Eye On Travel: Dive into Brazil - it’s a Marathon not a Sprint

Rio: Carioca night

The Olympic Games are lighting up Rio de Janeiro. Brazil's iconic city takes the limelight with its Copacabanas, Sugar Loafs and multi coloured diving pools. Yet it is not the largest city (Sao Paolo) or the capital (Brasilia).

There is so much more to Brazil than Rio - if you have time. It is a vast country bordering all but two countries in South America. Let’s take a quick tour of some of the wonders of Brazil.

Manaus: Amazon prime

The sprawling city of Manaus is the starting point to explore the vast natural wilderness of Amazonia. Take to the water to see the meeting of the differently coloured Solimões and Negro rivers which form the Amazon with its river dolphins and manatees.

Go on an adventure trip for one or more nights to experience the mighty rainforest and if you fancy it, ‘sleep' out in a covered hammock to hear the unique night sounds of the jungle.

HOW: International flights operate via Miami (5 hours) or Rio/Sao Paolo (4 hours). The only road leads into Venezuela so to stay in Brazil, it’s 2 hours by air to Belem on the Atlantic coast - or 4 days by river ferry, overnighting in your own hammock!

Jericoacoara: iDunes

Brazil’s coastline is an astonishing 7,491km with over 2,095 beaches. After Copacabana and Ipanema, that leaves 2,093 more to explore. One of the best is at Jericoacoara, a surf and sand dune community 300km north of coastal city Fortaleza.

Jeri (to the locals) is a place to chill out in a basic pousada (guest house) with beach bars and street food. The streets are covered in sand and after the obligatory daily climb up the largest sand dune to see the sunset, no street lights are permitted.

HOW: Getting there is half the fun isn’t it? International flights operate to Fortaleza via Lisbon. Domestically it’s 3+ hours to Sao Paolo and Rio and under 2 hours to Belem or Salvador. Buses run from Fortaleza city and airport to Jeri. Change to 4WD for the final hour along the beach.

Salvador daily: drumming up rhythm

If beaches are the body of Brazil then music is the soul. Nowhere is that more so than in Salvador, further down the atlantic coast. With a Portuguese colonial centre, it is home to vibrant Afro-Brazilian culture.

Legendary drum school Olodum is the permanent back beat to the city where festivals can spring out of nowhere. Enjoy fresh seafood and take a tour of the Bahia region if time permits. You will remember the rhythmic sounds long after you leave.

HOW: International flights operate to Salvador via Lisbon. Nationally, it’s 3 hours to Sao Paolo and 2 hours to either Rio or Fortaleza.

Pantanal: Giant guinea pig or tiny bird?

Fans of giant animals and piranhas should head west to the world’s largest freshwater wetland, the Pantanal.
Unlike the Amazon, wildlife is easier to see. Stay in a camp and enjoy day and night safari trips by car/boat/horse.

You will have the chance to see birds, monkeys, caimans, giant otters, piranhas and possibly anacondas and jaguars if you are very lucky. The more remote you go, the more you will see. The southern hemisphere night sky looks pretty good here too.

HOW: Gateway cities are Cuiaba for northern Pantanal and Campo Grande for south. Flights to either from Sao Paolo are around 2 hours. It’s a big area (the size of Portugal) so allow time for travel and aim for the May-October dry season if you don’t fancy swimming with the bitey fish..

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Standard low cost packages are bookable through my multi destination EyeLine Travel website.

For tailor made packages including any of the places featured above or just for some information, please Contact me and I will do the hard work for you.

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