BRAZIL
About Brazil
Brazil is the largest and most populous country in South America, and fifth largest in the world in both area and population.
Spanning a vast area between central South America and the Atlantic Ocean, it is the easternmost country of the Americas and it borders Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and the French department of French Guiana.
In fact, it borders every South American nation except for Ecuador and Chile.
Why visit Brazil?
Big, Beautiful and Bold, Brazil is a country of superlatives.
Splendid as they are, there is more to Brazil than great beaches and beautiful scenery. Add the vast expanses of tropical rain forest, the Amazon river basin, the natural attractions, and the irrepressible Brazilian culture and there is a lot to see!
Best time to visit
Brazil cities - any time
Carnival in February
Amazon - avoid rainy season between December to March
High season is one week before Christmas until Carnival (February or early March).
Places to see
Rio de Janiero
Rio de Janeiro: where sparkling waters, beautiful people, and historic neighborhoods and museums combine with the rich sounds of Samba and a thriving nightlife to give this Brazilian city its reputation as one of the most striking in the world.
The Cidade Maravihosa (Marvelous City), as Brazilians call it, displays a unique blend of contrasts: a bustling metropolis amidst beautiful mountain ranges, rainforests and wetlands, tremendous wealth amidst crushing poverty, old traditions juxtaposed with desires for modernity.
All of the thriving life and diversity of Rio de Janeiro is showcased between the outstretched arms of Cristo Redentor, the statue of Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Mountain overlooking the city.
The beaches in Rio face the Atlantic Ocean, thus providing bigger waves and cleaner waters. Surfers and boogieboarders are welcome at one of the many beaches, and sailing is highly recommended.
The Copacabana beach area, which also boasts some of the best hotels, has easy access via the Metro to the city center.
Ipanema (and all the lovely girls and boys who are from it) is an urbanized beach where the bikinis are teeny-weenie and street vendors line the streets selling all kinds of local artistry and crafts.
The climax of the party scene is the famous Carnival, one of the greatest parties in the world. Carnival is four days long and attracts thousands of people, all of whom heartily enjoy unique Samba dancing and an abundance of food and drink.
Another major celebration is during New Years in Rio, in which millions pack the beaches for an all night festival that is treasured for its beautiful display of fireworks that light up the Copacabana beach.
Iguazu Falls
Taller than Niagara Falls, twice as wide with 275 cascades spread in a horse-shoe shape, Iguazú Falls lie on the Argentina - Brazil border and are a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.
During the rainy season of November - March, the rate of flow of water going over the falls may reach 450,000 cubic feet (12,750 cubic m) per second.
Iguazu Falls are divided by various islands into separate waterfalls. One of the best known is Devil's Throat where fourteen falls drop 350 feet with such force that there is always a 100 foot cloud of spray overhead.
From the Argentine side you can take a series of catwalks over the water rushing into Devil's Gorge. Protective rain suits are provided.
The view from the Brazilian side is the most panoramic and there are helicopter rides out over the falls from Foz do Iguaçu. You can also take boat rides out to the falls.
It is possible to see the falls and surrounding area in a lightning trip but it is recommended to plan at least two days.
The Pantanal
Almost 10 times the size of the Everglades and the world's largest freshwater wetland, the Pantanal is also one of the world's most active habitats.
Unlike in the Amazon, where the animals are hidden out of view, the Pantanal the wetland bursts with wildlife: jaguars, giant otters, anacondas, caimans, hawks, Marsh deer, Tapirs, egrets, herons, ibis- the list goes on and on..
And it should be no surprise, for the Pantanal is home to over 700 species of birds, 100 species of mammals, 260 species of fish and 80 reptile species. This environment sets the stage for one of the best bird and wildlife-spotting experiences imaginable.
One of the best ways to explore the Pantanal is just like the locals do: on horseback, because there are so few roads t hat exist in the Pantanal and horses can carry you into areas that otherwise couldn't be reached due to flooding and other conditions. Other methods of transportation are usually boats, four wheel drive trucks, and sometimes foot paths.
An ideal stay in the Pantanal is four or fivedays, for the longer you spend looking for wildlife, the better your chances of seeing it. At night there are tours available in which you can spot various night creatures including the seldom seen jaguars.
Salvador
All visitors are amazed at the rich folklore that the city of Salvador has preserved.
It has been crowned "the land of happiness," and not without reason. Thirty miles of beach area, and an unmeasurable amount of smiling, laughing, and partying encompass the city.
Pelourinho (Pelo, by the locals) is the old historic colonial area that has been nominated a UNESCO World Heritage site for its large collection of Baroque colonial architecture- the largest in Latin America.
Restored in the early 1990's it has become a famous attraction for visitors and locals alike: for its history, beauty, famous Baroque churches, and a thriving nightlife that divides itself between the many restaurants, bars, clubs and music venues.
And last though definitely not least, Carnival in Salvador has become an equal competitor to the status of the one in Rio.
The essential difference between the two is in Salvador everyone participates: dances and sings right alongside the many parading blocos, while in Rio the activities are more observational.
