beaches, excursions, islands
(
February 10, 2008)
With so much coastline, it’s no wonder that Brazil has some remarkable islands to visit and explore. They all offer tropical flora and fauna, warm Atlantic ocean water and wonderful underwater adventures for those interested in diving and snorkeling. Here is a short list of some of the more popular offerings.
Fernando de Noronha
Famous the world over, Fernando de Noronha consists of an archipelago of 21 islands, the largest of which is the namesake. It has been the property of France, England and Holland and, because it was uninhabited, was a frequent port of entry for invaders into colonial Brazil. In the 18th century, a series of battlements were built on the archipelago to help stave off further invasions.
In 1988, a large piece of the island was transformed into a national park to preserve the flora and fauna of the island. It’s possible to visit the park and the various islands to see the sparkling blue water and amazing sea life. One of the most recognized characteristics of this island is the superb scuba diving available for beginners, intermediate and advanced divers. Visibility under water remains a cool 98 feet year ‘round, and you’re likely to see sea turtles, dolphins, sharks, and many other species.
You can take a hike or natural walk along the coastal paths or boat out to see thousands of dolphins swim in and out of the channels every day. You can drive a dune buggy around part of the island, visiting the many beaches and the few settlements there. There are approximately 2,000 inhabitants on the island and no more are allowed there, except by marriage to an existing resident.
Morro de São Paulo
One of the most festive islands on the Brazilian coast, Morro de São Paulo is a favorite tourist location, offering beaches full of beautiful Brazilians and beaches nearly deserted and uninhabited. Its close proximity to Salvador makes it a favorite get-away for those visiting the city. You’ll find traditional dance, festivals and food and plenty of beaches and island excursions to keep you busy for days or even weeks.
Morro de São Paulo is actually the name of the principal tourist town on one of the three main islands that make up the Archipelago of Tinhare. Like Fernando de Noronha, Morro de São Paulo was a primary target of pirates and invaders of the past centuries. The island’s principal fortress is in beautiful ruins near the entrance to the island and makes for one of the most pleasant excursions of the island.
The nightlife on the island is quite ample, especially during peak season, and locals get together with tourists to dance and drink until the sun rises. Then it’s back to the beaches to sleep it off. There are many hotels, inns and restaurants on the island, located in the village or on the three principal beaches, known as Beach One, Beach Two, and Beach Three.
Abrolhos
Located in the southern end of the state of Bahia, the archipelago of Abrolhos is a highly prized location for diving and snorkeling—said to be ranked among the ten best in the world. The water here is warm and transparent and visibility generally registers at around 90 to 100 feet. The entire group of islands (which are pieces of the outer rim of an ancient volcano) and the surrounding waters are a national aquatic park and protected wildlife area, harboring such wonders as giant rays, sea turtles and whales. You’ll also encounter a form of coral that is unique in the world.
Even if you don’t swim, a trip out to Abrolhos is worthwhile. There are plenty of sea animals you can see from the boat and areas that are only four or five feet deep. You can take a speed boat out for the day or a larger vessel for overnight adventures.
Ilha Grande
Brazil’s second largest island, Ilha Grande is also one of its most un-developed. A small and charming central village known as Abraão is your point of entry and likely resting place with numerous inns and hotels to choose from. You can walk around the town easily and visit the many different shops and restaurants, specializing in seafood, of course. When you’re ready to visit the outer reaches of the island, you can choose between hiking and boating. Hikes range from a single day to beaches in the near vicinity to multi-day trips to the outer shores. Single and multi-day boat trips are also available, including excursions for diving and snorkeling. Fortunately, some of the best beaches and diving locations are not too far from the village, so hiking is a popular option.
No cars are allowed on the island, so the entire place is tranquil and very rustic. A favorite excursion is out to the pristine beaches of Lopes Mendes, said to be one of Brazil’s most beautiful beaches. But the beaches you pass on the way to Lopes Mendes are just as compelling in this guide’s opinion. You get to Ilha Grande from the coastal city of Angra dos Reis on the coast of Rio de Janeiro.
Ilhabela
Ilhabela is the local name for the Island of São Sebastião, off the coast of São Paulo state on the way to Rio de Janeiro about 45 kilometers from São Paulo city. The island is divided into the “inner” and “outer” experiences, the inner being more populated and touristy and where you’ll find all the hotels and restaurants and many of the beaches. There are numerous inns and beach cabanas, camp grounds, and homes to rent.
Ilhabela is a favorite location of the Paulistas (residents of São Paulo) who go there to practice boating, tanning, and beach sports on weekends. There are some very popular diving spots all around the island, including a number of shipwrecks to explore. In the middle of the island is a rustic piece of the Atlantic Forest, with animals and strange plant life to prove it. You can find wonderful trails with incredible views from the island’s peaks. In most cases, you’ll be rewarded with clear, cool waterfalls along the way.
Access to the island is via ferry boat that takes off from the city of São Sebastião several times per day.
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Rio, Sao Paulo, beaches, excursions
(
September 8, 2007)
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The Road from São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro
The road between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo is one of Brazil’s most traveled tourist destinations. Called the Rio-Santos road, the trip is perfect for many visitors who want to see the big cities of Brazil, some excellent beaches and tropical islands (including some that are touristy and full of beautiful people and others that are remote and deserted), and also a touch of the interior. You can rent a car and take the trip at your own pace, visiting the highlights that you set for yourself. In this article, I’ll try to answer some of the most common questions about this trip. I’ll add more as they come in, so this will be a work-in-progress.
The road between São Paulo and Rio is a popular road trip for tourists and Brazilians alike. It’s about 450 kilometers of coastline and takes you past some of the most beautiful beaches and beach towns in the country. The water gets greener and warmer the closer you get to Rio, but the beaches near São Paulo are not to be missed either — for their water sports, beautiful people and great boardwalks.
The road itself is in good shape, but it can get a bit windy along the mountain passes around the São Sebastião area, so take it slowly and carefully and enjoy the time.
While you’re in Sao Paulo, you can take the Walking Tour of Downtown Sao Paulo. Also, I’ve listed some good hotels in the Sao Paulo area in my article on The Accor Hotels. I always suggest starting in São Paulo and driving to Rio. This way, your trip will keep building and building to the end, saving the most spectacular for last. There are so many things to see and do between these great cities, that you may want to make the trip twice to get it all in. You wouldn’t be the first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a lot of violence in this region?
Outside of Rio, there is nothing excessive and even inside Rio, the problems are mostly located in the Copacabana Beach area. Of course, you should always be aware and careful. Keep a minimum amount of cash on you and no significant valuables. Split up your cash and when you drive, leave as much in the trunk as possible (your bags, valuables, and credit cards).
What are THE best places for snorkeling?
I’d say that the top snorkeling on this trip would be around Ilha Grande and Angra dos Reis. It’s hard to say which of these is best, but I can say that Ilha Grande requires a bit more time and commitment. If you have the time, it’s totally worth it. If you choose Angra, then be sure to take a boat out to the islands AWAY from the mainland — so you get away from the Angra pollution. That said, there are some wonderful dives there.
The next best place would be the north coast around Ubatuba. There are some wonderful waters there and you can charter boats out for great snorkeling.
How are the roads in this area?
The BR freeways (called rodovias) are much faster and in better condition than the small roads. Also, this is a mountainous region and the roads can be difficult at times. I suggest sticking to the main estradas that will offer the smoothest ride. However, the roads in general in this area are well maintained and generally problem free. You have to get used to maneuvering in two-lanes of traffic is all.
How do Ilha Grande, Paraty, and Buzios compare?
These are all different from one another and Buzios is completely different than just about any other place on the coast. It’s a great place for adults and offers a lot of shopping, modern facilities, great hotels and lots of beaches — both crowded and secluded. You also have some economical options for hotels, so it’s not only for the spenders. A lot of Brazil’s TV stars can be seen at Buzios.
Paraty is an excellent place for tourists and provides a bit of the historical side of Brazil along with beaches and great restaurants. It’s a small town, but the best beaches are outside of town to the north or south. Don’t miss the waterfalls in Paraty, as well as the boat trips.
Ilha Grande is the most remote of the three. There are very few cars on this huge island and only one major town — called Abraao (Abraham). The town, hotels, and eating establishments are all very quaint and you can walk around town with no problem to take it all in. There are beaches all around the island and you can hike or take boats out to them. Some of these are among the prettiest in Brazil and offer great snorkeling, diving, and other fun activities. You really feel the island experience at Ilha Grande because of the lack of cars.
What is the best rental car service to use there?
Here’s a comment from one of my readers about that…”We used Unidas rent-a-car and they were great and about 50% cheaper than Hertz or Avis (12 day rental of a Chevy Meriva was $500, including insurance). It was practically new and they gave us an 800 number to call in case of problems. We booked them through Autoeurope.com.”
Is it worth going inland to Teresopolis?
Absolutely! Teresopolis has a lot to offer and is completely different than the coastal sights. The feature there is hiking and rafting and you should probably set this up ahead of time — like while you’re in Buzios or Rio — with one of the agencies that offer packages or trip planning. For most people 48 hours is enough, but if you’re really into hiking and rock climbing, you might want more.
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beaches, blog
(
March 31, 2007)
On the coastline of the drab and unimpressive city of Cabo Frio, is one of the most stunningly beautiful stretches of white sand and blue water in the Americas. You’ll quickly see why this coastline became famous as a tourist destination. Whatever you may think of the town of Cabo Frio, that long stretch Cabo Frio beach remains an amazing piece of work by Mother Nature.
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Bikini, Rio, beaches
(
March 31, 2006)
Rio de Janeiro no longer a haven for bunda
In an absurd, but valiant attempt to disassociate the Brazilian backside from Rio de Janeiro (specifically the near-naked female derriere so ubiquitous along Brazil’s coastline), city authorities voted to prohibit the sale of postcards that are endowed with portraits of this particular Brazilian national treasure. Yes, postcards have been identified as the culprits. Authorities feel that postcards featuring sexy, scantily-clad Brazilians only encourage the association of sexual tourism with Rio “…which stigmatizes us with undignified labels,” suggests state secretary Sergio Ricardo. Of course, one need only cast one’s eyes to the sandy beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema to find an endless variety of sand-sprinkled lower halves, fanning across the sand like dunes along the waterfront. Reality is so much more interesting than postcards, anyway. But could bikinis themselves be the next target of censorship for Rio de Janeiro?
Without a doubt, sexual tourism is a problem in Rio, as it is in many of Brazil’s coastal cities. It contributes to the country’s astronomical HIV/AIDS statistics and adds a number of other problems to boot–problems that need to be addressed. But it’s probably not the public relations effort from the postcard-buying public that is to blame–or the fact that so much moon shines along with the sun at Copacabana. No, sexual tourism is the result of neither promiscuity nor exhibitionism. Rather, it comes from that special mixture of poverty, democracy, and international tourism. Remove any one of these three ingredients and sexual tourism falters. Now that’s something to write home about.
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Bikini, beaches
(
March 1, 2006)
New fashions offer variety, economy and a touch of self-expression
Brazil’s bikini fashions are always out in front and what’s showing on the beaches of Brazil this summer is likely to appear in the northern hemisphere this June and July. So what’s Brazil up to this year in beach fashions? Apparently, the hit of the season is a mix-and-match, combine-and-clash kind of approach. It’s floral bottoms with checkered tops and unmatched colors. It’s last year’s bottoms with that top from three years ago that no longer has a bottom to match. It’s economical, for sure, and it offers a kind of artistic self-expression. You get to demonstrate how you combine unrelated bikini parts to make a personal statement. Plus, in Brazil’s beachwear shops, it’s common to find barrels of unmatched bikini parts at blow-out prices. So you can appear on the sand with brand-new unmatched swimwear, if you like. Or buy three or four bikinis and start shuffling. When you think of it, it’s actually a lot of fun.
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