Why My Friend Hated Brazil

Couple of years back when I worked in cubicle, I found out one of my co-workers had been to Brazil. At this time I had already been to Brazil, so I was eager to talk with him to see how much he liked it. I had no clue that he not only didn’t like it. He hated it. But before I approached him about it, I thought it would be impossible for a guy to hate Brazil. But he did, and I wanted to find out why. After a long conversation I was able pinpoint exactly why he was so miserable in Brazil:

#1 He stayed locked up in his apartment.
He didn’t go out at all or very little. He told me he spent most of his time in the apartment because he didn’t know anyone or where to go. If this was 1970 I would accept that excuse, but today with the Internet, the wealth of information and all of the free social networking sites, there’s not reason you should not have friends to just about anywhere you want to travel. And there’s no reason you shouldn’t have some idea of where to go and what to see, at even the most remote of destinations. All you have to do is a quick google search and bam!

#2 He didn’t learn the language:
One of the reasons he didn’t want to go out was because he didn’t know the language and he didn’t even know how to ask for directions or the most basic of phrases. Apart from that he was miserable in the apartment because since he didn’t know the language, he couldn’t understand anything on the television.

#3 He didn’t meet new people there
He didn’t have any online friends before he got there and he didn’t go out to meet any new people. In this situation, who wouldn’t be miserable. He probably felt like he was in a jail cell.

The moral of this story is that there are some basic things you must do in order to have an enjoyable trip. If you’re traveling alone and not with a buddy or a group these things are even more important. Go meet foreign women online. If you didn’t know already, foreign women make the best tour guides and provide you with a lot of safety. Do your research and find out as much information on a city as possible, including restaurants, shopping centers, tourist attractions, bars, night light, clubs etc. Finally and most importantly, get some conversational fluency in the language. If you’re in a group some of these things might not be as important, or you may have someone in your group that is taking care of these things, but if your a lone traveler, you need to your homework.

On a side note, don’t let one bad experience ruin the entire trip. I was told by a friend about a guy that traveled to Brazil and he got robbed the first day he got there right outside of his hotel. He ended staying in his hotel for the entire trip. Don’t let this happen to you. If you take my 13 steps to a safe trip you should be ok, but even if you do get robbed, or stood up by a girl or something, don’t let this ruin your trip.

The 5 Best Latin American Destinations During The Recession

Latin America has been a bargain for many years and it just got even cheaper!

Let’s face it. It’s been a tough year for the economy. So why not take a break? Get away from the cold and travel to Latin America – a place that excites, thrills, challenges and offers plenty of chances to spark up some romance. The good news, about all of the recent bad news, is that Latin America just got even cheaper! So grab your bags and let’s check out the 5 best destinations in Latin America, plus an added little bonus for all of the single men out there.

The Good News About The Bad News…

The dollar just got stronger, and it packs a decent punch in Latin America…

2008-2009 been years most investors would like to forget. For most of us, it’s two stress filled years, with one horrible news story following another. All of this just means you need a vacation more then ever – and good news about the bad news is that the financial crisis has made destinations in Latin America, even more affordable then they already were before the crisis.

The U.S. dollar – which has been in a steady decline for past seven years has found it’s second wind and worked it’s way back up during the past four months giving, your purchasing power in Latin America, that much more of a punch. As investors fear a global recession, they see the U.S. and the dollar as a safe haven for the near term.

For Americans, that means these Latin American destinations have effectively become 25%, 30%, even 50% cheaper than they were just a few months ago. Even though places like Canada, Australia and parts of Europe have also gotten cheaper, you won’t get a better bang for your buck anywhere else in the world. Not to mention that when it’s winter in the North, it’s summer over there, so why not get away from the cold?

BRAZIL
Ahhh Brazil – Are you ready for Brazil? One trip and you might get hooked! Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Brazil is the biggest country in South America. It borders every other country of the continent except Chile and Ecuador.

Brazil is very much a country of contrasts. When someone hears the word Brazil, one thinks of the great Amazon forest, fantastic beaches, great soccer players, Carnival time, tiny bikinis – among other things. Well, Brazil, the most important country in South America, certainly has MUCH more to offer – warm people, great cities with everything from slums to high technology, a wide range of weather patterns, an awesome mixture of cultures and races – and much more!

The Brazilian currency, the Real, has declined more than 30 percent since its early August peak, as wary investors pull their money from emerging markets including Brazil amid the current global financial crisis. Carnival is coming up in February, and preparations will begin soon, all over Brazil. Why not enjoy the upside of the downturn in Brazil?

COSTA RICA

“Pura Vida!” As they say in Costa Rica

If you love nature, beaches, mountains, volcanoes, then Costa Rica is the perfect place for you. It has everything every other country has packed into one small peaceful nation. From the dry tropical forest along the Pacific coast to the misty cloud forest at higher altitudes, this wildlife wonderland is just a few hours away. More than 27% of the country’s area is protected, creating a haven for countless species of flora and fauna.

This tiny Central American nation boasts one of the largest tourism industries in all of Latin America, attracting more then one million visitors eager to catch a wave, bathe under a waterfall, spot a sloth or otherwise partake of paradise. Tourism is the country’s top source of employment and investment. For this reason, Costa Rica’s tourism industry is very mature, and offers just about every type of thrill seeking adventure you can think of.

From the cost perspective, not only is it cheap, but for most American’s a flight to Costa Rica will take less time then a New York to Los Angeles flight. Since Costa Rica is so close, typical tickets only cost about $300 – $400 round-trip. What’s not to like about that?

ECUADOR:
Probably the most affordable destination of all…

Ecuador is the undiscovered Costa Rica. Ecuador uses the dollar as their national currency but everything in Ecuador is 50% -70% off. Ecuador boasts some of most pristine landscapes with the Amazon to it’s east and the Pacific lining it’s west coast.

Nowhere else on earth will you find so much natural diversity – and all the fun that accompanies it – in so tiny a place (Except Costa Rica). Ecuador is the second-smallest country in South America, but its range of offerings is no less than astounding. In one day’s drive you can journey from the Amazon Basin, across glaciated Andean volcanoes, down through tropical cloud forest and sputter into the sunset for a dinner of ceviche on the Pacific coast, where – yes indeed – the water is warm. One day you’ll pick through hand-woven wool sweaters at a chilly indigenous market in the Andes, and the next day you’ll sweat all over your binoculars while spying on howler monkeys from a canopy tower in the Amazon rain forest.

For nature lovers Ecuador is a dream, with exotic orchids and birds, bizarre jungle plants, strange insects, windswept paramo (Andean grasslands), dripping tropical forests and the fearless animals that hop, wobble and swim around the Galapagos Islands. For the adrenaline junky, the choices are outrageous: mountaineering, trekking and white-water rafting are world class. Toss in some horseback riding and surfing and you’ll go home with a happily aching body. And for the culture vulture, Ecuador is a labyrinth of indigenous heritage of traditional costumes and highland markets, where a constant rhythm of sound and movement envelops you. As for colonial architecture, few cities top the beauty of Cuenca and Quito, both of which are Unesco World Heritage Sites.

If you’re on a very tight budget, then Ecuador will be your best friend. You’ll have a hard time finding better bargains then what you’ll get in Ecuador.

ARGENTINA
Where good food meets good times…

Argentina is a country of Gauchos, Mate, Asado, Tango, Pampas, and Dulce de leche. The name immediately conjures up the image of big steaks, passionate men and women and long night of eating the best meat of the world and sipping mate, afterwards. Buenos Aires, the capital, is the center of the country in all ways except its geographical location. With the Río de la Plata, in the east of the country, it is actually the city that is closest to the Old Continent, and probably the most European city in South America. If you’re longing for a taste of Europe, you know where to go.

Behind Buenos Aires, the land of the Pampas begins. Many towns with historical centers that go back to colonial are worth visiting. In the west, the Andes mountains offer great outdoor opportunities: hiking, skiing and much more. Patagonia, the far south of Argentina is a rugged and cold land. The area around Ushuaia, southern most city of the country, is mild in October to May. It is great for the lovers of nature and wildlife; big glaciers that go directly into the Barney, birds, seals and other arctic animals abound.

In the northwestern corner of this dreamed land, deserts and steppes are the most common geographical sites; and in the northeastern part of the country, Iguazu Falls, complete all kinds of climate existing on the Earth… all in one beautiful country.

The people are awesome, full of kindness, and the weather is mostly pleasant all the year. Many people call this the Paris of the Americas.

COLOMBIA:
Are you ready for a “rumba”? This is Colombia…

Vibrant cities with streaking metros and soaring skyscrapers. Elegant port towns cut by cobbled alleys and graced with bougainvillea-shrouded balconies. Spectacular national parks ranging from Garden-of-Eden-tropical to heavenly-high-alpine. Cruise boats, party buses, late night salsa dancing and shopping glory. Yes, this is Colombia. Get ready for shattered expectations. While media reports still speak of coca fields, violent crime, rebel shoot-ups and kidnappings, travelers are often left to wonder how so many troubles can plague a country that appears so, well, normal.

Beyond the headlines is a thriving country with a rising middle class, some of the best health care and universities in South America, and an improved level of security. It’s true that Colombia also faces massive challenges in dealing with poverty, rebels and the long-standing Drug War, but security improvements have made many tourist destinations accessible to travelers.

Now is the time to go. Costs are low, the welcome is warm and Colombia’s sour reputation has kept it off the ‘gringo trail.’ Many travelers consider Colombia a way station between better known overland destinations, such as Peru and Costa Rica. But once you’ve explored its wealth of colonial-era towns, swam over its pristine reefs and trekked in its mountains, the land of myths, emeralds and El Dorado may become a highlight of your South American sojourn.

So pack a pair of dancing shoes next to your hiking boots, throw in a mask, snorkel and sunscreen and tell your friends not to worry. They don’t know what they’re missing!

ADDED BONUS:
The icing on the cake…

Finally, I’d like to point out a little added bonus for all of the single men reading this article. Traveling to these great Latin American destinations is not only affordable, exciting and memorable. It’s also a great way to spark some romance. The women of Latin America are diverse, very attractive, and amazingly friendly.

If your a single guy and have never been to Latin America, you really don’t know what you’re missing. Any one of these destinations would offer a great combination of good times at affordable prices. So get those passports ready and I’ll see you down south!

Have A Great Trip,