Sao Paulo is Brazil’s largest and most populous urban centre, home to roughly 20 million people in the metropolitan area alone. The capital of Sao Paulo State and the country’s unofficial business capital, the city is also known for its effervescent culture, with myriad entertainment options and a colourful nightlife. Highlight attractions of the city include: the Avenida Paulista, with its commercial epicentre presenting a wide array of shops, restaurants, bookstores and art exhibitions; Bixiga, a ‘little Italy’ known for its theatre scene and vibrant nightlife; the Chinatown district of Liberdade; and Ibirapuera Park, popular for its walking and jogging trails, three museums, free concerts and gorgeous Japanese garden.
The world’s biggest inland wetland system, the Pantanal Reserve is a biodiversity hot spot and one of Brazil’s premier tourism destinations. Encompassing rivers, lakes, marshes, floodplains and both perennial and non-perennial streams, it is home to myriad exotic wildlife species, including jaguars, hyacinth macaws, giant anteaters, capybara and caiman. Birdwatchers and animal lovers will be in their element here – the Pantanal is considered in some circles to be superior game-viewing territory to the Amazon, where the dense foliage obscures much of the wildlife. While you’re here, don’t miss a visit to the Parque Nacional do Pantanal Matogrossense – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and a four-day boat trip into the Puerto Jofre region, where visitors have an excellent chance of spotting a jaguar.
Brazil’s second-largest city and one of the world’s most popular tourism destinations, Rio de Janeiro is renowned for its beautiful beaches, vibrant culture, the iconic Sugar Loaf Mountain and the massive, majestic statue of Christ atop the Corcavado peak. The highlight of Rio’s social calendar is Carnaval, in the weeks leading up to Lent, when the city becomes a riot of colour, music and festivities, with thousands of costumed revellers parading through the street in what the locals call the ‘Greatest Show on Earth’.
Located in the municipality of Paraty in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Saco do Mamangua is a fjord-shaped inlet, Brazil’s only tropical fjord, cutting a narrow 7-kilometre-long channel into the mountains southeast of Paraty. This unique protected marine ecosystem is set within the beautiful Juatinga Peninsular Eco-reserve and shelters the dense vegetation of the Atlantic Forest, bordered by mountains and beautiful beaches with an emerald green sea. Locals make a living from tourism, selling wooden handicrafts and fishing. Visitors can look forward to spotting turtles, exploring the lush mangroves and hiking the Saco do Mamangua sugarloaf peak to soak up the spectacular panoramic views and jump on a boating tour to discover the natural charms of the area.
On the Costa Verde, surrounded by quiet beaches and peninsulas, beguiling Paraty is known for its exceptional colonial architecture. The historical district is a joy to explore, with cobblestone streets winding between whitewashed buildings and baroque churches. Cultural offerings are not limited to the historical, however – Paraty is home to many creative souls and entrepreneurs from around the world, whose restaurants, galleries, and shops give the town a cosmopolitan feel. Nature lovers will enjoy the nearby reserves, parks, and mountains that surround this enticing destination.
