The FIFA 2014 World Cup starts on June 12, but that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible for you to attend this year if you don’t already have tickets or a hotel. Among this week’s travel deals, I found hotel room availability at the Hilton in Sao Paulo (and you can even earn free nights while you do it). You can also still apply and pay for World Cup tickets by visiting the FIFA World Cup site. In addition, I found some great off-season discounts at a luxurious beachfront hotel in Brazil (the perfect place to relax after the game), and a fun-sounding wildlife eco-tour in Costa Rica.
Don’t forget: You can get some of the best rates on airlines, hotels, rental cars and cruises by using LatinFlyer’s own travel booking engine — it’s at the top right-hand side of this page, where it says “Save Big on Your Trip.” With one click, you can compare airfares and rates from more than 10 top travel sites, including Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity. No more wasting time when you travel!
Hilton Hotels
Brazil
The Deal: Stay three times, get a free night
What Makes it Cool: Hilton is offering a “stay three times in the region and get a free night” promotion; to take advantage, you need to stay three separate visits at any three different participating hotel in the Caribbean and Latin America, and then you’ll get a free night at any participating hotel in the Caribbean and Latin America, including Brazil. The Hilton Sao Paulo Morumbi — which still has rooms available during the 2014 World Cup — is a participating property, so it can be one of the stays and/or the place to redeem the free night. Room rates at the Hilton Sao Paulo Morumbi during the World Cup start at $319 per night.
Valid for Travel: The promo is available now through July 31, 2014. The free night can be used July 1 through December 20, 2014.
Info & Reservations: http://hiltonslac.com/worldcup/
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Holy Modern Architecture!
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Ponta dos Ganchos
Florianopolis, Brazil
The Deal: Off-season special rates & activities
What Makes it Cool: When it’s summer in the northern hemisphere, it’s winter in Brazil — but the weather is still pleasant and perfect for visiting an upscale, Brazil beach property like Ponta dos Ganchos. Special packages at this luxury hotel from April through November (available from Sunday to Thursday, with a minimum three-night stay) include a welcome cocktail on arrival; a bottle of Moet Chandon or Monte da Ravasqueia; customized dinner menu with wine pairing daily; couples massage daily and a bath with flowers. Guests in Villa and Villa Esmeralda accommodations also get breakfast served in the bungalow every day and a private celebration or special dinner (based on availability). Another special for the season: Stay for four nights (Sunday to Thursday) and pay for three, or stay for seven nights and pay for five.
Valid for Travel: Rates start at about $648 between May 1 and August 31, 2014, and at $731 between September 1 and November 30, 2014.
Info & Reservations: www.pontadosganchos.com.br
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Wild Planet Adventures
Costa Rica
The Deal: Ultimate Wildlife Eco Tour
What Makes it Cool: Prices begin at $343 per person, per day, for a nine-day, 10-day or 14-day wildlife eco-tour in Costa Rica, including all meals. Highlights on both coasts include Cahuita, Arenal, Monteverde, Carara, Manuel Antonio and Corcovado National Parks. The diverse wildlife activities are suitable for travelers of all ages and skill levels, and include whitewater rafting, canopy tours, beaches on both coasts, volcanoes, hot springs, sea kayaking with dolphins, snorkeling at night in bioluminescent waters, and observing a scarlet macaw migration.
Valid for Travel: Wild Planet offers four departures in July.
Info & Reservations: www.wildplanetadventures.com
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