Embassy of Brazil in London

THE STATE OF AMAPÁ

The sparsely populated state of Amapá in the far north of Brazil is proud of its record of protecting the environment and taking the lead in the demarcation of territories for indigenous peoples. More than two-thirds of its territory is protected, and it has the highest percentage area of virgin forest out of all the states in the Amazon region, so tourism infrastructure is being developed at a slow and careful pace. Amapá boasts spectacular scenery and an array of colourful wildlife, including a number of species believed only to exist in this region. It borders the Amazon delta to the south, the Atlantic ocean to the east, French Guyana and Suriname to the north, and the state of Pará to the west.

Climate

The climate is tropical, with a lot of rainfall between January and May. Temperatures are at their highest during the dry season between June and December.

How to get there

The state capital, Macapá, has an airport that is served by domestic flights. For many visitors, however, the first stop in Amapá is Porto do Santana, about 30km from Macapá, having travelled down the Amazon by boat from Santarém or Belém.

Accommodation

Macapá has a few mid-range hotels and numerous cheap, friendly guesthouses (pousadas).

What to do there

Most people who visit Amapá spend some time in the capital, Macapá, which lies on the Amazon delta and is home to around 200,000 people, more than half of the state's total population. It has the distinction of being the only Brazilian city lying on the equator, and has a special monument, the Marco Zero, situated right on the equatorial line.

Places to visit include one of Brazil's best preserved forts, the Fortaleza de São José do Macapá, built in the 18th century to discourage foreign powers from staking a claim to the north bank of the Amazon. There is also a 'sustainable development museum' (Museu do Desenvolvimento Sustentável), which contains a range of crafts made by different indigenous tribes from the local region. Unsurprisingly, given its location, Macapá has a number of excellent fish restaurants.

About half way along the eastern coast of the state, the waters of the Araguari river flow into the Atlantic and create a tidal bore that offers very good conditions for surfing, particularly between the months of March and September. At times waves can reach a height of five metres.

Visit northern Brazil's answer to the world-famous Iguaçu falls in the far south: the smaller but still spectacular Santo Antônio waterfalls on the Jari river in the far south-west of the state, near the town of Laranjal do Jari.

Nature-lovers will enjoy trying to spot some of Amapá's array of spectacular but sometimes elusive wildlife, which includes anteaters, manatees, jaguars, armadillos and various species of monkey. One wild animal that does have a high profile is the water buffalo, large herds of which can be seen in various parts of the state.

Visit the Cabo Orange National Park in the far north of the state, which boasts a huge area of dense virgin rainforest and extraordinary biodiversity. Its mangrove swamps, home to flamingos, scarlet ibises and toucans, are a paradise for birdwatchers.

SÃO LUÍS (Maranhão)

With its brightly painted façades and abundance of Portuguese blue and white azulejo tiles, the historic centre of São Luís is perhaps one of the most atmospheric and photogenic urban areas in Brazil. The city also offers great beaches, delicious seafood and a thriving live music scene, with a particular emphasis on Brazilian reggae.

The capital of the northeastern state of Maranhão, São Luís is home to just under a million people and is steeped in history. It was founded by the French (a distinction it shares with Rio de Janeiro) and is the only Brazilian city to have been ruled by three European countries. After the French were driven out by the Portuguese in 1615, the Dutch invaded the city and held it for a brief period in the mid-seventeenth century, building the fort whose ruins are still visible on a headland between the beaches of Ponta da Areia and Calhau.

Climate

The climate is very warm, but benefits from sea breezes that prevent the coastline region from becoming as hot as the interior of Maranhão. The year is divided into a wet (Dec-Jun) and dry (Jul-Nov) season, with humidity significantly higher during the former.

How to get there

São Luís is well served by intercity buses, and its small airport receives flights from São Paulo, Brasília and the main northeastern cities.

Accommodation

Most of the cheapest places to stay are in the historic centre, while beachside accommodation consists mainly of medium-range hotels.

What to do there

Stroll around the atmospheric colonial centre, or Zona, which is small enough to be covered on foot. The area is an unending feast of Portuguese colonial architecture, well deserving of its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is undeniably dilapidated in places, but the Reviver renovation project is making huge strides. The Praça Dom Pedro II is lined with beautiful pre-Baroque buildings including the municipal hall, which dates from 1688. Adjacent to it is the elegant Palácio dos Leões, built between 1761 and 1776. The steep Beco Catarina runs into the heart of the Zona, with its maze of cobbled streets, and leads to Rua do Trapiche, where the tiled façades are perhaps the most impressive array of azulejos in the city. Also, far from being a museum piece, the centre is a vibrant, bustling commercial hub, and its location on the headland above the confluence of the Atlantic and the Rio Anil means it also offers great views.

Fans of Brazilian reggae will feel very much at home in São Luís. There are regular live outdoor performances, both in the historic centre and across the bridge in São Francisco. And the parties are not restricted to weekends – Wednesday also seems to have become established as a big reggae night.

If you’re able to visit São Luís in June, don't miss the spectacular mix of music, dance and extravagant costumes that is the bumba-meu-boi popular festival. The festivities – which re-enact the story of a plantation owner who leaves a bull in the care of a slave, after which the animal dies but then magically comes back to life – usually start on Santo Antônio's day, 13 June, and reach a climax over the weekend nearest 24 June.

The city has excellent beaches, and unsurprisingly many thousands of locals flock to them at weekends. The closest to the city centre is Ponta da Areia, followed by Calhau, notable for its dunes. At low tide it is possible to take a beautiful stroll along the shoreline walk from one to the other. Perhaps the most attractive beach of all is Araçagi, about 20km away, which has numerous small bars and restaurants. Sample the delicious maranhense seafood, including crab and huge prawns. The area’s signature seafood dish is cuxá, made with shrimp, garlic and distinctively-flavoured leaves from local plants.

Related links

www.turismo.ma.gov.br [en]
en.wikipedia.org [en]

ITAÚNAS (Espírito Santo)

Sleepy fishing villages flanked by expanses of golden sand are hardly a rarity in Brazil, but Itaúnas deserves a special mention. Situated in the far north of Espírito Santo state, close to the border with Bahia, the village is part of a nature reserve that stretches for 25km along the Atlantic coast. With its simple houses, unpaved streets and little fishing boats (the main source of income for many local residents), Itaúnas has a rustic feel and is very quiet for most of the year. In summer, however, things liven up considerably as thousands of young Brazilians arrive in search of sun, sea and forró music. There is also a frenetic burst of mid-winter activity, in July, in the form of the annual forró festival.

The beautiful Itaúnas state reserve is a wilderness area of mangrove forests and spectacularly high sand dunes. The constantly shifting dunes actually engulfed the original village, requiring the new Itaúnas to be built slightly further inland.

Climate

Daytime temperatures in summer (Dec-Mar) often exceed 30 degrees, and on sunny days in winter (Jun-Sep) it is still warm enough to sunbathe.

How to get there

The nearest major airport is in the state capital, Vitória (250km down the coast), to which there are regular flights from many other Brazilian cities. Itaúnas is well served by buses from the nearest large town, Conceição da Barra, about 30km away.

Accommodation

There are around fifty pousadas (guesthouses), most of which offer delicious homemade breakfasts.

What to do there

Relax into the slow rhythm of local life, and enjoy the sun, sea and sand. The Atlantic along this stretch of the Brazilian coastline is invitingly warm and clear, as are the waters of the Itaúnas river. Those who scramble to the top of the dunes, some of which are 30m high, are rewarded with a fabulous view of the ocean and mangrove forests.

For those not content with sitting in the sun, or the shade of a palm tree, there are picturesque walking and horse-riding trails through the dunes, and plentiful kayaking opportunities along the Itaúnas river.

Itaúnas is one of the focal points for Projeto Tamar, dedicated to the protection of Brazil’s sea turtles. From September to March you can actually see the turtles hatching on the beach. Other wildlife in the state reserve includes monkeys, sloths, otters, parrots and jaguatiricas (a species of wild cat).

Itaúnas has established a nationwide reputation for forró, the energetic accordion-driven music associated with northeastern Brazil. The annual forró festival, held every July, entails 24-hour dancing and attracts thousands of young people. If you’re not sure of the moves, drinking a couple of the local caipirinhas will probably free you of your inhibitions!

Savour the local cooking, which naturally includes a lot of freshly-caught fish and other seafood.

Related links

www.braziltour.com [en]
www.40graus.com.br [pt]

BRASÍLIA (Federal District)

The capital of Brazil, purpose-built in the late 1950s, is often neglected by visitors to the country, but those who do go are rewarded by an array of stunningly original modernist architecture, much of it designed by the great Oscar Niemeyer. Other attractions include an increasingly vibrant cultural life, a wide variety of bars and restaurants, plentiful green spaces, and easy access to the beautiful savannah (cerrado) region of inland Brazil.

In the 1950s the idea of an inland capital for Brazil was not a new one, but the man who provided the crucial political impetus was President Juscelino Kubitschek, for whom the new city represented the centrepiece of a push to achieve ‘fifty years' progress in five’. In fact, Brasília was built even more quickly than that: it began to rise from the savannah in 1956, and was officially inaugurated in April 1960.

Many of Brasília’s buildings embody a bold, futuristic vision dating from the 1950s and 60s. They therefore have a very distinctive feel – simultaneously space age and retro – and explain why the city has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Climate

The high plain (planalto) on which Brasília is situated has a reasonably comfortable climate: temperatures rarely exceed 30 degrees in summer (Dec-March) or fall below 15 degrees in winter (June-September). Rainfall is lower than the Brazilian average, and the city is well known for its clear blue skies. Nevertheless, the numerous parks and gardens remain pleasantly green for most of the year, the exception being the very dry and dusty months of July-September.

How to get there

Brasília's airport (12km south of the city centre) is served by regular flights from all the other major cities in the country. The capital also has excellent roads fanning out in every direction across the planalto. The bus journeys to São Paulo, Belo Horizonte and Goiânia take around fifteen, ten and three hours respectively.

Accommodation

In addition to the top-of-the-range hotels catering to business, governmental and diplomatic visitors, there are plenty of cheap options for those on a tighter budget.

What to do there

Perhaps the first thing visitors need to do is get a feel for the city’s unique lay-out, often compared to an aeroplane. The principal government and public buildings are to be found in the ‘fuselage’, while the ‘wings’ contain the residential areas along with a great many bars and restaurants. Visitors should also be aware that attempting to get around on foot can soon become tiring. Indeed, the city was planned on the assumption that its residents would have access to automated transport. Fortunately there is a good bus service, and no shortage of taxis.

Running through the ‘fuselage’ is the Eixo Monumental (‘Monumental Axis’), lined by gleaming government buildings including the huge Palácio do Itamaraty that houses Brazil’s foreign ministry. The nose of the fuselage includes the national parliament buildings (Congresso Nacional) and the office of the president (Palácio do Planalto). The outstanding architectural features in this part of the city are far too numerous to list here, but the Congresso Nacional (one of Niemeyer’s most famous creations) perhaps deserves a special mention as it consists of two 28-story-high towers flanked by the futuristic dome of the Senate (the upper house of parliament) and ‘saucer’ of the Chamber of Deputies (the lower house). It is possible to arrange guided tours of the Congresso Nacional, the Palácio do Planalto and Palácio do Itamaraty, and to watch parliamentary debates from a public gallery.

Not far from the ministry buildings is yet another of Niemeyer’s creations, the stunning Catedral Metropolitana Nossa Senhora Aparecida, built in the form of an inverted chalice and crown of thorns. It is well worth going inside to admire the enormous stained glass roof.

The pyramid-shaped Teatro Nacional (National Theatre) is also a very striking building. Its three auditoriums are used for a wide range of cultural events, including concerts by Brasilia’s very own symphony orchestra.

To get a view of the city as a whole, there’s no better place than the 220-metre-high platform on the Torre de Televisão (TV Tower) on the Eixo Monumental.

Anyone seeking a shady green space for a walk, a jog or a picnic should head for the Parque Sara Kubitschek (named after the former president’s wife), which runs along one side of the Eixo Monumental.

There is also a huge area of wild countryside right on the edge of the city in the form of the Parque Nacional de Brasília, which includes natural pools for swimming and numerous hiking trails.

Brasília might not be the country’s cultural epicentre, but it has a highly-regarded international film festival every October, a vibrant live-music scene, and a huge number of restaurants (amply representing both international and Brazilian regional cuisine).

Finally, Brasília also serves as the main point of departure for the burgeoning ecotourism opportunities in the cerrado region. There are various waterfalls and cave systems within easy reach of the city, and the spectacular Chapada dos Veadeiros national park (also listed in Destinations) is less than 250km away.

Related links

www.wikitravel.org [en]
www.braziltour.com [en]

BELO HORIZONTE (Minas Gerais)

The vibrant, modern city of Belo Horizonte (‘Beautiful Horizon’), capital of the inland state of Minas Gerais, is the third-biggest conurbation in south-east Brazil after São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. It is a planned city, laid out in a grid system, and is quite easy to get around on foot or by public transport.

Climate

The climate is very pleasant, with temperatures rarely falling below 15 degrees in winter (June-September) or rising above 30 degrees in summer (December-February). Very little rain falls between May and September.

How to get there

The city has two airports: Pampulha, 10km from the city centre, which mainly handles flights from elsewhere in Minas Gerais, plus a few from other Brazilian cities; and the busier Tancredo Neves airport (usually known as Confins), 30km away, which receives the majority of domestic flights, plus a small number of international ones. By road, perhaps the best way to approach Belo Horizonte is from the south, through the beautiful hills of the Serra do Espinhaço (the view of which gave the city its name).

Accommodation

There are dozens of hotels in and around the city centre, many of them very reasonably priced.

What to do there

Belo Horizonte has some outstanding art galleries, including the Palácio das Artes, Instituto Moreira Salles and Centro de Cultura Belo Horizonte in the city centre, and the Museu de Arte da Pampulha about 10km to the north in the district of Pampulha.

Dotted among the skyscrapers are some buildings of great architectural interest, such as the French art-nouveau-style Palácio da Liberdade, which serves as the official residence of the Minas Gerais state governor; the São Francisco de Assis church, with its remarkable curves, decorated with a series of murals by the Brazilian modernist artist Candido Portinari; and the flowing lines of the Edifício Niemeyer (designed, as its name suggests, by the world-famous Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer).

Hunt for local delicacies at the Mercado Central, a huge indoor market that takes place seven days a week in the city centre. Anyone who has developed a taste for queijo minas, the delicious white cheese produced in Minas Gerais, should certainly pay a visit.

On a Sunday, anyone with an interest in handicrafts should head for the enormous Feira de Arte e Artesanato, which takes place alongside the Parque Municipal. Producers of lace, jewellery, leather goods, paintings, ceramics and countless other goods come from many different parts of Brazil to sell their wares.

Connoisseurs of the sugar-cane spirit cachaça will love the Alambique Cachaçaria, which produces and sells many different types of this fiery drink, including some that are infused with herbs or honey. It is widely accepted that Minas Gerais produces the best cachaças in Brazil.

For nightlife, the best districts of the city are arguably Savassi and Funcionários, where there are several lively bars. Rua da Bahia, in the city centre, is also good place to mingle with the locals until the early hours of the morning. The city’s clubbing scene centres on Barro Preto.

Take a break from the bustle of the city centre in the shady and attractively laid-out Parque Municipal, which includes a boating lake and more than two thousand different species of tree, or the huge Parque das Mangabeiras nature reserve on the southern edge of the city. Just outside the Parque das Mangabeiras is the Mirante da Cidade, which offers a panoramic view of the city.

Go to Pampulha to see a football match at the Minerão, one of Brazil’s largest and most atmospheric football stadiums. The local derby between Atlético Mineiro and Cruzeiro, the city’s two major clubs, is a particularly highly-charged occasion.

If you fancy yourself as a draughts player you could take on one of the many purveyors of ‘street draughts’ in the area around Praça Sete. These enterprising locals set up their boards on the pavements and play all comers for money – needless to say they are rarely beaten.

Take a train to the coastal city of Vitória, the capital of Espírito Santo state. Brazil is not well known for its railways, but this line, surviving from the beginning of the last century, offers a fascinating ride through the eastern part of Minas Gerais. Even if you don’t intend to catch the train, the neoclassical architecture of the station building, situated on Praça da Estação in the city centre, is well worth a visit.

Belo Horizonte is a good base from which to set off and the charming old colonial towns of Minas Gerais such as Tiradentes (also listed in Destinations) and Ouro Preto.

Related links

www.i-escape.com [en]
dg.travelnow.com [en]
www.agendabh.org.br [pt]

SOUTHERN BAHIA

The coast of southern Bahia boasts countless palm-fringed beaches resembling the classic postcard image of a tropical paradise. But the region isn’t only for sunbathers: daytime attractions also include scuba diving, surfing and even whale watching, while the town of Porto Seguro offers excellent nightlife and one of the most frenetic annual carnivals in Brazil.

Climate

Along the coast the weather is warm and dry almost all year round, without ever getting blisteringly hot.

How to get there

Salvador international airport in the north of Bahia receives flights from Europe and North America, as well as from all the other major cities in Brazil. From Salvador, the main route south is the BR-101 highway – it’s about six hours by bus to Ilhéus and eleven hours to Porto Seguro. An alternative option is to fly to the small airport at Porto Seguro from Salvador or Rio de Janeiro.

Accommodation

The large towns have a wide range of pousadas (guesthouses) and hotels to choose from, while most of the accommodation in smaller places, such as Trancoso and Caraíva, tends to be fairly simple.

What to do there

Just off the mainland about 70km south of Salvador, the village of Morro de São Paulo is situated on the small island of Tinharé. Many visitors arrive direct from Salvador either by boat (a two-hour journey) or small aircraft (only 20 minutes). Morro de São Paulo has developed a reputation for lively nightlife during the summer months, and is a popular destination for young Brazilian tourists. The island has good beaches, the nearby coral reefs offer superb scuba diving, and it is also one of the best spots in Bahia for surfing.

Itacaré, 330km south of Salvador, is a busy beach town and fishing port that has become something of a centre for water-based adventure sports such as canoeing and rafting.

Another 70km down the coast, the town of Ilhéus was the birthplace of the novelist Jorge Amado, the creator of classic s such as Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon and Dona Flor and her two Husbands. Fans of his work will not want to miss the Casa da Cultura, once the home of Amado himself. The town also has a number of beaches, though they pale alongside the beautiful stretches of sand to the south of the town near the village of Olivença.

The bustling resort of Porto Seguro, where the first Portuguese sailors landed on Brazilian soil in 1500, is the most popular destination in southern Bahia. It was founded in 1526, and some of its sixteenth-century buildings still survive. The town attracts large numbers of Brazilian tourists throughout the year, but is particularly busy during from December to February. There is abundant nightlife all year round, and the annual carnaval – definitely a participative rather than a spectator event – is reputed to be one of the best in Brazil. The best of the beaches around Porto Seguro are probably those to the north of the town, starting with Praia Curuípe. Slightly further up the coast road is Praia Itacimirim, followed by Mundaí and Taperapuã, both of which are good for scuba diving.

Arraial d’Ajuda, a slightly quieter and yet still lively beach resort, is just a ten-minute ferry ride from Porto Seguro across the Buranhém river.

About 45 minutes’ drive south from Arraial d’Ajuda (or, for the more adventurous, a 12km walk along stunning beaches) the laid-back little town of Trancoso has long been popular with the backpacking fraternity.

For those seeking a really peaceful tropical hideaway, the sleepy village of Caraíva, not easily reached by road, is accessible by boat from Trancoso (two hours) and Porto Seguro (four hours). There are no cars, the only electricity is provided by generators, and the surrounding beaches are second to none.

In the far south of Bahia is the pretty colonial town of Caravelas, founded in 1503. Apart from being a relaxing place to spend time in, it is also the point of departure for the Abrolhos National Marine Park. Tour companies in the town offer trips to the park, which consists of five islands about 50km from the coastline. It is an excellent place to see turtles, rare birds and also, between July and October, humpback whales.

Related links

www.bahia.com.br [en, pt]
www.morrodesaopaulo.com.br [en, pt]
www.itacare.com.br [en, pt]

THE STATE OF RORAIMA

Situated in the far north of Brazil, bordering Venezuela and Guyana, Roraima provides a fascinating destination for travellers who want to get off the beaten track and close to nature. It is the country’s most sparsely populated state, with fewer than 400,000 people spread over an area almost as large as mainland Britain. It consists mostly of tropical rainforest and savannah, and is criss-crossed by numerous large rivers.

Visitors to the Monte Roraima national park, in the region where the borders of Brazil, Venezuela and Guyana meet, will find huge, flat-topped mountains rising dramatically out of the flat savannah – a strange and yet stunningly beautiful landscape that is said to have inspired Arthur Conan Doyle’s 1912 novel The Lost World.

The huge potential for ecotourism in Roraima is already being exploited. A variety of organised, guided tours can be arranged in the state capital, Boa Vista, and there is also scope for independent travel. Visitors should be aware however, that indigenous territories cannot be entered without permission from the National Foundation for the Indian (Funai), and that trips to many of the principal destinations require authorisation from Ibama, Brazil’s national environmental protection agency.

Climate

As you’d expect in a state lying on the equator, the weather is warm and quite humid all year round. The annual mean daytime temperature is 26 degrees centigrade.

How to get there

Boa Vista airport has regular connections to other cities in northern Brazil (including Manaus, Belém and Santarém) and to Georgetown in Guyana. There is also a bus service to Manaus, and to Puerto La Cruz in Venezuela.

Accommodation

Boa Vista has a reasonable number of hotels in the mid-range and budget categories. Accommodation elsewhere tends to be fairly simple.

What to do there

Most people who visit Roraima spend some time in Boa Vista, home to more than a third of the state’s total population. It is a modern city laid out in a radial pattern with the major thoroughfares converging in the central square. It occupies an attractive position alongside the Rio Branco, and its wide, tree-lined avenues give it a spacious feel. Attractions include an interesting selection of handicrafts at the Casa do Artesanato, live music by local bands at weekends, and some good riverfront restaurants serving fish dishes.

Away from the capital, the following are the main places where ecotourism has been developed:

Monte Roraima (2,875m), the world’s highest table-top mountain, standing at the triple border point between Brazil, Venezuela and Guyana. Unless you are an expert rock climber the only route to the top is from the village of Paraitepui in Venezuela, although the less arduous option of circling the peak in a helicopter is also available. The rocky surface of the mountain top has an extremely unusual ecosystem, including a variety of carnivorous plants.

The Monte Roraima national park, which contains other table-top mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and unusual vegetation including wild orchids.

The ecological reserve of Ilha do Maracá, one of the biggest river islands in the world, where the rich variety of animal life includes buffaloes, tapirs and jaguars. It is situated about 100km to the north of Boa Vista, where the rainforest begins to give way to open savannah.

The region of Caracaraí, which offers excellent kayaking on the stretch of river known as the ‘Corredeiras do Bem-Querer’, along with boat trips and hiking trails on the Ilha de Jarú.

Lake Caracaranã, ringed by pretty beaches and cashew-nut trees – great for swimming and wind-surfing.

The Serra Grande region, with numerous walking trails and waterfalls.

Pedra Pintada, a 40-metre-high, 60-metre-wide rock that is considered one of the most significant archaeological sites in Brazil. The base of the rock contains a cave with in which paintings by prehistoric peoples are clearly visible.

Related links

www.v-brazil.com [en]
www.carnaval.com/brazil/boavista [en]
www.rr.gov.br/turismo [pt]

PORTO ALEGRE (Rio Grande do Sul)

Porto Alegre, capital of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, is one of the largest and most vibrant cities in southern Brazil, and yet manages to retain the welcoming feel of a small town. For many years its standard of living has been among the highest out of all the major Brazilian conurbations, and despite its surprisingly low profile as a tourist destination it has a great deal to offer to visitors.

The city has a population of about 1.5 million and is situated on the estuary of Guaíba Lake (popularly referred to as 'Guaíba River'), close to the Atlantic coast. It is a relatively pedestrian-friendly city, and sightseeing is further facilitated by an urban transport system regarded as one of the best in Brazil. With more than a million trees it is also, in the literal sense, one of the greenest cities in the world. Parts of the Zona Sul, the southern part of the city, even have a rural feel, with attractive walking trails, nature reserves, and numerous spots for fishing.

Porto Alegre has a reputation for innovative local government which derives primarily from the system of 'participatory budgeting' pioneered in the late 1980s, and which has since attracted the interest of municipal authorities in various other parts of the world, including the UK. Participatory budgeting gave local people an unprecedented degree of control over the way money was spent by the city authorities.

In 2001 Porto Alegre also hosted the first World Social Forum (WSF), a gathering of activists from non-governmental organizations in dozens of different countries. The WSF has since been held in the city on three other occasions.

Occupying a strategic geographical location in Mercosur (the trading block comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay), equidistant from Buenos Aires and Montevideo, the city is also an important business centre.

Climate

Daytime temperatures in summer (December-February) often rise above 30 degrees, but average less than 20 degrees in winter (June-September). Mid-winter visitors might even experience temperatures as low as two degrees.

How to get there

The city's busy airport receives daily flights from other Brazilian state capitals, as well as from Buenos Aires, Montevideo and Asunción. There are also good road connections to neighbouring Brazilian states, Uruguay and Argentina.

Accommodation

As you’d expect in a city of its size, Porto Alegre has hotels and guesthouses to suit every budget.

What to do there

Admire the handsome architecture of the city centre, where numerous buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries stand alongside impressive modern constructions such as Farroupilha Palace, the seat of the Rio Grande do Sul state government. One of the most imposing buildings is the Mercado Central (Central Market), dating from 1869 and built in an intricate, distinctively Portuguese style. It houses an impressive array of stalls selling household goods, food (including local specialities), herbs and handicrafts. Another elegant neoclassical building is the Casa de Cultura Mário Quintana, one of the largest cultural centres in Latin America.

Take a boat trip on the enormous Guaíba Lake. Destinations include the Ilha da Pintada, one of the 28 islands comprising the Delta do Jacuí State Park, home to more than a hundred different bird species. On clear days, the view of the sunset from the shoreline of Guaíba Lake is famously spectacular.

The city has pleasant parks such as Moinhos de Vento, Marinha do Brasil and Farroupilha. The latter is one of the biggest urban parks in South America, and serves as a traditional meeting place at weekends when you’ll see hundreds of porto-alegrenses passing the time of day over a chimarrão, a strong, hot tea made with the leaves of erva mate. On Sundays the park hosts the ever-popular Brique da Redenção, a huge arts, crafts and food fair consisting of hundreds of stalls.

The city has an active cultural life, with a lively underground music scene and several film and visual-arts exhibitions – for example it hosts the Mercosur Biennial, considered one of the foremost visual-art events in Latin America. One of the most popular cultural centres is the imposing Usina do Gasômetro, a disused power station that now houses cafes, cinemas and galleries. The city’s nightlife, meanwhile, is vibrant and diverse, ranging in styles from the sophisticated Moinhos de Vento to the alternative scene in the Cidade Baixa.

Anyone interested in traditional culture of the far south of Brazil should visit Porto Alegre during the Semana Farroupilha, a week-long celebration of gaúcho music and gastronomy that takes place every September.

Rio Grande do Sul is cattle country, and there’s no better place to sample succulent Brazilian beef than in Porto Alegre’s countless churrascarias. The city also offers an impressive range of international cuisine.

Porto Alegre is a logical point from which to set off and explore the beautiful interior of Rio Grande do Sul, which includes the mountains, canyons, waterfalls and vineyards of the Serra Gaúcha. Many small towns in this area have a distinctly European feel, clearly reflecting their history of German and Italian immigration.

Related links

www.braziltour.com [en]
www.portoalegre.rs.gov.br [pt]
www.semanafarroupilha.com.br [pt]

OLINDA (Pernambuco)

Spread across hills next to the coastal city of Recife, Olinda is well known for being one of the best preserved colonial towns in Brazil, and for hosting an annual carnival that is among the country’s most vibrant and musically distinctive.

The historical centre of the town, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a maze of undulating cobbled streets lined with pastel-painted houses, interspersed with small churches and secluded squares.

Climate

The north-east is the driest region of Brazil, and Olinda enjoys warm, sunny weather almost all year-round.

How to get there

Recife airport is one of the main transport hubs of north-east Brazil. There are direct flights from numerous other Brazilian cities, as well as a smaller number of international flights.

Accommodation

There is no shortage of places to stay: many of the old town’s colonial-era buildings are now charming guesthouses (pousadas), and there are also numerous hotels. Prices are generally higher between December and February, and peak during carnival week. To find a room during carnival it will almost certainly be necessary to book well in advance.

What to do there

Experience carnaval. Tens of thousands of Brazilian and foreign visitors descend on Olinda every year for five days of uninterrupted partying – indeed, according to most estimates, the population doubles or triples during carnival week. North-eastern folklore plays a prominent role in the numerous street parades, as does the highly distinctive rhythm of frevo music.

Though less visually spectacular than the famous samba parade at the heart of the Rio carnival, and less musically diverse than the party in Salvador, Olinda’s festivities are distinctly participative in the sense that visitors are free to hurl themselves into the very heart of the singing and dancing.

The carnival down the road in Recife is equally frenetic but on an even larger scale. If you are staying in Olinda or Recife it is perfectly possible to divide your time between the two.

Sample the nightlife. During the week there’s a very laid-back atmosphere, with no end of secluded corners for a quiet drink, but things get more animated at weekends when lots of young people from Recife head into town for live music and dancing.

Try authentic north-eastern cuisine, available not only in the town’s countless restaurants but also in the form of simple but delicious snacks – such as acarajé – sold by street vendors.

If you are based in Olinda but want a few hours of sand and sea, the best option is probably Boa Viagem beach in Recife, twenty minutes away by road.

Related links

www.roughguides.com [en]
travel.independent.co.uk [en]
www.olinda.pe.gov.br [pt]

PARATY (Rio de Janeiro)

Situated on the costa verde in the state of Rio de Janeiro, the small town of Paraty is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that combines beautifully preserved colonial architecture, a relaxed atmosphere, and a stunning backdrop of rainforest and ocean.

The origins of the town lie in the late seventeenth century when Portuguese bandeirantes (‘standard bearers’, or pioneers) were seeking a deep-water port they could use for shipping the mineral wealth of the inland state of Minas Gerais back to Europe. Superseded after a few decades by the much bigger port of Rio de Janeiro, Paraty spent most of the next 350 years in tranquil isolation – indeed, it only became accessible by car in the 1950s.

Paraty has ben acquiring a higher profile thanks to its successful hosting of Latin America’s biggest annual international literary festival, held every July since 2003.

Climate

Paraty’s climate is similar to that of Rio de Janeiro. Temperatures in the high 30s are not uncommon in summer (December-March). Although the heat is usually much less intense throughout the rest of the year, on clear days in mid-winter it will still be warm enough for sun-worshippers to enjoy the beaches.

How to get there

Paraty is about four hours’ drive from Rio, 250km to the east. The route along the costa verde – one of the most stunning stretches of Brazil’s coastline – features a number of beauty spots. São Paulo is about five hours’ drive to the west.

Accommodation

Paraty tends to be a little more expensive than many of the other destinations in south-east Brazil, but there are still pousadas (guesthouses) to suit every budget.

What to do there

Admire the charming colonial architecture of the centro histórico with its baroque churches, merchants’ mansions, and cobbled streets. Arguably there is no better place in Brazil to catch a glimpse of what the country looked like in centuries gone by.

For sun-worshippers there are numerous quiet beaches on the coast nearby, many of which are lined by thick forest.

Take a boat trip around the bay and plunge into the sea for a spot of swimming or snorkeling. There are also numerous companies offering scuba diving trips – the area around Paraty is widely regarded as having some of the best dive spots on the Brazilian coastline.

Enjoy some of the best food in south-east Brazil: the town has some superb, award-winning restaurants, such as Merlin o Mago and the Restaurante da Matriz.

Book-lovers should try to visit Paraty during the town’s international literary festival, the biggest in Latin America. It has taken place in July every year since 2003 (see website below), and has attracted literary and journalistic figures such as Salman Rushdie, Martin Amis, Ian McEwan, Will Self, Christopher Hitchens and Robert Fisk.

Another event that takes place every July is the Festival da Pinga, a celebration of the sugar-cane spirit cachaça which Brazil is exporting in ever-greater quantities and which forms the basis of the famous caipirinha.

Related links

www.ivebeenthere.co.uk [en]
www.flip.org.br [en, pt]
en.wikipedia.org [en]

JALAPÃO (Tocantins)

Occupying an area larger than Wales and yet virtually empty of people, the strikingly beautiful landscape of the Jalapão state and national parks in the interior of northern Brazil is a great destination for walkers and nature-lovers.

Jalapão consists mostly of dry, often desert-like terrain that is surprisingly interspersed with lakes, waterfalls and patches of rich vegetation. Many of its geographical features, for example the reddish sand-dunes, have a decidedly otherworldly aspect.

The parks are home to a diverse range of wildlife including jaguars, pumas, anteaters, deer, chameleons, parrots and toucans.

Climate

Jalapão is situated in a region that is drier than most other parts of Brazil. Most rain falls between December and March; at other times the only precipitation is from occasional storms. Throughout the year daytime temperatures regularly climb above 30 degrees, but at night they can fall to below 15 degrees.

How to get there

Most visitors take a domestic flight to Palmas, the capital of Tocantins. From there it’s a 200-km journey by road, the final stretches of which are best negotiated in a 4x4 vehicle.

Accommodation

There are no settlements in the parks themselves, so most visitors stay in the towns of Mateiros and Ponte Alta.

What to do there

Guided excursions can be organised in Mateiros and Ponte Alta.

Go up to the Mirante da Serra for a panoramic view of the whole Jalapão region.

Go rafting or canoeing down the Rio Novo.

Check out the impressive waterfalls such as the Velha, Lajeado and Brejo da Cama.

Swim in the warm, crystal-clear waters of the Fervedouro, a natural spring pool surrounded by banana trees, or in the river running through the beautiful Suçuapara canyon.

Try to spot some of the local wildlife. The most commonly observed animals include wildcats, deer, capybaras, foxes and monkeys.

In Mateiros and Ponte Alta, go shopping for handbags, baskets and jewellery made from Jalapão’s capim dourado (golden grass), said not to grow anywhere else in the world.

Related links

www.maria-brazil.org [en]
www.brazil-ecotravel.com [en]

FERNANDO DE NORONHA (Pernambuco)

The spectacular aquatic life in the ocean around Fernando de Noronha, an archipelago about 200 miles off the coast of northeast Brazil, makes it one of the best places in the world for scuba diving and snorkelling. It also offers great surfing and a seductively laid-back atmosphere.

Most of the archipelago is protected as an ecological reserve, and visitors must pay an ‘ecological tax’ as a contribution towards conservation work. All the tourist accommodation is on the main island (12 square miles), which has a permanent population of around 2,000.

Climate

Although there is a greater chance of encountering cloud and rain during the ‘wet’ season from February to July, the island actually enjoys warm, sunny weather on most days of the year. Sea breezes prevent temperatures from ever becoming oppressively hot.

How to get there

Almost everyone who visits the island arrives by plane from the north-eastern coastal cities of Recife or Natal. The island’s airstrip is able to receive small jet and propeller-driven aircraft, but not large airliners.

Accommodation

The vast majority of visitors stay in simple but comfortable pousadas (guesthouses) on the main island, most of which offer full-board.

What to do there

Given the abundance of colourful fish, along with dolphins and breathtakingly beautiful giant turtles, it would be shame to visit Fernando de Noronha without trying scuba-diving or snorkelling. The water is warm and wonderfully clear, with visibility of up to 50 metres.

Various operators offer diving trips to the countless superb sites around the island, but all participants must possess a scuba-diving qualification. Those without the necessary qualification can do the internationally-recognised beginners' course on the island.

For those wishing to take a look at the aquatic life without going on a dive trip, snorkelling is a simple (and cheaper) alternative. You won’t have to go far for an enjoyable snorkelling experience as many of the island’s beaches and inlets have large expanses of shallow water.

Go surfing. While some stretches of the island’s coastline have very calm waters, others offer waves that are big enough to raise the pulse of experienced surfers.

The fact that to Fernando de Noronha's main attractions are daytime activities doesn’t mean there is nothing to do at night. There are actually quite a few restaurants and bars, and on most evenings there will be at least one place where you can dance to live forró music.

However, after a day of diving, snorkelling, swimming or surfing, many visitors are content to spend their evenings in a hammock contemplating a sky full of intensely bright stars.

Related links

www.noronha.pe.gov.br [pt]
www.noronha.com.br [en]
www.pvv.org [en]

ILHABELA (São Paulo)

Ilhabela, meaning ‘beautiful island’, is not actually one island but an archipelago just off the coast of São Paulo state in south-east Brazil, but the name is frequently used to refer to the main island of São Sebastião, which is by far the largest.

With a total area of around 130 square miles, Ilhabela offers more than 20 miles of beaches, dozens of waterfalls, and hiking trails through virgin Mata Atlântica ('Atlantic forest').

Climate

Ilhabela can be enjoyed at any time of year. The summer months (December-March) are the hottest, though on sunny days in winter it is still warm enough to sunbathe. Enthusiastic walkers tend to prefer the cooler months. The most popular parts of the island can get crowded on weekends in summer, but you never have to go very far to find a quiet spot.

How to get there

The town of São Sebastião on the mainland, the point of departure for Ilhabela, is about 140 miles from the city of São Paulo and 210 miles from Rio de Janeiro – journeys by car of about three and five hours respectively. From São Sebastião it’s a 20-minute ferry ride to Barra Velha, the largest town on the main island.

Accommodation

The main island, with a population of approximately 25,000, has around 20 hotels, 50 guesthouses and 20 chalets, along with three campsites. Most of the accommodation is on the west side, facing the mainland. Some visitors choose to stay on the mainland and make a day-trip to Ilhabela by ferry.

What to do there

Enjoy the variety of beaches, each with their own distinct characteristics. Some of them are great for snorkeling (for example Jabaquara and Pacuíba), some for surfing (Castelhanos, Bonete), and others for windsurfing (Armação, Pinto).

Follow a hiking trail through the forest. Many of the routes pass by waterfalls and freshwater pools, and include excellent picnic spots. Some of the trails are quite gentle while others are physically demanding. The latter category includes an eight-hour trek taking in the Pico de São Sebastião (1,378m), the highest point on the main island.

Try to spot some of the diverse wildlife, which includes capuchin monkeys, toucans, and the beautiful red bird known in Portuguese as the tiê-sangue.

Go scuba-diving. The best dive-sites include some of the numerous submerged shipwrecks off the coast of the main island.

Ilhabela is also a mecca for sailing enthusiasts, who descend on the islands in especially large numbers for the annual Sailing Week.

Enjoy the local cuisine. Ilhabela prawns are reputed to be the tastiest in Brazil.

Related links

www.ilhabela.org [en, pt]
www.ilhabela.com.br [pt]

PARINTINS (Amazonas)

Parintins, a small city on an island in the Amazon river in the north of Brazil, is the home of the Festival do Boi-Bumbá, a frenetic and spectacular folklore festival that takes place every year during the last week in June. Although still not very well known outside Brazil, in terms of the number of participants and spectators it is actually the country’s biggest annual celebration apart from the Rio de Janeiro and Salvador carnivals.

The Boi-Bumbá celebrates the legend of a bull that was killed and came back to life again, and bovine imagery dominates most of the proceedings – the centrepiece of the festivities even takes place in a 35,000-capacity arena built in the shape of a bull’s head. Sometimes described as a ‘rural opera’, this main event unfolds over three consecutive evenings and features two teams, Garantido and Caprichoso, whose hundreds of colourfully-dressed members compete in a retelling of the story through flamboyant dance, singing, drama and special effects.

The origins of the festival lie in the folklore brought by migrants from the northeast of Brazil, mixed with the legends of the indigenous people of the Amazon region.

Climate

Amazonas state, where Parintins is situated, has a tropical, humid climate throughout the year. Most rain falls between March and July, and this period is also slightly cooler than August-February. One of the advantages of visiting the Parintins area in the dry season, however, is that the river waters recede to reveal a number of excellent beaches.

How to get there

Parintins has a small airport that is served by daily flights (1 hour 15mins) from Manaus, the main city in the Amazon region. If you prefer to get slightly closer to nature, it is also possible to arrive by boat from Manaus, Belém or Santarém. You can choose between the standard local service or a more luxurious catamaran.

Accommodation

The city has quite a lot of hotels and guesthouses, but during the annual festival they inevitably become full so booking ahead is strongly recommended.

What to do there

Although there’s no denying Parintins is a sleepier place for the other 51 weeks of the year, the Boi-Bumbá is certainly not the only attraction.

Rio Uaiacurapa - The Uaiacurapa is one of the rivers on which beautiful white-sand beaches appear as the water-levels fall during the dry season. The islands of Pacoval, Onças and Guaribas are well worth a visit.

Lago Macuricana - A beautiful lake, formed as the water-level drops during the dry season.

Local delicacies - Sample some the huge array of freshwater fish served up in the city’s restaurants.


Related links

www.amazonastur.am.gov.br [en, pt]
www.parintins.com [pt]

LENÇÓIS MARANHENSES (Maranhão)

The astonishing, otherworldly landscape of the Lençóis Maranhenses national park is one of Brazil's best-kept secrets. Situated in the northeastern state of Maranhão, extending for 70km along the coast and 50km inland, it mostly consists of a vast expanse of white sand dunes interspersed with crystal-clear blue and green ponds.

Most visitors stay just outside the park in the small town of Barreirinhas, which serves as the base for the many tourist agencies and guides offering excursions.

There are no paved roads through the dunes, and all journeys within the park should be made with a local guide. Short distances can be covered on foot, but for longer excursions a 4x4 vehicle is necessary.

Climate

Maranhão is warm and sunny almost all year round. Most of the rainfall in the national park comes between December and July, and this is the best period to make a visit as the ponds are at their fullest.

How to get there

There is a good bus service to Barreirinhas along the 270km route from São Luís, the state capital of Maranhão. Barreirinhas also has a runway for light aircraft – the 'air taxi' trip from São Luís takes about 50 minutes, and has the advantage of offering a fantastic aerial view of the dunes. São Luís airport is not international, but there are flights to and from many other Brazilian cities.

Accommodation

Barreirinhas has quite a wide range of accommodation, including well-equipped hotels. For those wishing to stay inside the park itself, the villages of Atins and Caburé have some simple guesthouses.

What to do there

After a journey through the dunes, some of which are 40m high, reward yourself with a dip in one of the crystal-clear ponds. Two of the most popular are the Lagoa Bonita and Lagoa Azul. The latter, famous for its dazzling blue water, is only a one-hour jeep ride from Barreirinhas and is a great place to watch the sunset.

Take a leisurely boat trip along the palm-fringed Preguiças river. You’ll get a close-up view of small villages along the river banks and get an idea of the local way of life.

Visit the park’s mangrove-fringed oases, Queimada dos Britos and Baixa Grande.

Bask in the sun on pristine beaches such as Vassouras, which has the Atlantic on one side and the Preguiças river on the other.

Visit the lighthouse in the coastal village of Mandacaru on the edge of the park. Those who climb its 160 steps are rewarded with a panoramic view of the ocean, dunes and river.

The park is a good destination for birdwatchers as the ponds attract migratory species such as the ruddy turnstone and blue-winged duck.

Related links

travel.guardian.co.uk [en]
www.turismo.ma.gov.br [pt]

FLORIANÓPOLIS (Santa Catarina)

The city of Florianópolis is situated on an island just off the coast of Santa Catarina, a geographically diverse state that clearly displays the cultural influence of mass immigration from Italy, Germany and the Azores in the late nineteenth century.

Stunningly beautiful, and boasting more than a hundred beaches, the island has long been popular with tourists from southern Brazil, and also Argentina, but has only recently begun to enjoy the international profile it deserves.

Climate

The climate is more Mediterranean than tropical. Summers (December-March) are very warm, though it's a dry rather than humid heat. Temperatures in winter are much less conducive to beach life, falling to an average of around 16 degrees centigrade, though there are still occasional spells of warm weather.

How to get there

Hercílio Luz Airport, 12km from the city centre, is served by domestic flights from most Brazilian state capitals, and international flights from Buenos Aires. There is also a good bus service to other cities in south and south-east Brazil. Porto Alegre is 450km away, and São Paulo 700km.

Accommodation

There are hotels and guesthouses to suit all budgets. Many thousands of visitors stay for long periods over the summer, and therefore tend to rent flats or chalets.

What to do there

Take your pick from the array of beaches, which include:

Praia Mole – Perhaps the trendiest beach to hang out on. Has a touch of Ibiza in summer with outdoor sets by international dance-music DJs.

Praia Brava – Popular with young people in general, and a particular favourite with the surfing crowd due to its big waves.

Praia Joaquina – A particularly pretty beach, with a huge expanse of sand-dunes directly behind it. The dunes are a great place for sand-boarding, the radical sport the locals proudly claim to have invented.

Visit the superb market with its bancas (stalls with seating) where you can sample local produce. The fresh seafood – including oysters, shrimps and mullet – is not to be missed.

Enjoy a natural open-air jacuzzi in the form of the hot springs at Caldas da Imperatriz.

Go hang-gliding from Morro Queimado. Fly with a trained instructor, enjoying an unforgettable panoramic view of the eastern and southern coasts of the island.

Related links

www.sc.gov.br [pt]
www.pmf.sc.gov.br/turismo [pt]

BONITO (Mato Grosso do Sul)

Bonito, a small town situated in the inland state of Mato Grosso do Sul in the central-west of Brazil, has become a well-known destination for ecotourism. The natural attractions include waterfalls, caves and forests, along with stunningly clear rivers and lagoons that are perfect for swimming and snorkelling.

The tourism industry in the region takes its ‘eco’ credentials very seriously, and a great deal of effort goes into ensuring that visitors have minimal impact on the environment. Tourists are only permitted to visit rivers, lakes, caves and forests – the majority of which are located on private property – if accompanied by guides accredited by local agencies, and there is a maximum number of visitors per day for each attraction.

Climate

The best time to go is during the summer months (December-March), when higher rainfall ensures that the rivers are full and the vegetation lush. Between June and August the weather is dry and cool, with temperatures frequently falling to below 10 degrees centigrade at night.

How to get there

There is a regular coach service making the 280-km trip from Campo Grande, the state capital of Mato Grosso do Sul. Campo Grande airport is served by daily flights from most of Brazil's major cities.

Accommodation

Luxury accommodation is limited, but there is a wide range of pousadas (guesthouses). Camping is also possible.

What to do there

Swim in the numerous rivers and natural pools. The amazing clarity of the water (due to limestone deposits in the soil) and the abundance of fish mean that snorkelling and scuba diving are also popular activities.

Go trail-walking in the forests, where you have a good chance of spotting local wildlife such as monkeys, armadillos, toucans and parrots.

Try your hand at abseiling. There are a numerous rock-faces that are ideal for this activity – trained instructors will guide you down.

There are a wide range of guided excursions on offer, lasting from a couple of hours to a whole day. The longer ones often include both swimming/snorkelling and trail-walking. The most popular excursions include the following: The Sucuri river, renowned for the clarity of its water. On one stretch of the river, 20km from Bonito, it is possible to float or snorkel gently downstream over a distance of 1.5km; The aptly-named Lagoa Misteriosa (‘Mysterious Lagoon’), in which professional divers have descended more than 100m without yet reaching the bottom; The Formosa river, where you can paddle downstream in an inflatable boat, admiring the numerous species of colourful birds in the thick forest along the riverbanks; The Gruta do Lago Azul, an enormous cave containing stalagmites, stalagtites, and a 200m descent to a bright blue natural pool.

Although the emphasis in Bonito is on the great outdoors rather than nightlife, the town has plenty of pleasant bars and restaurants for nocturnal socialising. Fish is understandably a major part of the local cuisine, and there are many varieties that visitors from abroad are unlikely to have sampled before. Try the delicious, mackerel-like pintado, for example.

Related links

www.braziltour.com [en]
www.bonito-ms.com.br [pt]
www.portalbonito.com.br [pt]

CURITIBA (Paraná)

Curitiba, the capital of Paraná, is a city with environmental consciousness acclaimed as the international model city for sustainable urban development. Curitiba has one of the best integrated transport systems with 25 major parks set in places of natural beauty with fascinating arts and culture venues as the recently opened Oscar Niemeyer Museum.

Founded in 1693, the name of the city is said to be derived from the Tupi-Guarani name for the magnificent Araucaria Brasiliensis. Its neighbourhoods reflect a wealth of diverse traditions brought by twenty-six major ethnic groups. In Tess of the D’Urbervilles (1891), Thomas Hardy chose Curitiba to send his main character having read accounts of hardships the British faced in their exploits there.

While there is much to see and do there, one of the best train journeys on the old railway to Morretes and Paranaguá should not be missed. In addition, Vila Velha (Old Village) at 80 km from Curitiba offers a unique breathtaking view of naturally sculptured sandstone figures. Over 250 natural caves with magnificent stalactites and stalagmites in and around Curitiba will certainly appeal to eco-tourists.

Climate

Curitiba is temperate at 908 m above sea level, has well defined seasons with averages 21 C in summer; 13 C in winter with occasional frosts.

How to get there

There are direct flights to Curitiba large and modern international airport with connection to all parts of the world via São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro and with very frequent flights to most cities in Brazil.

Accommodation

As in all Brazil’s major cities the options range from luxurious international-class hotels to cheap guesthouses.

What to do there

Linha Turismo (Tourist Bus) – Go sightseeing on a 2h30 tour of 25 main sights in Curitiba. The ticket allows you to stop at four different sites to wander at leisure before re-joining the tour with pre-recorded guided tour in Portuguese, English and Spanish.

Historic Heart of the City – Travel through over 300 years of history include Rua das Flores (Flower street), the main street since 1720 imaginatively pedestrianised in 1972.

History of Education – Curitiba is know an the University City with a rich educational history including Colégio Estadual do Paraná, Public Library, the Federal University Main Building, Knowledge Lighthouses and Free University of the Environment. The buildings themselves are inspiring.

Parks, gardens & Arts and Culture venues – Explore the many fabulous parks and be amazed - 25 in total: oldest Passeio Público (1886 ) , Botanical Garden, Barigüi Park, Pope John Paul II Woods, German Woods, Tingüi, Portugal Woods, Reinhard Maack Forest Woods , São Lourenço Park; General Iberê de Mattos Park; Passaúna Municipal Park, Gutierrez Woods - Chico Mendes Memorial.

Theatres – Learn and experience the long tradition in theatre: Teatro Guaíra, largest, most important theatres in South America; a outstanding R. Meister building, Teatro Paiol converted gun powder store for Vinícius de Moraes composed a song and the latest venue Ópera de Arame – a tubular steel structure clad in wire mesh, modelled on the Paris Opera.

Museu Oscar Niemeyer – Lovers of architecture and visual arts cannot miss the largest Museum ensemble in Brazil and Latin America set in 144 thousand square metres of woods and a Burle Marx garden.

Sample the local cuisine – A great variety with a local twist, barbecues, barreados, ethnic gastronomy and the must-go Via Veneto in Santa Felicidade Italian district.

Related links

www.curitiba-brazil.com [en]
www.museuoscarniemeyer.org.br [pt]

SALVADOR (Bahia)

Salvador, the capital of Bahia state, has deservedly become one of Brazil's principal destinations for foreign tourists. It is the city most closely associated with Afro-Brazilian culture, and its annual carnival is the world's biggest and most exhilarating street party. Other attractions include the city's vibrant music scene, charming colonial architecture, and delicious Bahian cuisine.

Salvador is steeped in history: not only was it the first large city in Brazil, but also the capital for the Portuguese crown in the Americas until 1763, and the most important port in the southern hemisphere until the 19th century.

While many of the best rural beaches on the stunning Bahian coastline lie within a couple of hours' drive, the city itself also boasts Praia da Barra, recently voted one of best ten beaches in the world by the Guardian.

Climate

Salvador is warm all year round, and is drier than most other cities in the tropics.

How to get there

There are direct flights to Salvador international airport from many cities outside Brazil (with regular service from London via Lisbon), and around 80 flights a day from other Brazilian cities.

Accommodation

As in all Brazil’s major cities the options range from luxurious international-class hotels to cheap guesthouses.

What to do there

Beaches – The Salvador urban area has 50km of beaches, including the internationally acclaimed Praia da Barra with its great views of the city and famously spectacular sunsets.

Music – The locals would say Salvador beats Rio de Janeiro to the title of Brazil's most musically creative city, and there is no shortage of opportunities to catch live performances.

Watch capoeira – With its origins in the history of black Brazil, this graceful, athletic mixture of dance and martial art is closely linked with Bahia. Salvador's many capoeiristas regularly show their skills in outdoor performances.

Salvador Historical Centre – Embark on a fascinating trip back through time, exploring the city's central role in Brazilian history.

Fundação Casa de Jorge Amado – A museum devoted to the life and work of Jorge Amado (1912-2001), one of Brazil's most famous writers. Amado, who produced much-loved classics such as Dona Flor and her Two Husbands, was born in Bahia and lived for a while in Salvador.

Sample Bahian cuisine – Palm oil, seafood and spices help to make Bahian food very distinctive. Moqueca, a delicious seafood stew, is not to be missed.

Related links

www.bahia.com.br [en, pt]
www.emtursa.salvador.ba.gov.br [en, es, pt]

JERICOACOARA (Ceará)

Located 310 km west of Fortaleza, in the northeastern state of Ceará, Jericoacoara has been recognized by the New York Times as one of the ten most beautiful beaches in the world. With its unpaved streets, the town preserves the charm and rusticity of a fishermen’s village. Visitors can enjoy beautiful beaches, take buggy rides on the vast coastline, and swim in crystal clear waters. After watching the sunset from the dunes, there is a good range of restaurants and bars to chose from, with authentic popular music, the so-called forró. Those who visit Jericoacoara beach must also see the town of Jijoca de Jericoacoara, only 20 km away, filled with natural beauty and constant winds that are especially appreciated by those who practice water sports, such as kitesurf and windsurf.

Climate

The weather is typically hot and humid, and the rainy season lasts from January to April. Average temperature oscillates between 22°C and 35°C.

How to get there

The closest airport is Fortaleza (313 km). There is a regular bus service to the town of Jijoca. From there, Jericoacoara can be reached by 4 x 4 vehicles that regularly make the trip.

Accommodation

Accommodation options in Jericoacoara have increased with the growth of tourism. There is a hotel, several lodges, and a camping site.

What to do there

Jericoacoara Beach – A beautiful bay surrounded by white sand dunes and coconut trees. Following the coast, towards the east or west, tourists will find a succession of semi-wild beaches.

Jericoacoara National Park – An Area of Environmental Protection, it includes dunes, beaches with green waters, and the unique rocky formation known as Serrote (Handsaw). It is a very good area for bird watching.

Buggy ride to Nova Tatajuba – Nova Tatajuba, distant 36 Km from Jericoacoara, is a fishermen’s village with just a few houses. It was rebuilt after the old village of Tatajuba was covered by sand dunes moved by the action of the winds. The sand buggy drives through dunes and beaches, crosses the Guriú River on a rustic raft, and passes by enormous sand formations and ponds that are excellent for a swim.

Sports – Jijoca, Lagoa Azul and Lagoa do Paraíso are perfect spots for sailing, kite surfing, wind surfing, swimming, kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, and fin swimming.

Sunset on the dunes – At the end of the afternoon, many people go up Jericoacoara’s highest dune, nearly 98,43 ft (30 m) tall, to watch the sun go down on the sea.

Related links

www.jericoacoara.tur.br [pt]
www.jericoacoara.com [en]
www.setur.ce.gov.br [pt]

TIRADENTES (Minas Gerais)

The small and atmospheric city of Tiradentes, located in the São José hills in the inland state of Minas Gerais, is one of Brazil's foremost historical and cultural destinations. Named after one of the leaders of the Inconfidência Mineira, a failed revolt against Portuguese colonial rule in Minas Gerais in 1789, the city is best known for the beautiful baroque architecture of its churches and colonial residences. However, it also plays host to colourful street processions and celebrations, and is undoubtedly one of the best places to sample the wholesome mineiro cuisine of Minas Gerais.

Climate

Generally comfortable during the daytime, even in the height of summer, and cool in the evenings.

How to get there

The closest airport is Belo Horizonte (215km).

Accommodation

A wide range of hotels and guesthouses, some of which boast fine examples of baroque architecture.

What to do there

Saint Anthony Church – Arguably the most impressive of the city’s many baroque churches. The oldest parts of the building date from 1710, and the façade (1810) is thought to be the last work completed by the Brazilian sculptor and architect Aleijadinho (1730-1814). The interior includes seven engraved altars and also a rococo organ with 630 pipes, brought over from Portugal in the late eighteenth century.

Padre Toledo – This museum was once home to Father Carlos Correia Toledo e Melo, another of the central figures in the Inconfidência Mineira. Its rooms have beautifully painted ceilings and contain furniture and paintings by Mestre Ataíde (1762-1830).

Carnival (February or March) – The celebrations – consisting of a huge street party featuring numerous small bands playing live music – are among the liveliest in Minas Gerais, and attract thousands of revellers from elsewhere in Brazil.

Holy Trinity Jubilee (June) – A major Catholic celebration including street processions.

International Culture and Gastronomy Festival (August) – A ten-day culinary marathon in which Brazilian and international chefs descend on the city and offer visitors the opportunity to sample their tastiest creations.

A trip on the "Smoking Mary" – A journey back in time courtesy of a steam locomotive and the West Minas Railroad, inaugurated in 1881. The train chugs along the attractive 13-km route from Tiradentes to São João Del Rey.

Related links

www.tiradentes.mg.gov.br [pt]
www.portaltiradentes.com.br [pt]

GRAMADO (Rio Grande do Sul)

The town of Gramado – also known as the "Brazilian Switzerland" – is situated in the heart of the Serra Gaúcha mountain range in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul. The town's German and Italian heritage is evident from its charming colonial architecture, colourfully embellished by gardens full of hydrangea.

The town, which boasts excellent restaurants and hotels, attracts large numbers of visitors to its annual winter festival. Christmas is celebrated in the form of Natal Luz, during which the buildings are decked out in lights and the streets play host to numerous concerts and musical parades.

Climate

The climate of the region is temperate and very humid. Average annual temperature is around 15ºC – with maximum annual average of 23ºC and minimum of 11ºC.

How to get there

The main access roads to Gramado are the RS 115 and RS 235. The nearest airports are in Caxias do Sul (60km) and Porto Alegre (115km).

Accommodation

The hotel network in Gramado has countless options for all tastes and budgets. In the gastronomy sector, there is a wide range of restaurants serving typical Italian and German food, as well as fondue.

What to do there

Winter Festival – A vibrant mixture of music, literature, crafts and cinema, running from the beginning of July to late September.

Gramado International Film Festival – Forming part of the winter festival, the film festival takes place over a six-day period in August and is widely regarded as one of the most important cinematic events in Latin America. The diverse programme incudes short films, independent films, workshops and discussions. All screenings are open to the public.

Paragliding – The local area has become a magnet for paragliding and hang-gliding enthusiasts. Favourable climatic conditions make it possible to soar over the spectacular mountain scenery for unusually long periods of time.

Related links

www.gramado.rs.gov.br [pt]
www.gramado.com.br [pt]
www.gramadosite.com.br [pt]

PORTO DE GALINHAS (Pernambuco)

Porto de Galinhas, a short trip down the coast from Recife, has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Brazil. Bathed in sunshine almost all year round, and with ten different stretches of white sand to choose from, it is the perfect place for beach lovers.

On Porto de Galinhas beach the outgoing tide leaves shallow natural pools full of tropical fish – a wonderful swimming opportunity for children.

Climate

Warm and dry almost all year round, without ever getting oppressively hot. Temperatures generally range between 24º and 32º C.

How to get there

The nearest airport is Recife (70km), while the BR-101 and BR-232 highways provide good access by car.

Accommodation

Numerous options, ranging from simple lodges to luxury hotels.

What to do there

Some of the other beaches are excellent spots for surfing and windsurfing, and the area also has some great locations for scuba diving.

Between September and March the local residents include giant sea turtles, which generally make their nests between Pontal de Maracaípe and Muro Alto.

As for what to do after dark, Porto de Galinhas has no shortage of good restaurants, bars and music venues. Vila de Todos os Santos on Maracaípe beach is a great place to go to sample the delicious local seafood.

Related links

www2.uol.com.br/portodegalinhas [pt]
www.guiapernambuco.com.br [pt]
www.zone.com.br/destinoaventura [pt]

BÚZIOS (Rio de Janeiro)

With more than twenty beaches, all of which have their own distinctive characteristics, Búzios is arguably the most popular of the resort towns along the beautiful stretch of coastline to the east of the city of Rio de Janeiro. Formerly the haunt of pirates and slave traders, the town was popularized as a tourist destination in the 1960s by Brigitte Bardot, whose statue can still be found on the elegant main street, Rua das Pedras.

The peninsula is a sophisticated resort with excellent restaurants, numerous fashionable boutiques, and a wide range of nightlife options. Its beaches are a magnet for the bronzed and beautiful in the summer months, and therefore provide unsurpassed opportunities for people-watching. The calm, clear waters of the beaches to the west of the peninsula offer good conditions for scuba divers, while those to the east, facing the open sea, draw surfers and other water-sports enthusiasts.

Climate

Tropical. The average daytime temperature is 25º C (30º C max - 18º C min).

How to get there

It takes approximately two hours from Rio de Janeiro to Búzios by car or coach. There are also regular flights to Búzios airport from Rio (Santos Dumont) and São Paulo (Guarulhos).

Accommodation

There are plenty of guesthouses and hotels, with a wide range of prices. For a selection, please click here.

What to do there

There are more than 20 different beaches to choose from. The diversity of local marine life makes Búzios one of Brazil's foremost scuba-diving destinations, while some of the beaches also offer excellent conditions for sailing, surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and fishing. Also on offer are eco-tours and other activities in the surrounding forests, home to a varirty of exotic plants and also the extremely rare golden monkey.

Historical buildings include Sant'Ana Church, built in the 16th century. Those who climb to the top of its tower are rewarded with a wonderful view of Ossos Beach.

For eating and drinking, Rua das Pedras offers countless options. Many of its restaurants would not be out of place in the most sophisticated districts of Rio and São Paulo. Rua das Pedras also provides vibrant nightlife, a wide range of boutiques, and charming art galleries.

Related links

www.buziosonline.com.br [en]
www.buzios.rj.gov.br [pt]

CHAPADA DOS VEADEIROS (Goiás)

The spectacular national park of Chapada dos Veadeiros lies in the state of Goiás, about 230km from Brasília and 500km from Goiânia.

Situated on the highest plain in central Brazil, covering an area of over 650 square kilometres, the park contains hills, valleys, rivers, canyons and waterfalls.

Its diverse flora and fauna include jaguars, giant anteaters, capybaras, tapirs, pampas deer, toucans and more than 25 species of orchid.

Climate

Tropical and semi-arid. Maximum daytime temperatures of 40-42º C; minimum nocturnal temperatures of 4-8º C. Rainy season from December to February.

How to get there

The nearest airport is Brasilia (230km).

Accommodation

The town of Alto Paraíso has some simple hotels and guesthouses, as well as campsites.

What to do there

There are various hiking routes, all of which offer fantastic views, though some of the trails require quite a high degree of physical fitness. Of the numerous waterfalls, arguably the most beautiful is the 80m-high Rio Preto Falls, situated above a lake which is ideal for swimming. Moon Valley contains astonishing rock formations reminiscent of the surface of the moon.

As far as shopping is concerned, items to look out for include natural remedies and a variety of ‘esoteric’ goods sold by the thriving New Age communities scattered across the region.

Related links

www.chapada.com [en, pt]
www.ecoviagens.com.br [pt]
www.altoparaiso.com [en, pt]