BEST COUNTRIES TO VISIT IN SOUTH AMERICA
Brazil
Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world, occupying nearly half of South America. To the east, Brazil is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, while to the north, it is bordered by Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. The northwest is bordered by Colombia, the west by Bolivia and Peru, the south-west by Argentina and Paraguay and finally, to the south by Uruguay. In fact, Brazil shares a border with every country in South America except for Ecuador and Chile.
Magnificent beaches, vast rainforests, music-fuelled carnivals and an astounding variety of natural and cultural wonders. Experience Rio de Janeiro with its samba and football-mad locals and the fabulously famous Copacabana Beach. To make the most of Brazil’s stunning natural beauty, take a trip to the Iguazo Falls, where a total of 275 individual falls occupy an area more than two miles wide and 80 metres high, making them wider than Victoria, higher than Niagara and more beautiful than both. Brazil’s vast size, welcoming atmosphere and world class sights makes it a superb choice for a South American holiday.
Some of the best restaurants in Brazil will leave your mouth watering and wanting more. Brazilian cuisine is delicious and amazingly diverse – whether its beans, steaks or coconuts on the menu, most big cities and holiday resorts will have a cosmopolitan selection of dishes and restaurants for you to try. For those who enjoy the comforts of European or American food, you’ll be pleased to hear that a large selection of international favourites are also frequent occupiers of Brazilian menus.
Beaches
Copacabana Beach is the largest beach in Rio de Janeiro and is arguably the most famous in the world. Situated just off the foot of Pão de Açucar (Sugarloaf Mountain), there is nowhere better in Brazil to unwind in style. Brilliant for photos and with a tremendous atmosphere, the beach was made famous by its nightclubs, casinos and hotels in the 1950s. Copacabana Beach is a joy to behold and is dominated by luxury hotel resorts, outdoor restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Further south, the beach scene near São Paulo can be just as inviting as Rio’s – if a little harder to get to. Litoral Norte is a local favourite, with the gorgeous azure seas melting into the powdery white sand.
Attractions
Since Brazil has so many beautiful beaches on its eastern shoreline, visitors to the country will be spoilt for choice. Whether it’s São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro or a luxury resort further south, the average visitor will have a stunning beach life whilst on holiday. Some of the lesser known favourites include Fernando de Noronha, which is a stunning archipelago 350 km from north-east coast of Brazil. Porto de Galinhas is another popular tourist destination that has become famous for its amazing coastal reefs, bright-water beaches and piscinas naturais – known by us as natural pools.
A historically favourite must visit is Iguzao Falls, which is known throughout the world as one of the most beautiful and majestic natural waterfalls found on the planet. While the wetlands of the Pantanal are widely regarded as one of the world’s most spectacular wetland systems, and are a must see destination when on holiday in Brazil. Rio de Janeiro meanwhile, is perhaps the most spectacular and vibrant cities in South America, and is a must see on any holiday to South America. Sightseeing in Brazil is a tourist favourite, and with a choice of exploring some of its finer landmarks by horseback, walking or via a boat trip, taking in the most of this beautiful country has never been so easy. For example, the wetlands of the Pantanol are full of amazing wildlife, such as jaguars, anteaters and anacondas. Exploring by horseback is ideal and makes for an unforgettable romantic adventure.
if you want to explore the wider region of Brazil, venture into the majestic Amazon rainforest before heading home. As a truly phenomenal eco-system hosting some of the richest and most beautiful natural habitats in the world, you will be left enthralled with the sights you see. Guided by the Amazon River, there are plenty of boat trips and river cruises available for visitors, which provide an intimate guide to this remarkable part of the world. Iguaçu Falls and Pantanal are two of most spectacular nature reserves found within Brazil’s borders – as a visual feast they will provide you with memories to treasure for a lifetime.
Naturally there will be an abundance of beach activities on any holiday to Brazil and these can range from leisurely sunbathing and dipping in the sea for a gentle splash. Those more active are well catered for too, and with kayaking, sailing, windsurfing and water skiing on offer throughout the year, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Whether it’s playing football or volleyball on the beaches of Rio, embracing the new golf courses which have sprung up, such as the Bahia Golf Trail, or simply delighting in its breath-taking scenery, it won’t take you long to fall into step with Brazil’s infectious atmosphere. The country is a vibrant, sexy and welcoming holiday destination – there is a something for all the family to enjoy in Brazil.
Some of the must see destinations on a trip to Brazil include the iconic Sugar Loaf Mountain which stands as an impressive backdrop to Rio de Janeiro. No trip to Brazil can take place without a trek to the peak of Christ the Redeemer, which is an iconic statue of Jesus Christ and the only Brazilian Wonder of the World. Adventurous types on holiday will be in their element in Brazil. With sweeping beaches, tropical forests and rugged mountain terrains, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy mountain biking, trekking or sky diving on holiday. Anyone journeying out towards the rainforest will be dazzled by the sights you encounter – hiking treks into the Amazon are an enormously popular activity in Brazil and should be high on your to-do list.
Some of the top ten festivals in Brazil include the surrealist São Luís, Maranhão, which is a multi-cultural festival derived from African, Indian and Portuguese influences that have evolved since colonial times. Always a vibrant occasion, those wanting a different festival flavour should attempt this one if they can. Alternatively, the Recife and Porto Seguro festivals are typically hedonistic bashes full of Samba music and Latin rhythms that will ensure festival goers will have a party of their lifetime. Otherwise, another option is Carnatal, which takes to the streets every December and is an out-of-season favourite for those wanting to experience a more off-kilter Brazilian festival.
