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Brazil: Experience Rio de Janeiro and these 5 beautiful places on the journey

Rio de Janeiro - Brazil - Argentina - Travel
Are you looking for inspiration for your trip to Brazil? In this article, everything good for the journey there is gathered. From big cities to nature experiences and the Amazon.
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Brazil: Experience Rio de Janeiro and these 5 beautiful places on the journey is written by Martin Bøgild.

Brazil - South America - maps - travel

Brazil – the land of colors and football

Samba, carnival, caipirinha and football – the colorful culture of the world's 5th largest country tells the story of celebration, happy days and welcoming locals. And especially the latter you will get to feel on your first trip to Brazil – the country where the song The Girl from Ipanema has a special ability to captivate and steal the hearts of visitors.

In addition to the culture and the hospitable population, you get green mountain ranges, lush rainforests, chalk-white sandy beaches, paradise islands, deafening waterfalls and abundant wildlife. Flora and fauna are nowhere more diverse than here.

We give you an overview of Brazil's opportunities here, so you can get the best out of your trip to the huge country.

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Weather, climate and events - when to visit Brazil?

There are several things to consider when choosing the departure time for your trip to Brazil.

The weather is of course one of them, and due to the size of the country it is not an easy task. Most of the country is south of the equator, and therefore it is coldest in the south, but even if Brazilians complain at times, their response to winter is usually quite mild when you come from Scandinavia.

Along the coast, the weather is almost always good, and perhaps that is why the majority of Brazil's population lives here, where many of the country's most visited cities are also located. The equator runs through northern Brazil, and there will never be winter here. To the north, pay attention instead to the rainy season, which varies from area to area.

In addition to the weather and your own calendar, Brazil also hosts a number of events that you should consider when deciding on your departure time. Carnival is of course the most famous.

The whole country celebrates the event, which is an official holiday. Most tourists choose to experience the carnival in Rio de Janeiro, but since it takes place over 5 days, there is an opportunity to experience the different traditions from region to region.

New Year's Eve is also quite special in Brazil. In Rio de Janeiro, about two million white-clad people gather on Copacabana and Ipanema beaches to celebrate the New Year. It is extremely festive with live concerts, samba dancers and magnificent fireworks.

Brazil, Rio De jainero, sugar peak, travel

Rio de Janeiro

There are many exciting million-dollar cities in Brazil, and therefore this overview only covers a fraction. You can't avoid the country's probably most famous city, Rio de Janeiro. The city has it all, and if it has to be described in one word, it has to be contrasting.

The diversity is striking. Here are green mountains, skyscrapers and beach. Here there are rich people who live in abundance, and poor people who live in huge slums. And here are parties and happy days, but unfortunately also war between drug gangs.

The city has some of the world's best-known sights:

The large statue of Christ, the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema and the characteristic rock called Sugarloaf overlooking the beautiful city. There is no shortage of cultural experiences here either. In addition to the carnival, there are small and large festivals here all year round, and every day you can find samba concerts with local musicians.

You should definitely visit the festive capital on your trip to Brazil.

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Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo is the country's largest city and economic powerhouse.

Compared to Rio de Janeiro, the city is primarily visited for business purposes, but there is also something here for tourists. There are no major well-known sights here, but the big city atmosphere is intense, which is why Sao Paulo is also called South America's New York.

The mood is best captured by strolling through the city, observing and meeting the locals, visiting the cultural centres, art galleries and going out and feeling the vibrant nightlife.

Salvador - South America

Salvador

If you are interested in history, Salvador has a lot to offer.

Here you will find the largest collection of architecture from colonial period in Latin America. It feels like a journey back in time when you walk between the picturesque, pastel-colored colonial buildings and the cobbled squares where the slave trade took place.

The city is also surrounded by beautiful sandy beaches, so the historical sightseeing can easily be combined with relaxing days on the beach, and a visit to the turtle center is also obvious.

waterfall - Iguazú

Eastern Brazil

Eastern Brazil has many scenic areas that are worth a visit. Here you will find, among other things, the magnificent Iguazú Falls, which stretch over 2,7 kilometers. The waterfalls are located on the border of Argentina, and you should set aside two days so that you can experience them from both the Brazilian and the Argentinian side.

The Brazilian side has the best panoramic views, while the Argentine side is more dramatic and wild.

Further north you will find Campo Grande, from where you can take the bus to Bonito. Here lies a number of great nature experiences within a manageable scale. For example, it is recommended to take a snorkel trip in Nascente Azul - the blue spring.

A trip to Gruta do Lago Azul is also recommended. It is a large cave with an azure lake at the bottom.

A little to the north you will find the Pantanal, which is the place in Brazil where there is the greatest chance of seeing a wide range of the country's exotic animals.

The Pantanal is a huge wetland the size of England and besides the animals, the nature is also exceptionally fascinating. This is definitely worth a visit on your trip to Brazil.

Bolivia Amazonas travel

Amazon

The Amazon is the world's largest rainforest and river system. The area covers over half of Brazil and is home to eight of the world's 20 longest rivers and a fifth of all fresh water. With its size and mythical status, there is much to be gained here, for all those with an adventurer hidden in their belly.

There are several ways to experience the Amazon, but most choose to either sail between the few towns located along the banks of the rivers, or spend the night in one of the set up camps, of which there are several. For the brave, it is also possible to go on a survival trip with a guide, where you camp and find, catch and prepare your food.

Most people start their Amazon adventure in Manaus, which is a city of millions in the middle of the rainforest. You can only get there by boat or plane, and it gives a very special feeling to be so cut off from the road network and the outside world. It is not necessary to book your trip in advance. There is money to be saved by booking in Manaus, and the tourist offices are everywhere.

The city itself is worth a visit, as it has its very own culture and contains a remarkable diversity.

amazon river - travel

The islands and resorts of Brazil

Brazil's coastal cities all have one or more resort towns and islands within easy reach, and it would be a shame not to take advantage of that opportunity, because there are many gems in between.

About 150 kilometers east of Rio de Janeiro is Buzios - a resort town where the affluent come and party during their weekends and holidays. The prices are expensive by Brazilian standards and the atmosphere is a bit fancy.

If you instead take 100 kilometers to the southwest, you will come to Ilha Grande - a paradise holiday island, where there is the opportunity to party, relax and explore the beautiful nature. The island is also just 200 kilometers from Sao Paulo and there are good bus links.

The same goes for Paraty, which is certainly also an obvious destination, as it has both history and fine beaches, and is reasonably close to both Rio and Sao Paulo.

You can also choose to take in the mountainous area around Visconde de Maua 200 kilometers north of Rio de Janeiro. Here the atmosphere is idyllic and reminiscent of an exotic variety of an Austrian mountain village, and here come many locals.

Off the coast of beautiful Salvador, you will find the holiday island of Morro de Sao Paulo. The island has a beautiful, tropical nature and offers everything you associate with a holiday: idyllic beaches, blue sea water, good food and festive bars.

You can also go on a boat trip to see whales, and if you are lucky, you will experience one of the humpback whales that are passing through.

The possibilities in Brazil are many – have a good trip!

Here are 7 sights you must experience in Brazil

  • Carnival in Rio de Janeiro
  • The Amazon rainforest
  • Iguazu Falls
  • The beaches of Bahia
  • Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro
  • Pnatanal Wetlands
  • Historic Salvador

About the author

Martin Bøgild

Martin is a traveling journalism student with a great love for Africa and South America. He is a former graduate of M.Sc., and the long summer vacations were spent exploring distant parts of the world.

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