Sampa City - Sao Paulo

Often underrated in contrast to Brazilian cities along the coast, São Paulo’s megalopolis is by no means your average Latin American city.

There is never a dull moment in Sampa city, where businesses bustle and bars even more so! São Paulo City has: 90,000 events per year, 10 football stadiums (once the Arena São Paulo is finished!), 110 museums, 15,000 bars, 160 theaters, 410 hotels and 12,500 restaurants, some of which have been named the best in the world.  

Beyond that, the city has a number of green spaces, trails for hiking, and sprawling parks throughout. The city is filled with diverse people hailing from all over the country and the world, so in any given moment, you can walk down Avenida Paulista and hear a number of languages spoken or find all sorts of cuisine from different parts of the country. Ready to visit yet?


Who is playing in Sao Paulo:

Opening Match!
Brazil x Croatia

Uruguay x England
Netherlands x Chile
South Korea x Belgium

The international airport is in the city of Guarulhos (GRU) and is about 20 km away from the stadium.

What we can offer:

Local Knowledge

Native Brazilians who have an understanding of different foreign cultures through international travel and residence - allowing then to understand tourists' needs better than most!

Local guides

We have a network of locals who know the city like the back of their hands and have a variety of interests and professions!

Tours

We like to take visitors exploring the local life style. Take the metro and walk the streets of the city to feel the real vibe and energy São Paulo has to offer. Go to local eateries that are off the beaten track and have some fun with our clubber guides.

Transfers

Anything from executive transfers and all day tours with English speaking drivers at your disposal to advice on how to take less expensive transport in and out of the city to other destinations and airports.

Hotel Bookings

We have a close relationship with hotels hostels and guest houses in the city and can help you find accommodation that suits your needs and preferences. The service industry in São Paul is amongst the best in Brazil and we'll make sure you get the top quality service you deserve.

Pictures By Humberto Hirochi

#maninbrazil is a project by Travel Concept Solution

 Contact Us for all your World Cup Bookings 

Brazilian Banks Are A Mystery!

Don't be fooled by Visa and MasterCard signs as they mean nothing!!

This is my second trip to Brazil in 12 months and on my first trip I spent half a day in Rio trying to find an ATM that would except my bank card! 

Finally I found an HSBC (The Worlds Bank) and it worked, So When I arrived on my second visit I of course headed straight to the HSBC at São Paulo airport.

Imagine my confusion when it didn't work and the confused look on my face as after a long flight I stood there thinking "I am sure it was HSBC"

After a few minutes of confusion and thoughts of oh shit! I tried Bradesco Bank and the ATM happily gave me cash so thinking I must have got it wrong with HSBC next time I needed cash I headed to Bradesco Bank which is where the mystery begins......

Depending on the bank, The ATM, The way you put in your details or simply the mood the machine is in depends on whether or not it will give you cash at what ever bank you try! even if it displays the Visa/MasterCard sign.

This mystery is so confusing that if there are 4 ATMs at one bank try them all as one might just work. 

There are 3 main banks in Brazil that except international cards HSBC, Bradesco and Banco Do Brazil and I suggest when you find one that works and draw more money than you need as it might take a day or two to find another.

In one town I visited during this trip there was a Banco Do Brazil branch with 4 ATM's none of which worked, Neither did the HSBC or the Bradesco which led me to find out this is a common problem and I was tipped off about a small Banco Do Brazil ATM in a shopping mall that worked.

If you are reading this and thinking you will be fine because you bank at HSBC think again because you wont! as I met one guy who speaks Portuguese and has a UK HSBC account and he couldn't even get the bank in São Paulo to explain why his card wouldn't work in Brazil.

Be warned if you travel to small towns there may only be one bank that wont give you cash!

 #maninbrazil is a project by Travel Concept Solution

Contact Us for all your World Cup Bookings  

Copacabana Vs Ipanema

When thinking of Rio you will of course think of its famous beaches as the top place to stay during your World Cup trip.

The most famous beaches are of course Copacabana and Ipanema! 

Both are Long, Both have songs written about them (well one about its women) So whats the difference when trying to decide where to stay? 

Copacabana 

Probably the most famous beach in Brazil never mind Rio, Very busy with a great view of the equally famous Sugar Loaf Mountain. It has bars/restaurants (cabañas) every 100 meters which are busy until late in the evening, plus even a night market every evening until midnight.

The Suburb

The suburb itself is also very busy all day and all night with people and lots of traffic. This is where you will find a good mix of local and more upscale restaurants and bars, but like many suburbs in Rio there is a favela (slum/township) very close by which gives it its local flavor but also its edge at night.

Accommodation Options

Hotels, Guest Houses, Apartments, Hostels 

Transport

The transport links are good with many buses to the city centre and other attractions in Rio and of course the main bus station.

Copacabana also have metro stations that will link you with The Maracana stadium with only one change of trains. 

   

Ipanema

Is basically connected to Copacabana by a 200m stretch of main road ( so you can easily walk and enjoy them both ) The beach isn't as long or as busy as Copacabana but still has bars (cabañas) every 100m. They are less developed than the ones on Copacabana with a local feel (they don't offer food) and where you can buy a cheap beer or a caparihina and enjoy on of the most famous sunsets in the world.

The Suburb

This is where the rich and famous hang out! The streets are tree lined with good expensive hotels and restaurants on every block not to mention the designer clothes shops and boutiques.

Expect to pay more for everything in Ipanema as its definitely not as local as Copacobana as the local bars are replaced with designers shops.

You will feel safer in Ipanema at night but still be cautious.

Accommodation Options

Hotels, Guest Houses, Apartments, Hostels 

Transport  

The transport links are the same as Copacabana with lots of buses but as you need to fight your way through the Ipanema and Copacobana traffic any journey to other parts of the city will take longer.   

They are currently extending the Metro so by the time of the World Cup Ipanema should have metro stations.

The Verdict

Depending on your budget and considering everything is already expensive expect Ipanema to be stupid money and over priced but if you can afford it and want to live like the rich and famous Ipanema is my top choice over Copacobana. BUT! Thats'  if you can afford it.

Having stayed in both I can say there is nothing wrong with Copacabana if you want a more of a local experience and better value for money, although it is expected to be still over priced.

Regardless of which one you choose you can enjoy all that both can offer as they are so close to each other and both are expected to have big screen public viewing areas.

We strive to work with locals to get you the best prices and give you the best Brazil experience.

Please contact #maninbrazil for all your World Cup needs and follow @simlewis via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram

#maninbrazil is a project by Travel Concept Solution

Contact Us for all your World Cup Bookings 

Learn The Lingo Or Go With The Locals In Brazil

When you arrive in Sao Paulo or anywhere in Brazil for that matter you will find nobody speaks English and if they do it might be very very basic.

If you are not working on your Brazilian Portuguese its a great idea to find locals who speak English that can help you in planning your World Cup trip or helping you enjoy it when you arrive plus of course get the best prices

Starting with Sao Paulo #maninbrazil can connect you with real locals who know their city its sights and its nightlife.

So What can your "local" help you with....

Hotels, Apartments & Home stays

Day Tours and Transport Advice 

Plus Of Course Nights Out!!

We strive to work with locals to get you the best prices and give you the best Brazil experience.

Please contact #maninbrazil for all your World Cup needs and follow @simlews via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram

 #maninbrazil is a project by Travel Concept Solution

Contact Us for all your World Cup Bookings 

The Luck Of The Draw

When thinking of a trip to Brazil for the World Cup of course you think RIO!

Although England have not been drawn to play in Rio during the group stages (they will in the next round if they come 2nd in the group) Rio is still one of the places you can visit for a few days.

When flying from Europe the best place to fly into is Sao Paulo. Which is Brazils biggest city and Airport therefore the best place to get connecting flights to Manaus for England first game against Italy.

Manaus is another 5 hr expensive flight north from Sao Paulo which might mean for some the best option would be to arrive in Brazil for Englands second game against Uruguay.

If this is the case we would suggest the following as a good way to keep your travel cost down and still have a great experience in Brazil.

Arrive Sao Paulo 18th June

England V Uruguay 19th June (Sao Paulo)

2 Nights - Sao Paulo 18th - 19th June

Depart Sao Paulo - Rio 20th June

4 Nights - Rio 20th - 21st - 22nd - 23rd

England v Costa Rica 24th June (Belo Horizonte)

2 night Belo Horizonte 24th - 25th 

Connecting to each city can be done with a 1 hour flight or an 8 hour bus journey (max) 

Depending on the results of the group fans can then head back to Sao Paulo and fly home, head back to Rio for the second round if we come 2nd or fly to Recife if we top the group (as overland travel will not be practical given the distance needed to travel.

Contact Us for more info and follow #maninbrazil via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

 #maninbrazil is a project by Travel Concept Solution

Contact Us for all your World Cup Bookings 

Make sure you plan to stay in Sao Paulo

As an English traveller to Brazil for the World Cup you will have to fly via Sao Paulo and of course England will play Uruguay here on the 19th June.

If your team isn't playing in Sao Paulo you might well feel like skipping it, as at first glance there is little reason to stop and check out Latin Americas biggest sprawling metropolis.

Sao Paulo is just that BIG! A crazy city with very little to see and do if you are just looking to tick off some tourist attractions but as an experience its one that is well worth having.

A lot of English fans may consider basing themselves in Rio and flying (1 hour flight) or bussing (7 hours) in and out of Sao Paulo for the game.

Sao Paulo is an experience all in itself, a cultural melting pot driven by money and business, that gives it an edge that's for sure, but if you do scratch the surface you will find art, culture and nightlife all worth experiencing. So plan a night out! 

When I told my friends in I was planning on staying in Sao Paulo for a week they of course asked "why" but I can say after extending my stay to 10 days I hardly scratched the surface of what this city's has to offer and I am sad to leave.

Sao Paulo has everything:

Art

Culture

Architecture 

Night Life 

Great Food!!

Plus of Course Brazil's Football Museum.

Follow my 2 month #maninbrazil trip via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

 #maninbrazil is a project by Travel Concept Solution

Contact Us for all your World Cup Bookings 

Follow England: World Cup 2014

We travelled Brazil for 2 months travelling to some of the host cities creating Social Media content and blogging about the things to do in each city if you only have a short time there 

Firstly we travelled to the cities where England will play (maybe not Manaus)

England will play in the group stages:

14th June: England v Italy (Manaus) 

19th June: England v Uruguay (Sao Paulo)

24th June: England v Costa Rica (Belo Horizonte)

Manaus

The city is in the middle of the Amazon and has a population of nearly 2 million people. If you do plan to travel to Manaus it will sure be an experience but because of its location and distance from anywhere else flying is your only option. Manaus is a 5 hour flight from Sao Paulo and in another time zone! not to mention the tropical heat.

Sao Paulo

This city is just big! Latin Americas biggest city with a population of around 25 Million . On the surface there is little to see but if you scratch the surface you will find great nightlife and culture worth experiencing plus the best place to fly into for your Brazil World Cup trip.

Belo Horizonte 

As Brazil is so huge Belo Horizonte is actually a great next city to go to as its only (and I say only) an 8 hour bus journey from Sao Paulo or a 1 hour flight. Belo isn't on the coast but is a student city that has the highest number of bars in Brazil so expect a great night out.

Rio

Any trip to Brazil wouldn't be complete without a trip to the beach and if England finish 2nd in the group we will play our next game in the Maracana!

If we finish top we will need to head to Recife which would be another long flight so consider Rio as a great place to even watch a game on the big screen even if we are not playing in it :( 

More updates and info to follow in the coming months so make sure you follow our blog 

and @simlewis on twitter or #maninbrazil 

 #maninbrazil is a project by Travel Concept Solution

 Contact Us for all your World Cup Bookings