Brazilian vacations: 7 great places to visit
Brazil is an original and contrasting country. Everything here is fascinating: natural landscapes, forests, jungles, desert plateaus, luxurious beaches and quiet coves on the ocean coast. This country can easily compete with the Maldives or Bali as it also has something to offer and show tourists.
Brazilian cities are just as charming and fascinating. The Independent tells you more about them and what makes them unique.
Rio de Janeiro
This city is often considered the "face" of Brazil. The world-famous statue of Christ the Saviour is the most recognizable symbol of the city and even the entire country. Anyone who has ever seen footage of a popular Brazilian TV series is familiar with the panorama of Corcovado Mountain and the sculptural image of Jesus Christ, who embraces the whole world with his arms. Rio also boasts its natural beauty: there is a botanical garden, a national park, the world-famous Copacabana Beach and Sugarloaf Mountain. Therefore, you can go hiking and explore the Atlantic coast.
São Paulo
The country's largest city is a real concrete jungle with trees and gardens, punctuated by huge buildings, and a distinctly cosmopolitan atmosphere. The state of São Paulo is an economic and agricultural centre, and there are many things to see in its capital. In particular, there are many museums, with art and cultural events often organized here. For example, the São Paulo Biennial, Fashion Week, the Electronic Art Festival, and football matches are held here.
Manaus and the Amazon
The Amazon forests are one of the least explored regions in the world. It is home to thousands of species of animals and plants. At the same time, dangerous predators can be found here. It is interesting to know that these amazing forests include nine South American countries: Guyana, Ecuador, Brazil, Venezuela, French Guiana, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, and Suriname.
Manaus is one of two cities in the Amazon with a population of over one million people. There is a magnificent 19th-century Amazonian theatre and 100 square kilometres of the Adolpho Ducke Botanical Garden. Two rivers "meet" here: the dark waters of the Rio Negro flow next to the brown waters of the Rio Solimões.
Iguazu National Park
Iguazu is located on the border between Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. With 275 waterfalls, it is truly a paradise where water pours sharply from steep cliffs and the view of the green cliff tops is complemented by a colourful rainbow.
Only 20% of waterfalls are located in Brazil. The Brazilian side offers spectacular views, while the Argentine part is best for excursions by riverboat.
Salvador
Salvador used to be the capital of Brazil, and the atmosphere of its former glory still reigns in this distinctive city. It begins at the extraordinary blue Bay of All Saints, where long stretches of golden sand stretch along the coast. Moving inland, you will see a sea of skyscrapers and other high-rise buildings. A must-see is Pelourinho, the historic centre of the city, which is included in the UNESCO list. The cobblestone streets are lined with colourful colonial architecture in pastel shades. A paradise for an aesthete!
If you like museums, we recommend visiting the Brasileiro Museum, the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology near the east coast of the city, and the Maritime Museum.
There are also costume carnivals here, like in Rio de Janeiro.
Pantanal
The Pantanal, located in southern Brazil, is the largest tropical wetland in the world, as well as the largest flooded grasslands on the planet. The biodiversity of the region is extremely rich. It is home to about 3,500 species of plants, 400 species of fish, 650 species of birds, 100 species of mammals and 80 species of reptiles. The period from June to September is the best time to get to know the inhabitants. Here you can go on ATV and river-boat excursions to different areas. Don't worry, you won't be living in the middle of the swamps because there are many types of housing.
Ouro Preto
It is also called the "city of black gold". It is located in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais in the Serra do Espinhaço mountain range. Formerly a centre of the mining industry, it now has many examples of Baroque architecture from the colonial period, for which the city centre has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This once-large mining town was the centre of the Brazilian gold rush, but it is surrounded by steep hills and streams. Therefore, gold miners could not penetrate it. This has benefited the modern city, which still retains its wealth and architectural beauty.
