Expensive, very expensive, strikes, few people who understand basic english (do not count Spanish knowledge) are disappointed and not receptive to tourists. That is my opinion to this comunity of travelers who, like me, travel with a low budge.
3
enroutesiglo
...and "they speak another language and don't even understand Spanish" doesn't change that.
6
skipperjamie
You tweeked a nerve with some Brasilians!
I agree with you 100%. Basil is too expensive for a budget traveller, unless you like living in dumps and eating rice and beans. You can pay more for a hotel in a backwater in Brasil than you would in a major centre almost any where else in the world. The brasilian palate is, in a word, primitive. Any type of spice is out of the question. It is similiar to N.A. in the 70's when Italian was exotic. Sao Paulo a world cuisine hot spot?!!
English, forget it, only educated mid twenties might speak it. Outside of the high tourist/ business areas of Rio and Sao Paulo you will have to speak portugese. Some will be surprised and others revolted by your ability.
Greed is a national trait. If there is a reason they will joyfully triple the rates and demand a set length of stay. Restuarants are as expensive as N. A. Bring lots of money and realize that you might have to shorten your stay and flee to another country to keep on budget.
7
enroutesiglo
Any type of spice is out of the question.
Oh, is that what you "read somewhere" or something? Try checking out street markets in Rio de Janeiro which are absolutely filled to the brink with spices, flavors, and dozens of varieties of chili peppers. (This image is actually from BH, same concept):
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GlXk1p0VvVg/TxSKOqsr9JI/AAAAAAAA0To/P-Y3m-hpBQw/s1600/pimentas.jpg
That's only a small taste. Brazilian food is incredibly delicious and varied, and uses dozens of spices that I'm sure #6 doesn't even know the names of. Seems kind of uncool to make these sweeping declarations about subjects they know so little about, eh? Most Brazilian cities are also filled with per kilo or all you can eat buffets offering dozens of options that highlight the country's culinary diversity.
"Greed is a national trait?" Lame. Corruption and greed exists in every country on earth. Sounds like someone simply failed at making the right travel plans and decided to make stuff up and accuse other foreign visitors of being Brazilians with tweaked nerve. FAIL.
Yes, the country is in an expensive period, but sites like AirBnB are great for finding apartments at the same cost you would in other countries.
Seriously, it's not rocket science, but you're correct that comfortable mid-range travel in Brazil does require a bit of intelligence and maybe a LP phrasebook. If you're not up for the challenge, then don't even bother... try Cancun or Disney World, they speak English there.
8
skipperjamie
I have travelled in Brasil since 1978 and have a brasilian wife. In all my time here, especially in the south, I have ONE cousin who uses pimento and I know ONE person who likes black pepper. You want a good laugh, ... go to a Thai, Mexican or Indian restaurant here, if you can find one. Real Asian is impossible to find, even in Liberdade. Most food here is meat and startch. Go into a supermarket and try to find anything out of season, it is not there. I won't even mention the cheese situation. Expats bring back food in their luggage, jam is a luxury item.
Go onto any site that ranks countries based on transperancy, health, ease of doing business and Brasil is always in the bottom quarter. The people are on the streets for a reason EROUTESIGLO. They do not speak english because the education system here is a joke. Everyone that can afford it sends their children to a private school. All my friends have private medical insurance because the public hospitals are deadly. Crime is a dinner topic. You are a typical, in denial, Brasilian. Even Pele and Ronaldo are starting to tell the truth.
9
polyglot25
What an extraordinary rant!
I'm sorry Brazil didn't agree with you - but it does seem exceptionally childish to come to a forum like this as post a supposedly 'damning' review of an entire country based on your (presumably, from your comments) extremely limited experience. It's a shame you didn't make a bit more effort to get to know Brazilians and their country - your comment smacks of incredible laziness.
'Brazil is too expensive for a budget traveller' - so are you going to post a similar rant slating the UK, France, Japan, Australia and the USA for being 'too expensive'? Prices in Brazil can certainly come as a surprise in Brazil after travel in other parts of South America, but bear in mind that Brazilians must pay the same prices as you do. It's not just to 'annoy' delicate petals such as yourself. Your statement that a backwater hotel in Brazil costs more than any major centre is complete and utter nonsense. Simply not true. Come over here to Australia and I'll show you expensive.
'Any type of spice is out of the question' - ha ha ha ! This one is just priceless. Did you visit Salvador and the nordeste. Did you eat a moqueca? If so, you ate the wrong one. Much Brazilian food is highly spiced (in Salvador, it can really burn!). Even in those regions where the food is milder and perhaps more 'ordinary' - say Minas Gerais - it is still extremely flavoursome. I spent 3 weeks in SP and ate an amazing range of global cuisine: Japanese, Italian, Vietnamese, Thai. It might not be London or Melbourne or New York, but it's still got an impressive range. You clearly have been eating the wrong food.
'English, forget it' - so bl##dy what? The whole world doesn't have an obligation to speak your language. What kind of a primitive and uncultured statement is that? I'd argue you don't deserve to travel with such an appalling attitude. Get off your backside and learn some Portuguese. I spent a year taking Portuguese classes ahead of my trip to Brazil - granted, I'm already fluent in Spanish so it wasn't too hard, but every single Brazilian I met, from the north to south, was incredibly appreciative of my speaking their language. 'Revolted by your ability' - seriously, what?
'Greed is a national trait' - OK, this is the only one of your rather puzzling points that touched a chord with me. I would agree that price gouging by hotel owners is almost criminal in Brazil. That's just how things are. I find the practice disgusting and as a result would never dream of booking accommodation during one of these time (Carnaval, Reveillon, WC). Why can't you just do the same? It's supply and demand, that's just the way it works. Airlines the world over massively increase their rates during the school holidays. Why? Because they can. Kerosene doesn't cost more during half term. You either have to swallow the pill, or choose not to fly during holidays.
The immaturity of your post is almost beyond any degree of belief. Please grow up before your next trip.
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