Resting at the confluence of the Parana and Iguazu rivers, Puerto Iguazu is a charming tourist city that serves as the gateway to Iguazu Falls on the Argentinian side of the border. It is surrounded by red rocky landscape interspersed with verdant forest inhabited by abundant wildlife. The city is a popular tourist destination and draws visitors from around the globe to visit the Iguazu National Park and its breathtaking waterfalls. Visitors can also explore the spectacularly scenic surroundings through a variety of activities including: jumping on one of the many tours on offer, enjoying an array of outdoor activities, visiting the Guira Oga - 'The House of Birds', and soaking up the views from the Hito de las Tres Fronteras, a magnificent natural park.
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’.
One of the oldest cities in Brazil, Salvador is known for its rich culture, hospitable locals and laid-back atmosphere. Set against a backdrop of impressive architecture, this attractive coastal destination is a place where entertainment, music and fine cuisine abound, earning it the nickname the 'capital of happiness'. Highlights of the area include its lovely beaches and ocean views, 17th century fort, São Joaquim craft market and array of fascinating museums. The best time to visit Salvador is during the annual Carnaval, when the streets come alive with colours, costumes, dancing and festivities.
The growing appeal of the sprawling capital of the northeastern state of Ceará can be attributed to its thriving economy, sunny beaches, a colourful and safe nightlife, delicious local fare, and rich and engaging Brazilian culture. Despite being the smallest state in the country, Ceará has one of the longest coastlines, with Fortaleza providing a number of urban beaches for tourists to enjoy. Sightseeing includes the Centro de Turismo, an atmospheric, converted 19th-century jail housing a museum that showcases the best of Ceará arts and craft, and the impressive Centro Dragão do Mar de Arte e Cultura, a complex offering two museums, a planetarium, quaint cafés, and performance areas.
Situated in the eastern Brazilian state of Ceara, the beach resort town of Jericoacoara is known for its spectacular palm-lined beach, lively restaurants, cafes and bars. Renowned as a kitesurfing and windsurfing mecca, this laidback hippie village is surrounded by idyllic natural features including expansive freshwater lagoons, vast dune areas and the magnificent Jericoacoara National Park. Visitors can look forward to a myriad of thrilling watersports; explore the Pedra Furada, an arched rock surrounded by sensational beach and ocean vistas; and watch a breathtaking sunset from the popular ‘Sunset Dune’. Other popular activities include: horse riding, authentic local village visits, beach buggy tours, and Capoeira lessons.
Situated in the northeastern Brazilian state of Piaui, the city of Parnaíba serves as an excellent stopover and base from which to explore the spectacular surrounding area. This city boasts a picturesque colonial city centre overlooking the Parnaiba river and offers a wide range of fun activities. Visit the beautiful Parnaíba Delta, which is interspersed with 73 river islands, lush vegetation, dunes, and wetlands; relax on the palm-tree-lined Pedra do Sal beach; and explore the beautiful Portinho Lagoon, an ideal spot for adventurous visitors to enjoy some thrilling watersports. Don’t miss the Porto das Barcas on the Rio Igaracu waterfront, which features 19th-century warehouses converted to restaurants, tour operators and craft shops.
Located in the northeastern coastal state of Maranhao, the Brazilian town of Barreirinhas serves as an excellent base for visitors to explore the spectacular surrounding area. This riverside town has a selection of agencies offering guided trips to Lagoa Bonita and Lagoa Azul as well as trips down the beautiful Preguica River. The undeniable highlight of this area is the breathtaking Lencois Maranhenses National Park, which is home to thousands of seasonal clear blue lagoons dotting a vast blanket of dunes stretching on for kilometres and kilometres. Visitors can also look forward to spending a relaxing day on the popular Cabure Beach lapped by calm waters or for the more adventurous, a 4x4 trip around the magnificent Lagoa da Esperanca.
Situated in northeastern Brazil, the town of Sao Luis is separated into two areas by the waters of the Rio Anil. While several beautiful beaches and modern tourist attractions can be found on the northern side of the river, the town’s highlight – its historic centre – lies south of the Rio Anil. Encompassing numerous examples of finely preserved colonial Portuguese architecture, this World Heritage Site is particularly well known for its unusual tiled buildings. Sao Luis also boasts a rich culture; Afro-Brazilian influences can be found in the local cuisine, the reggae music scene and, most interesting of all, the Bumba Meu Boi traditions that are celebrated during the colourful local festivals.
Manaus, located in northwestern Brazil on the banks of the Negro River in northwestern Brazil, is the capital of the Amazon, its largest city and primary tourism hub. Manaus is a bustling urban centre permeated with brightly coloured residential homes, modern high-rise buildings and tour offices where you can book jungle lodges and river cruises. The town lies near the confluence of the Negro and Amazon, known as the ‘Meeting of the Waters’, which is accessible by boat from Manaus. According to local lore, the two rivers run side by side for six kilometres without mixing and, in fact, it’s possible to feel the different temperatures of the two water sources by dipping your hand into the currents on either side of the vessel.
Situated in northwestern Brazil where the mighty Solimoes, Negro, and Madeira rivers converge to form the grand Rio Amazonas, the Amazonas State is the largest in Brazil and is covered almost entirely by the Amazon rainforest. The rivers join at the capital port city of Manaus, which serves as a great base for exploring the area and offers some interesting forest tours and landmarks of its own. Visitors can look forward to taking a boat tour of the Rio Negro's Anavilhanas Archipelago and its hundreds of islands, occupied by a number of indigenous villages. Other popular attractions include the Jardim Botânico Adolpho Ducke in Manaus, the world’s largest urban forest, and, also in Manaus, the gorgeous opera house of Teatro Amazonas, built at the height of the rubber boom.
