Q&A
Can I bring my children? They are welcome to every event! But to make sure we have space for everyone, we must know in advance if they will be joining or not (for each event). So please add them in your RSVP.
Is Trancoso a safe place? Yes, definitely. Trancoso is one of the safest places in Brazil - no worries walking at Quadrado with your kids, even when it’s dark. We would still not leave personal belongings unattended.
Is it easy to access the beach from Quadrado? Should I take a hotel straight at the beach? If you don’t have any physical limitations, it’s not diffi cult. It takes a 10 minute walk down the hill. Some hotels have a transfer service to the beach, making it easier especially for going up with kids. We strongly recommend staying at Quadrado and not down at the beach because all restaurants, boutiques, etc, are up the hill, and we fi nd it way easier to do the path during the day than during the night. The Quadrado is really what makes Trancoso so special. Other than that, it will be super cool to have everyone nearby!
Can I take an Uber to/in Trancoso? There is Uber in Porto Seguro but not in Trancoso. That means you can call an Uber at the airport, but it is very likely that they will arrive and negotiate a much higher rate (not much cheaper than a private transfer) because they have to travel back without a passenger. If you are not Brazilian, it’s probably too much work for a small price difference.
Can I drink tap water in Trancoso? We don’t recommend it. It is safe for brushing teeth but we usually prefer to drink larger quantities from bottles.
How is the food? You will fi nd great sea food and a huge variety of very tasty fruits (you will be surprised how many you have never even heard of). If you are open minded, you will discover a lot of new ingredients, as the local cuisine is unique. Make sure you try: pastel, tapioca, acarajé, pão de queijo, coxinha, brigadeiro and casquinha de siri. For meat lovers we are sorry to inform you that you will likely be disappointed in the Northeast. If you want to fi nd that amazing churrasco, you should visit the bride’s home state, Rio Grande do Sul.
How to get to Brazil? Moritz’s best man might take the sailing boat, but in general we recommend fl ying. There are countless options going from Europe to Brazil every day and Guarulhos (Sao Paulo) is the main hub (you will fi nd way more options fl ying there than to Rio). We recommend a layover of at least 2 hours in Guarulhos if you have a connecting fl ight (read the next Q&A question to understand why). If you are travelling directly to Trancoso, you can also consider Salvador as a connecting airport. Apart from the European airlines we can defi nitely recommend Latam that serves Brazil directly from most major European airports. You can also do a connection in Madrid (Iberia) or Lisbon (TAP). Often AirEuropa (via Madrid) has good offers, too.
What to pay attention to when flying to Brazil? 1) In Brazil you have to pick up your suitcases from the luggage belt at your fi rst airport of arrival - no matter what your fi nal destination is. For example: If you fl y via Sao Paulo to Trancoso, you have to pick up your luggage in Sao Paulo and check it in again for your fl ight from Sao Paulo to Trancoso. 2) If you are connecting in Sao Paulo, make sure it’s the same airport. It is possible to change between the different airports of Sao Paulo - we have done it several times - but you need to make sure to bring enough time for that. If you are travelling with children, try to stick to Guarulhos airport. 3) If you check in for a domestic fl ight, make sure to do so at least one hour before departure. Unlike many European countries, a later check-in is not possible.
What are the major Brazilian airlines? Latam, Gol and Azul are big airlines. You will be fi ne with any of them.
Can I fly to Salvador and drive to Trancoso? Salvador is a much bigger airport with direct fl ights to Europe. Nonetheless, we encourage you to take a connecting fl ight to Porto Seguro. From Salvador you will probably need to drive 8 hours to Trancoso. If you are fl ying via Salvador, it’s worth staying there for a day to visit the city.
What other destinations do you recommend visiting in Brazil? Brazil is huge and the options are endless. Below we share some of our favourite places without focussing on beach destinations since you will already experience some of Brazil's nicest beaches in Trancoso. Rio de Janeiro is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The combination of mountains, beaches and vibrant city life is truly unique. For staying we recommend Ipanema or Leblon. If you prefer Copacabana, give preference to hotels towards Ipanema instead of Leme. Sao Paulo is not a must but can be a great option if you have connecting fl ights and like big, electric cities. Brazil’s best museums and gastronomical scene can be found here. We recommend staying close to Oscar Freire. Salvador is a unique city, known for its colonial architecture, music, history and Afro-Brazilian heritage. It is also a famous Carnaval destination. If you have connecting fl ights in Salvador, we recommend taking a day to visit. Within a half-day drive from Salvador lies the national park Chapada Diamantina. According to Moritz this is one of the most overlooked destinations in Brazil with relatively few visitors. Search it on Google - would you have expected something like this in the beach state of Bahia? Amazon Rainforest: no explanation needed. Just be mindful that March/April is the end of the rainy season. Unlike the dense Amazon rainforest, Pantanal is made up of open landscape and river systems making wildlife easier to spot. Bonito can be a great starting point for a trip to the Pantanal. But be aware, March/April is the end of the rainy season. Foz do Iguaçu is one of the largest and most impressive waterfall systems in the world. Located on the border between Brazil and Argentina, the region combines incredible natural beauty, lush rainforest, and unforgettable views. Make sure you visit at least one day from the Argentinian side (here you can literally touch the waterfalls) and one day from the Brazilian side (here you have the panoramic view). Going from Brazil to Argentina is only a short car/taxi ride including a very easy border crossing. March and April are perfect months to visit. With its vast white sand dunes, crystal-clear seasonal lagoons and surreal landscapes, Lençóis Maranhenses is one of Brazil’s most breathtaking natural wonders. However, it is not as easy to reach as the above destinations and, therefore, not a typical family destination. Close to Belo Horizonte the famous Inhotim combines contemporary art, stunning gardens, and immersive installations. This open-air museum offers an unforgettable experience where nature and creativity come together in a magical setting. Completely different from the rest of Brazil is Cambará, where you will fi nd dramatic canyons (Itaimbezinho and Fortaleza), mountains and Gauchos. We recommend a stay at the hotel “Parador Cambará do Sul Casa da Montanha” for a true Gaucho experience in the middle of nature. You can drive there from Florianopolis (many beaches) or Porto Alegre, Carolina’s hometown and where the couple first met.
What destinations do you recommend visiting around Trancoso? Caraíva (around 75 minutes drive plus canoe crossing) is even more laid-back than Trancoso and sometimes described as the hipster paradise in the middle of nowhere. You have to leave your car on the other side of the river and cross by canoe to reach the village. The sandy roads, little boutiques and comfy restaurants create a unique atmosphere (but be aware, it’s not a destination to bring a stroller). Praia do Espelho is a beautiful beach, more or less half way between Trancoso and Caraíva. It is especially suited for small children, as the ocean is extremely calm here. Tour operators in Trancoso offer half-day and day trips. Porto Seguro is where you will most likely disembark when travelling to Trancoso. But you are certainly not the fi rst arriving here because this is where the Portuguese “discovered” Brazil. You can spend one, two hours strolling around the historic center (close to the little car ferry terminal), but after a long trip you might also want to continue to Trancoso. Arraial D’Ajuda lies between Porto Seguro and Trancoso. It has a more touristy fl air with beaches more crowded than Trancoso, but its main street has a great atmosphere - especially after sunset when bars, restaurants and shops are opening and musicians start playing their instruments.
How do Brazilians dress in comparison to Europeans? A few things Europeans might notice: Havaianas are worn everywhere for almost everything! Jerseys, too. But if you are going to a fancy restaurant or a nightclub, better check the dress code fi rst. Girls tend to dress up way more than guys. Don’t get confused if you see a girl with a long/sparkly dress in a restaurant, while the man wears a polo shirt and shorts. Completely normal. Take the following into consideration when choosing the wedding outfi t. European girls: don’t be scared to play “red carpet” and shine! Brazilian/American guys: keep up with Europeans and please your girls! ;)