jake jacobs - The most astounding thing I found was "The girl from Ipanema" was a transplant - most Brazilian women are not tall, tan and terrific - I'm 5' 7" and my friend who I was with was 5' 9" - we tried to buy bathing suits "mucho grande" did not fit

Brazilian women if they tower 5' are tall and are a size 2 much like South Beach Florida

But go off season - our summer is their winter which is not cold and you can see all the prepping for carnival

Don't know where you live but we flew out of New York and it was a 10 hour flight

P.S. Flights are cheap and off season - and you will get the full flavor of Brazil

Plenty of places to go and things to see - you can take a cruise to Brazilia

Last I checked Brasilia was smack dab in the MIDDLE of the country so you`d have better luck getting there on the Concordia.

Am here in Copa now and have been for years. No better city in the world any time of year, IMHO;)

Look at all these rejected American middle age men dreaming about their 10 day paradise :)
Just remember that, while you burn all your savings flying down there and (hopefully) hooking up with one of the brainless women who doesn't care about the fact you can't even communicate with her because you were too busy dreaming to learn some Portuguese (yes, these kind of women are usually the least physically attractive of the herd), all that money is being injected into our economy and not yours.
But sure, whatever makes you feel more of a man :) Don't mind the native men ridicularizing you while you are there, it's not like you'll know what they are saying anyway.
Enjoy while it lasts guys.

Why are you so intent on humiliating the guys that go to enjoy themselves at the festivities? Has any American male ever done anything wrong to you? Another question; why have you appointed yourself spokesperson and representative for the rest of the males in your country? From what I've heard, you macho types, being so assertive and independent, I think that the other guys would take offense at you being so outspoken on their behalf. And what about the people who put a lot of time and creativity into organizing this spectacular celebration? In 2011, 4.9 million people participated in the Carnival in Rio and 400,000 of them were foreigners. Each year, of all the visitors who travel to your beautiful country, 70% of them are there for the celebration of Carnival. Finally, you yourself pointed out "all that money is being injected into our economy and not yours."
This is probably the ONLY thing you said that made any sense. With that in mind, why would ANYBODY that knows ANYTHING about economics and tourism dollars have anything bad to say about the money we HAPPILY pour into your economy each year at Carnival alone, not to mention any other times as well. You're insinuating that we are "rejected American middle-aged men dreaming about their 10 day paradise" You also went on to say that the only women who show any interest in American men are brainless and unattractive. You come off as a very lonely, bitter and jealous individual.

KKKKKKK

Esta chorando, cara?

Gostamos de trepar suas filhas e irmas:-)

Are...you....jealous of Jake??!!! ;OD

I beg to differ DanceINThe Sun. Yes, Brazil has one of the best carnival around- broadcast around the world, however Brooklyn, Toronto, Notting Hill, Dominica and Trinidad also have REALLY GREAT CARNIVALS. It is equal in excitement and celebration of life just like Brazil's carnival!

Miami, Brooklyn and Toronto are held later this year - check them out!! Dominica is an hidden gem

Not cheap as the economy is soaring and so are prices.

Best to book an apt 5 months ahead and plan on 10 nights since they`ll charge you a flat rate during Carnaval. 1 bedrooms just off Copa are currently around 1800 to 2200 US for 10 nights.

Flight is around 1600 US currently, last I checked.

100 to 150 US per day will be more than enough so now you know;)

For those in the know, arrive 2 days AFTER Ash Wednesday and still see the Champions Parade on Saturday for a fraction of the cost of the competition parades. Top 6 schools showing in reverse order of how they finished.

People ask when is the best time for Rio. My response has always been: any day here is better than any day there, wherever THERE may be.

I was in Rio during the off season and had the pleasure of seeing them gear up for carnival

Fabulous country - your little house plants are four to five feet tall - The colors are magnificent - was escorted at that time by the head of CBS records got to see all kinds of churches, fairs, went to churches were they practiced voodoo and other churches that were bathed in solid gilt

Their national treasure are the transvestites saw some of the most beautiful butts

This is a country that hedges their bets - Catholicism and Voodoo - if one doesn't get you into the pearly gates the other will

A feast for your eyes

On every corner are a circle of candles - voodoo is rampant in this country

Also - a glorious replica of bronze - showing the Iowa Jima flag raising - Brazil was one of the few countries who fought beside us in WWll

Even though I missed the real display - you can take the tram up and watch the rehearsals

What can I say - great food - portugese is spoken there - but cabbies have first grade primers in English

And at 2:00 in the morning under my hotel window - every night kids are playing soccer - under lights and a proper field

IF any of you cannot afford the real carnival - get a passport and go off season - for god's sake travel

I was constrained by business vacation times - however I walked the beach at Copa Cabana - ate in their restaurants - flying in the sight that greets you is Jesus on the Mountain Corcovado (Spelling?) a sight to behold

Sorry for rambling - but flying down to Rio was on my wish list!

I think you forgot about all the Evangelicals in Brazil. It used to be a huge Catholic country that unfortunately is giving way to Evangelicals. I live in Brazil and it seems about 1/2 of the population is Evangelical anymore. Of course they hate carnaval (Brazilian spelling) and feel it's about demons and nonsense. In Brazil, Voodoo is called "Macumba". It's an African religion brought to Brazil. The mixture of European, African and Indigenous people make for an interesting mix of people and carnaval events. As far as the women.......... nope, they're not all that. Too much plastic surgery, make-up and trying to walk around in high heels in cobblestone streets. It's kind of amusing. For those that are beautiful, they are quite exotic.

Barbara, It is not Voodoo. It is completely defferent. It's called Candomblé and involves good things, not voodoo!!!

Transvestites a national treasure? I doubt it. Misleading!

Do you mean Iwo Jima? An island south of Japan? BTW, we fought beside the Americans in WWII in Europe only. And Iowa is an American State!

It's Copacabana (one word). And one of the only things you spelled right is Corcovado.

Anyway, welcome to Brazil.

LOL---Thats funny. Been to Rio---loved it!