Consider the info below to plan your trip accordingly.
Your destination will be Brasilia’s Kubitschek International airport (BSB).
Major US airlines – American, Delta and United – all fly to Brasília with typically a stop in São Paulo (GRU) or Rio de Janeiro (GIG). They will then place you on a national airline like GOL to Brasília.
You might wish to check the cost of flying to São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro, collect your bags after going through customs then take a separate flight on GOL or LATAM to Brasília. There are numerous flights from $100 to $150 (checked bag and carry-on). It could be cheaper. If you chose this option, note that if there is a delay or cancelation of your international flight, you can miss the Brazilian domestic flight. Plan accordingly.
For your information, Sao Paulo's Guarulhos international airport is one of the largest and most perplexing in the world. When booking your ticket be sure to give yourself time to get through security and to find your gate.
There are flights that fly directly to Brasília from major cities like Miami, New York and Los Angeles.
The Brazilian airline GOL is an excellent airline and has several flights from Miami, Philadelphia, Chicago and Las Vegas.
Chilean LATAM and Panama’s Copa have numerous flights from Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Detroit, Nashville and Las Vegas.
I always check Kayak and airline sites when booking a ticket. Kayak always has more options.
BACC Travel, a consolidator, has discounted tickets from major cities. It is certainly worth checking if you live in New York, LA, Miami or like city. The email is info@bacctravel.com.
Once you arrive in BrasÍlia, you will find a very attractive, clean airport. A typical airport in a tropical area, much is open air and very easy to navigate (the opposite of São Paulo). After clearing customs, which is usually quick, you will head to the arrival area.
I suggest securing an Uber for you trip to the Brasília Palace Hotel. I have found Ubers in Brasília to be convenient and inexpensive. I have checked and a typical Uber to the Palace would be approximately 60-120 reais (approx. $12 to $24).
If you ask a Brazilian what is their typical food, the answer will be "beans, rice and meat." Although this answer is true, the food in Brazil features all types of cuisine, truly international with a local twist. You will easily find various types of bread, cheeses, milk, juices from countless fruits (many we don't have access to), rice, beans, corn, fresh local vegetables and some items you will only find in Brazil.
The native dishes – Feijoada, Farofa, Moqueca de Camarão, Pão de Queijo (cheese bread) and Vatapá (my favorite) to name a few – are very tasty and unlike anything in the States. If you like corn, try the Pamonha, a boiled paste made from corn and whisked with coconut milk. It comes either in a sweet or salted flavor.
There is also the Churrascaria - Brazil's never-ending barbecue - all types of meat and seafood prepared on an open fire. You will not go away hungry - guaranteed! A visit to a churrascaria is part of the workshop package. There are ample options for our vegetarian friends, you will not go wanting.
Deserts are also extraordinary, especially the Flan and fruit ice cream. Of course, there is the Caipirinha (drink with Cachaça, lime and sugar) and Guaraná (for those who don’t want alcohol).
The hotels – Brasilia Palace Hotel and Pousada Casa Grande (Pirenópolis) – each feature a fabulous, all you can eat, breakfast. You will start each day trying a variety of tasty dishes.
Take a moment and check out just a few of the many possible dishes.
The weather in Brasilia in May is fantastic, which is one of the reasons why we are holding the workshop then. The temperature ranges from cool, mid-50s at night to clear, sunny days in the high 70’s – low 80’s.
Brasilia is a planned city, located in a 3000 feet high plateau, in the center of the country. So the days in May are dry, with little humidity and welcome breezes.
Their rainy season ends in March/April and May is the beginning of their fall, with the foliage in bloom. It is really a perfect time to visit this part of Brazil.
Another plus will be the sunsets – they are always interesting and many spectacular, with vivid colors and ever moving shapes. Check out the photo link. I took these images in May 2022, many from the lawn at the Brasília Palace Hotel. The images really don't do the views justice. Sunrise is around 6:30 and sets around 6:00, an almost 12 hour day.
Totally casual and comfort is key. With the warm days, you will likely wear shorts and t-shirts. With the cool evenings, you will want a light coat, long pants and possibly a long sleeve top. We will be going to nice restaurants in the evenings, but they certainly are not formal. Some will wear a sport coat or dress while others will wear jeans and workout clothes.
I encourage you to bring your swimsuit. The pool at the Brasília Palace Hotel is large and really nice, heated too. You will also want swimwear when going to the waterfalls in Pirenópolis.
Pack comfortable, with layers. Certainly bring a light jacket. Hats and sunscreen are wise too due to the sun.
After a waiver period, Brazil will require a tourist visa (Visit Visa) from North America visitors starting on January 10th, 2024. The visa application cost is $185 and you can get further information here.
PLEASE NOTE: Although you will need a visa to enter in Brazil by the Workshop period, we suggest you apply for the visa AFTER January 10th, 2024 because the waiver period can be postponed. Check the Brazilian Embassy website for more information. We will also keep you updated, they just might postpone the deadline.
Brazil has a public health system that can support you in any emergency. Anyway, we strongly suggest you check to make sure your heath insurance covers your in Brazil. Public hospitals in Brazil might not be as comfortable as you would desire or might present communication issues because of the language.
Brasília has a strong private hospital system with excellent professionals and high-end equipment. They are ready for anything you might need. Because of its size, Pirenópolis does not have a private hospital, but it DOES have a public one. In case of emergency, you will be promptly attended and, if needed, removed to a hospital in Brasília by ambulance.