain points as the road cuts through the mountain. About halfway between Barra and Mole there was an overlook (mirante) over the huge lake, which was nice to stop by. Another 15 minutes and we were at Mole, the most popular beach on the island. Mole is beautiful, and offers many activities during peak season in December,  the whole beach had maybe 15 other people (and some dogs) when we were there. After some swimming and beach rock climbing there, we continued our hike south to Joaquina sand dunes and beach.

Joaquina Dunes were a highlight of the trip. Huge mountain filled with sand, and at the top offered a great different view of FLN. The adjacent beach at Joaquina is beautiful too, one of the nicest that I have seen. Seemed also a lot more popular with the locals, as this beach has quite a few people there, not packed, but was a lot fuller than the others. Definitely make sure to hit this place up on your trip. We took a bus back to our hostel from Joaquina, and stayed there for the night.

In the morning we woke up early to head out to the bus station to head out to our next stop on our winter-break trip, Curitiba. About a 5 hour bus ride from Florianopolis, and there were no flights between the two cities. CWB will have to wait for a future report.

Keep in mind, no kosher food at FLN, bring whatever you can before you get here, like crackers, tuna and the like. You can find fruits and veggies in the groceries anywhere you go, along with ruffles potato chips and elma nuts which are kosher, and soft drinks.

Offline Yehoshua

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 10172
  • Total likes: 213
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Los Angeles, CA
Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #455 on: October 13, 2014, 08:34:35 PM »
Nice TR. It's on my list to visit on my next trip to Brazil!

Offline ual902

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 1843
  • Total likes: 52
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #456 on: October 13, 2014, 11:48:36 PM »
Florianopolis Trip Report - July 2014
Flights from Sao Paulo to FLN are usually very reasonable, so it didn't pay to fly using miles. We were a group of four. Tickets from SAO to FLN were about $60 a pop on Avianca Brazil. Flight was nice, they showed "f*r*i*e*n*d*s" on the overhead screen, and the came around passing out (non-kosher) sandwiches for the short 1 hour flight. Landing at FLN is a beautiful experience, you have the ocean, the mountains and the gorgeous city of FLN. The airport is tiny, you walk from the plane to the terminal where there were two baggage belts and that was it. Taxis were waiting outside, the fare from the airport to the hostel where we were staying in Barra Lagoa was R$55 on a meter, other places more north can be a lot more money than that.

We stayed at Aloha Barra Lagoa, bookable on booking website for just R$30 per person per night. The hostel is located just 1 block from the beach, and in a very small laid-back beach community. Beds were comfortable, and they had a fruits, coffee and juice for complimentary breakfast every morning.

After we got settled into our place, it was already about 3 pm. We went to the local Barra Lagoa Beach, which like all the beaches during off season, was empty. Water was cool to even quite cold, though not freezing rather refreshing. If you make a left at the beach like we did, you can continue going on for miles and miles of beach coast, and you would have to backtrack the way you came, because there is no other exit there, there is a huge forest near the beach with no roads through it from there.

A few hours later we were back to where we started, and we took the pedestrian bridge across the water to the hills of Barra Lagoa, the streets there are really interesting, no cars at all, just curvy alleys that are called streets there. The famous American Barra Beach Club is located there, and a bunch of other hostels. Fair warning: If you have a fear of loose dogs, you might want to rethink going to FLN, they are everywhere you look! The people there say that in certain beach communities there are more stray dogs than people. And in some areas in the hills you can cross paths with them a lot with no where else to go :) - Though after a while you may just get used to them. Most of them keep to their own business.

At night we took a bus into town - don't do it. Very sleepy city at night, was a waste of time. Though there were a few decent bars and pubs there in the area. Once we came back it was already quite late and we headed straight to bed before another full day.

The next morning, we hiked south through the mountain to Mole Beach. The hike was on the side of the highway, and gets very steep at certain points as the road cuts through the mountain. About halfway between Barra and Mole there was an overlook (mirante) over the huge lake, which was nice to stop by. Another 15 minutes and we were at Mole, the most popular beach on the island. Mole is beautiful, and offers many activities during peak season in December,  the whole beach had maybe 15 other people (and some dogs) when we were there. After some swimming and beach rock climbing there, we continued our hike south to Joaquina sand dunes and beach.

Joaquina Dunes were a highlight of the trip. Huge mountain filled with sand, and at the top offered a great different view of FLN. The adjacent beach at Joaquina is beautiful too, one of the nicest that I have seen. Seemed also a lot more popular with the locals, as this beach has quite a few people there, not packed, but was a lot fuller than the others. Definitely make sure to hit this place up on your trip. We took a bus back to our hostel from Joaquina, and stayed there for the night.

In the morning we woke up early to head out to the bus station to head out to our next stop on our winter-break trip, Curitiba. About a 5 hour bus ride from Florianopolis, and there were no flights between the two cities. CWB will have to wait for a future report.

Keep in mind, no kosher food at FLN, bring whatever you can before you get here, like crackers, tuna and the like. You can find fruits and veggies in the groceries anywhere you go, along with ruffles potato chips and elma nuts which are kosher, and soft drinks.

 Thanks for sharing and great report, Is FLN worth a trip? or is it another MIA\CUN? I have been to IGU and GIG already.

Offline Yaalili

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 12764
  • Total likes: 473
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 157
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Crown Heights, NY
Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #457 on: October 14, 2014, 01:17:07 AM »
Nice TR. It's on my list to visit on my next trip to Brazil!

Thanks, what other places are on the list?

Thanks for sharing and great report, Is FLN worth a trip? or is it another MIA\CUN? I have been to IGU and GIG already.

I wouldn't think of it as another MIA, if any place GIG is more of a MIA. FLN is very different, calm fun and laid back beach towns, and the beaches are beautiful.

Offline Yaalili

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 12764
  • Total likes: 473
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 157
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Crown Heights, NY
Re: jaywhy's Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico Trip Report
« Reply #458 on: October 14, 2014, 01:24:12 AM »
Going for 7 nights. I think we'll just do SAO, RIO, and IGU.  Somewhat lame, but it seems that places like Manaus and Fernando de Noronha are best left for a future trip.

Major bummer is that all the good food is in SAO but there's not much to actually do in SAO.

At least we have 10 years to return on this visa...

Keep saving the best for later :) - SAO has a lot to do, maybe not as "attractiony" as RIO or IGU, but there are great street market open on the weekends, friday vinte cinco and downtown you can go up to the observatory for free, great shopping at upscale oscar freire in jardins, go to a soccer game, that would be a great thing to do in SAO or RIO, nothing like a soccer match in Brazil, even if it is not your go to sport and you won't understand much, it is crazy fun atmosphere there. Markets like republica and the great fruit market open on Sundays etc.. Lots of stuff there that could be lots of fun. I would go there from like Thursday (or even Wednesday) through Sunday. Don't stay there for Monday, as most of the city closes down on Mondays. - Consider this my mini TR for now of SAO. Though this is just a fraction of the great stuff that there are to do there, there is a whole lot more, can share with you my shutterfly photo book if you want.

Offline ual902

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 1843
  • Total likes: 52
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Brazil Master Thread
« Reply #459 on: October 14, 2014, 02:20:30 AM »


I wouldn't think of it as another MIA, if any place GIG is more of a MIA. FLN is very different, calm fun and laid back beach towns, and the beaches are beautiful.

Thanks will take note of that-