Johnny, Campinas is around 90 km from S��o Paulo, direction to north. Maybe 1 million of people live in Campinas, that are one of most traditionals from our state. It was in past a very peacefull town, but not matter rich and with everything you can need, a lot of violence started some years ago. Cost of living is quite same Sao Paulo in this moment. I think that you can find towns with less cost near Campinas and with no more than 15 min far away from thereby car.

paulista, thank you for your response. i am going to be doing volunteer work in campinas, so i must stay within the city. do you know how the buses are? what's a typical bus ride cost? is it safe? any other advice you can give me is much appreciated.

muita obrigada para sua resposta.

From Sao Paulo to Campinas prices are like 5 dollars, and will take one hour, so will be cheap to travel around. Inter-towns busses are very good. Inside town busses costs around 1 dollar. It��s safe, no problem, but if you working around "favelas" doing your work, a good pratice is to year cloths that don��t give to you much attention, like a jeans with basic t-short. If you can speak spanish, everyone will understand you. Good look! If you need any help my email is antuneswf@hotmail, wagner.

to add to the original post...

Anyone know anything about bairro Ponte Preta in the center of Campinas?

muita obrigada!

Im sorry... I am from Sao Paulo City...it is too much to me ! Anyway if you want to see my apartment option: http://www.brazil.biz.ly/

Johnny,

Ponte Preta is a neighbour closest Campinas downtown, so from there you can take buses to everywhere.

As Paulista said, violence in Campinas has raising in the last years and off course you need to take care of yourself, but not yet a big deal like in Rio or Sao Paulo.

About rent prices they are too expensive to live alone, but the good news is that Campinas has one of the major university in Brazil (UNICAMP), so you can find a "republica", a house or apartament where groups of students live together to save some money and split housework.

Hope this information help you to have a pleasant time in Brazil.

If you need more information, don't hesitate to e-mail me:

erick.jomil@itelefonica.com.br.

http://www.cosmo.com.br/cidades/campinas/

Regards.

I will be in Sao Paulo early April 2009 .

I would like to visit Campinas for few days to explore the place . I love walking , jogging , and frequenting coffee shops, restaurents but no night clubs . Any recommendations for a hotel say 3/4 stars in a good area .

Unfortunatly Campinas has become a victim of crime and in places is quite dangerous. However it is a great city with some very nice bars and restaurants. just out side of Campinas is a place called Souzas sorry probably mis spelt. Very nice small town, safe and some nice bars and restaurants to go to, is on the bus route and is max 10 mins from central Campinas. A hotel to stay at, I would recomend the Melia Tryp in the center and relatively safe area.

Sorry didn't make it very clear , maybe it is an idea to stay in Souzas rather than in Campinas.

Please let me know if there are any good hotels

in Sousas near Campinas .

Thank you