Brazil - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 228

differs depending on the region. In major
cities things operate fairly quickly and on
a schedule. Things work in the Northeast
too, but in their own special way - you're
better off slowing to their pace.
Though attitudes vary regionally, in
general it is true that Brazilians are
remarkably open with their sexuality .
Brazil's reputation as a sex destination
is not completely without merit
- prostitution is legal and you'll see
love motels (hourly rates) everywhere.
Also be aware that while Brazilians are
very accepting of gays and lesbians during
Carnaval, Latin machismo still applies
here and Brazilians can be as bigoted
as anybody. Whatever you do, use
protection (a condom is a camisinha ).

“the beautiful game”. In fact, you won't
really have experienced Brazil until
you've attended a match - and the
World Cup in 2014 (see box below)
could be the ideal time. Stadiums are
spectacular sights, games enthralling
and crowds are wildly enthusiastic.
Tickets are not expensive, ranging from
R$15 to R$150 depending on whether
you stand on the terraces ( geral ) or opt
for stand seats ( arquibancada ) - major
championship and international
matches sometimes cost more. You can
usually pay at the turnstile, though
there are long last-minute queues.
Regional rivalries are strong; fans are
seated separately and given different
exit routes to prevent fighting. In Rio,
Flamengo and Fluminense have long
had an intense rivalry and dominated
the city's football; in São Paulo there
is a similar rivalry between São Paulo
and Corinthians .
The other major national sport is
volleyball ( volei ), mostly played on the

3

SPORTS AND OUTDOOR
ACTIVITIES
Brazilian football ( futebol ) is globally
revered and a privilege to watch, at its
best reminding you why it's known as

THE WORLD CUP IN BRAZIL
The 2014 football World Cup risks driving a country already crazy for futebol into near elation
meltdown - and the spectacle, accompanied by all the arts, music and fiestas Brazil can
muster, represents the ideal time to visit. Twelve cities are hosting matches, an unusual
deal with FIFA to bring games (and new stadiums) to some of the farthest reaches of the
fifth-biggest country in the world.
Porto Alegre , Curitiba , São Paulo , Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte make up
the host cities of the southern half of the country, while in the northeast Salvador , Recife ,
Natal and Fortaleza are vying to outdo each other in the excitement stakes. Right across the
interior, the capital Brasília , Manaus in the Amazon, and Cuiabá near the Pantanal represent
a phenomenal variety of landscapes and cultures. This of course means that fans determined
to follow all their country's matches almost certainly have to travel large distances - consider
buying a domestic air pass (see p.32) alongside your international ticket - but the costs
are balanced emphatically by visits to truly diverse locations at their peak of warmth and
hospitality. In many places the cost of hostel accommodation is not likely to rise significantly
during the tournament, and the Brazilian Football Federation is guaranteeing full stadiums by
freeing up cheaper seats nearer to matchday.
To keep travel distance down, consider taking in a few different host cities in one region.
You could easily spend a month in the Northeast, moving between group matches and
quarterfinals in Salvador, Natal, Recife and Fortaleza. To the south, São Paulo is hosting the
opening ceremony on June 12, one semifinal and a handful of other games, and is ideal for
visiting Curitiba, Belo Horizonte - and Rio too. São Paulo's interactive new football museum is
unmissable, and located in the city's Art Deco Pacaembu stadium (see p.337). But the final on
July 13 at Rio's newly renovated temple of football, the Maracanã (p.247), is inevitably drawing
the most interest. Memories of Brazil's 2:1 defeat here by Uruguay in the World Cup final of
1950 are a huge blemish on the country's five World Cup-winning record, and this is a match
Brazil is not only expected to be at, but to win.
More information is available at W fifa.com/worldcup.