Some Worth Visiting places in Brazil

 

Carlos Peiffer

First I would say that the best places to visit depending on what you prefer on a vacation. Do you like beaches? Nature? Outdoor adventure? Museums? Architecture? Soccer? Nightlife? Art? Photography?

Once you decide what your travel preferences are, how much time you will have, and your travel budget, then Brazil, being a huge country, will have plenty for you to enjoy.

Note that there is a Brazil air pass available to fly between cities. An air pass must be purchased and your itinerary set, while still in your own country. You might get a bargain, but there are restrictions, so make sure you understand what they are. Also, check out individual flights which may cost less and have no restrictions.

Also note that, unlike Europe, few people speak English in Brazil. There will be English speakers at tourist hotels and tourist attractions, but at many small restaurants and shops, you won’t find anyone speaking English. I recommend going online to find simple Portuguese lessons or YouTube videos to learn the basics, so you can at least ask for directions or prices. Learn to say please and thank you. The locals will appreciate your efforts.

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I have been to most major cities along the Atlantic coast (From Recife to Porto Alegre) as well as Manaus, São Paulo, Brasília, Belo Horizonte, Ouro Preto, Foz do Iguaçu.

On my next trip, which I will be taking with my husband who has never been to Brazil, he wants to visit Iguaçu and Rio. I have been to both and think they should not be missed. (I highly recommend if you go to the Brazil side of Iguaçu Falls, that you take a day trip by bus to the Argentinean side of the falls, too. The ambiance of the two sides of the falls is quite different.)

Rio has something for just about everyone, including all the things mentioned in the first paragraph above.

I also enjoyed Ouro Preto, an old historic town with colonial architecture. Brasília would be great if you like architecture.

I have chosen to visit Curitiba on my next trip (have never been there) because I have heard so much about the innovations there to alleviate problems of urban sprawl, annual flooding, providing green space, tearing down shanty-towns while providing suitable housing for its residents —-and other ills of large cities. Apparently, 98% of the residents would not want to live elsewhere.

We will be visiting friends in the state of Sergipe. Although it is not as exciting as other cities, Aracajú (the state capital) has miles and miles of unspoiled beaches and Sergipanos (the people who live there) are among the warmest, most welcoming people I have met anywhere.

We will visit Salvador because it is not far from Sergipe. Although I loved Salvador when I lived in Brazil (the late 1960s) I was not as thrilled with it on my last trip. Sidewalks are blocked by hundreds of street vendors. Lots of garbage in the street. (Formerly beautiful) old historic churches crumbling to ruin. I understand there is a program to help restore the old churches, so I hope to see some improvements there. Despite my reservations about Salvador, it is interesting enough that I will visit again. With much African influence, it has a flavor all its own.

Others have mentioned Manaus. I was there on my most recent trip in August of 2011 (winter south of the equator.) The day I arrived it was 108ºF. After 2 days, it cooled down to 98º —still stinking hot. I’m sure the extreme heat dampened my enthusiasm for the city (I was actually ill one day —probably dehydrated —spent a day in the air-conditioned hotel room drinking Gatorade) but I also thought the city was dirty. More sidewalks are blocked by hundreds of street vendors. Some attractions in the city are the Teatro Amazonas, the Bosque de Sciences, and the “Meeting of the Waters” boat tour (includes buffet lunch and a trip through swampy rainforests.) The daughter of an old friend drove me to a hotel along the Rio Negro to watch the sunset one evening. The river is so wide, you can barely see the opposite shore. It you was planning to go into the rain forest at one of the (expensive) tree-top hotels or take an eco-tour outside of the city, it would probably be a good place to visit.

When I visited São Paulo, it reminded me of a big American city like New York or Chicago. I’m sure there is plenty to do, especially if you like nightlife, but I will probably skip it on future trips.