Roundtrip in 3 weeks

It’s a common misconception that buses in Brazil are cheaper than flying. When you buy flights sufficiently ahead, they can be equal to or even less than the bus. But by not doing your due diligence, you seem to have condemned yourself to endless hours of boring highway scenery and freezing temperatures aboard the bus. Bring some heavy clothing for the over-active air conditioning (and some cold medication, in case your get a chill). Bus info on www.buscaonibus.com.br Night buses are a good option, since you're going to waste most of your three weeks sitting on your backside instead of sightseeing. Both leito and semi-leito class are fairly comfortable to sleep.
With as little time as you have, if you insist on going to Bahia, stay to the south, maybe Porto Seguro/Arraial D'Ajuda, quicker to get to Rio. Or skip Brasilia; it's boring anyway.

(air fares used dates just far enough out to show lowest example)

Sao Paulo to Belo Horizonte (305 mi/490 km)
bus: 10 ½ hours; Gontijo or Cometa companies: R$101, or $189 for the leito sleeper bus (23:45-7:45)
air: GOL R$102

Belo Horizonte to Brasilia (457mi/735km)
bus: all night buses (19:20-7:30 to 21:20-9:30, with a few in between; Expresso Uniao or Itapemirim; R$130-138 convencional
air: Gol R$119

Brasilia to Salvador (1392km) (no bus direct to Valenca, or Camamu the transit point for Barra Grande)
bus: 2 per day; Real Expresso or Rapido Federal; R$203
air: GOL R$171

To Barra Grande from Salvador, take the ferry to Bom Despacho, the bus to Camamu, and the boat to Barra Grande

Salvador to Rio
bus: about 21-24 hours

air: about R$150-180, 2 hours

@ #3: Tropa de Elite Wagner? Cidade Baixa Wagner? Or maybe the Paraíso Tropical version?

@the OP:Whichever it is the lady is right. For most long distance trips the bus works out as expensive, if not more so than an airfare, if you plan your airfares ahead that is.

If I was you I'd make a choice between Belo Horizonte and Brasilia, you will be spending too much time in transit if relying on buses. You are looking at about 5-6 days travel out of your three weeks, which seems a pretty poor use of time to me. BH is more logical if you are heading to Bahia.

@#4: How 'bout O Pai O Wagner, Boca who sets the scene for LR's Roque to do Shylock :-)
Or Woman On Top younger trying-to-speak-English Wagner?

And @OP, consider this route: SP, maybe via the coast to Paraty/Trindade and Ilha Grand, Rio, Ouro Preto, BH/Sabara, Salvador/day trips, down the coast to Porto Seguro overnight, and back to Rio/SP. Still a lot of bussing, but.....
(Note: After I did the research above, I found some even cheaper air fares.)

@WagnerMoura: thank you so much, i obviously checked the wrong sites to find out what flight tickets may cost. i don't have the time to check all details on this website, but can i book tickets via http://compre2.voegol.com.br from abroad? with flights inbetween brasilia, salvador and rio the whole trip doesn't sound that mad any more.
overnightbusses will be the better choice for some shorter trips as we save on the accomodation and may see something of the surrounding landscape in the early morning.

Tobi, please ignore our fellow inhuman being when stated that Brasilia is boring, he has problably only seen it on the news.

It is the Federal Capital, a Modernistic CIty with no more than 60 years old and an amazingly young life cultural scene. Very conceptual buildings by Oscar Niemeier and an amazing Lake with many sport opitions (kayaking, SUP, kitesurfing). A huge university with loads of party options and a big quantity of bars all over the city.

If coming, let me know on CS (user 636758)! Cheers!

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