As one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, Brazil is exciting, relaxing, entertaining and intriguing all at once. From the mystery of the Amazon jungles and the beauty and wildlife of the wetlands of the Pantanal, to the unbridled fun in the sun of its beaches and the madness of Rio de Janeiro, it manages to be all things to all people with its unique and irrepressible ambience.
It’s most definitely a country of two halves, with many of its visitors coming to experience the wildlife and wild places on an adventure of a lifetime, and others just wanting to immerse in the music, magic and mayhem of its festivals and beach culture.
However you experience Brazil, there’s one thing for certain: you’ll never forget it.
What to Do
Whether your choice is the cities, the beaches, the jungles or all of it, this country provides plenty of ways to get to know her.
Of course, the number one thing to do is take a trip into the Amazon jungle along the mighty river to do some wildlife watching. The good news is you don’t even have to do a major trek to encounter some iconic species, because pink dolphins, piranhas and so many more can be seen on a very tame boat cruise. Most people, however, want to take it a step further with the ultimate wildlife adventure: jaguar watching in the Pantanal. It’s a true once in a lifetime experience and one not to be missed.
Rio de Janeiro is the quintessential party town and its reputation is well deserved. The music, camaraderie and colour of life in this most famous of cities must be seen, heard, felt and tasted to be believed. The beaches, too, are renowned in this part of the world – particularly the high-profile ones like Ipanema and Copacabana. Almost anything goes down on the sand and the ambience is one of a kind.
But in order to understand the true heart and soul of the country it’s important to get away from Rio de Janeiro as well. Places like Chapada Diamantina National Park give you a taste of the majestic mountainous landscape of the country and villages untouched by modern life.
Local Cuisine
Brazil is made up of an incredible blend of cultures so the food, in turn, is equally diverse. The country’s geography lends itself to agriculture particularly well, so the cuisine is based in a wide variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables. With so many ethnicities lending their influence to the regional foods, it’s hard to define a distinct Brazilian cuisine in the modern day. But whatever it is, it’s a hotchpotch of deliciousness!
Local dishes are often heavy on the meat component, with beef, pork and seafood used extensively. No matter where you go in the country the staples of rice and beans will be in abundance, woven into the regional variations in their own traditional ways. Street food like Coxinha (chicken croquettes) and mains like the aromatic Feijoada (a black bean and smoked meat stew) or Moqueca de Peixe (a fish stew) are just some of the authentic Brazilian delights you should seek out.
Climate
With its tropical and subtropical climate, Brazil’s weather is one of its major draw cards for tourists. It’s warm for most of the year, with winter only making an appearance from June to August, and even then temperatures average around 13-18 degrees Celsius. In summer the temperatures can sit above 30 heading up to 40. While rains do fall throughout the year, the wettest months are in the summer, from December to February.
How to Get There
Getting to Brazil is long haul but not hard, with regular direct flights from the UK to all major airports including São Paulo and Galeão International, in Rio de Janeiro. Carriers including British Airways offer routes and flight time is around 11 hours 40 minutes.
Pre-booking your onward ground transport is highly recommended, and Shuttle Direct offers a range of shared or private services. Once you land a friendly driver will be there to get you the rest of the way to your accommodation without any stress.
Travelling to Brazil? Don’t Miss…
Don’t miss anything, but especially don’t miss these.
- High on the Corcovado Mountain overlooking the sprawling city of Rio, Christ the Redeemer statue is the defining image of Brazil. While it’s a bit of a hike up there, when you finally make it, the sheer size of the statue (40m tall) and the staggering uninterrupted 360-degree views over Guanabara Bay and the surrounds are more than worth the effort.
- The Rio Carnival is one of the most celebrated public events in the world and, should you plan your holiday at the right time, you can join more than two million revellers for the party of a lifetime. It’s not for the faint hearted but the carnival has one of the most amazing atmospheres on earth.
- Getting back to nature never looked so good as at the stunning coastal village of the Barra Grande. As well as lazing on the spectacular beaches, you can go hiking, walking and fishing to explore this pristine natural area – the perfect antithesis to the bustling cities like Rio and São Paulo.
About Shuttle Direct
When you travel with Shuttle Direct you’re with the best in the business! As soon as you book your flights, make an easy online booking with us for a shared or private airport transfer and you’ll be assured of starting your holiday off right. We’ve got a range of services to suit any traveller and any budget, so we’ve got you covered. As soon as you land, a professional driver will be there to meet you and get you to your accommodation without delay – simple.
