Southern Hemisphere vacation ideas

[Deleted]

I'm looking for some.

Probably only have 7 days or so (either from US or Heathrow)

I'd like to be able to use our BA miles (I think we can use them to book AA code shares) and we have a zillion Marriott points I'd like to use.

The other requirement is in needs to be safe enough to take my kids. 

Any suggestions? I've been leaning towards Costa Rica but the Marriott resorts don't get good reviews as a base for activities as they are a bit isolated and not the southern hemisphere

[Deleted]

We had an amazing time in New Zealand. We started in the north island, drove down the west coast and ended up in Wellington. The scenery was stunning.

We also spent a few days in Sydney and that was a lot of fun.

If your kids are into animals then I'd highly recommend this. Totally worth the money. It was one of the coolest experiences.

taronga.org.au/roarandsnore

[emilyinchile]

You may have direct flights to Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Rio, Lima and Santiago depending on where you start, but even if you have to connect it's not too bad for 7 days. From LHR you can get to Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo non-stop. Plus there's relatively little time change - we're either 5 hours ahead of or behind the UK (with short windows of 4 hours either side of seasonal time changes). That gives you options from city break to beach to Machu Picchu.

I haven't been to any other continents in the Southern Hemisphere, but I would look at Capetown and surrounding areas in South Africa or a safari in any of several African countries (don't know if there are any Marriott options there though). Personally with 7 days NZ or Australia wouldn't be my first choice because of the jet lag, otherwise they sound like great options.

[iammalcolmx]

You have BA miles? I believe AA started a flight to Salvador Bahia from Miami I would do that.

[Deleted]

Jan 13, 2014 12:13:39 GMT -5 iammalcolmx said:

You have BA miles? I believe AA started a flight to Salvador Bahia from Miami I would do that.

I have a lot of BA miles because that's who we usually fly to the UK on

Is Brazil safe? 

[iammalcolmx]

Jan 13, 2014 12:31:10 GMT -5 @septimus said:

Jan 13, 2014 12:13:39 GMT -5 iammalcolmx said:

You have BA miles? I believe AA started a flight to Salvador Bahia from Miami I would do that.

I have a lot of BA miles because that's who we usually fly to the UK on

Is Brazil safe? 

Well there are parts of Brazil I would avoid and parts of Rio I would never set foot in however I would never suggest you go someplace unsafe. Bahia was a lot more low key than Rio , there are great resorts, perfect weather, and tons of European tourists.

[Deleted]

Jan 13, 2014 12:40:58 GMT -5 iammalcolmx said:

Jan 13, 2014 12:31:10 GMT -5 @septimus said:

I have a lot of BA miles because that's who we usually fly to the UK on

Is Brazil safe? 

Well there are parts of Brazil I would avoid and parts of Rio I would never set foot in however I would never suggest you go someplace unsafe. Bahia was a lot more low key than Rio , there are great resorts, perfect weather, and tons of European tourists.

Thanks. I had heard Rio wasn't safe for tourist. 

[iammalcolmx]

Jan 13, 2014 12:52:35 GMT -5 @septimus said:

Jan 13, 2014 12:40:58 GMT -5 iammalcolmx said:

Well there are parts of Brazil I would avoid and parts of Rio I would never set foot in however I would never suggest you go someplace unsafe. Bahia was a lot more low key than Rio , there are great resorts, perfect weather, and tons of European tourists.

Thanks. I had heard Rio wasn't safe for tourist. 

If you were straight up told "Rio isn't safe for tourists" that would be wrong. If you were cautioned against certain behaviors in Rio then I can get on board with that.  I did give ttt some tips before heading down there and as far as I can tell she has had no issues.

[frlcb]

I would do Argentina (Bariloche and Buenos Aires) or Chile (Santiago and Atacama) or Peru (Machu Picchu)

[emilyinchile]

Jan 13, 2014 12:57:46 GMT -5 iammalcolmx said:

Jan 13, 2014 12:52:35 GMT -5 @septimus said:

Thanks. I had heard Rio wasn't safe for tourist. 

If you were straight up told "Rio isn't safe for tourists" that would be wrong. If you were cautioned against certain behaviors in Rio then I can get on board with that.  I did give ttt some tips before heading down there and as far as I can tell she has had no issues.

All of this, and I'm eye rolling whoever told you that if it was presented as a blanket statement. That said, I like the Salvador plan - I'd love to go there, flights are just super expensive (like $800) from Chile, and there are places I'd rather go for that amount of money.

[Deleted]

iammalcolmx we were advised recently by friends who are Brazilian (she is from the Sau Paulo area, he is from Rio) not to travel right now to Brazil with kids (it was an option for one of our free trips). They have been recently and noticed a lot more muggings, crime in general, random shootings, etc. They weren't comfortable taking their kids back for a planned trip this year and just cancelled it. And these are people who lived in Brazil until about 7-8 years ago.

Normally, I agree with blanket comments like an entire country is not safe, but they have found even "safe" parts of brazil have been struggling to control crime, particularly that which is pinpointed towards "rich" tourists.

Anyway my ideas for your trip @septimus would be Belize, Costa Rica, Hawaii, which are all do-able in 7 days.

[iammalcolmx]

Jan 13, 2014 13:25:31 GMT -5 @lauriergirl28 said:

iammalcolmx we were advised recently by friends who are Brazilian (she is from the Sau Paulo area, he is from Rio) not to travel right now to Brazil with kids (it was an option for one of our free trips). They have been recently and noticed a lot more muggings, crime in general, random shootings, etc. They weren't comfortable taking their kids back for a planned trip this year and just cancelled it. And these are people who lived in Brazil until about 7-8 years ago.

Normally, I agree with blanket comments like an entire country is not safe, but they have found even "safe" parts of brazil have been struggling to control crime, particularly that which is pinpointed towards "rich" tourists.

Anyway my ideas for your trip @septimus would be Belize, Costa Rica, Hawaii, which are all do-able in 7 days.

I am going to disagree with your friends especially since they no longer live there. People are free to do what they wish however Brasil is a big ass country so I am side-eyeing blanket statements regarding safety.  If Brasil wasn't safe I wouldn't visit. Delta WOULD NOT have 3 flights daily out of Atlanta alone, AA wouldn't have started up flights to Fortaleza and Salvador. Brasil values the money from tourism which is why there are tourist police all over the place.  Like I said you do have to behave a certain way but the notion that you can't walk down Copacabana without muggings or god forbid shootings is just flat out inaccurate.

[Deleted]

Jan 13, 2014 13:58:43 GMT -5 iammalcolmx said:

Jan 13, 2014 13:25:31 GMT -5 @lauriergirl28 said:

iammalcolmx we were advised recently by friends who are Brazilian (she is from the Sau Paulo area, he is from Rio) not to travel right now to Brazil with kids (it was an option for one of our free trips). They have been recently and noticed a lot more muggings, crime in general, random shootings, etc. They weren't comfortable taking their kids back for a planned trip this year and just cancelled it. And these are people who lived in Brazil until about 7-8 years ago.

Normally, I agree with blanket comments like an entire country is not safe, but they have found even "safe" parts of brazil have been struggling to control crime, particularly that which is pinpointed towards "rich" tourists.

Anyway my ideas for your trip @septimus would be Belize, Costa Rica, Hawaii, which are all do-able in 7 days.

I am going to disagree with your friends especially since they no longer live there. People are free to do what they wish however Brasil is a big ass country so I am side-eyeing blanket statements regarding safety.  If Brasil wasn't safe I wouldn't visit. Delta WOULD NOT have 3 flights daily out of Atlanta alone, AA wouldn't have started up flights to Fortaleza and Salvador. Brasil values the money from tourism which is why there are tourist police all over the place.  Like I said you do have to behave a certain way but the notion that you can't walk down Copacabana without muggings or god forbid shootings is just flat out inaccurate.

It wasn't that they thought WE shouldn't visit, but that we shouldn't bring the kiddo. Although that doesn't totally make sense to me, either.

You have a good point about them not living there - although they do normally visit like 2-3 times per year.

That trip didn't really work for our schedules anyway, the Paris & London one did (plus we can bring my parentals to help with DS on Paris & London).

I do tend to hate blanket statements. Heck, we go to Mexico all the time and i know a LOT of people won't go there.

[Deleted]

DH has mentioned Ecuador a couple times. I wonder if we should do look at it and the Galapagos. I don't know much about Ecuador except I had a couple classmates from high school that are from there and live there now.

[frlcb]

I have to say I wasn't in love with Ecuador, but we didn't do Galapagos, and think I would feel differently if we had. It was my least favorite SA country that we visited. I would totally say Easter Island or NZ but neither of those are practical for 7 days.

[iammalcolmx]

Jan 13, 2014 14:20:40 GMT -5 @mx said:

I was under the impression that violent crime was actually down (significantly so) in São Paulo and Rio. OSAC and other reliable sources seem to confirm this. Our friends there (Brazilian/American couple with a toddler) feel very safe in São Paulo and weekend in Rio often.

H goes to both (and Brasilia and Belo Horizonte) pretty often and hasn't had any issues. He feels much safer in Brazil than in Cape Town (which isn't to say CPT is necessarily unsafe either).

That said I might go to Buenos Aires instead just because it felt more walkable and might be more fun for kids. Also because despite having made an effort before traveling to numerous Lusophone countries (and a cumulative several months in those countries) Portuguese still intimidates me. I can barely eke out a bom dia and obrigado. It's embarrassing!

You know this is why I love you right?

[GilliC]

I've actually never really felt unsafe in Rio, even walking around on my own. My friends who have kids there (both ex-pats and locals) don't have any issues. Especially if you stick to touristy areas, it's pretty fine these days. My boyfriend lived down the street from the Marriott in Copacabana, so I've spent lots of time in that area alone, and even then I didn't feel uneasy.

However, there are lots of amazing places in Brazil if you want to avoid the cities. You could explore the Amazon or go to Iguazu, or head up north. Jericoacoara is topping some of the must-visit lists this year, and everyone I know from Ceará raves about it.

Not sure what flight connections are like from LHR, but Madagascar has incredible wildlife and snorkeling. Seychelles is a great beach destination, and there are a lot of resorts on Mauritius.

[anna7602]

I took DD to Buenos Aires when she was 3 and found it to be incredibly child-friendly. There are tons of beautiful parks, some interesting museums, Japanese gardens, and amazing ice cream. Most restaurants and everywhere else were very child-friendly. We rented an apartment for a whole week for about $350 in a terrific, central area, so I probably wouldn't mess with a hotel. I don't know if prices or the exchange rate have changed significantly since then (this was in 2011).

Re: Brazil, I would take DD to Rio, but this does not seem to be the year to do it. According to all my Brazilian friends, prices are way up on everything because of all the upcoming events. If price is no object to you, then ignore me.

[ttt]

Jan 13, 2014 12:57:46 GMT -5 iammalcolmx said:

Jan 13, 2014 12:52:35 GMT -5 @septimus said:

Thanks. I had heard Rio wasn't safe for tourist. 

If you were straight up told "Rio isn't safe for tourists" that would be wrong. If you were cautioned against certain behaviors in Rio then I can get on board with that.  I did give ttt some tips before heading down there and as far as I can tell she has had no issues.

So far so good! Except for the guy who ripped us off at the farmer's market and way overcharged us for strawberries. 

[ttt]

Jan 13, 2014 13:25:31 GMT -5 @lauriergirl28 said:

iammalcolmx we were advised recently by friends who are Brazilian (she is from the Sau Paulo area, he is from Rio) not to travel right now to Brazil with kids (it was an option for one of our free trips). They have been recently and noticed a lot more muggings, crime in general, random shootings, etc. They weren't comfortable taking their kids back for a planned trip this year and just cancelled it. And these are people who lived in Brazil until about 7-8 years ago.

Normally, I agree with blanket comments like an entire country is not safe, but they have found even "safe" parts of brazil have been struggling to control crime, particularly that which is pinpointed towards "rich" tourists.

Anyway my ideas for your trip @septimus would be Belize, Costa Rica, Hawaii, which are all do-able in 7 days.

Honestly, I was really worried about being in Rio, but so far, we've had no issues at all. Well, that's not true - we had our power and water out ALL day yesterday, which was awful. And the water quality at the beach is really terrible but crime wise, nothing at all. Unless you count the criminal high prices here which are   I mean, $250 for a pair of Asics!?!?!?! 

That said, we are in a really nice (read: expensive) area, so I certainly can't speak for the rest of the city. But I feel comfortable bringing my kids here in a week or two. In fact, I see a lot of children around here. 

[GilliC]

Jan 13, 2014 18:41:58 GMT -5 ttt said:

Jan 13, 2014 13:25:31 GMT -5 @lauriergirl28 said:

iammalcolmx we were advised recently by friends who are Brazilian (she is from the Sau Paulo area, he is from Rio) not to travel right now to Brazil with kids (it was an option for one of our free trips). They have been recently and noticed a lot more muggings, crime in general, random shootings, etc. They weren't comfortable taking their kids back for a planned trip this year and just cancelled it. And these are people who lived in Brazil until about 7-8 years ago.

Normally, I agree with blanket comments like an entire country is not safe, but they have found even "safe" parts of brazil have been struggling to control crime, particularly that which is pinpointed towards "rich" tourists.

Anyway my ideas for your trip @septimus would be Belize, Costa Rica, Hawaii, which are all do-able in 7 days.

Honestly, I was really worried about being in Rio, but so far, we've had no issues at all. Well, that's not true - we had our power and water out ALL day yesterday, which was awful. And the water quality at the beach is really terrible but crime wise, nothing at all. Unless you count the criminal high prices here which are   I mean, $250 for a pair of Asics!?!?!?! 

Anything imported is absolutely insane. When my boyfriend used to fly to Oslo, he would buy clothes and shoes here. Everyone thought he was nuts, because where on earth is more expensive than Norway?! Brazil.

For shopping, that is. The food and drinks aren't nearly as bad, but I found it's not much cheaper than the US.

[iammalcolmx]

Jan 13, 2014 18:39:27 GMT -5 ttt said:

Jan 13, 2014 12:57:46 GMT -5 iammalcolmx said:

If you were straight up told "Rio isn't safe for tourists" that would be wrong. If you were cautioned against certain behaviors in Rio then I can get on board with that.  I did give ttt some tips before heading down there and as far as I can tell she has had no issues.

So far so good! Except for the guy who ripped us off at the farmer's market and way overcharged us for strawberries. 

That Motherfucker!!! Go to grocery store right near the Metro station near you. Also have you been here yet? www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g303506-d787028-Reviews-Garota_de_Ipanema-Rio_de_Janeiro_State_of_Rio_de_Janeiro.html

I can't wait to see you!!!

[ttt]

Jan 13, 2014 18:46:10 GMT -5 GilliC said:

Jan 13, 2014 18:41:58 GMT -5 ttt said:

Honestly, I was really worried about being in Rio, but so far, we've had no issues at all. Well, that's not true - we had our power and water out ALL day yesterday, which was awful. And the water quality at the beach is really terrible but crime wise, nothing at all. Unless you count the criminal high prices here which are   I mean, $250 for a pair of Asics!?!?!?! 

Anything imported is absolutely insane. When my boyfriend used to fly to Oslo, he would buy clothes and shoes here. Everyone thought he was nuts, because where on earth is more expensive than Norway?! Brazil.

For shopping, that is. The food and drinks aren't nearly as bad, but I found it's not much cheaper than the US.

A quart of Haagen Daaz at the grocery store is $22!!!!!!!

The one thing that is cheap here is services - a wax cost me $12 and a 15 minute taxi ride cost me $7. You can barely go a block in NYC for $7. 

[ttt]

Jan 13, 2014 18:48:49 GMT -5 iammalcolmx said:

Jan 13, 2014 18:39:27 GMT -5 ttt said:

So far so good! Except for the guy who ripped us off at the farmer's market and way overcharged us for strawberries. 

That Motherfucker!!! Go to grocery store right near the Metro station near you. Also have you been here yet? www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g303506-d787028-Reviews-Garota_de_Ipanema-Rio_de_Janeiro_State_of_Rio_de_Janeiro.html

I can't wait to see you!!!

Me too!!!! No, we haven't been there yet but we walk by it all the time! We just experienced Delirio Tropical tonight and now i understand why there's always 50 people waiting in line there. 

[iammalcolmx]

Jan 13, 2014 18:41:58 GMT -5 ttt said:

Jan 13, 2014 13:25:31 GMT -5 @lauriergirl28 said:

iammalcolmx we were advised recently by friends who are Brazilian (she is from the Sau Paulo area, he is from Rio) not to travel right now to Brazil with kids (it was an option for one of our free trips). They have been recently and noticed a lot more muggings, crime in general, random shootings, etc. They weren't comfortable taking their kids back for a planned trip this year and just cancelled it. And these are people who lived in Brazil until about 7-8 years ago.

Normally, I agree with blanket comments like an entire country is not safe, but they have found even "safe" parts of brazil have been struggling to control crime, particularly that which is pinpointed towards "rich" tourists.

Anyway my ideas for your trip @septimus would be Belize, Costa Rica, Hawaii, which are all do-able in 7 days.

Honestly, I was really worried about being in Rio, but so far, we've had no issues at all. Well, that's not true - we had our power and water out ALL day yesterday, which was awful. And the water quality at the beach is really terrible but crime wise, nothing at all. Unless you count the criminal high prices here which are   I mean, $250 for a pair of Asics!?!?!?! 

That said, we are in a really nice (read: expensive) area, so I certainly can't speak for the rest of the city. But I feel comfortable bringing my kids here in a week or two. In fact, I see a lot of children around here. 

All the rain has made the beaches a mess. Its the same where my Dad lives. GIRL YES about the shoes. Did you see how much Nikes are?? OMG. I am bringing down a couple pair for my Dad and Nephew. Also an XBox is $R4,000 no lie.  Also try to go with your H to Pão de Açúcar for one sunset. There is also a Sushi place with a great view on one of the top floors of Botafogo mall.

[ttt]

Jan 13, 2014 18:55:16 GMT -5 iammalcolmx said:

Jan 13, 2014 18:41:58 GMT -5 ttt said:

Honestly, I was really worried about being in Rio, but so far, we've had no issues at all. Well, that's not true - we had our power and water out ALL day yesterday, which was awful. And the water quality at the beach is really terrible but crime wise, nothing at all. Unless you count the criminal high prices here which are   I mean, $250 for a pair of Asics!?!?!?! 

That said, we are in a really nice (read: expensive) area, so I certainly can't speak for the rest of the city. But I feel comfortable bringing my kids here in a week or two. In fact, I see a lot of children around here. 

All the rain has made the beaches a mess. Its the same where my Dad lives. GIRL YES about the shoes. Did you see how much Nikes are?? OMG. I am bringing down a couple pair for my Dad and Nephew. Also an XBox is $R4,000 no lie.  Also try to go with your H to Pão de Açúcar for one sunset. There is also a Sushi place with a great view on one of the top floors of Botafogo mall.

I went to the Sephora at the mall and the perfume that Dh got me for my birthday for $70 in the US was $R399    

So yesterday: 
g1.globo.com/rio-de-janeiro/noticia/2014/01/furto-de-cabos-provoca-falta-de-luz-em-bairros-da-zona-sul-do-rio.html
Our power was out because someone stole electrical cables!!!

[emilyinchile]

Jan 13, 2014 18:49:20 GMT -5 ttt said:

Jan 13, 2014 18:46:10 GMT -5 GilliC said:

Anything imported is absolutely insane. When my boyfriend used to fly to Oslo, he would buy clothes and shoes here. Everyone thought he was nuts, because where on earth is more expensive than Norway?! Brazil.

For shopping, that is. The food and drinks aren't nearly as bad, but I found it's not much cheaper than the US.

A quart of Haagen Daaz at the grocery store is $22!!!!!!!

The one thing that is cheap here is services - a wax cost me $12 and a 15 minute taxi ride cost me $7. You can barely go a block in NYC for $7. 

A pint is $10. I feel your pain to a degree, but we're cheap compared to Brazil. Our malls are full of Brazilian tourists.

[iammalcolmx]

Jan 13, 2014 18:58:34 GMT -5 ttt said:

Jan 13, 2014 18:55:16 GMT -5 iammalcolmx said:

All the rain has made the beaches a mess. Its the same where my Dad lives. GIRL YES about the shoes. Did you see how much Nikes are?? OMG. I am bringing down a couple pair for my Dad and Nephew. Also an XBox is $R4,000 no lie.  Also try to go with your H to Pão de Açúcar for one sunset. There is also a Sushi place with a great view on one of the top floors of Botafogo mall.

I went to the Sephora at the mall and the perfume that Dh got me for my birthday for $70 in the US was $R399    

So yesterday: 
g1.globo.com/rio-de-janeiro/noticia/2014/01/furto-de-cabos-provoca-falta-de-luz-em-bairros-da-zona-sul-do-rio.html
Our power was out because someone stole electrical cables!!!

Let me know if you need me to bring you anything. Also I just got off of the phone with the family and they were like " Ipanema lost power and water today because of thieves!! " Ha!! This doesn't help the case i was trying to make saying things weren't so bad there.

[iammalcolmx]

Jan 13, 2014 18:59:32 GMT -5 emilyinchile said:

Jan 13, 2014 18:49:20 GMT -5 ttt said:

A quart of Haagen Daaz at the grocery store is $22!!!!!!!

The one thing that is cheap here is services - a wax cost me $12 and a 15 minute taxi ride cost me $7. You can barely go a block in NYC for $7. 

A pint is $10. I feel your pain to a degree, but we're cheap compared to Brazil. Our malls are full of Brazilian tourists.

How much are Nikes there?? I am still appalled.

[ttt]

Jan 13, 2014 19:02:27 GMT -5 iammalcolmx said:

Jan 13, 2014 18:58:34 GMT -5 ttt said:

I went to the Sephora at the mall and the perfume that Dh got me for my birthday for $70 in the US was $R399    

So yesterday: 
g1.globo.com/rio-de-janeiro/noticia/2014/01/furto-de-cabos-provoca-falta-de-luz-em-bairros-da-zona-sul-do-rio.html
Our power was out because someone stole electrical cables!!!

Let me know if you need me to bring you anything. Also I just got off of the phone with the family and they were like " Ipanema lost power and water today because of thieves!! " Ha!! This doesn't help the case i was trying to make saying things weren't so bad there.

LOL! Thank you We came pretty prepared, so I think we're OK. Unless you can bring me some Haagen Daaz lol. I can't wait for you to get here!