Brazil

Highlights

• rio: take the railroad to the top of Corcovado Mountain and enjoy one of the world’s most gorgeous views from under the arms of the iconic Jesus statue.
• iguacu-falls: are spectacularly high waterfalls with 275 cataracts including the impressive Devil’s Throat. A nearby national park is home to hundreds of species of plants, animals and birds.
• manaus: was transformed by the 19th century rubber boom and boasts some excellent colonial era buildings.
• olinda: is a charming little colonial town in a wonderful location, with a dynamic cultural scene and great Carnival.
• curitiba-paranagua: offers a spectacular train ride and the amazing Vila Velha weird stone park.
• fortaleza: is a popular holiday resort and the starting point for a trip to Jericocoara, a delightful village nestled between a glittering white sand-dune desert and a gentle turquoise sea.
• jesuit-missions: are 300 years old and can be found in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul.
• paraty: on the coast was once a key port for the export of gold and coffee. Its former wealth can be seen in the beautiful colonial buildings, many built by freed slaves.

There are large variations in climate and temperature across Brazil. The arid interior is hot and dry, while the rainforest is hot and wet. On the coast it’s mostly hot and sticky, while it can get cold in the south and in the mountains.

Winter (June to August) is when the south sees temperatures of between 55°F and 64°F.

In summer (December to February), Rio is hot and humid, with temperatures in the high 80s (°F) not uncommon.

The northeast coast gets just as hot as Rio, but tropical winds bring relief. The central plateaus are less hot and humid and experience summer rainfalls. The Amazon Basin gets lots of rain and is very humid, but temperatures are reasonable.

Festivals & Events

There are festivals and then there is the Rio Carnival!

• January: Washing of the Steps of Bonfim Church (Salvador) sees hundreds of women marching in procession with perfumed water to wash the church steps.
• February: the Carnival in Rio is the mother of all festivals and goes on for five days with music, dance, floats, sweat, tears and lots of flesh.
• February: the Goddess of the Sea is honored at the beach in Salvador with offerings of flowers, perfumes and jewelry.
• July: Festival of St Benedict features traditional dances and cattlemen in full leather regalia, who get together to celebrate a special outdoor Cowboy’s Mass.
• August: Pinga Festival in Parati celebrates cachaca, or pinga, Brazil’s brandy made from cane sugar.
• October: Cirio de Nazare in Belem features a parade to transport the statue of the Virgin of Nazare from the city cathedral to the basilica.
• October: Oktoberfest in Blumenau is based on the Bavarian harvest festival with much revelry, beer drinking and sausage eating.

Rio is the main flight hub, but many visitors also arrive in São Paulo and Recife. Given the huge distances, domestic air travel is a good choice for getting around.

Coastal ferries and river transport in the Amazon Delta are often the only transportation options in these regions. The old and dilapidated railway system is not very reliable. The easiest and most popular way of getting around Brazil is by coach, though road conditions vary. Besides, the country is huuuuuge!

All main cities have extensive bus services. Rio and São Paulo both offer two-line metros and local railways, and there are trolleybuses in São Paulo and several other cities.

Malaria and dengue fever are prevalent, so cover up and slap on some mozzie lotion before dusk. Tap water quality varies and should be filtered. In larger cities, street crime is widespread, but is no reason to put off your holiday. Use your common sense and take every possible precaution, and chances are you’ll enjoy an undisturbed holiday.