Hi all - I’m heading to Rio de Janeiro for Carnival and then São Paulo for a couple days afterwards. Looking for some recommendations and places to avoid:
For Rio, I’m planning to do
- Pedra de Gavea hike
- Christ the Redeemer… See more

I would choose Iguazu Falls over Sao Paolo, both the Brazillian and Argentinian side.

Jacqueli fffff - I totally would but it’s a bit further out. My flight back to Canada is through Sao Paolo

Stay by Ipanema, much nicer than copacabana area

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It is hard to know places to avoid in Rio because the safe and risky areas are often intertwined. We stayed in Copacabana, and it was safe even walking at night (but I am Brazilian, and my husband blends in sort of). Ask the concierge for areas you should avoid and only take recommendation from the hotel staff. Don't buy excursions offered on the street, don't ask for information on the streets (go to any store, hotel etc). Always have some money to give in case someone 'asks'. I've been to Rio a few times, but my husband only once - never had issues, but have friends who got mugged, and others who ended up in the middle of a dangerous favela by accident. We stayed two full days only, and did most of the main turistic places (all the ones in your list, minus the hike, we used the tram in the Suggar Loaf). Try to buy tickets for all attractions ahead of your arrival, bc some of them like the Christ, have a limit of visitors per day, and I bet Carnival is the busiest time of the year.

I heard the sunset at Gavea a is smth out of this world, but I didn't get the chance to see it. Take loads of water and Gatorade, the sun and temperatures at this time of the year are no joke. Plan your indoor activities for between 11 am and 2 pm. I'd recommend a visit to Confeitaria Colombo (a piece of Brazilian history) and dinner in Santa Teresa (where the old trams/street cars run). Try to find a group you can do these things with. If you are into nature (assuming got the hikes and the outdoor itinerary) I suggest you visit Arraial do Cabo, which is within Rio de Janeiro state (Rio is the name of the state and of the capital city) it is a short drive going north. Sao Paulo is very urban, good night life, restaurants and clubs...if you think you'd not go back to those areas, might be worth to visit now, otherwise I'd venture Arraial do Cabo. You could stretch to Búzios, which is close tô Arraial. Foz do Iguaçu is breathtaking, it is a bit out of the way, but if you have time go for it. I am from Florianópolis (Google It
If you are into nature, hikes and all sorts of sports it is a great destination, way safer than Rio and with a fair amount of international tourists and expats living there.

Adriana arraial do Cabo seems doable - it looks beautiful! Can your recommend any buses that can take us directly there?
Also what your your thoughts on visiting pacified favelas?
Thanks for your recommendations!

Are you going by yourself? In Rio you could go to Museu do amanhã, the area is beautiful has gráfico walls that are unbelievable, I would also take a look at the museum at least from the outside and go around that area. For night life, I would go to a bar at Lapa, they have live music and it’s awesome. In rio I did a boat tour with ddr tour near Urla and it kind of went around Baia de Guanabara and it was amazing , I highly recommend and if you wanna see the favelas they can take you there as well.
In Sao Paulo I would recommend Avenida Paulista since it’s the most famous street in Brazil, Liberdade (Brazil has the largest japanese population outside of Japan, and this is their hood), mercado municipal, vila madalena for night life specially close to Carnaval (many would say that this carnaval is better than Rios) and etc but if you are into clubs I would say avenida Augusta is famous for them. (Anthony Bordain has a good episode on sp). I would also choose a place close to the blue, green, yellow subway stations lines to stay. Sp is huuuuuge and traffic is the worst, so you want to make sure you are close to the main things.

Thanks for the tip on the subway!!