Post: #126

I think it won't be dangerous to foreigners. Brazilians are very open with tourists, so probably they will be very happy if you guys join the protests

But I'm not sure if we will have such protests, everything still "cloudy" yet. It all started with the raise of bus fare in the last year, probably it will happen this year again (the raise), but the protests are not confirmed yet.

Post: #127

(01-02-2014 12:33 AM)TheFunto Wrote:  hey I live in Rio, gonna be around the city for the world cup obviously so I guess any cool company we can find is gonna be fun. Let's keep in touch for the month and we can visit some cool night and venues.

(01-01-2014 08:09 PM)kaka Wrote:  

(12-08-2013 03:12 PM)OMYG Wrote:  @kaka
Would you mind to share a little more info on the place you locked down? Is it a hostel an apartment and how are the rates, Ive had no luck and I plan to be there for 2 weeks or so depending if I get match tickets or not.

My bad for the late reply, but I managed to lock down an apartment using airbnb.

Yes, 90% of the host there are overcharging, but through persistence and belief, I was able to find a nice host who was willing to rent their apartment for the full month on a reasonable price.

Many were charging around $8,000 starting for a 2 bedroom but I managed to find mine for about half that price about 10-15mins away from Ipanema beach. 2bdr apartments in Copa, Leblon, and Ipa are going for $10k+ and many for flat out burgarly around $20k. I flat out told those host it was stupid, in a more generous economically-themed message, of course.

I've also rented a car through expedia (to make sure I get proper insurance in case something happens down there).
My host was offering there car, but I figured I'd rather be safe with having a rental than theirs.

I PM'd you, TheFunto.
Sounds good

Post: #128

I've also read reports about a huge group in Brasi that functions out of the brasilian prisons, that if the government of Brasil moves their leaders to a sanctioned prison, then they will see a bloody world cup. Kind of has me concerned here, but basic street smarts need to be applied. That goes for any corner of the world you travel to, no?

Post: #129

According to this article, Brazil is expecting 600,000 foreign visitors during the WC. It seems like a big number, but there are 12 cities hosting matches, so it's not a big impact on a per-city basis. I'd guess 2-5% population increase for a host city.

Post: #130

Who are the definite members traveling to Brasil, specifically Rio or nearby?
This also includes the members already living there.

It would be fun to meet up during the world cup

Post: #131

6 out of 12 stadiums unfinished as of Mid-Jan 2014. Curitiba specifically on the hot seat....

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-25836217

Post: #132

(01-12-2014 05:52 PM)kaka Wrote:  Who are the definite members traveling to Brasil, specifically Rio or nearby?
This also includes the members already living there.

It would be fun to meet up during the world cup

In like flint for Brasilia: Swiss v Ecuador, Colombia v Ivory Coast, Portugal v Ghana.
Still need to pick up tickets in person somehow.

Arrived in Goias state this month. Really enjoying this whole 'immersion' part of learning a new language. Started teaching ingles to pick up some nominal cash. Have budgeted a weekend away each month.

Tentatively....Feb: Natal
Mar: Sao Paulo
Apr: Rio
May: Not sure...Vitoria?/Foz de Iguacu?/Salvador?/Floripa?/Manaus?
Jun: Copa do Mundo

Suggestions for weekend trip location for May? Interested in finding a beach, hiking, nature stuff, surfing, animals - something like that.

Post: #133

^^^Good stuff Barry!

What city are you living in now? Goiania or Brasilia? How do you find getting around by public transport and foot in your respective locale?

Congrats on the move to Brazil btw. Floripa would be a decent choice, but you really need a week there to do all the outdoorsy stuff. It predominantly has to do with the bad logistics/public transportation slowing you down. Therefore, you'd get to visit two beaches or two locations max in Floripa (per day) while the nightlife is scattered between Lagoa da Conceicao, Centro, and Jurere Internacional (seasonal events there).

Can anyone else chime in on the other locations?

Post: #134

Im not a soccer fan at all.. never been. I don't hate it..it just isnt my game.
Would brazil even be worth going to during this time? OR do you think it would p probably be to much of a hassle logistics wise?

Post: #135

(01-28-2014 12:51 PM)Sourcecode Wrote:  Im not a soccer fan at all.. never been. I don't hate it..it just isnt my game.
Would brazil even be worth going to during this time? OR do you think it would p probably be to much of a hassle logistics wise?

That'd be a horrible time to go, lol. Overcrowded infrastructure, 60-100 dollar hotels will be 300-500 a night, expensive flights into the country & within, bad girl/guy ratios, etc etc.

Post: #136

Yes, if you don't like soccer don't come now, Everything is very expensive in Rio right now, from beer to hotels. Locals have been upset about the world cup because of that, the prices are scaring even to someone from an expensive city like London...

Post: #137

If you don't like football, do plan on enjoying yourself then during the world cup in Brasil.

I'd recommend going after the world cup in Mid-July and after.

Barry, let me know when you'll be in Rio. Also, I'd recommend Paraty, if you want exclusive beaches and a small nice town with great weather and a good vibe. I haven't personally been, but I've read up about it and many brasilians like to holiday there for their secluded beaches,etc. It's located in between the route to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.

Post: #138

A reminder to get your ticket applications in by 1/30 8am Brazilian time for this RSD period.

After this the next sales window is a FCFS window starting March 12th.

Post: #139

To be precise, "all ticket applications for the Random Selection Draw must be finalized by 12:00 CET tomorrow, January 30th. That translates into 09:00 in most of Brazil, 06:00 East Coast USA, 11:00 in the UK, and 22:00 Sydney time."

Post: #140

I definitely had my app completed a while ago. Here's to hoping that fifa will actually give me tickets to at least a few of the matches I have requested.

Post: #141

I managed to snag a flight to Sao Paolo for a few days around July 4th using miles. However, the quarter finals are in other cities: Fortaleza, Rio, Brasilia, and Salvador. Any thoughts on one versus the other? I was in Rio a few years ago for Carnaval so I'm thinking any of the other three, assuming tickets to the game there can be had.

Post: #142

(02-08-2014 10:14 PM)enfuego Wrote:  I managed to snag a flight to Sao Paolo for a few days around July 4th using miles. However, the quarter finals are in other cities: Fortaleza, Rio, Brasilia, and Salvador. Any thoughts on one versus the other? I was in Rio a few years ago for Carnaval so I'm thinking any of the other three, assuming tickets to the game there can be had.

I think ticket availability may be the biggest deciding factor. The current round (second phase) of ticketing just closed with 3.5 million ticket requests, 80% from Brazilians. Seems to me like there are enough soccer-mad Brazilians in each of the 4 quarter-final cities to result in all those matches being sold out. The next ticketing sales phase will start on March 12, so you could wait until then and see what's available for purchase.

Post: #143

Thanks. I think I'll pass on the trip in that case. Better to go after the games have been concluded.

Post: #144

Just had a weekend in Natal. Their stadium "Arena Das Dunas" looks great and is already in use by a local club. (USA will play Ghana here)
But their current airport has 4 - yes, four - security x-ray lines. They are constructing a huge airport, scheduled to open in April. Cutting it close, we will see how that goes...

Post: #145

Anyone else tentatively and anxiously counting down the days? Only about 119 days left.

Maybe it's because I have been football crazy since I learned how to walk, ha!

Post: #146

Awesome article on the vibrancy of the Portuguese language and Brazilian football:

http://roadsandkingdoms.com/2014/the-bea...-language/

Post: #147

When are the earliest WC exhibition matches?

Post: #148

(02-19-2014 03:52 PM)Hencredible Casanova Wrote:  When are the earliest WC exhibition matches?

I believe you may be referring to the group games. That is the first round of the World Cup and it starts June 12, 2014.


The group stage is first. In the group stage, all 32 countries are put into 8 groups of 4 based on their FIFA rankings, and play the 3 other countries in their group respectively. A win counts as 3 points, a draw is 1 point, and a loss is nil. At the end, the top 2 countries in each group with the most points advance into the next round. (If two teams have the same amount of points, then the goal difference comes into play)

Generally, you want your team to be #1 in their group so they can avoid playing a strong team in the next round and get matched with a #2 group seeded team.

Then it proceeds to the round of 16 knockout tournament. The quarters. The Semis, the 3rd place games are played and then the final.

Hope this helps. The tournament runs from June 12 to July 13, with the final played on July 13.

Post: #149

(02-19-2014 09:38 PM)kaka Wrote:  

(02-19-2014 03:52 PM)Hencredible Casanova Wrote:  When are the earliest WC exhibition matches?

I believe you may be referring to the group games. That is the first round of the World Cup and it starts June 12, 2014.


The group stage is first. In the group stage, all 32 countries are put into 8 groups of 4 based on their FIFA rankings, and play the 3 other countries in their group respectively. A win counts as 3 points, a draw is 1 point, and a loss is nil. At the end, the top 2 countries in each group with the most points advance into the next round. (If two teams have the same amount of points, then the goal difference comes into play)

Generally, you want your team to be #1 in their group so they can avoid playing a strong team in the next round and get matched with a #2 group seeded team.

Then it proceeds to the round of 16 knockout tournament. The quarters. The Semis, the 3rd place games are played and then the final.

Hope this helps. The tournament runs from June 12 to July 13, with the final played on July 13.

No I meant like international friendly. Are there any such games this year before the WC begins?

Post: #150

Most teams will play 2-4 matches in April and May before heading to the World Cup. The U.S. has a friendly scheduled with Mexico in Phoenix for April 2nd. Other matches are still being scheduled, but expect at least 2 exhibition games for the U.S. team with mid tier European squads in the sunbelt states in May.