Should you visit Brazil? One of Planet Earth’s most fascinating places, Brazil is definitely South America’s giant and yet remains one of the least visited countries in the region. It has been continuously portrayed through the media as a dangerous country, known for its violence, drug lords, murder rate and highly perilous favelas. However, many of these stories fail to mention the other side of Brazil; its breath-taking white sand beaches, lush rainforest, dramatic landscapes and undeniably rich history.
Brazil contains almost one-third of the world’s remaining tropical rain forests and is the fifth largest country in the world. In short, it is beautiful, wild and mesmerising. So what is so great about Brazil? Well, let us explain:
Should you visit Brazil? Well, Brazil has it all. Are you looking to lounge by the beach? Go on a cultural adventure? Or are you more interested in going on an adventure? Don’t worry, Brazil has it all. The city of Rio de Janeiro is the perfect mix of urban and beach. Days can easily be lost wandering through the city or spending time relaxing on the beach. If cities are not your thing, then traveler’s can find a tropical paradise in northern Brazil. Fernando de Noronha is an archipelago of islands and islets that are located about a mile off the coast of Brazil. The islands are known for their pristine waters, rich marine life, and spectacular tropical landscapes.
Those seeking out an adventure can visit the Amazon, also known as the lungs of the planet. A highlight of this area is the Econtra da Aguas (translation: meeting of the waters) where the dark waters of the Rio Negro converge with the pale waters of the Amazon to create an interesting and distinct barrier of color. Travelers can also visit the Pantanal Wetlands, the world’s largest freshwater wetlands, home to lots of vegetation and wildlife, including the giant anteater, maned wolf, and the adorable capybara. Then there is Minas Gerais, which is known for its food; Florianopolis, a city famous for its surf; Iguazu…well we don’t have to tell you why the Iguazu Falls are incredible. We can go on and on and on…but we’ll stop there. Remember that if you ever have questions about Brazil (and what to do) you can email us (we also do custom travel planning).
The People. Brazilian people are amazingly diverse and vibrant from their origin to their lifestyles. They’re generous to a fault and very friendly, even to strangers. Talk to anyone who has visited Brazil and they will tell you that these people are some of the most generous and friendly people they have ever encountered. It’s not unusual to meet someone in Brazil and be invited to his or her home for refreshments. Don’t believe us? Come on our Jequitinhonha Valley tour and see first hand how friendly our Brazilian hosts really are.
Let’s Go to the Beach! Did you know that Brazil is home to more than 1500 beaches and 500 picturesque island paradises? The only problem will be which beach to go first when you visit Brazil.
Culture & History. Samba is recognised around the world as a symbol of Brazil, and, of course, the Brazilian Carnival. It has become an icon of Brazilian national identity. What many people don’t know is that it was created in Rio de Janeiro and has African roots via the West African slave trade and African religious traditions. In 2007, FUNAI reported that it had confirmed the presence of 67 different uncontacted indigenous tribes in Brazil, thus surpassing New Guinea as the country having the largest number of uncontacted people. In 1808, on the run from Napoleon, the Portuguese Royal Crown moved to Rio de Janeiro. Brazil became the only colony in history to become the seat of the Portuguese colonial Empire whereas the Portuguese Prince regent, later King Dom Joao VI established himself and his government in Rio. This is just a peak into Brazil’s rich historical past and cultural diversity, there’s definitely a lot more to explore.
Brazilian food: Brazil may not be well known on the global culinary scene but for those in the know, the country has some real gastronomic gems. Here, food feeds the soul, warms the cockles, and has a real homely feel. There is so much to choose from, from pao de queijo, brigadeiro, coxinha and of course delicious cheese from Minas Gerais.
Cachaça. The most popular alcoholic spirit in Brazil, cachaça is the essence of a tropical cocktail. Made from sugarcane juice, the distilled spirit is used lovingly in the classic caipirinha cocktail. Cachaça has three varieties, pure, silver and gold. Dark cachaça, is reputably the ‘premium’ variety, after being aged (usually for up three, or as long as 15 years) in wood barrels. It is designed to be enjoyed straight.
So should you visit Brazil? What do you think about our list? We would love to hear why you love Brazil in the comments below.
