Christmas in Brazil

I am in Brazil this year for Decedmber on a tour until 22nd but wondered if anyone could advise me on the best area to spend Christmas?
I am meeting with a friend for Xmas & New Year we are planning on being in Rio for NEw Year. Has anyone any ideas on nice places i dont mind taking internal flights.
Also whether i should book accomdoation now as it's so busy that time of year? Apartment or hotel? Any suggestions gratefully received!! Cheers :)

new year is vacation time in brazil and other countrys in the region, i would book in advance, also rio is a very well know hot spot for new year
i like more the idea of the apartment than the hotel
in rio i like ipanema - arpoador - leblon - copacabana - leme area in that order
for xmas any nice beach would do for me, there are so many, even close to rio
hope it helps

happy travels : )

For New Years Eve in Rio, it may already be too late to book something along the beach. Prices will, of course, skyrocket at that time (no pun intended) since everyone wants to see the fireworks on Copacabana Beach. Feasibility of apartment depends on how long you will be there and where you want to be. Book SOON. Flights to and from Brazil also fill up fast and go up in price. This is not the best time of the year for weather in many areas of the country (e.g., hotter and more humid than average in Manaus). As with Carnaval, you are going mainly to see the big event in Rio. Xmas itself tends to be very quiet in most places, though many tourists (Brazilian and foreign) go to places such as Blumenau to get a more Euoprean feel for the holiday. Shopping malls filled with decorations well in advance. You can look at Web sites such as www.tam.com.br and www.voegol.com.br to look at flight prices and see where you can afford to go. You do not give any clues as to your budget and likes/dislikes so cannot respond to what is the best place to go. Looked at a guide book?

COME TO BAHIA! YOU WON'T REGRET IT.... SPEND GREAT DAYS ON THE BEACH AND ENJOY A TROPICAL CHRISTMAS ON THE BEACH... AND WHY NOT? NEW YEAR.... EVERYBODY GOEST TO THE BEACH.... WEARING WHITE.... PARTYING ALL NIGHT ON THE BEACH.... OR GO FOR A FEW DAYS TO RIO OR TO BUZIOS... IN RIO YOU COULD STAY CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE BEACH.... IF YOU NEED MORE RECOMMENDATIONS, WRITE ME BACK. BEST!

thanks for all the tips - can anyone reccomend any good sites to look for apartments in Rio along the beach?

ooops sorry forgot to say not on massively tight budget so open to all options. It is the end of my year round the world trip so want to do this part in more style! and plus my friend visiting me so mid range to more expensive places ok.

You should have in mind that, wherever you go on Xmas night in Brazil, it'll probably be 'not that funny'. It's a much more familiar party, so in case you have the chance to have dinner at someone's place, it'll be funnier. New years eve is the opposite.
Having said that, one nice place to spend Xmas is in Canela/Gramado, in the south state of Rio Grande do Sul. They have parades, lights on the streets and festivals. If you get bored, there are plenty of radical sports nearby and the superb canyons of Aparados da Serra and Serra Geral.
From there, you should take a flight to Rio (or a bus, but it takes about a whole day). Book it in advance.
merry Xmas and happy new year!

I have an apartment to rent in Copacabana, 100m from the beach. Please don't hesitate to contact me for further information or go to www.americojr.com/pacocabana

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