Recife´s Markets

 

A great way to get to know a city is to visit it´s markets. Recife has several historic markets, each with it´s own character, architecture and stories. Most are house in historic buildings located in old and important neighbourhoods of the city. A few are visited by tourists occasionally, but they are not designed for tourists. They are thriving markets that serve local customers and for this reason are the best way to get a feel for the real an authentic life of the city and it´s people.

Go to Shopping Recife and you could be in most Shopping Centres or Malls of the world, characterless, soul-less and full of generic brands that you can find anywhere in Brazil or internationally with chains of fast food and franchise concepts that say nothing of Recife. Visit the old markets and you can see local and exotic produce, enjoy regional dishes, soak up the atmosphere and meet real people.

Fortunately you can find out more about each of the markets in an excellent bi-lingual (Portuguese & English) guide called Mercados do Recife (Recife´s Markets), published by Recifenobolso. It is available at good book stores and some select retailers for R$35. The well illustrated book tells the story of each market and brings it to life with anecdotes from traders, many of whom are the second and third generations of their families. They also talk of their customers and the changing times.

Recife guide offers walking tours that include a visit to some of these markets, and every visitor we have taken has appreciated the authenticity of the place. It´s sights, sounds, smells and characters. After a brief visit most people feel they know something of the real city, and get a sense of how the city was in the past.

Now we are collaborating with the publishers of Mercados do Recife to create guides tours of these markets; a closer look what they say about the city and it´s people, past and present. Within them it is possible to find references to many characteristics that typify the city and the region: it´s social life, folklore, musical, cuisine, religious traditions and so on.

The tours will be given by an experienced bi-lingual guide with in-depth knowledge of the city and all it´s stories. This guide will be your curator to the past and present real life of the city. after a half or one day tour you will already feel you know much about the place. If you do, we will have achieved the objective of the tour.

The tour should be available soon. In the meantime we recommend you buy the guide.

We will also be adding a series of market profiles to this guide over the coming weeks.

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro, photo by Anh Già.

Rio de Janeiro (River of January) is the second biggest city in Brazil after São Paulo, but it is the most famous. It is also the capital of the State of Rio de Janeiro, and was the country´s capital for almost two hundred years, until 21st April 1960 when Brasilia became capital.

Rio is famous for many things: carnival and Bossa Nova music style (Girl from Ipanema), Carmen Miranda, and much more. It is also a tourist paradise for sun worshippers and those who like to party. The famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, and the famous landmarks of Sugar Loaf Mountain and the statue of Christ the Redeemer on the Corcovado Mountain, are some of the most iconic images in the world. That Rio is also home to the world’s largest, and second largest, urban forestsis less well known. Forest da Tijuca and Parque Estadual da Pedra Branca are almost adjacent to each other, near the city centre. Rio also has the famous Maracana football stadium, once the largest stadium in the world (a crowd of over 199,000 watched the 1950 World Cup Final), it will be just the second stadium to host a World Cup Final twice when the 2014 World Cup Final reaches its climax.

   

Rio will be busy over the next few years preparing  for both the World Cup in 2104 and the Summer Olympics in 2016. Then will can also boast of being the first South American Country to host any Olympic Games. Large scale investment is planned to improve the cities infrastructure, and the city is also busy trying to overcome security concerns.

Maps

View Rio Sights & Attractions in a larger map

Short History

On January (Janeiro) 1st 1502, the first European explorers set foot in Rio, arriving at what they thought was the mouth of a river (rio). The fleet was led by Pedro Álvares Cabral, and under the observation of the legendary Amerigo Vespucci (supposed founder of America). Cabral is also credited with founding Salvador Bahia further north along the coast. At the time of the first landing, the area was home to native Tupi, Puri, Botocudo and Maxakalí tribes.

The City of Rio was formerly established on March 1st 1565, but several invasion attempts followed on numerous occasions until the 18th Century, primarily by French pirates. It became a more important port than Salvador after the discovery of gold and diamonds in the neighbouring state of Minas Gerais. Along with sugar, these precious cargos were reason enough to transfer the Colonial Captaincy from Salvador in 1763. Later, Nepoleon´s threatened invasion of Portugal lead the noblemen and Portuguese Royal Family to take flight. They headed for Rio, arriving in 1808. As a result the city expanded rapidly. The Kingdom of Portugal made Rio it´s Capital, making ot the only European capital to be located outside of Europe. Rapid expansion resulted in many older inhabitants being simply evicted from their homes to make way for the new arrivals.

When Prince Pedro I proclaimed independence for Brazil (1822), Rio became Capital of his new empire. The empire lasted until 1889, when Brazil became a republic, and still Rio remained capital.  A change in presidency in 1955 was followed by the implementation of Juscelino Kubitschek´s election promise to build a new capital city for the country. Brasilia was built quickly, and at great cost, in only 5years. On April 21st 1960 Brazil had a new Capital.

Do Not Miss

A visit to Rio has to include a visit to Copacabana beach

Copacabana photo by thiagoveras

The beach of Ipanema is also "not to be missed".

Ipanema, photo by gmichaelreilly.

Other "must do" things in the city include a visit to the Statue of Christ the Redeemer. The easiest and fastest way up the mountain is by train. Queues do form at the station early in the morning when the coach parties all arrive. You can bus or taxi to near the top of Corcovado Mountain, but the last bit is on foot. From here you will see the true magnificence of the City of Rio – out into the ocean, across to Sugarloaf Mountain and the parks, forests, and lagoons that make this such a spectacle.

Christ the redeemer, photo by londonmark

The cable car takes you to the top of Sugarloaf for some of the most spectacular views of the city. It is actually two mountains, one larger than the other. The views at sunset can be stunning from here. If you have enough in the budget then a helicopter excursion across the city is highly recommended. You’ll have close up fly by’s of all the famous landmarks with commentary in various languages.

Sugar Loaf Mountain (Pão de Açucar), photo alestaleiro

Rio´s carnival is world famous for a good reason. It is the biggest and most extravagant. The date of the four day party changes each year, but is usually in February. If you can plan a trip for this time of year you will witness one of the best street parties in the world, but be sure to plan well ahead if you don´t want to be disappointed.

Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, photo by Tristan27

Other Top Attractions

Lagoa Rodrigo Freitas, photo by Rodrigo_Soldon

The large lagoon (Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas), in the middle of South Zone, is ideal for jogging, walking, skating, sunbathing or boating. There are also great panoramic views of Rio to be seen.

Most tours and activities covered in the tours section of this guide, but highlights include:

The Tropical Island tour: Over 300 islands make up this archipelago to the south of Rio. Tour the islands by schooner boat, with time to sunbathe, take a dip in the clear seas and enjoy lunch which is included. A great way to relaxing in style and top up the tan!

Paragliding Rio, photo by David (ddpf)

If you are feeling more adventurous, a hang-gliding or Para Gliding session gives you a true bird’s eye view of Rio´s landscape. enjoy the adrenalin rush at take off and at landing, and the breathtaking views whilst airborne.

For a taste of the history of Rio, take the Santa Teresa tour. It is a walk around the old town area, with its colonial architecture, Latin beats and the smells of true Brazilian cooking, it is a tour for your senses.  See where the museums, churches and local craft shops and old houses along cobblestone streets. At the end of the tour you will jump on the last tram for the 45 minute ride back to downtown central.

Bondinho de Santa Teresa [Tram in Santa Teresa], photo by Jim Skea.

Many football fanatics include the Maracana Stadium on the "must see" list of Rio. You can book your transport to and from the stadium and watch a match being played by one of the four local teams - Flamengo, Fluminense, Botafogo and Vasco da Gama. Evening games are the most spectacular in this giant stadium that boils with the passion of the Latin blooded crowd during big games!

Maracana Stadium, photo by Around the rings1992

Nature and wildlife enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to Botanical Gardens and a Tijuca Forest Jeep Tour. The noteworthy plant species in the botanical garden include imperial palm trees, huge water lilies (Victorias-Regias), and some redwood trees (Pau Brasil), from whcih the country gets it´s name. These are almost extinct in the Atlantic forest. Visitors can also see more than 500 kinds of orchids in the greenhouse.

Botanical Garden, photo by Miriam Cardoso de Souza

Tijuca National Park is home to the biggest urban forest in the world. it is best viewed during a jeep tour conducted by a well-trained team. Guides specialise in ecotourism. There are also points in the tour to enjoy the panoramic views of places like Ipanema and Copacabana beaches, Guanabara Bay and Sugar Loaf Mountain.

Attraction is perhaps not the right word to describe Rio´s many favela´s, but a characteristic sight of Rio they definitely are. These shanty towns can be visited, but only with a guide. Each tourist must make up their own mind about the wisdom and ethics of this kind of tourism. Information can be found via the tours section below.

Rocinha, photo by miguel valle de figueiredo.

Accommodations

As you might expect, there is a great choice of accommodation in Rio within all price brackets. But, as you may also expect, Rio is not cheap. For many it is the start or end of their holiday, and they don´t mind the extra cost for a few days. And, for sure Rio is s city not to be missed.

We have listed accommodations in 3 categories:

• Budget
• Moderate
• Luxury

You can also choose by location via our interactive maps, one for each price range.

Tours

Helicopter Tour, photo by Primetime22

There are a huge number of tours to choose from in Rio. We will soon add a listing with links so you can book online.

Bars, Clubs, Cafes and Restaurants

There are so many bars, cafes, restaurants and clubs in Rio it is hard to pick out just a few to mention.

All the way along the beaches of Leblon, Ipanema and Copacabana you will find places to eat, to drink, and to dance. Some of the quirkier and more authentic bars are further away from the beach areas in some of the side streets of Rio. There are lots of very affordable places, some more sophisticated places. Please see the map for a few offerings we picked out, but for a more detailed view please visit www.ipanema.com

Gay Rio

photo by Marcel Bely

A Guide to Rio must include the Gay scene, for Rio is one of the Top Gay destinations in the world. Only Sydney competes for the number 1 spot. It is very easy to fall in love with Rio and some of its inhabitants. The hot weather, the hot beaches and the hot bodies – it has them all.

There are many Gay owned or operated places to eat, drink, dance, and meet. Carnival is when the City is at its most colourful, but you are always likely to see brightly ordained drag queens promenading the Copacabana or Ipanema scene.

The beach is the best place to go make new gay friends and find out what is happening. The gay point on the beach is Farme (part of Ipanema beach just to the east of Rua Farme de Amoeda, also known as Barbie land. This is an affectionate term used for the muscled, wealthy guys from Southside Rio who visit the area. It is a very relaxed and cosmopolitan crowd, and affection can be shown without any fear. Gays and Lesbians take the heat of the sun by day and the cool drinks in the bars at night. 

There are a wide range of activities available to gay visitors, including the bars and clubs, hotels, cinemas, saunas, cruising grounds, and motels. See www.riogayguide.com for more information and maps.

Events

Rio Carnival the most spectacular Carnival experience. Four incredible days. Amazing costumes, elaborate floats, dancing and music. (February 13 – 17, 2010). www.ipanema.com/carnival

National Samba Day, Dec 1 - A big samba Parade from Central do Brazil station to Oswaldo Cruz, Various venues, 21 217 7632 (Tourism Office).

Parada Iluminada, Dec 20th - a parade along Copacabana Beach, colourful costumes, plenty of music and dancing. http://www.paradailuminada.com.br

New Years Eve Fireworks, Dec 31st, Copacabana, a huge celebration along the whole length of the beach with many stages, live music, DJs and dancing. 

See also www.ipanema.com

Safety

Safety is an issue, but do not let this stop you visiting one of the most incredible cities in the world. You should dress down; avoid carrying too much cash and not wear or carrying expensive sun glasses, watches, jewellery, sneakers, cell phones etc, or those that may look expensive. Also avoid areas of the city you are not familiar with unless you have taken local advice. If you are unlucky enough to be robbed do not resist. 

Getting There

By Plane

Rio´s International airport is Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (Code GIG). Tel. +55 (0)21 3984597. It is located on the far suburbs of the city, and is served by many national and international airlines. Ground transportation is by bus, airport taxi, or transfer arranged with your hotel. An airport information desk will advise you of the options and costs. It is better not to arrive late because transfers to the city do not operate 24hrs because of security problems in some areas between the airport and the city.

Rio´s City Airport, Santos Dumont Airport (Code SDU). +55 (0)21 2102457. It is located in the heart of the city, and is served by regional airlines. Ground transportation is easy by taxi to most tourist hotspots.

By Bus

An Inter-State bus station in Brazil is called a Rodoviaria. The one in Rio is Terminal Novo Rio +55 (0)21 3213-1800, and is located at Av. Francisco Bicalho, 1 - Santo Cristo. That is approximately half way between Copacabana and Ipanema, or approx. 20-30mins by taxi. An information desk will give you details of other options. It is better to avoid travelling at night. Map

By Car

Google maps are the best way to work out a route and get an idea of the length of your journey and the time it will take. Go to Google Maps and select "Get Directions". Then, enter a start point (A) and a destination point (B), plus a mode of transport.

Salvador

Our Lady of the Rosary of the Blackmen. Photo: llvsboston. (For Original Click Image)

Salvador for short, or São Salvador da Bahia de Todos os Santos to give it its historic name (meaning Holy Saviour of All Saints Bay) is the Capital City of the state of Bahia. It is known as Brazil’s capital of happiness due to the street carnivals, numerous outdoor parties and of course its easygoing, laid back population. It is the 3^rd most populous City of Brazil and is often referred to as just Bahia or Salvador. It was also the first colonial capital of Brazil.

Over 80% of the metropolitan population of Salvador has Black African ancestry. This influence is clearly reflected in the cuisine of the area, along with the music and architectural styles. The cultural practices and celebrations can also trace their routes to Africa.

The centre of Salvador, Pelourinho,  is renowned for its Portuguese colonial architecture, with some monuments dating back to the 17^th Century. This is why it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985.

Located on a peninsular formed by the Bay on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, Salvador’s terrain is diverse ranging from flat near the beaches to rolling hills and mountains further to the north. The bay gets its name from being founded on All Saints Day. It forms a natural harbour and is a major port, lying in the heart of the rich agricultural and industrial region of Brazil.

Elavator. Photo: A. Joukowski (click image for original).

The City is divided by an 85m high escarpment into the (Upper Town), Cidade Alta and the (Lower Town) Cidade Baixa. The first elevator installed in Brazil (Elevador Lacerda) connects the two parts. The elevator was installed in 1873 and has had several upgrades since. The Upper Town contains most administrative buildings and the city’s Cathedral 

Maps

We have mapped recommended accommodations, colour coded by price bracket (budget, moderate or luxury) on an interactive Accommodations Map. 

Short History

The indigenous people of the land, the Gé, were ousted by the Tupinambá who occupied the land when the first European expeditions discovered Brazil.

On 21^st April 1500 the fleet of Pedro Alvares Cabral anchored at what is now Porto Seguro in Bahia. It is unclear as to whether he was blown of course and landed here by accident, or if he had been instructed by the King of Portugal to lay claim to the land for the Portuguese. Cabral thought that he had landed on an island, not a continent, so when he went ashore himself on 22^nd April he named the land Ilha da Vera Cruz (Island of the True Cross). Upon realisation of his error the name was changed to Terra da Vera Cruz (Land of the True Cross)

On November 1^st 1501 (All Saints Day) Amerigo Vespucci put into an enormous bay which they named Baia de Todos os Santos – All Saints Bay.

The Catholic Church of Portugal funded the explorers on condition that they convert any indigenous people to their faith. Needless to say this was made difficult by their enslavement by the Portuguese. The natives resisted the Portuguese and, when 2 ships sunk off the coast (one in in 1509 and one in 1537), the fate of two survivors was very different. The first was liked by the folk and so he was well treated, and was even given the daughter (Paraguassu) of the Chief of the tribe as a bride. He built the first church in Salvador (Nossa Senhora da Graça) and Paraguassu’s remains still lay in the church which is grander now than it originally was. The second of the survivors from the wreckages was not so lucky. He was Captain Coutinho. He was saved from drowning, but when the natives took a dislike to him they ate him!

Later the Portuguese sent Thome de Souza to create a Governorship of Brazil. He created a Capital and built a Palace for the administration work to be carried out from. Today this is called the Palacio Rio Branco and stands in a commanding position in the upper town overlooking the town square and the bay.

The origin of the widely used word ‘brega’ belongs here as well. De Souza was accompanied by Jesuits to spread the word of Christianity to their ‘new lands’. Their leader was Manoel da Nóbrega. Salvador honoured Nobrega by bestowing a street with his name. Unfortunately the street became infamous for brothels and low class bars and the shortened surname has now become synonymous with low class products, places and people.

The main wealth of Brazil had come from brazilwood, or rather the red dye extracted from it´s sap, but this was to be massively overtaken by the sugar industry! This was planted and harvested in huge plantations in the Northseast. Unfortunately, the workforce was provided in the form of slavery. Most slaves were African, as they proved to be less prone to desease and more productive than the indigenous population. The slavery lead to several quashed uprisings, escapes and the deaths of slaves and Governors alike. Eventually, in 1888, with the abolition of slavery the area became more harmonious and nowadays the African ancestry is celebrated in various festivals throughout the year. 

Do Not Miss

Ivete Sangalo, Carnival 2009. Photo: oficialivetesangalo (click image for original)

As Salvador is home to the largest Carnival in the world (Guinness book of Records), it is not surprising that all year round there are dancers, bands and musicians practising for the next event. You are bound to see groups of Samba Reggae drummers practising on street corners, in gardens or anywhere else they fancy. Samba is recognized throughout the world as ‘Brazil’, so this is the place to be for real Samba beats and dancing. The folk dance art of Capoeira was developed in nearby Quilombo dos Palmares and is now widely practised in the North East of Brazil. It is made up of music, dance and martial art moves. Typically a group form a wide circle with participants taking turns to go to the middle, to dance, sing or ‘spar’ with each other. Then there is Candomble which originated in Salvador. This is a type of religion which combines healing, dancing, trance and percussion in its displays.

Gifts for Yemanja. Photo kxande2. (click image for original)

So it is inevitable that at some point during your stay here you will witness some of the above sounds and sights, but why not take the plunge and get lessons so you can take part in the activities? There are various tutors who would be willing to take on novice students to their art forms. Let your hair down and go with the beat! 

Other Top Attractions

Marina, Salvador: Photo: CMarino (click image for original).

The Beaches and the islands of Salvador are one of the biggest attractions for visitors. Head down to the port area and you will find a number of operators who will offer various trips around the many islands. They will display the cost and the duration of the trips, so you can choose one to suit your requirements. We would recommend a schooner trip for a 1 day excursion. The trips usuallyvisit two of the islands and some of the fantastic beaches, with the opportunity to bathe in the crystal clear waters when the boat anchors off shore. There is live music on board with fruits and drinks to help you into the holiday mood.

Pátio de São Francisco. Photo: Rodrigo Cantarelli (click image for original)

The historic centre of Salvador contains many architectural gems. High on the agenda should be A Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos (The Church Our Lady of the Rosary of the Blacks). It is located at the top of R. das Portas do Carmo and dominates the Largo do Pelourinho. The church was built over a period of a hundred years or so beginning in 1704, by the enslaved members of O Irmandade de Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Homens Pretos do Pelourinho (The Brotherhood of Our Lady of the Rosary of the Black Men of Pelourinho). This was built by them, for their use as they were not permitted inside other churches. Tuesday evening mass (at 6pm) is accompanied by African drumming.

Between R. da Oracao and R. Sao Fransisco lie the Church of Saint Francis (Igreja de São Francisco) and its adjoining convent. One of the most lavish churches  and well-known for its golden interior  and it’s rococo gallery of saints and angels which one would be hard-pressed to find in any other church - pregnant cherubs and saints with protuberant manhoods - all carved, of course, by slaves.

O Mercado Modelo. Photo: Jairo (for original click image)

The Mercado Modelo is located in the lower city across the street from the Elevador Lacerda, and is the old Customs House now transformed into a market selling local handicrafts. If you want to buy in the Mercado Modelo be prepared to haggle, and be prepared to shake off vendors insistent on selling something to you whether you want to buy or not. Behind the Mercado Modelo the drumming from the Capoeira reflects from the overhanging roof makes an enthralling atmosphere, but conversation difficult.

For another taste of Salvador’s colonial past visit the Carlos Costa Pinto Museum, a house museum which offers a large collection of colonial furniture, antique jewellery, and gold and silver amulets that were given to female slaves. This is located at Avenida Sete de Setembro, 2490, Vitória.

The Museum of Modern Art stands as one of the most important of the country, characterized as a dynamic and vital centre of information, education and art production. The collection, comprising paintings, prints, photographs, drawings and sculptures of pioneers of modernism and master of fine arts, home to names like Amaral, Portinari, Flávio de Carvalho, Di Cavalcanti, Rubem Valentim, Ianelli, Carybe, Mario Cravo, Sante Scaldaferri and other internationally renowned artists. Also attached to this is the Solar de União – colonial era sugar plantation structures including a house, chapel and mil, which give an idea of life in those days. This is also the best place to watch the sunset and also take in a Jazz concert some Saturday evenings.

Museu de Arte de Bahia and Museu de Arte Sacre are also well worth visiting as is the big blue house at Largo do Pelourinho which is dedicated to the famous Bahian writer Zelia Gattai.

For something less cultural, you could always try learning to surf with the SurfCamp team. A safe environment on some very picturesque beaches along the Bahian coast. A fix of adrenalin and a breath taking experience with views to match.

Accommodation

 

Our accommodation lists are by price range, Budget, Moderate or Luxury. You can see them all, colour coded, in our interactive Accommodation Map

Tours

 

Tours in Salvador include tours to discover the city and its rich heritage with other beach and relaxation tours along the coast and the islands off the coast. See Tours in Salvador 

Recommended Restaurants 

The typical food of Salvador is quite distinct from that in other parts of Brazil. Of course, being a costal city, it includes a lot of fish and seafood, but cooked with a strong African influence. Also being a tourist destination, there are several restaurants serving international cuisine. Some are of a very high standard.

Our recommendation is based on a survey of local opinion condusted annually for Brazil´s largest cistulation magazine Veja. Their "Best of" guide recommends restaurnats in various categories e.g. "Best for Meat". Whilst not comprehensive, we believe it is a good starting point for a tourist, but we would love to get your suggestions of restaurants we should add, and comments on those we list.

Follow the link to see the Restaurant Recommendations

Bars & Nightlife

There are many bars and places to enjoy the evening in salvador. Our listing highlights the best as selected by locals for Veja the largest circulation magazine in Brazil. Follow the link our Bar Listing

Events

Coming Soon

Getting There

By Plane

Salvador is served by international Aeroporto International Deputado Luis Eduardo Magalhaes (Airport code: SSA) located in the suburbs of Salvador 28km from the center, (approx 40mins by taxi, in average driving conditions and off-peak).  

Most hotels and pousadas will arrange a transfer on request, but this will be at an additional charge, with a commission. This is not necessary if you are arriving at a reasonable time, but perhaps advisable if you are going to be a late arrival. The alternative is a licensed airport taxi which operates to a list of standard charges. It is not advisable to take an un-licensed taxi.

Real time arrival and departure information is available from Skyscanner

To call the airport: (71) 204 1130

By Bus

The Main Bus station or Rodviária is 5 km from city center next to Salvador's largest shopping centre Iguatemi. The Terminal , is usually simply known as Rodoviaria. (website)

South

The Southern Region of Brazil is the smallest region in the country, but it is still an important economic and cultural center with a lot of interest for tourists. It borders Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay, as well as the Central West and Southeast Regions of Brazil, and the Atlantic Ocean. Large numbers of European immigrants during the 19th century have had a large influence on region and culture.

The areas of greatest interest to tourists in the region include the capital city Curitiba, the coastal city Florianopolis, and Foz do Iguaçu region withthe magificentIguacu Falls

Curitiba

Curitiba, the capital city of the state of Paraná is an important cultural, political and economic center in the country. It is located on a plateau at 932metres (3,060ft) above sea level. It initially grew as a cattle trading centre but is today home to many industries. After 1850, waves of European immigrants started arriving, mainly Germans, Italians, Poles and Ukrainians, who contributed to the economic and cultural development of the city.

Today Curitiba is a wealthy city and is an international reference in term of good urban and environmental planning, with excellent leisure and transport systems. It also has an opera house and many theatres.

The city is a short distance from the coast and other sites that will interest tourists such as Blumenau, a city of Brazilians with German and Italian ancestry. The city displays many historical and cultural reminders of their heritage, such as houses and other buildings built in a traditional German style.

Florionopolis

Florianópolis, nicknamed Floripa, is the capital city of Santa Catarina State. It is composed of one main island, the Island of Santa Catarina (Ilha de Santa Catarina), a part on the continent, and the surrounding small islands.

The economy of Florianópolis is heavily based on tourism and services. The city has no less than forty two beaches and is a surfing hot spot.

It was described by Newsweek as one of the "Ten most dynamic cities of the world" and by the Brazilian Magazine Veja as "the best place to live in Brazil." As a consequence of this publicity, Florianópolis is growing destination for Paulistas, Argentines, U.S. citizens and Europeans, many of whom establish beach homes here.

Most of the population lives on the island's northern half. The southern half is less inhabitated. Many small commercial fishermen populate the island. Although originally settled by the Portuguese (from the Azores), the city has a strong German and Italian influence, like the rest of the state. Features of the region are the fishing boats, lacemakers, folklore, cuisine and distinctive architecture.

Click the link for the Florionópolis Guide

Porto Alegre

Porto Alegre is the capital city of the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Porto Alegre is an important cultural, political and economic region, bordered by Argentina and Uruguay. The city was founded in 1742 by immigrants from the Azores, Portugal, but received many more immigrants, particularly from Germany, Italy, and Poland, at the end of the 19th century. The vast majority of the population is of European descent.

The "Gaúcho capital" has a broad-based economy that lays particular emphasis on agriculture based production and industry. It has a long coastline, many hills and a unique ecosystem, rich in wildlife. Parks, gardens and nature reserves are the main focus of the tourism industry.

Iguaçu Falls

IguaçuFalls is one of the most popular, and spectacular, tourist destinations in Brazil and boasts over 100 hotels. The falls themselves are the main attraction on the triple boarders of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. They are 275 separate falls which tumble off a horseshoe-shaped precipice that is almost five kilometres wide. They have a flow capacity equal to three Niagara Falls.

The falls are within a protected area Parque Nacional do Iguaçu (Iguazu National Park), in both Brazil and Argentina, where the falls are. It is protected by the the environment agency IBAMA. Associated with the area are other attractions including:

• Itaipu Dam, the largest generator of hydro-electric power in the world, in the Parana river, between Brazil and Paraguay, which produces about 20% of Brazil's electricity needs.
• The Tríplice Fronteira (Triple Frontier) location where Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay meet. Each side has its own Marco (landmark).
• The Omar Ibn Al-Khattab mosque, the largest outside Middle East.
• The Bird Park (Parque das Aves)

The guide will cover all the attractions in this important area of Brazil.



Southeast

The Southeast Region of Brazil includes the states of Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. It is the richest region of the country. From a tourist perspective the area is rich in history and culture. It also has magnificent coastlines, areas of natural beauty, national parks and famous cities with iconic attractions such as Sugar Loaf Mountain and the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro guide.

Rio Guide

Rio de Janeiro ("River of January") is the first tourist destination, second largest city, and third largest metropolitan area in Brazil. It is also the capital city of the state of same name and was the capital of Brazil until 1960, when the capital was moved to Brasilia. It is popularly known as just Rio and has the nickname A Cidade Maravilhosa, or "The Marvelous City."

Rio de Janeiro is famous for its natural settings, its Carnival celebrations, samba and bossa nova music. It´s hotel-lined tourist beaches, such as Copacabana and Ipanema are also world famous. In addition to the beaches, the other most famous landmarks include the giant statue of Christ, known as Christ the Redeemer ('Cristo Redentor') atop Corcovado mountain, named one of the new Wonders of the World; Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar) with its cable car, and the Maracanã stadium, one of the world's largest futbol stadiums.

The city also boasts the largest and second largest urban forests in the world: Floresta da Tijuca, or "Tijuca Forest", and (almost connected to the first) the forest in Parque Estadual da Pedra Branca, or "White Stone State Park."

Despite its charm and beauty, Rio is also famous as being one of the most violent cities in the world, with portrayals of this problem in movies such as Bus 174, City of God and Elite Squad. Much of the violent crime is concentrated in the favelas or shantytowns, but it also spills into middle- and upper-income neighborhoods, and tourists should ideally be streetwise or have a good guide.

Close to Rio are other major tourist destinations: the historic city of Petropolis, known as The Imperial City of Brazil home to the former Summer Palace of the second Brazilian Emperor; the luxury destination Bouzios, a chic resort in a former fishing village make famous in the 60´s by Brigitte Bardot or Paraty, an unspoilt fishing village with cobble stone streets and ornate churches that reflect its importance as the principle port of the colonial gold trade. These, and other similar destinations, will also be covered in the Rio Guide.

São Paulo Guide

São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil and is among the seven largest metropolitan regions of the world. It is also the capital of the State of São Paulo, the most populous Brazilian state and the richest city of Brazil. It is the financial capital of Brazil, and arguably of Latin America, and also a capital of culture in terms of the arts and entertainment.

The city itself has some attraction for tourists, but the state of São Paulo has far more, such as the largest remaining area of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, the Ribeira Valley, now a UNESCO Natural Heritage of Humanity destination as a Biosphere Reserve. It is attractive as one of he biggest and most diverse ecosystems, with approximately 400 species of birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. The Alto Ribeira Touristic State Park (PETAR) is a paradise for ecotourists, in terms of its natural assets and important geolocical formations; caves, rivers, revines and waterfalls. There are 454 registered caves according to the Brazilian Society of Speleology (SBE) and 280 are located in PETAR making it the biggest concentration of caves in Brazil.

São Paulo Guide will cover the attractions in the city and the state.

Belo Horizonte Guide

Belo Horizonte ("Beautiful Horizon") is the capital of the state of Minas Gerais. It was founded in the early 1700´s, but the city as it is today was planned and constructed in the 1890s. It replaced Ouro Preto as the capital of the state. It is known for the contrast between contemporary and classical buildings.

Surrounding the city are several parks with large areas of native forest including the Mata do Jambeiro nature reserve, with over 900 hectares of Atlantic Forest and more than one hundred species of birds.

Belo Horizonte has a large production and distribution centre that serves the region's mines and industries. Mining was a major activity, even in the colonial times, and the city is surrounded byold colonial towns like Vila Rica do Ouro Preto ("Rich Village of the Black Gold"), located in the Serra do Espinhaço mountains and designated as aWorld Heritage Site by UNESCO because of its outstanding Baroque architecture.

Belo Horizonte Guide will be a guide to the city and all the surrounding tourist attractions.