Traveling to Sao Paulo, Iguacu Falls, and Rio de Janeiro

[pmody]

My boyfriend and I will be in Brazil in August for 10 days. We're going to be spending 1 day/night in Sao Paulo at the Maksoud Plaza, which is just off Avenida Paulista. My boyfriend has a conference in Iguacu Falls, so we'll be there for about 3 days/nights at the Bourbon Cataratas Resort & Convention Center. In Rio, we'll be staying with friends, so we probably don't need as many suggestions.

My boyfriend and I love all kinds of different foods. We're grad students, so our budget isn't super high. But, we are on vacation, so if there's something you think we have to try, then please suggest it.

Thanks!

[streetgourmetla]

Here are some recent threads, I was just there in April, visiting Rio and Sao Paulo:

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/515794
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/519592
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/515321
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/520007

Too bad you don't have more time for Sao Paulo, as it is a chowhounds paradise, and has the best and biggest restaurant scene in Brazil.

For one day in Sampa, I would go to the Mercado Municipal for a mortadela sandwich at Bar do Mane and a pastel de bacalhau at Hocca Bar.This will suit your budget just fine.For dinner, Brasil a Gosto is a must, and compared to other fine dining experiences in Jardims, it is a steal.Prices are very reasonable for the world class experience you will receive.

Check out the lanchonetes on Brazil for inexpensive, addictive salgadinhos(savory bites)for a true Brazilian experience.Also, a good por kilo will allow you to try many local dishes for a good price.

Too bad, everything was inexpensive a couple of years ago before the dollar tanked against the real.In 2005 it was about 2.85 to the dollar, and just went down every trip I took,It was 1.7 in April, which is rough, but yesterday it was 1.59, so yes, you will be looking for good deals, but you will have no problem.Brazil has some of the best food on the planet for all price ranges.

Botecos or Botequims are also great options, and so fun.They are sort of like pubs, and the food can range from simple to artistic.

Make sure to go to the Academia da Cachaca, Bar do Mineiro, O Caranguego and Confeiteria Colombo in Rio

[pmody]

Thanks for all of your suggestions...you've given me a great starting point! We were going to skip over Sao Paulo, but I wanted to have at least 1 night there to experience the city. I've heard it's very international, and the food is amazing. I'll try to report back after my trip!