Helpful links for Visiting Brazil

Transiting at GRU Sao Paulo airport & customs
Airport transfers in Rio de Janeiro Brazil
Maps of Brazil
Getting between airports in Sao Paulo

Carnaval Season - Make Reservations Now

Carnaval (aka Carnival) is the biggest event of the year in Brazil. If you're planning on going, book now to make sure you don't pay out the nose for flights.

There are two major choices of destination: Rio and Salvador. Rio is known for the festivals, parades and art; Salvador for the parties. If you are looking for the wild times you hear about, you want Salvador.

Salvador airport (airport code: SSA) is served by TAM and GOL. Varig also serves them but given their recent state of finance, I can't really recommend that.

If you're an American or European, your best bet is to fly a regular carrier to Sao Paulo or Rio, then hop a short flight to Salvador. Sao Paulo and Rio both are served by Delta, American, United and Continental (with a Northwest codeshare). You can use frequent flyer miles on these too if you book far enough in advance.

GOL is a low cost carrier like Southwest for intra-Brazil flights. They have flights roundtrip between Sao Paulo GRU to SSA for around $150 roundtrip and the same for Rio's GIG airport.