São Paulo is a large urban stretch of skyscrapers and pollution, inhabited by folks who are there for business; not much insofar as tourist sights (a few museums not really equal to a city of that size, etc), but clubs and restaurants (which IMO seem what they are only in comparison to the rest of the country, but none of that is what a foreign tourist with access elsewhere in the world might find remarkable).
Don't know that particular resort, but seems too much time and effort to get there for the time you had planned. Maybe if you stayed 7-10 days, with the expectation of being alone together on the property for the whole time. This resort would likely provide less opportunity for local nightlife off property too. You could likely find the privacy, property level, and romance in Buzios if you choose a property well, along with accessible nightlife.
Agreed. I sort of like Sao Paulo, but it's a place that hides the good stuff from the tourists who wander in. It really takes a lot of time to have a worthwhile visit there. And with only 10 days, you'd waste far too much time on flights to get to/from Kenoa. The Sao Paulo coast has plenty of beach resorts. If you want something lux for your honeymoon, try the Itamambuca Eco resort, located in the village with the same name, between Paraty and Ubatuba.
Don't do Buzios. It is pretty ordinary sprawling touristy place. Paraty on the other hand is lovely (although no where is perfect). I stayed at "Casa Colonial 12" and that really made my stay magical.
In Paraty have a day at Trinidad doing very little on the beach. Have another day out on the water on a boat swimming and the like. many romantic restaurants in the town. Easy bus from SP or Rio.
I am a massive urbanite so I think SP Is awesome, but I also have local friends to show me around. Rio is great, include a trip to the city centre on a week day for a visit to the famous Cafe. Stay in Ipanema, not Copacabana. Manage your expectations on hotel quality, at the $200 mark it can be less than exciting. It is an amazing city. Happy Wedding!
Oh and when booking domestic flights in/out of Rio or SP preferably use the central airports of SDU and CGH rather than GIG and GRU. This will save a considerable amount of time in travel
. Paraty on the other hand is lovely (although no where is perfect). I stayed at "Casa Colonial 12" and that really made my stay magical.
All a matter of taste. Personally, I think Paraty is a fairly twee tourist trap, the architecture unremarkable and everything overpriced. If it's your first exposure to colonial architecture maybe it's more likely to float your boat. It's singular advantage is its proximity to Trindade (note the spelling).
Anyway that's all rather moot if you aren't going there.
As others have said São Paulo is really somewhere that rewards a longer stay, some local knowledge and or local connections. Gastronomically, it's superb. Of course if you are looking for traditionally Brazilian dishes you can eat to your hearts content in Rio.
Stay in Ipanema, not Copacabana.
Why? Again it's purely a matter of taste. I find Ipanema relatively sterile and Copacabana has a wider cross section of life. Your mileage may vary.
I found Paraty to be quite a tourist trap as well. It was ok to walk around for an hour or so. Then it got quite boring. The nearby town of Trindade and boat trips are the best things about Paraty.
Ipanema/Copacabana/Leblon/Botafogo/Santa Tereza....its a matter of taste.... I've stayed at most of the Zona Sul beach places....I prefer Ipanema mainly due to it being a bit more cleaner than Copa. I'm a beach person, and find the beaches in Copacabana are just downright dirty. But you do get a bigger cross section - which I agree. Again, its a matter of taste. And you should be able to find something in your price point across the suburbs.
Consider staying in Botafogo and going to Leblon beach. A little less crazy, and Botafogo is an actual neighborhood.
Copacabana is also an "actual" neighborhood, as several of my "actual Carioca" friends who grew up there and/or live there currently can attest. :-)
Less is more... I'd probably do:
Rio
Buzios
Buenos Aires
(Another place near BA)
If Ushuaia is hard to get to..take a night bus from BA to Mendoza (vineyards, etc..) Or, take a day ferry from Buenos Aires to Colonia, Uruguay, a romantic little town and UNESCO heritage site. Just 1-3 hours away!
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