The Brazil Travel Site

The Ocean Liner Cruise is Back In Style

blog, excursions (June 25, 2008)

If you’ve never been the type to take a cruise ship vacation, now may be the time to consider it. The cruise experience has changed considerably in the past decade and today there are cruises to fit every budget, lifestyle and interest. Cruising down to Brazil is an exciting way to see the eastern coastline of South America. Cruises stop at locations, such as:

• The Amazon Coastline: Full of animal encounters, regional festivals, exotic food (including local seafood dishes), crafts and music.
• Up the Amazon River (Manaus, Parintins, etc): Animal encounters, jungle adventures, piranha fishing, hammock swinging.
• Fernando de Noronha: Scuba and skin diving, amazing beaches, dancing at night, island ambiance.
• Bahia: Clear water, beaches, beach bars and cabanas, local food, music and dance, afro-brazilian culture, snorkling.
• Rio de Janeiro: Famous monuments, art & architecture, museums, nightlife, food galore, samba, non-stop beaches.

You get all sorts of time on-shore and plenty of choices that make cruising a real option for all types of travelers. It’s especially great for couples! Here are some cruises to look over from Cruise Vacation Center.

And here are some more cruises to think about…

Norwegian Cruise Line
Royal Carribean Cruise Line
Hawaii Cruises

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The Islands of Brazil
South America’s Atlantic Coast Jewels

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.

The Road From Sao Paulo to Rio de Janeiro

Rio, Sao Paulo, beaches, excursions (September 8, 2007)

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Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

Catching a Train From Ouro Preto to Mariana

excursions, minas gerais (March 31, 2007)

The cities of Ouro Preto and Mariana have recently inaugurated their very own Maria Fumaça train ride between the two towns. The train, which is a replica of a 19th century locomotive, takes about 20 minutes to make the trip and leaves from the Ouro Preto Estação do Trem in the lower part of town. It passes through the mountainous region between the towns and provides some spectacular views of the hills and small towns of Central Minas. The cost, for now, is a bit high at R$30 per person, but it opens up Mariana as a real option for an excursion while you are staying in Ouro Preto. Previously, one had to take a bus between the two (an increasingly dangerous proposition), pay for a taxi (about R$40 round trip), or get a ride with a packaged tour.

Visitors Include Slums in their Tours of Rio

Rio, excursions (March 31, 2007)

RIO DE JANEIRO–Over 4,000 European travelers were taken into “Rocinha,” Rio de Janeiro’s oldest slum, so far this year. And that’s just by one of several agencies specializing in the favela tour. Now, it seems, the city’s official tourism office, Riotur, is including the favela in their list of approved tours for international travelers. It seems visitors want to see “all” of Rio de Janeiro.

And see they will. The favelas in Rio de Janeiro are famous for their incredible views. They are located on the choicest highlands overlooking the coastline. Dangerous as they may be for the uninvited, the official favela guides have been operating these chaperoned visits for over a dozen years without a hitch. Tourism, in fact, is a legitimate and promising source of income for the favelas and it doesn’t hurt to have international visitors see, first hand, the conditions of the big city slums.

Marcelo Armstrong of Favela Tour is one such “official” guide and leads people into and around the Rocinha favela by van and on foot…through the street markets and all the way up to the highest viewpoint. It’s more than worth half a day while you’re in the marvelous city–if not for the eye-opening educational content, then for the panoramic ocean views.

Brazil’s Coffee Region

Coffee, excursions (March 31, 2007)

Brazil has been producing its unique variety of coffee since the bean was introduced into the country in 1727. Since then coffee has become a national passion, not to mention an important export and once the driving force behind a great economic and cultural boom. Coffee is the principal reason why São Paulo grew into the most important financial center in Brazil and the third largest city in the world. At the end of the 19th century coffee overtook sugar as Brazil’s leading agricultural product. Today, Brazil produces over 25% of the world’s coffee, making it the largest coffee producer on the planet. Almost every blended coffee in the world and most espresso blends contain Brazilian coffee.

Originally oriented to mass production of Arabic beans, Brazil recently began competing in the world market with high-end and specialty coffees. In fact, the hills of São Paulo state are known for producing high-quality coffee. Besides São Paulo, the hills of Paraná, Minas Gerais, Espirito Santo, and Bahia states are loaded with coffee plantations and some are becoming known for their special brews. Fortunately for Brazil’s coffee trade, most of these coffee plantations are relatively small, with anywhere from 1-5 square kilometers of land, and are often run by families that have been producing coffee for generations. Only a small number of Brazil’s plantations are large and industrialized, which means a rich future is brewing for specialty Brazilian coffees.

As the region grows and develops, more opportunities open up for travelers to visit and experience the wonders of this region—from planting time to harvest activities. The coffee harvest takes place in June and July and travelers can visit various coffee plantations during this season and even participate in the harvest and production. At other times of the year, activities may include hiking through plantations and their surrounding coutrysides, coffee roasting and tasting, horeback riding, barbecues and ecological expeditions.

Brazil’s Coffee Harvest
June is the month of the great coffee harvest in Brazil. The principal coffee growing regions are in Southern Minas Gerais and Northern São Paulo states. The area between Minas and Rio is also abundant wth the bean. You can partake in the harvest by staying at one of the many hotel fazendas in the region. Harvest time activities include bean picking, horseback riding, and of course, lots of coffee roasting and tasting.

The adventure starts in São Paulo, where much of Brazil’s rich history during the coffee boom are based. You learn about the myths and legends of the coffee trade and how Brazil became the largest producer of coffee in the world. You then journey to various coffee plantations of different sizes, from the interior of São Paulo to Southern Minas Gerais, to the hills of Espirito Santo and Rio de Janeiro. You stay overnight at different working ranches and learn about coffee growing, cultivating and processing. The countryside is magical and the hosts are traditional folks from the region..