[vagabond]

Hi, I've got a chance to spend a few weeks in Brazil this September. I was thinking about spending a week in Rio, then heading up north to Salavador, Fortaleza, and maybe a few days in the Amazon. I'm trying to mix up my interests in nightlife, surfing and the outdoors. I know a lot of guys on this forum have been there. Any thoughts? Will the fact that its winter have much of an effect up North? How important is it to know Portugese (I don't know any right now)? One of my friends has been there 4 times and says I might not come back, but wanted to get some other opinions as well. Thanks,

[UrbanNerd]

September is during the rainy season. Not that there will be hard torrential rains but it is constant and annoying. Still, everything else is "business as usual" as far as nightclubs...which is all I can tell you about since I do not surf.

Knowing Portuguese would be a big plus but AT LEAST take with you a phrase book so you can engage in limited conversation. Actually, if you study/prep yourself using a decent phrase book starting now, you should be OK about the time September rolls around.

Note: Make sure you get a BRAZILIAN Portuguese book. Don't get the "continental" Portuguese book (which is the European version) and use it in Brazil as only 60-70% only translates. You will end up like my very first visit to Brazil....reciting exactly out of a continental Portuguese book and the Brazilians look at you like "HUH?"....lol

[Dash Global]

I would not spend too much time in Salvador unless you like black chicks, because if thats the case that time would be much better spent in another location.

Here is what Id do...

Sao Paulo 1 week Epic Nightlife

Rio de Janerio 1 week Good mix of everything plus its Rio

Fortaleza or Natal 1 week I would consider Natal here. Not sure how good the surf here is though. Cant go wrong with either though.

Also not speaking Portuguese will be a major obstical unless u have local connect that can translate and set u up with ppl that can speak english. Now it wont be much of a problem if you try ur luck with some pros and semi pros.

[vagabond]

(06-28-2011 03:15 PM)Dash Global Wrote:  

I would not spend too much time in Salvador unless you like black chicks, because if thats the case that time would be much better spent in another location.

Here is what Id do...

Sao Paulo 1 week Epic Nightlife

Rio de Janerio 1 week Good mix of everything plus its Rio

Fortaleza or Natal 1 week I would consider Natal here. Not sure how good the surf here is though. Cant go wrong with either though.

Also not speaking Portuguese will be a major obstical unless u have local connect that can translate and set u up with ppl that can speak english. Now it wont be much of a problem if you try ur luck with some pros and semi pros.

thanks for the comments. not that into black girls so i'll probably skip salavador. Fortaleza looks good. Will knowing a little bit of Purtuguese be enough, or do you really need to have some fluency in the language?

[Dash Global]

you really need to know more than "alil bit" to game most regular grls. esp without any connects.

[Gringo]

I picked up girls the last time round in Rio who spoke no English and at the time I spoke no Portuguese bar being able to ask if they spoke English so it is possible.