World Cup 2014: Manaus, Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte - Simon Calder's guide to England’s host cities in Brazil
Brazil’s largest city is not a place to linger
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Manaus
For the tourist, Manaus is one of Brazil’s glories. The city grew up during the rubber boom of the 19th century; its erstwhile prosperity is evident in the monumental shape of the Teatro Amazonas, the opera house that attracted the world’s greatest artists. Today, the city is most notable as the hub for Amazonian adventures, with wildlife tourism the 21st-century growth industry.
Sao Paulo
Brazil’s largest city is not a place to linger. The US State Department issues a specific warning for travellers to Sao Paulo about: “Young women slipping various drugs into men's drinks and robbing them of all their belongings while they are unconscious. Armed hold-ups of pedestrians and motorists by young men on motorcycles are a common occurrence. Victims who resist run the risk of violent attack.” The only positive: it is well-connected to more alluring parts of the country.
Belo Horizonte
The nation’s third-biggest city is twinned with Minsk in Belarus. Travel-weary cynics might say it is equally industrial and unappealing. But Belo Horizonte is gateway to the colonial gold-mining towns, of which the most notable is exquisite Ouro Preto, rich in Brazilian baroque. If, by the time of England’s last match against Costa Rica, the team need a miracle, Roy Hodgson may take heart from the fact that Belo Horizonte is also twinned with Bethlehem.
WORLD CUP 2014 INTERACTIVE GUIDE: The groups, fixtures, route to the final, venues and past winners
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments