Size Does Matter!Brazil is the fifth-largest country in the world, according to size and population. It is larger than Europe, discounting European Russia. The huge size of the country is an important factor in making a travel itinerary for the World Cup.World Cup fever is upon us, and the world and his wife is looking forward to attending this mega event. However, navigating your way through this behemoth of a country can be confusing, tiresome, and can become disastrous easily. Brazil is welcoming to visitors, but it is also notoriously crime-ridden and risky if you stray down the wrong path. During the World Cup, it will also be very, very expensive regardless of your precautions to attend it with the minimal expenditure. This Buzzle write-up tells you what to keep in mind while planning your trip to this global football fest.
Geographically, Brazil is a very diverse country, and drastically differing climatic conditions prevail in various regions. Due to its large size and pan-equatorial location, Brazil experiences 6 forms of climatic conditions―equatorial, tropical, temperate, semiarid, highland tropical, and subtropical. While coastal regions such as Rio de Janeiro are famous for their tropical, sunny weather, the northwestern regions house the largest rainforest in the world―the Amazon rainforest―and are consequently hot and humid, while the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul experiences snowfall.
The 12 host cities for the World Cup are spread across all these regions, which can make acclimatization and travel difficult; Porto Alegre and Manaus, for instance, lie more than 2,700 miles apart! Thus, it is important to establish a base in one of the cities, and choose which matches you really want to watch, and which you can do without. Here’s a helpful guide.
World Cup 2014 Guide
First of all, I hope you have already secured your match tickets for the World Cup. If not, you can apply for and find out more about the same here. The applications for the tickets will be sorted out according to random draws and on a first-come-first-served basis.
Fans and journalists who don’t already have a Brazilian visa need to get a Spectator or Press visa, respectively. Visas for people attending the World Cup are issued free of charge. Citizens of most South American countries and the EU are exempt from visas for a 90-day stay. US citizens need to apply for a Spectator visa to attend the games, or a tourist visa if you intend to extend the trip beyond the World Cup. However, it is recommended to check the status between your country and Brazil for more precise info.
Brazil is regarded as the home of football, summed up by the famous phrase ‘the English invented it, the Brazilians perfected it’. It has a proud history in the FIFA World Cup, having won more trophies than any other nation. To many, the 2014 World Cup being awarded to Brazil is a spiritual homecoming of sorts, the biggest gala in the game being played where it is most adored. However, after the honeymoon period passed, it soon became riddled with numerous logistical difficulties. Stadiums were not finished in time and are still perilously close to missing deadlines, the preparations were marred by allegations about and protests over the corruption and laxness in the bureaucracy, and the difficulties posed by the sheer distance between the various venues.
The World Cup is spread over 12 host cities, this makes it difficult for both players and fans to attend all of their nation’s matches in fine fettle, since the climatic conditions in two successive games may vary drastically.
The following image shows all the host cities. The adjoining distance calculator will help you map out your itinerary by calculating distances between any of the host cities.
Click on the name of the city to know more about it.
Cuiaba | Belo Horizonte | Sao Paulo | Rio De Janeiro | Curitiba | Porto Alegre
FIFA ’14 Venues – Distance Calculator From: Rio de JaneiroSao PauloManausBrasiliaBelo HorizonteSalvadorRecifeNatalCuiabaCuritibaPorto AlegreFortaleza To: Rio de JaneiroSao PauloManausBrasiliaBelo HorizonteSalvadorRecifeNatalCuiabaCuritibaPorto AlegreFortaleza Miles.-1) var dist=values.split(“_”); result=Math.round((dist[2])*0.621); document.getElementById(“brazil_distance”).value=result; break; }}]]>
Get Your Priorities Straight
In order to get your trip in order, decide on your priorities. If you want to follow your team wherever it goes, you may have to shell out quite a bit of dough, to include the cost of traveling between cities. On the other hand, if you want to have a recreational trip to Brazil interspersed with a bit of football, you may only catch the matches being played in one particular city, regardless of the competitors, and explore the city or the region around it in the meantime. The latter option would work especially well if you intend to make your base in the Amazonian city of Manaus or the ever-popular Rio de Janeiro. Having watched the football in these cities, you can then make your way into the fascinating Pantanal, or else relax on the famous beaches and other tourist attractions of Rio.
Getting There and Around
The two largest cities in Brazil, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, are connected by air to most major capitals and cities in the world. The tickets, though, won’t come cheap; you will have to pay at least USD 950-1000 for a return trip.
There are two options for traveling around this gigantic country: buses and planes. The bus service is usually reliable and comfortable, but obviously slow. These coaches can cost as little as USD 50, though most will cost more. Flights will be expensive―up to USD 1,000-1,200 for return trips―but will allow you to spend some more time in a city before the big match.
Accommodation
Prices of hotels and even hostels will shoot up dramatically during the World Cup, due to the inevitable influx of visitors from all over the world. Hostels, which are usually a budget traveler’s dreamland, can charge more than USD 100 per night during the World Cup. Even the cheapest hotels will probably charge more than USD 200-300. Fashionable, high-scale hotels, especially in Rio, will charge more than USD 1,500-2,000 per night.
The best option is to acquire a homestay or an apartment rental (for a large group) via valuable websites such as couchsurfing or Airbnb. Rooms acquired through the latter, and able to house 3 individuals, may cost less than USD 30 per person per night, although fashionable, luxury apartments may cost more than USD 1,000 per night (which would work out to USD 150-250 per person per night, depending on the size of your traveling party). Brazil also has a number of family-run guest houses called pousadas, which can be of help.
The Host Cities
Rio de Janeiro
State: Rio de Janeiro
Stadium (Expected Capacity): Estádio do Maracanã (76,900)
Matches To Be Hosted:
June 15: Argentina vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
June 18: Spain vs. Chile
June 22: Belgium vs. Russia
June 25: Ecuador vs. France
June 28: C1 (Winner of Group C) vs. D2 (Runner-up of Group D)
July 4: Quarterfinal 1
July 13: Final
Ipanema Beach
Possibly the most famous city in the world, Rio has always been a tourist’s favorite thanks to its stunning beaches. It also has the popular Sugarloaf mountain and, most importantly, the statue of Christ the Redeemer, which is considered one of the new seven wonders of the world. It is the perfect place to set up camp if you have high hopes for your country’s progress, or if you are a true football fan regardless of the progression of your country, since it hosts the Final.
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São Paulo
State: São Paulo
Stadium (Expected Capacity): Arena Corinthians (68,000)
Matches To Be Hosted:
June 12: Brazil vs. Croatia
June 19: Uruguay vs. England
June 23: Netherlands vs. Chile
June 26: South Korea vs. Belgium
July 1: F1 vs. E2
July 9: Semifinal 2
Octavio Frias de Oliveira Bridge
The largest city in Brazil is, in many ways, the spiritual home of Brazilian sports. Also, it is a popular tourist destination for its numerous museums, parks, and various cultural monuments and events. The main attraction for footy fans is the football museum at Santos. The forests of Costa Verde and the beach is also quite close by.
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Manaus
State: Amazonas
Stadium (Expected Capacity): Arena da Amazônia (42,300)
Matches To Be Hosted:
June 14: England vs. Italy
June 18: Cameroon vs. Croatia
June 22: United States vs. Portugal
June 25: Honduras vs. Switzerland
Manaus Iranduba Bridge
The sweltering heat and humidity of this Amazonian city may have been criticized by the England manager, but it is just something that comes with it being situated in the largest rainforest in the world. Its location means that it is one of the best cities to stay in if your primary interest in visiting Brazil is the experience rather than the football. It is the ideal place to venture into the Amazon rainforest.
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Cuiabá
State: Mato Grosso
Stadium (Expected Capacity): Arena Pantanal (42,900)
Matches To Be Hosted:
June 13: Chile vs. Australia
June 17: Russia vs. South Korea
June 21: Nigeria vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
June 24: Japan vs. Colombia
Sunset in the Pantanal
Cuiabá, located at the exact center of South America, is the southern gateway into the Pantanal, one of the most fascinating and important ecological zones in the world. Like Manaus, it is a great place to start your excursions into this bewildering region.
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Brasilia
State: Federal District
Stadium (Expected Capacity): Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha (70,000)
Matches To Be Hosted:
June 15: Switzerland vs. Ecuador
June 19: Colombia vs. Ivory Coast
June 23: Cameroon vs. Brazil
June 26: Portugal vs. Ghana
June 30: E1 vs. F2
July 5: Quarterfinal 3
July 12: Third Place Tie
Cathedral of Brasilia
Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, is a fascinating display of modern architecture. Just aimlessly strolling through this planned city can be very entertaining, interspersed with visits to its cathedral, zoo, and many museums and historic sites.
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Belo Horizonte
State: Minas Gerais
Stadium (Expected Capacity): Estádio mineirão (62,500)
Matches To Be Hosted:
June 14: Colombia vs. Greece
June 17: Belgium vs. Algeria
June 21: Argentina vs. Iran
June 24: Costa Rica vs. England
June 28: A1 vs. B2
July 8: Semifinal 1
Praça Raul Soares
Belo Horizonte is the best place to experience the delicious mineirão cuisine. It is also home to the Inhotim contemporary art gallery. You can also hitch a ride to the Serra do Espinhaco Biosphere Reserve. It also has several excellent museums, such as the Natural History Museum and the UFMG Botanic Gardens. It also has a rich tradition of dance and theater.
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Fortaleza
State: Ceará
Stadium (Expected Capacity): Estádio Castelão (64,800)
Matches To Be Hosted:
June 14: Uruguay vs. Costa Rica
June 17: Brazil vs. Mexico
June 21: Germany vs. Ghana
June 24: Greece vs. Ivory Coast
June 29: B1 vs. A2
July 4: Quarterfinal 2
Fortaleza Waterfront
Like Recife or Salvador, Fortaleza is popular for its beaches. The Beach Park, 16 km from Fortaleza, is the largest water park in South America. Fortaleza also has a popular cathedral and fort.
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Porto Alegre
State: Rio Grande do Sul
Stadium (Expected Capacity): Estádio Beira-Rio (51,300)
Matches To Be Hosted:
June 15: France vs. Honduras
June 18: Australia vs. Netherlands
June 22: South Korea vs. Algeria
June 25: Nigeria vs. Argentina
June 30: G1 vs. H2
City Hall of Porto Alegre
Buildings such as Piratini Palace and the Public Market are worth a look, but what really steals the show in this city is the Paleontological and Botanical Museums, Farroupilha park. This city is also renowned all over Brazil for its nightlife and vibrant music scene.
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Salvador
State: Bahia
Stadium (Expected Capacity): Arena Fonte Nova (56,000)
Matches To Be Hosted:
June 13: Spain vs. Netherlands
June 16: Germany vs. Portugal
June 20: Switzerland vs. France
June 25: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Iran
July 1: H1 vs. G2
July 5: Quarterfinal 4
Pelourinho
Salvador is a popular beach retreat thanks to its several excellent beaches and surfing facilities. The Historic Center of Salvador is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is an excellent example of Portuguese architecture. It is also famous for its seafood-based cuisine, and the prevalence of the dance-martial art, capoeira. It also has several worthwhile museums, and it is also famous for its ubiquitous street art.
★ Salvador is the perfect city for traveling American fans, since it is quite close to Recife and Natal, the venues of two of the US’ three group games, and is the venue of the pre-quarterfinal tie the US is most likely to contest.
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Recife
State: Pernambuco
Stadium (Expected Capacity): Arena Pernambuco (46,100)
Matches To Be Hosted:
June 14: Ivory Coast vs. Japan
June 20: Italy vs. Costa Rica
June 23: Croatia vs. Mexico
June 26: United States vs. Germany
June 29: D1 vs. C2
Beach in Recife
Recife is, like Salvador, a popular beach retreat. It also has several points of interest for the casual tourist, such as the Museum of Pernambuco State. The picturesque colonial city of Olinda, just a stone’s throw from Recife, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and definitely worth a visit.
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Natal
State: Rio Grande do Norte
Stadium (Expected Capacity): Arena das Dunas (42,000)
Matches To Be Hosted:
June 13: Mexico vs. Cameroon
June 16: Ghana vs. United States
June 19: Japan vs. Greece
June 24: Italy vs. Uruguay
Natal
Natal is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Brazil. It has natural beauty aplenty in the form of stunning beaches and sand dunes, as well as historic monuments. It also has the second largest urban park in Brazil, the Dunas Park. It is also considered the safest capital city in Brazil.
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Curitiba
State: Paraná
Stadium (Expected Capacity): Arena da Baixada (43,900)
Matches To Be Hosted:
June 16: Iran vs. Nigeria
June 20: Honduras vs. Ecuador
June 23: Australia vs. Spain
June 26: Algeria vs. Russia
Curitiba Skyline
Of all the stadia in the World Cup, this one is the most behind schedule, and could be stripped of its host duties if necessary deadlines are not met. Assuming it does go on to host World Cup matches, this city should be one of the most popular with visitors. It is famous for its parks, which celebrate and pay homage to Brazil’s connection with other countries; German Woods, Italians Woods, Portugal Wood, and Japan Square are areas built to honor the association with the respective country. Apart from these intriguing memorials, it also houses a botanical garden, the Oscar Niemeyer Museum, and tanguá Park.
Armed with this information, you can now go ahead and plan your way through this football carnival. Let’s pack our bags, and let’s get ready for some jogo bonito!
2014 FIFA World Cup: Everything You Need to Know to Plan Your Trip
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