Sunday, January 27th, 2008
São Paulo, the gateway to Brazil, is one of the world’s largest cities. Seventeen million people occupy just under 500 square kilometers. It is an urban jungle with a stretch of high-rise buildings as far as the eye can see. As the country’s commercial capital, one resident offered an apt description: “São Paulo works so that the rest of Brazil can play.”
Paulistanos (residents of São Paulo) work hard, and play even harder, inhabiting their city with a street-savvy, stylish energy. Bear in mind, the city doesn’t go out of its way to cater to foreign tourist; rarely will you find yourself amidst a sea of American, German and Australians. Instead, you will experience life undiluted and dynamic, as do its citizens. Spend your time shopping (people come from all over the world for São Paulo’s malls, markets, and shops) or attending performances (theatre or capoeira) or clubbing or eating in one of the city’s many delightful restaurants. From its humble beginnings as a mission on a hill in 1554, São Paulo has grown to become the continent’s biggest metropolis. Italian, Japanese, German, Lebanese, and Indian neighborhoods weave into the fabric of the city, connected together by a bustling transportation system. Art museums and galleries, parks, markets, bars, and dance clubs enliven the city, offering pleasing rewards for those who seek them out. It is a challenging, intoxicating and unforgettable city.
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Sunday, January 27th, 2008
This small city sits 1,600 kilometers from Recife, and is known for its lively parties and delicious food. It is a UNESCO city (Cultural Patrimonio of the Humanity) due in large part to its beautiful azulejo (tiles) walls and cobblestone streets. São Luis is the capital city of the Brazilian state of Maranhao, and is the only city established by the French and then occupied by the Dutch. It remains a distinctly Portuguese colonial city with its own unique culture marked by its cuisine, traditions, festivals, and live reggae parties. Eat peixada (a regional large fish) and shrimp pie, arroz de cuxá (typical dish of rice with local herbs), carne de sol (beef that is sun-dried then cooked). Try drinking Jesus, a regional soft drink that is pink and tastes like bubblegum.
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Sunday, January 27th, 2008
Salvador da Bahia (generally known as ‘Salvador’) is the African soul of Brazil. It was the nation’s capital until 1973 when Rio took over as the political head. Sugar and tobacco comprised this small city’s economy in the 16th and 17th centuries, causing the influx of slaves shipped in from Africa. The descendents of these slaves preserved their cultural roots, resulting in a city infused with hypnotic drum beats, graceful dancing, fragrantly spiced delicacies, and an irresistible energy.
Once famous for its gold-filled churches and beautiful mansions, now it’s host to many an outrageous festival. One of the biggest and most impressive Carnival celebrations takes place in Salvador, with live music pulsing from enormous trucks. The Pelourinho (the now renovated city centre) offers the biggest collection of colonial baroque architecture in Latin America. There are loads of terraced restaurants, bars, and, of course, sublime beaches. Be sure to visit the Museu Afro-Brasileiro for the Candomblé Culture exhibition. The museum exhibits wood carvings, baskets, pottery and other artwork and crafts, tying together Brazilian and African artistic traditions. There is an extremely fascinating exhibit of photography, sacred objects and ceremonial apparel demonstrating the African roots of Brazilian Candomblé religion. Salvador is an ideal location for daytrips to nearby sites. It is the gateway to Chapada Diamantina National Park, Brazil’s “Lost World”, situated in the northeast of the Bahia state. The park, created in 1985, is a mixed landscape of wild rock formations, caves, crystal clear lakes, underground rivers, and the semi-arid Sertão. Spend time in another enormously popular nearby destination, Diamantina. If you’re there at the right time, you’ll catch the bimonthly vesperata in which musicians play old favorites whilst posted in windows and balconies around the charming square, Beco do Mota. Be sure to visit Ilha de Itaparica (Island of Itaparica) or the beaches further north.
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Sunday, January 27th, 2008
Rio, that lush, ocean-edge city, is the tourist capital of Brazil. Framed by waters dotted with islands, it is a city of memory, fantasy and allure – a cidade maravilhosa (marvelous city). It is home to world famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, and to a nightlife admired around the world. The Cariocas (people of Rio) know how to enjoy themselves. If you visit the clubs, bars, theatres, and restaurants, not to mention the beaches, you will know why.
Christ the Redeemer, the statue on Corcovado Mountain at the edge of Rio, overlooks one of the most densely populated cities on earth, and is witness to a spirited people thriving on dance, drink, beach, sport, and sun. In the daytime, the fifty-nine beaches that spread along Rio’s coast cater to people of all shapes and sizes. At night, the Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, and Lagoa beach districts pulsate with irresistible beats. Everyone finds something appealing about Rio: from visiting ritzy neighborhoods to hiking the surrounding mountains to beach lounging to taking a tour through one of the world famous favelas (slums). It is a city where you can leave behind your preconceptions, and open your heart and imagination to the vivaciousness of life.
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Sunday, January 27th, 2008
A 100 km bus ride away from Recife Brazil, is Porto de Galinhas (Port of Chickens). Its curious name comes from the 18th century forbidden slave trade when “chicken” was the code to refer to the slaves stepping off the boats. Porto used to be an anonymous fishing village; today, it’s one of the most important tourist destinations in Brazil. Many locals still make a living from their catches of the day, as well as from the coconuts that abound in the palm plantations.
Porto is known for the best beaches in Brazil. Eighteen kilometers of white sand beaches stretch along the coast, speckled with resorts, and buffed by a permanent breeze. The centre of town offers a grid of streets lined with small houses, hostels, shops, and restaurants. Visitors can depart from the centre for boat or buggy trips to the Porto beaches.
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Sunday, January 27th, 2008
The sunny beaches of Natal, 300 kilometers from Recife, have always been a tranquil oasis. In recent years, with improved infrastructure and information systems, tourism has dramatically increased. As in many towns in Brazil, Carnaval is a hugely celebrated event, bringing to the streets concerts, parties, and crowds of dancing people. During non-Carnaval time, however, there is still plenty for a visitor to see and do. Buggy ride in the sand dunes in the day and in the evening, watch a regional show of music and dance at the Centro de Turismo. There are bars, cafes and restaurants offering great food – you’ll be amazed at the many ways prawns (camarones) can be cooked and eaten!
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Sunday, January 27th, 2008
The grand Iguazu Waterfalls sits on the frontiers of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. Higher than the Niagara Falls and four times wider, Iguazu’s 275 cascades fan out over nearly 3.2 kilometers of the Iguazu River. A volcanic eruption once cracked open the earth, and formed what is now the Falls. Water thunders over the giant cliff, sometimes at a rate of 450,000 cubic feet per second.
Various islands separate the Falls into separate currents, the best known being Gargantua del Diablo (Devil’s Throat). Best seen from the Brazilian side, these fourteen falls drop more than 100 meters with such force that the spray rises up into a 30 meter cloud. Walk through the subtropical forest of Iguaçu National Park for a closer view of Gargantua del Diablo. Or meander through park’s jungle trails; plan a full day to enjoy the nearly pristine ecosystem. The Falls’ name, coming from the Guaraní word for “great water”, was aptly chosen. Whether it’s by boat, helicopter, or by foot, take in this site for all it’s worth…just be sure to take some dry clothes with you.
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Sunday, January 27th, 2008
A major fishing port, Fortaleza is one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in northeast Brazil. Its beaches are home to resorts, kitesurfers, and lively beach paths where visitors, vendors, and locals gather for festive late afternoon and evening trade. Visit the central market (Mercado Central) if you’re looking for a handwoven hammock, and the Cathedral in the historic centre, if you’re looking for architecture.
The best beaches are east of town: Praia de Iracema (for bohemians, intellectuals, and night time party-goers) and Praia do Futuro (for swimmers and especially for kite surfers) are some of the favorites. Along the Avenida Beira Mar, you’ll find more beaches (Meireles and Mucuripe) and one of the best walkways wide enough for joggers and walkers. Fortaleza is a great place to buy crafts, from tapestries to leather goods to ceramics; skip the tourist boutiques and head straight to the Mercado Central or the Feirinha Beira Mar. Both destinations have over 100 stalls offering handicrafts and products from around the region.
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Sunday, January 27th, 2008
Isolated, volcanic islands rise out of the eastern coastal waters, about 550 kilometers from Recife. The Fernando de Naronha islands, formed 2 million years ago, are the remnants of a submerged mountain range. They are a mystical oasis that is growing in popularity as a tourist destination…it’s easy to see why. The water is transparent blue-green, revealing exquisite rock formations and stunning marine life. It’s no wonder that this archipelago is one of the best places in the world to dive. Sailing along the Inside Sea offers an incredible view of the surrounding beaches; you might see dolphins swimming alongside the boat, accomanying you.
For surfers, the archipelago is a paradise well worth traveling to from all parts of the globe. Two meter waves often rise up to peaks of five meters. Onshore, the main form of transport are hoodless buggies that cruise the island. Steered by local inhabitants who also act as tour guides, a buggy ride can bring you to some of the lesser known, beautiful areas of the island. If you prefer walking, there are many cliffs, caves and hills to explore. For the more adventurous, you can make your way through the beautiful Marine Park, accompanied by one of the island’s park rangers.
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Sunday, January 27th, 2008
Ilha Grande is a rustic island that in the mind of navigator André Gonsalves, sailing the nearby canal in 1502, was not an island at all, but a landslide of the continent. He named the magnificent island on January the 6th, calling the surrounding cove Angra dos Reis (King’s Creek) in remembrance of the Magic Kings.
Here, mountains meet the sea, and hundreds of beaches, forests, caverns, and rivers spread out for exploration. Most visitors to Brazil make the island one of their top destinations because its beauty and adventurous offerings cannot be beat. The island is covered in tropical trees and vegetation and is accessible by trails snaking over mountains, leading to secluded beaches and natural springs. It is a wonderful place to hike, bike, swim, and soak up the lush beauty of this magical place.
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