Brazil Holidays
Brazil is a captivating country laden with unique wildlife destinations, rare ecosystems, bustling cities, and pristine beaches. It’s also the birthplace of the Caipirinha cocktail!
Bold and vibrant Brazil is a country of great contrasts. Gleaming stretches of sugar-white sand rest on the shores of brilliant blue oceans. Atlantic forests smother coastal landscapes in parts, while wildlife rich jungle terrain and waterlogged tropical wetlands provide a unique habitat for macaws, jaguars, toucans, capybaras, giant otters and caimans.
The mighty Amazon River cuts across expanse of emerald rainforests, providing ample opportunity to spot piranhas, hyacinth macaws and pink river dolphins. The cascading steps of Iguazu’s thunderous waterfalls provide great contrast to the coast; while pulsating flamboyant cities rich in heritage offer a completely different side to Brazil.
Brazil is the perfect combination of coast, wildlife, geography and city. It's impossible to explore the breadth and depths of Brazil in a short period of time. You will either need to narrow down a few areas or spend a lengthy period of time in the country.Are you here for the caimans, capybaras and jaguars, islands or thumping city life of Rio?
- The Caipirinha is Brazil’s national drink. It’s a delightful concoction of cachaça, sugar, and lime. Cocktails anyone? Trying this cocktail in Brazil is a must.
- Head to a Bossa Nova club and catch a rhythmic Samba show in just about every region of Brazil.
- Brazil is home of Havaianas! Visit the flagship Havaianas store in Sao Paulo.
- Don’t mention that you hate football, it won’t go down well in Brazil.
- Stay in one of the world’s most famous hotels, the Belmond Copacabana Palace.
- February is carnival time ! The city comes alive and pulsates with activity during Rio Carnival.
- For beach holidays, head to Ipanema or Copacabana in Rio, or even the exclusive beach island of Ilha Grande. The state of Bahia is the best place in Brazil for incredible beach holidays. Otherwise head to the world-renown beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema in Rio, and the exclusive island of Ilha Grande.
- The immense tropical wetlands of the Pantanal offer a rich wildlife experience where you can spot jaguars, capybaras, caimans and birdlife. You’ll need a few days in this impressive area.
- Bonito is home to crystal clear rivers and unique caves with blue lakes at their base - a must explore area.
- The Amazon is the place rainforests, wildlife and riverboat cruises.
- Iguazu Falls is a world-heritage site and the Brazil side of the falls offers a fantastic vantage point.
Brazil is a diverse and large country that requires a well-executed holiday plan prior to arrival. There are so many unique destinations ranging from flamboyant cities, to emerald lakes, wildlife, rainforests, waterfalls and shimmering coastlines. The one thing you do need in Brazil is time on your side.
Rio de Janeiro is the most popular city and famed for its bronzed bodies, refreshingly potent Caipirinhas and warm reflective oceans. Time on Copacabana Beach and Ipanema Beach is a must, and the Hotel Belmond Copacabana is the perfect marriage of history and classic celeb style living. Of course, another thriving metropolis is Sao Paulo, home to the flagship Havaianas store.
Salvador da Bahia offers sun seekers the perfect coastal paradise, somewhat quieter and more understated than Rio’s bustling coast. Atlantic forests with walking trails and waterfalls hug the various coastal towns speckled across state of Bahia. The coastal towns have unique bays, hidden beaches, surfing waves and delightfully bohemian towns.
Way up north from Rio is the world-renown Amazon basin smothered with rainforests and rivers. Home to the world’s most diverse and unique biome, the Amazon deserves a dedicated period of time to explore.
The Pantanal is the top wildlife viewing destination in Brazil, if not the world. This world-heritage site is home to capybaras, caimans and jaguars; and a plethora of bird species. If you have the time, then explore the eco-tourism area of Bonito, a scenic region with crystal clear rivers for snorkelling, and mind-blowing caves.
The tumbling waterfalls of the Invigorating provide an awe-inspiring destination well-worth exploring.
Brazil is vast and the best way of getting around is by flying into one of the major cities, the most popular being Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Both cities offer connecting flights to the popular tourist destinations such as the Pantanal, Amazon and Bahia.
The primary airport is the international Rio de Janeiro–Galeao Airport (GIG), which is located in Guanabara Bay. The Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) is the secondary airport and only has domestic flights to a dozen cities within Brazil. São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport and Congonhas-São Paulo Airport are located in the metropolitan area of Sao Paolo. Congonhas in Sao Paulo is the best choice for domestic flights.
The airlines of Brazil include : Latam (Latam), Gol, Azul, Passaredo and Avianca. A Brazil air pass is recommended if you’re wanting to explore a variety of states in Brazil. Gol offers an air pass with four to five domestic flights anywhere within its network.
Brazil’s dominant cultural influence is Portuguese and this is evident in the Brazilian’s love of football, art and music. To experience aspects of the rich Brazilian culture, your first step is to listen to Bossa Nova music or watch a Samba show. Throw in a few Caipirinhas and you’re well on your way to living like a local.
In Rio a tour of Christ the Redeemer - an iconic landmark - is a must. Brazil’s coast is a surfing mecca, and surfers are advised to head to the the palm-fringed tropical island of Ilha Grande and Bahia coast. Sun seekers and beach sport enthusiasts typically head to the shores of Ipanema or Copacabana Beach in Rio.
Sign-up for an early morning or evening boating trip in the Pantanal, where it’s possible to see jaguars, giant otters, capybara and caiman. Jaguar Tracking tours are set in the wildlife rich region of Porto Jofre. The best way to explore the Amazon is to join a river cruise that takes you deep into the Amazon’s most protected reserves.
Lush rainforest surround the curtains of water that define Iguazu Falls, an oasis of exceptional beauty. The falls are best explored via helicopter, where you can enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the falls.
Bonito is the home of adventure activities, and it’s in this region where you’ll find river snorkelling trips down the river, caving adventures and outdoor pursuits.
