The Unofficial Travel Guide to Brazil 2014

[EduRiker]

Let me put this way, Im pumped for this World Cup and I think the world will now begin to trully understand what Brazil is all about.
As a brazilian, Im sad that our tourism effort is pathetic. I mean, I heard a few years ago that countries like Vietnam and Bahrein were receiving more visitors than Brazil. Nothing against these nations, but Brazil has A LOT more to offer.
So, in order to inspire some of you to come to Brazil 2014 and/or Rio 2016 I´ll be posting some informations about the country and the cities that are going to host the games. Feel free to join the discussion and to ask anything, Im sure me and the others brazilians on the board will be more than happy to reply.

So, these are the cities that will host the games. Im going to post about everyone of the.

http://www.castelinho38.com/blogger/uploaded_images/cidades-copa-2014-brasil-765341.jpg

Brazil is the biggest country in South America. It borders every other country of the continent except Chile and Ecuador.

Brazil is very much a country of contrasts. When someone hears the word Brazil, one thinks of the great Amazon forest, fantastic beaches, great soccer players, Carnival time - and that's all. Well, Brazil, the most important country in South America, certainly has MUCH more to offer - warm people, great cities with everything from slums to high technology, a wide range of weather patterns, an awesome mixture of cultures and races - and much more.

Im doing this in parts over the next days.

[EduRiker]

Belo Horizonte

Belo Horizonte, a Portuguese name meaning "beautiful horizon", is the third largest metropolitan area in Brazil. You'll find this city at about 2/3 of the way from Brasilia to Rio. It is the capital of Minas Gerais state. The name means Beautiful Horizon. The city of Belo Horizonte was completely built on a plan corresponding to that of Washington D.C., with a very long highway circling the whole city. It is considered to be one of the cities with the best quality of life in Latin America. Belo Horizonte was founded in 1897 and is Brazil’s third largest city with a population of some 2.5 million inhabitants and over 5.1 million inhabitants in metropolitan area. The city is also a leading cultural center, with more than three universities, a historical museum, numerous libraries, and sports stadiums.

Belo is built on several hills and completely surrounded by mountains. The constant rising and falling of the streets sometimes makes navigation a bit tricky, but the wide avenues lined with trees are always easy guidelines. Unfortunately, the growth of the population has been bigger than anticipated 100 years ago. So there's a lot of poorly built architecture and slums, but also still some excellent colonial buildings. You should not miss the fin-de siecle buildings around the Praca da Liberdade and the market on Av. Afonso Pena, each sunday.

Located about 100 kms from Belo Horizonte you will find the charming city of Ouro preto (which means "Black Gold"), a colonial city with great churches and impressive pieces of work.

http://www.copa2014.turismo.gov.br/export/sites/default/copa/guia_sedes/Belo_Horizonte/imagens_bh/007_001_541.jpg_1503189237.jpg

http://www.copa2014.turismo.gov.br/export/sites/default/copa/guia_sedes/Belo_Horizonte/imagens_bh/007_001_538.jpg_1503189237.jpg

http://www.copa2014.turismo.gov.br/export/sites/default/copa/guia_sedes/Belo_Horizonte/imagens_bh/007_001_506.jpg_1503189237.jpg

The Project

http://www.copa2014.turismo.gov.br/export/sites/default/copa/guia_sedes/Belo_Horizonte/imagens_bh/Belo_Horizonte_-_Mineirao.jpg_1503189237.jpg

http://www.copa2014.turismo.gov.br/export/sites/default/copa/guia_sedes/Belo_Horizonte/imagens_bh/Mineirao_Vista_06.jpg_1503189237.jpg

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaRXjAbOCic&feature=player_embedded

If any mod knows how to put a direct link to the video, I would appreciate it.

[scott]

Cool thread. I'm set up for alerts as soon as tickets go on sale. Hoping I can make it.

[nkdlunch]

Well, Brazil, the most important country in South America,

...and the brazilian BS officially starts :rolleyes

[The Gemini Method]

Way cool thread! Thanks EduR...I plan on making it to Brazil in '14 and will keep an eye on this thread as to which cities may be best to catch a match at.

[ffadicted]

Keep up the good work man, but I'm disapointed that you failed to mention the most important part about Belo. Comida Mineira :hungry:

Also, Ouro Preto is good, but Tiradentes is my favorite place in Minais. Such a sweet little town

[sefant77]

I spend 4-5 months a year in Belo Horizonte.

Nice city, nice clima, less dangerous than the other big cities, great going out district (Savassi, kind of like Lapa in Rio). Just the beach is so damn far away.

Ouro Preto is a nice city to spend 1-3 days.

Comida Mineira made me fat and killed my sixpack :depressed

The stadium is a old concret shithole, lets see how they transform it. They wanna do it kind of like Berlin (same with Maracana).

[The Gemini Method]

I think if I do go, I will stay probably in the coastal cities and attend games there. I'm not sure though since were a ways away!

[EduRiker]

...and the brazilian BS officially starts :rolleyes

I dont want to sound slow but are you saying Brazil ISN´T the most important country in South America? Just checking.

[nkdlunch]

I dont want to sound slow but are you saying Brazil ISN´T the most important country in South America? Just checking.

most important in what way? I think they are most important in many aspects but not all aspects.

[Borosai]

I would definitely like to make it down there in 2014, and it would also be a very good reason to learn Brazilian Portuguese.

[Phenomanul]

Awesome thread :tu

[MannyIsGod]

Cool thread. I'm set up for alerts as soon as tickets go on sale. Hoping I can make it.

Thinking about making the trip as well. Jess and I were discussing it last night.

[Phenomanul]

I'll likely go if both the U.S.A. and Mexico qualify...

Have to save like $20 per paycheck to have enough for the trip+lodging+game tickets etc...