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Holiday Resorts in Brazil
by Malcolm1949 I am lucky to be married to a beautiful braziliam woman who if it wasn't for her I would never have gone to Brazil. The first place I went was Ilheus in the state of Bahia. It is situated on the coast, the best hotels are by the beach which stretch for miles, no need to worry about the Germans getting the best spot. I walked ... along the beach where I was told was a river a ten minute walk away, forty five minute later I found it, amd must of seen about a dozen people if that en-route. The little cabanas along the beach all sell freshly caught fish which are very cheap. They seem to come to life at night with disco's or live music. The local airport serves a host of Brazilian airports. Another spot not to miss is Porto Galinhas (Port of Chickens) near Recife which is further up north, just under an hours flight time, again miles of beach's, again the best hotels are by the beach. Do not miss Natal for a beach buggy ride that takes you into an area of sand dunes, a ride on what looks like a makesift raft (beach buggy included) a ride on a camel, then down to the beach for lunch or refreshments. If you are into eco friendly places do not miss Itacare', you will be able to get a guide who will take you through the forest whereyou will found small waterfalls where you can swim and cool off, and other spots of interest and beauty. A little known place but very historical and full of interesting places to see is "Porto Seguro". It is said that the Portuguese landed and settled here first before anywhere else in Brazil. You will even find native Indians here "The Carro Tribe" where you can join in with their traditional dance's. If that isn't to your scene then have a boat ride out to the coral reef and go snorkel diving and see the wonderful sea life and have the fish eating out of your hand. There is plenty of night life in the town as well. Going back south to Salvadore, a city full of history where you will see the traditional people of Bahia who have a very strong link from people from Africa from the slavery days. This city is full of culture and it comes to life at night or stay in your hotel and relax. Just off the coast of Salvadore is a beautiful island called Morro De Sao Paulo. You get there by boat and when you reach there your luggage is taken by boys pushing wheel barrows (very safe). Once in your hotel, again near the beach (no option) go into the crystal clear water up to your knees and see the fish swimming around you. This is ideal for children as there is one or two tractors but no cars on the island. Most hotels have swimming pools. I could go on and on but the only way to try it is go there. I have seen package holidays from First Choice (I recommend their flights, one of the best I have been on) which are reasonbly priced. My next trip is to Rio Janiero but this is part of a cruise, these are quite cheap if you book early. Be sure to carry drinking water with you wherever you go. If you require more info please do not hesitate in contacting me. Read the complete review |
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Foz do Iguacu (Brazil)
by catsholiday The Iguacu Falls are part of the Iguacu National Parks which exists on both the Argentinean and Brazilian sides and are designated UNESCO World heritage sites since 1984 and 1986 respectively. We stayed at the Sheraton Hotel on the Argentinean side of the falls. It wasn't the best looking hotel in the world from the outside ... but it had a wonderful view of the Iguaçu Falls. Unfortunately our room had a jungle view rather than a when of the falls but in are the public areas the view of the falls could be enjoyed by everyone. On our first day we enjoyed the Upper (or Superior) walk and we were treated to our first sight of these amazing waterfalls. During the walks we were also lucky enough to see a badger-like creative called a Cotymundy foraying in one d the title bins. It was a sort of cross between an anteater ad a badger but about the Size of a small dog. It ran off into the jungle as Soon as we got closer but we did manage to get a good photo first. As we followed the trail at each turn we saw more of these spectacular waterfalls. As we walked along we were also able to enjoy a huge variety of tropical butterflies which fluttered around us and even landed on us with their wings opening and shutting to display their wonderful colours. At times when the sun caught the waterfall spray just right we could see rainbows which was very special, we didn't realise how lucky we were to enjoy the Sun until the next day. We were up bright and early to catch the first train (a sort of mini railway called the Rainforest Ecological Train) that took us from the visitors centre to the station near to the Devil's Throat which is a spectacular section of the Iguacu falls 82 metres high and 150 metres wide that is on the border between the Argentinean and Brazilian sides of the waterfalls. The walkway is about a kilometre long and takes you right over the top of the waterfall. You can't really see much below because of the spray which is like walking in a cloud of rain. One fascinating thing about this walk is that you are able to see what is left of the old walkway to the Devil's Throat which was washed away a few years ago. The force must have been amazing as there were solid concrete blocks bigger than a house turned over in the river. We were told that luckily no-one was killed but the damage to the structures was extensive. I still find it difficult to see how they build these walkways right over these enormously powerful waterfalls. I am not doing this justice I realise but the power of the water is unbelievable even in normal times so heaven knows what is must be like in a time of flood. When you were standing at The Devil's Throat is was almost impossible to hear anything except the waterfall and you got very wet from spray which hovered in the air all around the area. We returned to the little train in order to experience more of a wetting on the Lower Walk. This walkway took you VERY close to the waterfalls, almost under some parts, this was okay as it cooled you off from the tropical heat and you quickly dried off . This Lower walk takes you down to a rocky area where you can a boat - looked like an inflatable lifeboat - to the Island of San Martin in the middle of the waterfall gorge. This is where Robert de Niro climbed up in the film 'The Mission'. We were not going to the island but were going to be under the falls in these boats and then we were going up the river to get a different view of the river and falls. We were handed sopping wet, cold life jackets to wear (extremely complicated things that you needed a degree in lifejackets in order to put on correctly). Once we were safely strapped into our chilly lifejackets (all clothes that you wanted to remain dry had to be stowed in a large thick plastic bag). We were advised by our guide that raincoats etc were useless and that we were better off wearing swim suits and putting all our clothes in the bag to put on again once we had dried off in the speedboat going up the river. We all did as advised. The boat was fantastic, the driver and other crew were totally mad and took us bouncing over rapids and virtually under the falls. You couldn't keep your eyes open and our guide was correct - any rain coats would have been useless. We were enjoying the exhilaration of the freezing water and bouncing over the water, feeling very smug over the rest of the people who were wearing plastic ponchos over their clothes which were not keeping much of the waterfall out! We sped of leaping along the rapids down the river for about 10 minutes to the jetty where we clambered out and wrung out any clothes we had been wearing and put on our nice dry shoes. We were shown to a lorry with seat on the back and no roof for a drive through the jungle. All started well we were enjoying the drive looking at the vegetation and listening to the guide. We did notice the arrival of a rather large black cloud and were half watching this and still listening attentively to the guide - a few spots of rain began to fall. The others from the boat donned their plastic ponchos - we of course only had swim suits and T-shirts and our nice dry trainers on. The guide put on a rain coat that trawler men on the North Atlantic fishing boats would be proud to wear and continued here commentary. We all bent over more and huddled together as the rain got heavier and heavier. It hurt, it was so hard and it was cold too, we were all hysterically giggling trying to hide behind those with plastic ponchos just to take the worst of the sting out of the rain. The lorry had no roof and no front to break the wind so as we drove faster the rain hit harder and stung more and we got wetter and wetter. Then the lorry stopped and we thought we had arrived, but no... the poncho wearers got out leaving us with no-one to hide behind and another 10 minutes drive along a tarred road so the lorry went faster. We had completely lost interest in anything the guide was trying to tell us but she valiantly chatted on from behind her souwester and trawler man's raincoat despite the fact that we were all looking at the floor convulsed in hysterical giggles. Suffice to say that we needn't have bothered keeping our shoes in the plastic bag; we were drenched through and really cold as we were wearing very little. We dripped our way through the hotel and straight into a hot bath. It had red spots all over my body from the rain hitting me and they took over an hour to fade. I spent the rest of the day trying to dry out the few clothes that we had worn with a hair dryer and an iron. I was successful and the hats dried very well over the bedside lampshades!! The next day we crossed the border into Brazil with no trouble at all - we didn't even have to leave the coach, it was by our guides ( one from the UK and the local guide). We stopped at the border souvenir shop and then about 5 minutes from here was the helicopter base which took you for a 10 minute flight over the falls at the cost of about $100 US per person. We decided not to bother as we had seen the waterfalls from so many angles and it seemed quite a lot of money for the two of us. A couple of people in our group did do the flight and said that it was wonderful but sadly I cannot comment on the experience. Just opposite the helicopter airport was a Bird Park and a few people from our group visited this after checking in at the airport but I was too worried about missing our plane to Rio. They said it was as you would expect of a bird park, the birds were in very large enclosures and it was nicely set out but you could hand feed toucans which was novel. We got off our coach at the hotel on the Brazilian side, the Hotel Das Caratas which looked lovely from the outside but we didn't go in. We embarked upon the walk to the Porto Canoas station just next to the devil's Throat Falls - the bottom of theses falls this time. The walk on the Brazilian side was very scenic and you could see more waterfall views. There were a few larger areas for looking at the views and it ended up with a walkway which took you almost into the falls. You really got wet again, even half way along the walkway you were wet and by the end it was like being in the waterfall. I had my poncho this time, I'm not totally stupid, but even with this one and my trousers rolled up elegantly I decided not to bother going right to the end as I didn't want to be in wet clothes on the plane and I had no changes of clothes with me. My husband didn't worry and went to the end but he isn't as 'nesh' as I am and doesn't seem to get chilled so quickly. We made our way to the Porto Canoas and this is at the bottom of the falls, almost touchable. There is a souvenir shop, cafe and toilets as well as a glass fronted lift up to the top again. You can walk up the stairs but we wanted to experience the glass lift view so we joined the rather lengthy queue. We narrowly managed to avoid a diplomatic incident as some women ( not British but I won't say which Nationality in order to avoid offence) were trying to push past us to join their friends about 20 people in front of us!! Well, being British and experts at queuing there was NO way they were going to barge past us. They were extremely loud and shrieked to their friends insults about us but we stood our ground and kept our place. The view from the glass fronted lift was worth it and we felt we had stood up for our rights in a polite and very British way and won. They say that you experience the waterfalls from the Argentinean side but the views are more spectacular from the Brazilian side and I would say this is true. I'm glad we visited Iguacu from the Argentinean side first as we heard, felt the falls and saw what damage could be done by the water on the Argentinean side but the views of the falls as a whole were certainly more special from the Brazilian side. Well worth a visit. It doesn't matter which side you go to as you can cross the border very easily and experience both sides provided you sort out visa implications etc. It is worth spending a few days there as there is so much to do and so many ways to experience the falls area. It is much nicer than Niagara, especially the setting in the jungle as opposed to near a tacky town. I haven't seen Victoria Falls but these falls Iguacu must take some beating in a beauty contest. They get my vote anyway. This site offer 360 degree virtual tours of Iguacu should you feel you would like a closer inspection http://www.360travelguide.com/360VirtualTour.asp?iCode=bra01 © Catsholiday Read the complete review |
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Fernando de Noronha (Brazil)
by mouette Before reaching Fernando de Noronha we'd mentioned it was one of our planned destinations to Brazilians we met and invariably they would sigh, and remark on how beautiful it was - paradise even... such wonderful beaches. Now, if asked I would not describe myself as a beach person, but then the beaches on Fernando do Noronha are not just ... like any beaches. If you are going to Brazil and want to treat yourself, or are just looking for a destination that is a little bit special then this could be the place. The island is small. If you are energetic, or training for a marathon, you'd easily cover all the roads. About 6 miles long and 2 wide it has no towns as such, just the small villages of Vila dos Remedios, Bosque de Flamboyant, Vila do Trinta, Floresta Velha and Floresta Nova, and then the odd pousada elsewhere. Beach buggies outnumber cars. You won't be coming to Fernando for culture. It is all about the sea and the beaches. The water is amazing - crystal clear in aquamarine colours, the most beautiful beaches, quite possibly anywhere. There are 26 in all, and we got to see a good many of them. We had booked ahead for 3 nights and 4 days, and were keen to make as much of the island as possible. With two full days, we chose a boat trip on one day and a buggy tour the next. These are very popular as due to park restrictions is not easy to see a lot of the island on your own (though you can see most of the best beaches). The boat trip, which costs about R$85 a person, lasts for three hours and takes in a few of the uninhabited islands as well as the north coast line. I recommend it as it gives you a different perspective of the island. The boat took us to Baia do Sancho, and on the way we saw turtles, fish and dolphins, and lovely deserted beaches. Stopping at the bay (another gem of a beach) we had a snorkelling stop where we swam over the coral and among the fish. The coral itself was not as beautiful as you can find elsewhere (Ras Mohammed in Egypt for example) but the variety and colour of the fish and the wonderfully clear water had everyone buzzing afterwards. The second day we did a day's Island Tour (cost approx R$80 pp) which took us to Praia do Sueste to swim with turtles. We had to wear life jackets as (I guess) it was on the rougher south coast, which had the unexpected result of making me feel seasick after about an hour in the water. Still, we did swim with one or two turtles, which was the main aim. As interesting were large numbers of crabs leaving the water and climbing up small cliffs. For the rest of the day we visited a number of different beaches for snorkelling; the harbour for investigating a sunken ship, (supposedly Greek but I have no idea why a Greek ship would have been there); visited the shark museum (there are 5 different sharks occupying local waters, but fortunately they have no record of showing interest in humans. Must the island vibe, as off the coast of Recife the same sharks are not so fussy!); and finished walking along the cliff tops and watching the sun set while drinking beer. We were limited in time but if you have it to spare, you can walk to many of the best beaches in a day. Starting from Vila dos Remedios you can walk down to Cachorro beach and then head west to Meio (where there is a beach front restaurant that we found expensive with very limited light meals) and onto Conceicao which is perhaps the island's most beautiful beach, nestling under the Morro do Pico, a volcanic rock that you can see from most parts of the island. This is as far as we walked, though you can carry on all the way to the Baia dos Porcos. We covered the beaches in between during the buggy trip. Other activities available include kayaking, surfing, and scuba diving, all bookable on the island with one of the many operators that will meet you at the airport, or in advance. Most people on the island earn their money through tourism, so if they are not providing activities they have turned their home into a pousada or simple eatery. We stayed in a very basic pousada that we booked a long time in advance via an American tour operator. Called Tartarugas Marinhas (sea turtles) it was a private house with three rooms turned over for tourists. It was comfortable enough but lacked anywhere nice to sit outside. In hindsight we might have spent a bit more on somewhere a little bit nicer but with 4 weeks to budget for in Brazil we economised on accommodation here. There is a good range of basic pousadas though none are cheap (over priced even) and only a few have a touch of luxury. Over 100 in total they are graded according to standards. If going on a honeymoon or another special occasion Pousada Maravilha and Pousada Ze Maria are the best, though the latter has a better location. Details of accommodation and food can be found on the Island web site detailed at the end of this review. The food standards we experienced were fairly average, and there isn't a huge choice. Also we didn't want to walk too far from our Pousada. We ate at a per kilo restaurant (which are all over Brazil -you pay by weight of food you eat) in Bosque de Flamboyant called imaginatively Flamboyant (food was good, but my wife suffered with a bad stomach the next day); a soup and pastel bar in Flamboyant that was very simple but tasty (soup was all my wife could tolerate after the last place); a set priced buffet called Restuarante do Biu (food good, though I guess less good when it has sat for a while) and a Creperie called Arte and Sabor (tasty and unusual - recommended), both in Floresta Nova. Shopping is not something you would come to the island for, but if you need to you can buy clothes, food and diving equipment. There is also a post office and bank, though I recommend you take the cash you need. You don't need to worry about having anything stolen as the island is probably one of the safest places in Brazil. We walked everywhere but if your feet need a rest there are numerous taxis (beach buggies) and buses that run from Vila dos Romedios to the harbour, and to the airport. You can also hire buggies for around R$100 a day. Seeing as there is no culture on Fernando do Norohna I'll finish with a very brief bit of history. Fernando do Norohna is an archipelago consisting of 21 islands, although only one is inhabited. The English, French and Dutch all had a go at occupying it before the Portuguese finally got control of it in the mid 1700's. Like so many islands it was used as a prison, though one thing they can't have complained about was their surroundings. It used to be covered in trees but it seems prisoners were adept at making rafts, so they had to come down. In 1988, a national park was created covering 70% of the archipelago and a third of the island. It has a population of around 2,500 people and there are restrictions on who can live on the island and on who can own businesses. How to Get There ************** We flew to the Island from Recife, courtesy of Varig for US$375 per person, which was £187 back in August. There are also daily flights available with Trip from Recife and Natal. You can get to Recife and Natal on a variety of European airlines. Forewarned by our guidebook we'd got seats on the left side of the plane, and we were rewarded with a wonderful view of the islands and beaches. Useful Bits and Pieces ***************** On arrival you have to pay a tourist tax based on the number of days you stay. We stayed for 3 nights and had to pay R$99.29 per person. For the first 4 days the rate is R$33.09, then it reduces slightly. Visit Fernando do Norohna's web page at http://www.noronha.com.br/english/tourism.htm for more information. We pre-booked our trip which without flights cost US$1000 in total for three nights B&B and the 2 tours. You can easily do it yourself, just turning up and booking accommodation on arrival though be aware it can fill up at busy times. The Brazilian currency is the Real ($R). At the time of writing you get 3.35 to the pound. UK Residents do not need a visa to visit Brazil. In Summary ********* Fernando do Noronha is worth visiting. It is an undeveloped and beautiful place with gorgeous deserted beaches. Certainly the best I have ever seen. However it is expensive and accommodation and food is mostly average at prices which would buy you luxury on the mainland. A place to chill, not party. ******* Thanks for reading. Read the complete review |
Brazil Destination International |
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2 reviews Country: Brazil / Destination International / World Region: South America |
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2 reviews Country: Brazil / Destination International / World Region: South America - An archipelago oasis surrounded by a sea of blue in the Atlantic Ocean off the Brazilian shore. |
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7 reviews Country: Brazil / Destination International / World Region: South America - "Foz do Iguaçu is the 4th largest city of Paraná state, Brazil and the 11th largest of the Brazil's Southern region, with a population of 309,000 habitants (including the nearby community of Santa Terezinha de Itaipu). It is located approxima... |
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Country: Brazil / Destination International / World Region: South America |
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Country: Brazil / Destination International / World Region: South America |
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1 review Country: Brazil / Destination International / Country Region: Goias / World Region: South America - Rio Quente is a small town and municipality in the south of the state of Goiás, Brazil. It is the site of a hot water spa known all over the country. |
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3 reviews City: Brasilia / Destination International / Country: Brazil / World Region: South America - Brasilia, a capital created ex nihilo in the centre of the country in 1956, was a landmark in the history of town planning. Urban planner Lucio Costa and architect Oscar Niemeyer intended that every element – from the layout ... |
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1 review City: Manaus / Destination International / Country: Brazil / World Region: South America - Manaus is a city in north-west Brazil (nevertheless, according to the country's official regional division, it is part of the North of Brazil) and capital of Amazonas State. Located on the Negro River near its confluence with t... |
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City: Porto Alegre / Destination International / Country: Brazil / World Region: South America - "Porto Alegre (lit. "Joyous Port"), one of the largest cities in Brazil, is the capital city of Rio Grande do Sul. Porto Alegre is one of the most important cities of Southern Brazil, consisting of a cultural, political a... |
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2 reviews City: Sao Paulo / Destination International / Country: Brazil / World Region: South America - "São Paulo (Portuguese for Saint Paul) is the capital of the state of São Paulo in southeastern Brazil. It is located at 23°32′36″S, 46°37′59″W. The city has an area of 1,523.0 square kilometres (588.... |
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