Brazil travel guide

A land of gloriously sensational beaches, immense tropical rainforests and musically infused world-class cities, Brazil contains a ridiculous variety of cultural and natural wonders. The largest country in all of the world's tropics, Brazil boasts miles of remote and unspoiled coastline, untouched tropical islands, vibrantly colorful colonial towns, and intriguing cities like Brasilia, the futuristic capital inland, and Salvador, the historic jewel of the northeast, and, of course, the perpetually lively and internationally famous Rio de Janeiro. Brazil's extensive ecosystem means you can ride horseback through Pantanal to look for monkeys, make your lazy way down the Amazon — pausing to climb rocky cliffs or walk down into waterfall canyons — or go whale watching off of Santa Catarina.

Brazil has some of the world's most interesting and exciting cities. Manaus is the largest city in the Amazon, an unexpected pocket of city life in the center of a jungle. It's also a major ocean port, and with two million people, home to a lot of bustling commerce. The city's zoo has as many animals wandering the grounds as there are in cages. There's also a beach/museum/park which seems like an odd combination but is very popular nonetheless. Many tour operators for the Amazon are located in Manaus, but many more exist further up the river and also further downstream and these may give you more off-the-beaten-track options than those in Manaus.

Minas Gerais — one of Brazil's 26 states — is full of lovely old colonial towns but the best of these is Ouro Prêto. Historically important for its gold mining, and as the site of the first independence movement in Brazil, the old city remains vital today as a mecca for the arts and education. Built at the bottom of the Serra do Espinhaco Range, the city is full of steep, crooked, narrow cobbled streets. Walking around can be hard on the feet, but the panoramic views of the twenty-four churches and the jacaranda trees are well worth the effort.

A popular backpacker hangout is Jericoacoara, known as Jeri for short. This gem of a little town is isolated but its splendid isolation is what draws people. With a spectacular coastline and all its seaside activities, cheap and excellent restaurants, and friendly nightlife, it's easy to see why it's so likeable. The village has six streets situated between the beach, a huge dune called Pôr do Sol, and a series of low-level grassy hills. Many people end up staying here a lot longer than intended, so be warned. The best times to visit are between July and January and you'll need to make reservations in advance.

Brazil tourist attractions are many to choose from. Iguassu Falls or Iguazu Falls shared by the Iguazú National Park in Argentina are classified as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. Fernando de Noronha is a dream destintion for the beach lovers. It is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

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