Brazil - The Facts

Size: 3,286,500 square miles (8,511,996sq km)
Capital: Brasilia
Language: Portuguese
Currency: Real
Weather: Mostly tropical, but as Brazil is the largest country in South America there are variations. The south is cooler than the north. Winter is from May to September.

Brazil - Attractions

Rio de Janeiro

This city of contrasts is beautifully set between the sea and the mountains. It's a place of pleasure, parties and poverty, with a reputation for vibrancy and violence. A third of the 7 million inhabitants live in the favelas or shanty towns. One way to see it all is from the peak of Corcovado with its famous statue of Christ the Redeemer or from Pão de Açúcar which can be reached by cable car.

The beach is the city's focal point. Three mile Copacabana is the most famous, Ipanema the most chic. Musuems to visit include Museu Historico Nacional, and Museu Nacional de Belas Artes. Football is the national obsession, games at the huge Maracanã stadium have a unique atmosphere. Matches take place during November and December with evening kick-offs.

To escape the crush, head for nearby Parque Nacional de Tijuca. Climb through forest to the Pico da Tijuca at just over 1,000 metres for a view of the bay or have a lazy picnic by a waterfall. Ilha Grande which can be reached by ferry from Rio feels like stepping back in time. There are over 100 beaches, jungle and simple cafes.

Brasília

The capital city is a World Heritage Site and an interesting example of modern architecture, but otherwise hot and uninspiring. The nearby Parque Nacional de Brasília ecological reserve is a good place to escape from the fierce city sun. São Paulo is the largest city in South America and dynamic as well as polluted.

The Amazon

The rivers and forests of the Amazon cover almost half of Brazil and are home to a huge diversity of plants and wildlife. The list is endless and includes armadillos jaguars, monkeys, sloth, alligators, river dolphin, boa constrictor, toucans, parrots, hummingbirds, piranha and more than 200 species of mosquitoes. Day trips and boat tours from Manaus, the capital city of the state of Amazonas, are popular and provide a chance to see the birds and plants as well as some of the river settlements. There are masses of tour operators, check their credentials before boarding a boat.

The Pantanal

This area of wetlands in western Brazil has wildlife that's considered better that that of the Amazon region, with every sort of bird as well as anacondas, iguanas, jaguars, cougars and crocodiles.

Salvador da Bahia

Brazil's most African state was once the centre of the sugar and slave trade, now it's famous for its music, decadence, wild festivals and Carnaval. Other attractions include beautiful beaches and the Museu Afro-Brasileira, dedicated to black culture.

Foz do Iguaçu

These waterfalls on the border with Argentina and Paraguay are one of the natural wonders of the world. They're two miles wide and best seen between August and November.

Chapada dos Veadeiros

This national park north of Brasília is renowned for waterfalls, natural swimming pools and dramatic cliffs. Wildlife includes giant armadillos, banded anteaters, tapirs, toucans and vultures.

The Parque Nacional dos Aparados da Serra

Home to the biggest canyon in Brazil. The mile deep Itaimbezinho is spectacular and potentially treacherous when rains turn the Rio do Boi into a deadly torrent. Hiking in the dry season (July–October) is generally safe, but it's wise to check the forecast and stick to the Cotovelo Trail.

Brazil - Activities

Hiking

There are trails and guided walks available throughout the country. Many of the best are in the national parks. Highlights include the three day, 25-mile trek through the Parque Nacional Serra dos Orgãos which provides stunning coastal views and the chance to spot jaguars and wolves. It starts at Teresopolis and ends at Petropolis, both royal cities that were summer residences for the Emperors. Even more demanding is the 47-mile track from Lençois to Andarai in the Chapada Diamantina, an area of lush valleys and red mountain ranges.

Hang gliding

Tandem flights are available in Rio. One of the most stunning starts from Pedra Bonita in Gavea and takes you over Tijuca, landing at São Conrado beach for a cold beer in one of the beachside bars.

Diving

Fernando de Noronha is a 21-island archipelago known for its coral, tropical fish, manta rays, lemon sharks and spectacular rock formations. However visitor numbers are restricted to 420 at any time. Baia dos Golfinhos is famous for spinner dolphin. Ubatuba in the state of São Paulo is excellent for scuba diving. Ilha das Couves is best for coral and dolphins; Ilha de Palmas for rock formations and caverns

Caving

Terra Ronca in the northeast has over 200 deep caves, many still unexplored. The best known is the three mile long Gruta Terra Ronca. During the Festa do Bom Jesus da Lapa in August, women dressed in white make a procession to a large underground lake with offerings of candles and flowers.

Canyoning

Brazilians enjoy abseiling down canyons either next to or in the middle of waterfalls. The favourite place for doing this is the Parque Nacional Chapada dos Veadeiros, in Goias. The Cachoeira da Agua Fria is also popular.

Surfing

Is popular all along the coast, with the best waves in Santa Caterina south of Sao Paulo. Windsurfing and sailing are also widely available.

Brazil - Entertainment

Music is everywhere and Brazilians know how to dance. Bars often have live music that includes, rock, pop, piano bar, blues, bossa nova, carimbo, lambada, jazz and samba. In coastal cities beachside bars are the place to go.

The most famous festival in Brazil is the Carnaval, celebrated all over the country around Ash Wednesday and lasting between three and five days. Rio's is the most fantastic and the most commercialised. The ones in Olinda and Salvador are worthy rivals.

Other festivals that draw the crowds in Rio are the Free Jazz Festival in July August; The International Film Festival in November and Rock In Rio For A Better World in February.

In October the Festival of Boi Manaus in Manaus celebrates traditional Amazonian music and dance.

São Luis, the state capital of Maranháo has the Bumba Meu-Boi in June. It's a week-long festival where people dress up in ox costumes and dance.
Good Friday until Easter Sunday is a time of festivals and parades in most places.

New Year's Eve celebrations are spectacular events on many of the beaches.