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The city has pockets of poverty, of course, but I would say it's not "pornographic misery". Most of the poor in Fortaleza live in regular, paved streets, and only a minority live in favelas. And even in the few favelas of the city (almost all in plain terrain, only one, Serviluz, is located in a hill) most houses are solid, with walls made of red bricks and covered with red tiles, and are served by piped water and electricity. It means you will not find cardboard slums in Fortaleza.
Does that also mean that Fortaleza is built in a much more flat area.
One of things I noticed in both Rio and Salvador, is there is a lot of hilly terrain in both of those cities. The fravelas generally seem to be built in the hills.
People,
Yes, Rio is for tourism, good for about 2 weeks. Carnaval in RIo is mostly for the samba school parade or going to the club parties (vermelho e preito), etc. Sao Paulo sucks for carnaval (although there are clubs with good parties) and sucks for visiting. It exists because it is the business center of the country, and thus has good hotels, restaurants, bars; but the culture is not the same as that of Rio. Both are dangerous to walk around, be aware or your surroundings, on the bus, at the tourist spots (of course) walking around at night - pretty much same warning given for New York City, Paris. But Sao Paulo sucks, you have to be born there to like it.
Salvador - definitely great city to visit, great street carnaval - personally did it 4 times (carefull with the pickpockets) kind of expensive, lots of nice places to visit, beaches are beautiful, the girls are famous for being hot and gorgeous (true for most brazilian girls). Probably not a great place to live unless the job paid very well (either dollars or local currency - whatever its name is currently). Can be a very dangerous place; the northeast is poor so seeing a tourist (excuse me - white, oriental or someone that does not look black or hispanic) is like seeing a delicious steak waiting to be eaten (that's harsh but in reality is the truth - please don't attack me!).
Recife - lived there for 10 years back in the day. Before the current serious violent crime there, sharks, attempt to be Rio ,etc. Carnaval there has an advantage as there are two models: go to Olinda - really really nice or stay in Boa Viagem - really really nice. It's not the massive street carnaval of Salvador (worth to see that at least once) but very wild, lots of beer, alegria, good times, opportunity to meet the local girls, not as dangerous as Salvador; there are some parades, not like the one in Rio, but okay. Recife is a lot cheaper than Salvador or Rio.
Fortaleza - what an improvement! Used to be a backwater type city but has really got its act together, developing infrastructure. Has really stressed IT development, similar to Porto Digital in Recife. Lots of spectacular beaches outside the city, cheaper than Recife, Salvador. I never went to Carnaval there, but I imagine that it is festive, but my advice would be to check out Recife or Salvador first. Also unsure of crime situation there, but like all urban areas in the world, be aware of your surroundings and that you, if you look like a foreigner (see above) can be seen as a target by those people involved in earning their living by pickpocketing, robbing, etc. If you are a female, all of the cities mentioned above can be classified as very dangerous if you plan on travelling alone. Big advantage for any traveler is if you speak Portuguese, at least enough to give the impression you are completely helpless.
Big absence in the list of options is the city of Natal in the state of Rio Grande de Norte (located between Recife and Fortaleza). Small city, spectacular beaches with dunes, more laid back, Carnaval here does not compare to Recife or Salvador by any measure. Cheaper here than the other cities. The girls here have a reputation for being the most beautiful (and sexually liberated) in Northeast Brazil (btw, the girls in Ceara have a reputation for not being very attractive, this is the folklore given, you can find beautiful girls anywhere in Brazil, but not so much in Ceara. Back to the girls in Natal. The reputation is built upon the fact that the United States built an airbase in Natal during WWII (apparently Natal is the closest land base to europe or North Africa or wherever they were sending the planes). The airbase meant lots of American men, who on there off time would venture around the city with a result of increasing the population, ergo there is a slightly higher amount of blonde, blue-eyed girls in Natal. And since the locals believe in a myth that American girls are unable to spell the word SEX, but are more than willing to show how it works (those girls don't appear in the parts of the US where I have lived!).
I voted for Recife, lots of fond memories there. But if you have a month to go to Northeast Brazil, GO TO ALL THREE. Then plan your next visit to your own favorite based on your experience or, GO TO ALL THREE AGAIN!! You can't lose at any of these 3 great cities. The northeast is amazing. (If you have a few extra days, go to the Fernando de Noronha island. About a 45 minute flight from Recife, pristine waters, very natural - forget partying but take your camera!.
I know this is nasty to say, but do take condoms with you if you plan on having sex in any of the cities mentioned above, or for that matter in any city. Vai fundo, eh limpo!
Last edited by Gallens; 06-25-2012 at 10:40 PM..
Reason: spelling
People,
Yes, Rio is for tourism, good for about 2 weeks. Carnaval in RIo is mostly for the samba school parade or going to the club parties (vermelho e preito), etc. Sao Paulo sucks for carnaval (although there are clubs with good parties) and sucks for visiting. It exists because it is the business center of the country, and thus has good hotels, restaurants, bars; but the culture is not the same as that of Rio. Both are dangerous to walk around, be aware or your surroundings, on the bus, at the tourist spots (of course) walking around at night - pretty much same warning given for New York City, Paris. But Sao Paulo sucks, you have to be born there to like it.
Salvador - definitely great city to visit, great street carnaval - personally did it 4 times (carefull with the pickpockets) kind of expensive, lots of nice places to visit, beaches are beautiful, the girls are famous for being hot and gorgeous (true for most brazilian girls). Probably not a great place to live unless the job paid very well (either dollars or local currency - whatever its name is currently). Can be a very dangerous place; the northeast is poor so seeing a tourist (excuse me - white, oriental or someone that does not look black or hispanic) is like seeing a delicious steak waiting to be eaten (that's harsh but in reality is the truth - please don't attack me!).
Recife - lived there for 10 years back in the day. Before the current serious violent crime there, sharks, attempt to be Rio ,etc. Carnaval there has an advantage as there are two models: go to Olinda - really really nice or stay in Boa Viagem - really really nice. It's not the massive street carnaval of Salvador (worth to see that at least once) but very wild, lots of beer, alegria, good times, opportunity to meet the local girls, not as dangerous as Salvador; there are some parades, not like the one in Rio, but okay. Recife is a lot cheaper than Salvador or Rio.
Fortaleza - what an improvement! Used to be a backwater type city but has really got its act together, developing infrastructure. Has really stressed IT development, similar to Porto Digital in Recife. Lots of spectacular beaches outside the city, cheaper than Recife, Salvador. I never went to Carnaval there, but I imagine that it is festive, but my advice would be to check out Recife or Salvador first. Also unsure of crime situation there, but like all urban areas in the world, be aware of your surroundings and that you, if you look like a foreigner (see above) can be seen as a target by those people involved in earning their living by pickpocketing, robbing, etc. If you are a female, all of the cities mentioned above can be classified as very dangerous if you plan on travelling alone. Big advantage for any traveler is if you speak Portuguese, at least enough to give the impression you are completely helpless.
Big absence in the list of options is the city of Natal in the state of Rio Grande de Norte (located between Recife and Fortaleza). Small city, spectacular beaches with dunes, more laid back, Carnaval here does not compare to Recife or Salvador by any measure. Cheaper here than the other cities. The girls here have a reputation for being the most beautiful (and sexually liberated) in Northeast Brazil (btw, the girls in Ceara have a reputation for not being very attractive, this is the folklore given, you can find beautiful girls anywhere in Brazil, but not so much in Ceara. Back to the girls in Natal. The reputation is built upon the fact that the United States built an airbase in Natal during WWII (apparently Natal is the closest land base to europe or North Africa or wherever they were sending the planes). The airbase meant lots of American men, who on there off time would venture around the city with a result of increasing the population, ergo there is a slightly higher amount of blonde, blue-eyed girls in Natal. And since the locals believe in a myth that American girls are unable to spell the word SEX, but are more than willing to show how it works (those girls don't appear in the parts of the US where I have lived!).
I voted for Recife, lots of fond memories there. But if you have a month to go to Northeast Brazil, GO TO ALL THREE. Then plan your next visit to your own favorite based on your experience or, GO TO ALL THREE AGAIN!! You can't lose at any of these 3 great cities. The northeast is amazing. (If you have a few extra days, go to the Fernando de Noronha island. About a 45 minute flight from Recife, pristine waters, very natural - forget partying but take your camera!.
I know this is nasty to say, but do take condoms with you if you plan on having sex in any of the cities mentioned above, or for that matter in any city. Vai fundo, eh limpo!
Read all of this!!! Very thorough and accurate. Thank you!
Recife - lived there for 10 years back in the day. Before the current serious violent crime there, sharks, attempt to be Rio ,etc. Carnaval there has an advantage as there are two models: go to Olinda - really really nice or stay in Boa Viagem - really really nice. It's not the massive street carnaval of Salvador (worth to see that at least once) but very wild, lots of beer, alegria, good times, opportunity to meet the local girls, not as dangerous as Salvador; there are some parades, not like the one in Rio, but okay. Recife is a lot cheaper than Salvador or Rio.
Not sure if you'll post again, as this is a Post Count 1 under this user name. But if you are someone who views the forum often under another name, please do a Post Count 2!
When were you living in Recife? Just curious as a reference point for 'before the current serious violent crime there'. I have always been under the impression that Recife has had some serious violent crime. So that implies it is much worse now?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gallens
Big absence in the list of options is the city of Natal in the state of Rio Grande de Norte (located between Recife and Fortaleza). Small city, spectacular beaches with dunes, more laid back, Carnaval here does not compare to Recife or Salvador by any measure. Cheaper here than the other cities. The girls here have a reputation for being the most beautiful (and sexually liberated) in Northeast Brazil (btw, the girls in Ceara have a reputation for not being very attractive, this is the folklore given, you can find beautiful girls anywhere in Brazil, but not so much in Ceara. Back to the girls in Natal. The reputation is built upon the fact that the United States built an airbase in Natal during WWII (apparently Natal is the closest land base to europe or North Africa or wherever they were sending the planes). The airbase meant lots of American men, who on there off time would venture around the city with a result of increasing the population, ergo there is a slightly higher amount of blonde, blue-eyed girls in Natal. And since the locals believe in a myth that American girls are unable to spell the word SEX, but are more than willing to show how it works (those girls don't appear in the parts of the US where I have lived!).
Didn't realize that Natal had an AMerican military base previously.
Interesting you aren't the first person I've heard that has said that Caera women were not attractive. It just stands out, as never been anywhere where I didn't see some attractive people on some level or another.
Dang, what's with the obsession with Brazil on the americas forum lol? I've never seen so many threads, are that many of you trying to get laid? Besides, Argentine women are far more beautiful, although those dark skinned sun-tanned "garotas" are very beautiful as well LOL.
Dang, what's with the obsession with Brazil on the americas forum lol? I've never seen so many threads, are that many of you trying to get laid? Besides, Argentine women are far more beautiful, although those dark skinned sun-tanned "garotas" are very beautiful as well LOL.
Because in North America, Brazil = sex, boobs, and thongs. Majority of posters on here are probably single males, so it's not surprising. Being Latin American myself, I don't find the stereotypical Brazilian woman to be attractive. They aren't "exotic" to me, so I don't give them a second thought
Because in North America, Brazil = sex, boobs, and thongs. Majority of posters on here are probably single males, so it's not surprising. Being Latin American myself, I don't find the stereotypical Brazilian woman to be attractive. They aren't "exotic" to me, so I don't give them a second thought
You sound envious LOL...
Besides latinas are the most beautiful feminine creatures on earth..... I know, I married one ....
Besides latinas are the most beautiful feminine creatures on earth..... I know, I married one ....
Brazil just has a cool factor that attracts attention of all types, and it has only gotten more popular due to UFC, the World Cup, etc...there is no denying that.
I think it will just continue to grow in popularity.
And boy do you contradict yourself. You are criticizing others for being interested in Latinas, yet you brag that you married one and talk about them like they are a commodity?
Dang, what's with the obsession with Brazil on the americas forum lol? I've never seen so many threads, are that many of you trying to get laid? Besides, Argentine women are far more beautiful, although those dark skinned sun-tanned "garotas" are very beautiful as well LOL.
I've been to both Brazil and Argentina. Both are known for beautiful women.
But, personally, I just like Brazilian people way more. I also much more prefer Portuguese over Argentinian-Spanish.
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