Brazil Things to do

Beaches
Brazil’s 4,650 miles of coastline includes all kinds of beaches ranging from Rio’s Copacabana, the world’s most famous city beach, and its more sophisticated, family-friendly neighbour, Ipanema to the long, idyllic stretches of fine white sand in the Northeast, with plenty of room for dune buggy riders and sun worshippers alike.

Surfing
Brazil has something to offer surfers of all abilities, at any time of the year. November to March are the best months in the north, April to October in the south. More experienced surfers will find that the island of Santa Catarina offers plenty of challenges.

Diving
Diving is excellent for all abilities, with lots of places to hire equipment and learn with PADI instructors. Outstanding locations include Atol das Rocas, a protected area teeming with sea life. Snorkelling is also recommended, and not only in the sea: the Aquario Natural river sanctuary has over thirty-five species of fish and crystal-clear water.

Festivals
September 7, Independence Day, and November 15, the Anniversary of the Declaration of the Republic, are official celebrations and there are celebrations of local saints’ days, food and culture, but all festivities pale by comparison with Carnival. Rio’s may be the most famous but Salvador’s is the largest. Carnival builds up with costume making, rehearsals and carnival balls until it bursts into four days of hedonistic excess each February or early March.

The Amazon
Belem to Manaus will take five or six days in a large boat or a day or so longer in a smaller vessel. Smaller boats go closer to the shore, so the wildlife is nearer, and there are opportunities to stop and explore.

Sightseeing
The Rio view from Corcovado Mountain, famed for its statue of Christ the Redeemer, is unbeatable. The Iguacu Falls, near the Argentinean border, make the Niagara Falls seem tiny. Ecotourism is growing with a number of conservation areas, such as the Projeto Tamar sea turtle sanctuary in the Praia do Forte, north of Salvador, and there are many National Parks, including the dramatic Chapada Diamantina and the magnificent Park Nacional Chapada dos Veadeiros. Anyone who appreciates architecture should visit the modernist capital, Brasilia, and the beautiful colonial city of Olinda.

 Search for Brazil holidays