BRAZIL TRAVEL GUIDE
Brazil is not only one of the largest countries on the planet but also one of South America’s most visitor-friendly and is a destination that promises everything from jungle wildernesses to picture-postcard beaches. A rich culture captures all that’s great about the continent and promises lively Latin music and dancing, festivals, great cuisine and life-loving locals. Brazilians are a passionate people with a lust for life that manifests itself in many areas of their culture. The Rio Carnival and their undying love for football are examples of this. Highlights when visiting Brazil include Rio de Janeiro, colonial towns, great beaches and the Amazon Rainforest.
* * * * * * * *
BRAZIL WEATHER - When to Go
Brazil occupies a very large area and therefore is a country that has many different climates. Climate classifications range from tropical to semi-arid. The northern areas are far warmer than the southern areas, though rainfall is more common there due to the proximity to the Amazon Basin. Most of the country can however be classified as having a tropical climate and one can expect weather to be generally warm and rainy most of the year round. The hot and humid summers which run from October through to March are the most popular time to visit.
* * * * * * * *
BRAZIL HIGHLIGHTS - Places to Visit
- Rio de Janeiro is usually the first stop for tourists visiting Brazil. Its fame stems mainly from the Rio Carnival which takes place mid-February (just before Lent), marking the forty day countdown to Easter. Since 1840 the carnival has attracted international visitors to the city. Numbers rise steadily each year and the latest figures show a staggering attendance of 500 000 people in one area on one day. The carnival is not merely just one parade but consists of a number of events that take place around the city. Rio is literally transformed into one gigantic party venue for four entire days. Tourists and locals alike drink and dance on the pavements or wherever they can find a spot to be merry. Rio is also well known for the statue of Christ the Redeemer. This Brazilian icon shows Christ standing open armed almost embracing the city. It is based on Corcovado Mountain which is also the highest peak in Rio. A tram ride to the top will reveal a stunning view of the city. Though Sugar Loaf Mountain is a little lower than Corcovado, it does offer a panoramic 360 degree view worth seeing. Another great attraction of Rio is the scores of gorgeous beaches lined with hotels, vendors, cafes and nightclubs. The most popular is Copacabana beach. Rio de Janeiro also plays host to some important museums. The Quinta da Boa Vista was once a palace where the Emperors of Brazil resided. Today it is a beautiful park and architectural monument that houses a zoo and the National Museum. The Native Art museum and the Indian Museum are also located within Rio de Janeiro and well worth a visit.
- Sao Paolo is an incredibly large city and in fact the most populated in the southern hemisphere, with 18 million people. This thriving urban centre hosts a number of annual events that draw a great many tourists. These include the Sao Paolo Formula One Grand Prix, Fashion Week, Gay Pride Parade, International Film Festival, Electronic Language International Festival, Festival of Electronic Art and the Art Biennial which takes place every second year. Sao Paolo is also home to numerous museums, theatres, churches and other landmarks of historical significance. The Estação da Luz and Mercado Municipal are two spots worth visiting. The Luz is a historical railways station built in 1895 and the Mercado a historical market that still operates today.
- Salvador is known as Brazil’s capital of happiness. This is due to the laid back, happy-go-lucky nature of the people that live there, the vast amount of outdoor parties and its annual street carnival. It is therefore no wonder that this coastal town is also a popular vacation spot. Fifty kilometres of gorgeous beaches are the main attraction though the city also has a great deal of historical attractions on offer too. Its historic centre is now a UNESCO world heritage site and has undergone major restoration to retain its original early Portuguese charm. Salvador was and still is a very wealthy place. As a result there are colonial palaces, convents and churches of insurmountable beauty. The one-week carnival that takes place in Salvador in February has been classified by the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest street party on earth (yes, apparently even bigger than Rio!) with 2 million people taking part yearly. Another good city to visit in Brazil.
- Brasilia is the capital city and is a destination brimming with striking landmarks and architectural treasures. Must-sees on a sightseeing tour include the Television Tower, Juscelino Kubitschek Memorial, Brasilia Cathedral and the Square of the Three Powers. Meanwhile, if nature spots are high on your agenda then be sure to check out the Paranoá Lake, City Park and the Brasilia National Park.
- Recife is a growing metropolis but also a symbol of Dutch and Portuguese colonisation in Brazil. Numerous seventeenth and eighteenth century structures characterise the city and echo the long standing heritage. This diverse city gives one the opportunity to explore monuments, take a cruise or simply enjoy a cocktail at one of the numerous cafes, bar and clubs along the beachfront. Many bars and outdoor show venues are also located within restored and remodelled buildings located in the old district. Scuba diving is a great attraction of Recife. More than thirty boats lie at the ocean’s bottom just off of Recife’s coast providing scintillating wreck diving opportunities. As with most cities in Brazil, Recife also hosts its own carnival. The party commences one week ahead of the main carnival weekend, the main event taking place on the Saturday night where over a million people trail the Galo du Madrugada group.
- Tres Rios is a city based on the Paraibuna, Paraiba do Sul and Piabanha Rivers. The main attraction in Tres Rios is water rafting on the Paraibuna River. This 21 kilometre course is an adrenaline pumping excursion through the most beautiful of terrains. It is best enjoyed in the summer months when the water levels are high. The course can be done in winter, though the drops are steeper and sometimes the water may be too low. Other attractions in Tres Rios include the highway museum which is a collection of transport relics dating back to the late 1800’s, the statue of Mao Preta, Our Lady of Pity Chapel, Our lady of Conception Church, Swan Bridge, the House of Stone and the Culture House.
- Capixaba Mountains: The Capixaba Mountains play host to a number of small and quaint towns. A visit to any of these promises exceptional hospitality, a cosy environment and great food. This is the place to go to experience true Brazilian flavour when it comes to every facet of Brazilian culture. The beautiful mountainous area obviously offers a wealth of opportunities for exploring caverns, caves, waterfalls, rivers and mountain passes. One can take part in a vast amount of adventure sports or simply take a ride in a 4 x 4 to one of the nearby parks. Conservation areas and natural sites include Rego Rock, Now Rock 7, Caliman Orchid Yard, Filleti’s Hill, Caxixe Frio, the Alta Bananeiro Waterfall, Vargas Waterfall, Maretas Waterfall, Poco Fundo Waterfall, Fumaca Waterfall and finally the Forno Grande, Mata das Flores, Boqueirão and Beira-Rio Reservations.
- Amazon Rainforest & Jungle Trekking: Amazonia covers about seven million square kilometres and a trek through this jungle is truly the best way to experience the utter beauty and sheer grandeur of this region. It is said that one square kilometre contains around 75,000 types of plant life.
Many tour operators plan either the start point, finish point or both to be the city of Manaus. Trekking is not recommended without an experienced tour guide, many of whom also operate out of this city. Trekking tours range in length from short two day excursions to ten day treks that venture deep into the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Most tours incorporate travelling on the water in some manner. Some offer individual kayaks where others allow for the traveller to hitch a ride on a locally made craft or even a sailboat. Many of the trekking tours also include tree climbing, zip lining, abseiling and other adventurous activities as part of the itinerary and indeed an essential way of moving through the dense and lush environment. Rivers travelled on are usually the Urubu River, Amazonas River, Negro River and Solimoes Rivers.
Aside from a number of birds and reptiles that the jungle is home to, mammals to be spotted comprise of tapirs, river dolphins, giant otters, a large variety of monkeys, jaguars, pumas, manatees, pacas, sloths, armadillos and deer.
- Other highlights and places of interest: Interesting colonial towns with impressive town centres worth a day of your time each include Alcantara, Sao Luis and Diamantina (an important former mining town). Pirenopolis is another eighteenth century World Heritage site packed with historical buildings and beautiful waterfalls. It is also the launch pad to two nature reserves including the Pireneus Mountains State Park and the Vargem Grande Ecological Reserve. Tiradentes which is located in the Sao Jose Mountain range is an artistic strong hold boasting a wealth of Baroque architecture. Ouro Preto, Mariana, Belem, Mucuge and Carauru are just some other names in the long list of picturesque, interesting and festive locations in Brazil. If you like waterfalls, don’t miss out on the 275 separate waterfalls at the site of the Iguaçu Falls located at the border with Argentina and Paraguay.
* * * * * * * *
BRAZIL HOSPITALITY - Eat, Drink, Sleep
- Food and Eating Out: Brazilian cuisine is varied and influenced by the vast amount of cultures within the country including Portuguese, Spanish, African, Asian and Dutch. Food specialities differ from region to region. However there are a number of national specialities. Feijoada is a rich stew made from black beans, pigs ears and tails, chinks of pork and sausage which is served on white rice with orange slices and chopped kale. Moqueca is a seafood stew made with coconut milk, Vatapa is a shrimp and fish dish made with coconut milk and served with pasta or rice and Acaraje are mashed fritters made from beans and deep fried which are served with dried shrimps, onions and peppers. Smaller towns and cities are more focussed on traditional cuisine; however the big centres offer a range of international restaurants of esteemed quality. Tipping is usually ten percent and not added to the bill.
- Entertainment and Nightlife: The Brazilian people love to party and celebrate. No matter where you go you will find a number of opportunities to dance, sing and drink. Almost every town or city has at least one vibrant carnival which is indicative of the party nature of the locals. Brazil is the birthplace of many kinds of Latin American music and dance. It is for this reason that the country is jam packed with live music and dance venues offering samba, ramba and other variations. Sao Paolo has the biggest clubs which only usually start to fill after midnight. There are no licensing hours in Brazil so parties go on until the early hours of the morning and sometimes well after sunrise. The legal drinking age is eighteen and locals enjoy a good beer as well as South Brazilian wine. Caparinha is by far the most popular drink. This national drink is a spirit derived from sugar cane and is usually served with sugar, limes and crushed ice. Many juice bars serve freshly squeezed juices from the abundance of tropical fruit harvested in the country, though the more energetic can also enjoy a guarana based fizzy drink which gives one a burst of energy.
- Accommodation in Brazil is a plenty. There are a vast range of options including lodges, the full menu of hotels, bed and breakfasts, camping and quaint villas. It all very much depends on where you go and what kind of experience you are seeking. A stay at one of the more traditional guesthouses is recommended when visiting the smaller towns. Try Booking.com for some good hotel deals in Brazil.
* * * * * * * *
BRAZIL FLIGHTS - Flying from the UK
It is possible to fly direct to Sao Paulo in Brazil from London with British Airways. Sao Paulo is also the main airport for internal flight connections within Brazil. Using other airlines and stopovers, there are also various other flight options for arriving in Rio de Janeiro.
For other flight options from the UK to Brazil including stop-overs, try Expedia.co.uk or Skyscanner.
|
