fascinating culture cariocas (the locals’ nickname) are contagious, and their laid-back, flirtatious and friendly lifestyle is equally addictive. Until 1960, Rio was the country’s capital (today it is Brasília) and is vibrant with music, a passion for various sports (especially football and volleyball), and a bohemian lifestyle. Feel it while wandering around the historic district of Lapa, the best place to feel the energy of Rio bars serving ice-cold draft beer, typical snacks like fried cassava, and national dishes like feijoada. Here, live music defines the Brazilian sound with samba, bossa nova and contemporary funk.

In addition to visiting the above attractions, it’s also worth planning a few hours to get to know the charming historic neighborhood. Santa Teresa Watch the sunset in the central area Pedra do Arpoador – on the beach of the same name – and do not forget to go to Pedra do Sal; Here on Monday you’ll find yourself on a lively Afro-Brazilian street, stomping your feet and swaying your hips in a traditional samba show offered for free.

fall into Iguacu

Iguaçu means “big water” in the Tupi language (original people). In the city located in the south of the country Foz do IguacuTriple border area between Brazil, Paraguay and Brazil Argentina. Here you will find another example (out of 24 in Brazil) listed in UNESCO. World Heritage Site. When you enter the National Park, you will immediately understand that you are in front of one of the waterfalls when you feel the humidity of the air and hear the cascading waters of the 275 waterfalls. The most fascinating shows on the planet.

Take at least two days: one to see the Brazilian side, which offers a more panoramic view with well-organized trails, surrounded by tropical forests, and the other to see the Argentinian side, where it is possible to get dizzyingly close to the waterfalls. walking paths. On any of these days, it’s worth taking a speedboat ride in the spray: the best shower you’ll ever have. Another tour not to be missed is the helicopter flight, which offers magnificent views. If you have time, experience the diversity of bird life at Parque das Aves, the Marco das Três Fronteiras tourist complex, and the Itaipu Hydroelectric Power Plant, the world’s largest producer of clean energy.

portuguese treasures

One of my favorite places in Brazil is off the coast. The Historic Cities in the state of Minas Gerais are fascinating. I mainly mean this golden cities: Tiradentes, São João Del Rey, Ouro Preto and Diamantina. They reveal the legacy of colonial Brazil, whose riches (gold and diamonds) were usurped by the Portuguese and exploited mainly in the first half of the 18th century.

To give you an idea of ​​the unique character of these cities, there are 12 charming churches spread across the hills of Ouro Preto’s historic center, all accessible via beautiful paths.

The route followed by the Portuguese to carry their treasures to Europe has now become the tourist route known as Estrada Real. There are four main roads; the most popular is the “Old” one; It’s a 710km route from the summit of Mount Ouro Preto to the small port of exuberant Paraty on the province’s southern coast. Rio de Janeiro.

If time doesn’t allow you a bucket-list mountain-to-coast pilgrimage, it’s possible to visit these colonial gems in five days by car. Start in Ouro Preto and the beautiful neighboring town of Mariana, head south for three hours and do Tiradentes and São João Del Rey. Enjoy history, architecture, gastronomy (for me, the best in Brazil), art such as the works of the charming master Aleijadinho, and the mountain scenery, where you will hide countless waterfalls and meet hospitable people. Mineiros (locals) are some of the most caring and friendly people in the country.

Lençóis Maranhenses, an oasis of lagoons

22 years ago, when I traversed more than 50 km of the maddeningly white Dune Desert in just two days, barefoot and drinking from lakes, I became convinced that I was in an otherworldly environment. I was actually in one of the pearls of Brazil. It took a while, but soon the world came to know about it through the announcement. Lençóis Maranhenses National Park it is now a Unesco World Heritage Site.

This is the largest dune field in South America, but instead of a waterless desert, Mother Nature has endowed this white ground with more than 36,000 blue lagoons filled with precipitation during the rainy months.

It is one of the most photogenic destinations on the planet; With contrasts of color and shape in constant motion. On the opposite side of the park are two picturesque towns: Santo Amaro and Barreirinhas. The latter is where the main 4WD tours depart for access to the lagoons and dunes. The charming village of Atins has wonderful inns almost at the foot of the white sands of Lençóis. A visit to the fishing community of Queimada dos Britos, numbering just 200 people, is a must-see. It’s as if time has passed, leaving this village isolated but happy in the middle of a stunning tropical desert.

Salvador, Bahia – city of faith and joy

Salvador radiates energy. It is also the capital of Bahia, a northeastern state. Salvador was the birthplace of the famous Capoeira, a blend of martial art and dance created by slaves brought from Salvador. Africa.

Also where Samba He was born in Rio de Janeiro, although he developed as a child. Salvador is also home to amazing writers and musicians. The historical center of the city is where the Pelourinho neighborhood shines. It’s a melting pot of color, with magnificent colonial buildings dotted across cobblestone hillsides, where millions of people “play and dance” every February at one of the country’s most popular carnivals.

This unique cuisine is best enjoyed in the bohemian neighborhood of Rio Vermelho, where great restaurants serve iconic dishes featuring fish and seafood, such as Acarajé, Moqueca, O Vatapá and Bobó de Camarão.

It is also mandatory to visit Mercado Modelo, Igreja do Senhor do Bonfim, famous for the colorful ribbon bracelets adorning its facade, Farol da Barra, which separates the city of Baixa from Alta, and Elevador Lacerda. It is difficult to explain the energy of Bahia, but believe me, it will move you.

Amazon, the epitome of the tropics

Amazon It is very large and covers six countries. Almost 60% of this is in Brazil, but most of it is virtually untouched and only determined travelers are prepared to face days on small boats to reach them. remote areas. When we talk about visiting the Amazon we mainly start from two capitals: Manaus (Amazonas) and Belém (Pará).

There are a variety of tour options for both cities, including daily mini-trips into the jungle. It is no exaggeration to say that Belém is the gastronomic capital of the Amazon, depicted in the Ver-o-Peso market, one of the oldest and most fascinating markets in the Amazon. South America. Speedboats also take you from the capital, Pará, to Marajó, the world’s largest river-sea island, filled with beaches, bars and accommodation typical of northern Brazil.

From Santarém, another major city in the province, you reach Alter do Chão, a small village on the banks of the Tapajós River; this village allows travelers to interact with locals and experience jungle immersion and a full eco-tourism experience. encounters sweet pink dolphins.

Manaus is the access base to the incredible Anavilhanas National Park, the second largest river archipelago in the world, in a biome of nearly 400 islands and 60 lakes. It is a massive water maze in a region that embraces sustainability and is showing Brazil how environmental conservation and ecotourism can have positive and transformative impacts on riverside communities. Every visitor who bathes in the waters of the Amazon leaves with the belief that the earth must keep the so-called “Lung of the Earth” alive and protected.

checklist

GETTING THERE

Fly from Auckland to Rio de Janeiro with one stop with American Airlines, LATAM and Qantas.

DETAIL

visitbrasil.com/en