Brazil
It may take more than one visit to get under the skin of the largest country in Latin America. Brazil is huge – with many states each with its own identity.
To discover the true diversity of this wonderful country we recommend traveling inland as well as down the popular coastline. The country's city also offer different takes on Brazilian life – with Rio de Janeiro a must for the magic and Sao Paulo a dream for fashionistas and lovers of contemporary art.
Pantanal and Bonito
The world's biggest floodplain and largest nature reserve, the Pantanal is a vast ecological sanctuary with the highest concentration of fauna in the Americas. In reality those statistics give you the chance to enjoy the best wildlife spotting in Brazil, enhanced by the open spaces. The biodiversity is reflected in different ways throughout the year. In the dry July to November period you are more likely to spot mammals going about their daily lives – while from December to March the rainy season transforms the area into a flooded paradise teeming with life of every kind.
And it is not just the animals, fish and birds that enrich this magical place. The people of this region have strong historical traditions of tea circles and music that reveal the depth of the local culture in this part of Brazil. A visit here is an extraordinarily rich experience to have.
Fernando de Noronha and Natal
Said by Brazilians to have the best beaches in Brazil, the small volcanic island of Fernando de Noronha set 350km from the coast of Natal is a surfers and scuba divers paradise. But what is particularly unusual about this island is that tourism has developed sustainably without overdevelopment of any kind.
The beautiful beaches have been left alone to host the turtles that lay their eggs here, or the surfers who come to experience what they say is some of the best surf in the country. Ecotrails have been created so that you can hike inland to see the plethora of birdlife and wildlife resting in the valleys set between the jagged mountains. It really is a relaxing place to unwind and absorb the beauty of the tropics.
Amazon
When measuring world firsts you don't get much more dominant than the Amazon rainforest. Formed around 55 million years ago, the Amazon equals half of the planet's remaining rainforest and has the largest density of species in the world. With 60% of the Amazon region within the borders of Brazil, this country is the ideal base to start exploring its overflowing natural wonders.
To explore properly we recommend taking to the river. Taking you in to primary rainforest, beyond the usual tourist routes, these luxury river cruises offer comfort, good food and (importantly) air conditioning while you giving you the best chance to see the greatest variety of wildlife on earth.
Chapada Diamantina
One of the most fascinating national parks in South America, the Chapada Diamantina (Diamond Plateau) is now famous for its waterfalls, caves and canyons rather for the precious jewels that made its name in the early 20th century.
This long mountain range that stretches the length of the state of Bahia features these unusual towers of mineral deposits called Tepuy from off the magical waterfalls tumble. You'll find the highest and most famous waterfall in the company here, the Cachoeira de Fumaça where the water turns to vapor as it falls – a breathtaking sight. It's the ideal destination for lovers of nature and adventure sports and well worth the journey. We have recently visited and can give you a very personal take on this outstanding destination.
Ilha do Caju and Lencois Maranhenses
Off the tourist track this area of Brazil hides some fascinating secrets and here we highlight just two of them. The Lencois Maranhenses national park is a real natural treat, filled with giant sand dunes separated by beautiful natural lagoons which change in color due to the vegetation within. It is teeming with fish and different kinds of migratory birds.
A short distance away, the Ilha do Caju (Caju Island) is now a protected area and a marine nursery for many species that live in the mangroves. Here you may be lucky to spot manatees, red guana and caiman.
Rio de Janeiro and Brazilian cities
Dazzling is a word often used to describe Brazil's most famous city, Rio de Janeiro. It's as much its people, or Cariocas, that instill the vibrancy and color in this fantastic city set between lush forest-covered mountains and white sandy beaches. A melting pot of nationalities blended over the generations, Rio's inhabitants love to celebrate life – be it on a street corner with an impromptu samba or at the famous annual carnival.
Sampling the many cuisines on offer is one favorite pastime of the visitor, but there are plenty of other activities to indulge in, from surfing to sailing to Guanabara Bay or hiking through the Tijuca rainforest. Rio has an insatiable lust for life which is just infectious.
Destinations
