I am going with a friend who is a black guy. Brazil seems very racially diverse but, as you obvioulsy know the country and culture inside out, I wanna ask if it will be considered at all strange for a very white (blond haired and inevitably sunburnt - i.e. me) and a very black (he looks like an African heavy weight boxer) to be hanging out together?
No, not necessarily. I would be lying if I said there is no racism in Brazil, but most of the time it is covert in nature (it is not considered socially acceptable) and the level of segregation is smaller than in US. The population is also more mixed than in US. BTW, don't act choked if you hear the word 'negro'. It means black and does not cary the stigma associated with the word 'negger' in english.
I was also wondering how, as obvious tourists, we can avoid being ripped off as much as possible?
It's bound to happen at some level. Just remember that it is normal to negotiate prices when buy things at local markets. If something sounds to expensive, it probabily is. Avoid making haisty decisions, and remember that The dollar is a stronger currency than the real.
Also if you can recommend any places in and around Rio to visit or tell me if the trip from Rio to Sau Paulo is worth doing that would be really useful.
I've been to Rio only a few times (I'm from Fortaleza, which is a city way up in the northeast coast of Brazil). Po de Aucar and Corcovado have indeed unforgetable views but are a little expensive to go to (or may be I was just to poor when I went there?). The best beaches are Copacabana and Ipanema, Barra da Tijuca seems to be popular nowadays but have not been there. Jardin Botnico (botanic garden) is very beatifull. I personally don't like So Paulo very much, but some people love it. Apparently there are many good choices of paces to go at night time. some people just love that. I don't like it there because it takes freaking forever to get to places (18 million people to share space with is not my kind of fun). I would go to Paratí of Petropolis instead (small cities around Rio).
Finally (for now) how can I get tickets for a football match!!!???
Gotta see some football in Brazil!!!!!!
I don't really know, but it shouldn't be hard.
Is Rio particularly dangerous and are there parts of it where we should just not go?
Yes, it is particularly dangerous. There are places the police itself doesn't usually go, and have to sue armored vehicles when they go. The druglords are very well armed and powerfull. Years ago one of them became famous by scaping prison by helicopter.
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