Travel Deals to Brazil

Brazil is associated by many people with carnival from Rio and frenetic samba dancers! Carnival, soccer and coffee are the three most important things that people know about the biggest country of South America. Beaches in this country, from which Ipanema and Copacabana are world-famous (to nominate just two of them), are great places to spend vacations in Brazil. Actually, spending time on the beach is a way of life in Brazil. Many young and older Brazilian, called cariocas, go to the beaches to soak in the sun, take a bath in the warm waters, play soccer or volley-ball or just to socialize. Some think also that the gorgeous girls dressed only in tiny bikinis draw also a lot of guys near the ocean...
cariocas
 Travel deals to Brazil are plentiful. There is no travel agency without a few attractive deals to Brazil, to not mention the huge number of offers for the carnival from Rio, held every year in February. This event is so famous worldwide that some hotels and resorts in Brazil have reservations in advance for few years in the period of the carnival!
But Brazil don't means only Rio and its carnival. Tourists visiting this country are amazed by its beautiful beaches, high mountains, lush rain forests, old cities with colonial buildings and very friendly people. On the territory of this country flow the biggest river of the world, the Amazon. The more adventurous vacationers can buy travel deals that include cruises on Amazon or even walking tours in the rain forest. Still, the last ones are recommended only for the well trained holiday makers and only if they are accompanied by a local guide, otherwise vacations in Brazil can turn into nightmares!
Everywhere in the country can be found hotels where accommodation is decent, but the best hotels are located in beach resorts in Rio and other cities located at the sea. Resorts in Rio have very luxurious amenities, especially those with 4 and 5 stars on Copacabana and Ipanema, and offer many attractive deals and all inclusive packages, still tourists who are planning vacations in Brazil should book their accommodation well in advance due to the increasing popularity of this country.

By Victor Tuszing

Best Places to Stay in Florianopolis, Brazil


Florianopolis, just off of São José and south of São Paulo, Brazil, is both an island paradise and a bustling city. Within its 168 square miles are a plethora of skyscrapers, mostly tech offices, that have given the island its nickname of Brazil's Silicon Valley. Next to these, are lagoons, sandy white beaches, and ecological reserves that are thick with lush vegetation. This distinctive landscape makes Florianopolis a unique location for travelers who want both the easygoing tropical island feel that is so typical of Brazil, as well as the more upscale, party atmosphere that has developed on this unique island. For travelers looking to spend a week on this island, here are some suggestions for the best hotels.

Because Florianopolis has such a unique and diverse social scene, it's important to familiarize yourself with the many options before you make your hotel choice. If you want to stay next to the beach, there are over 40 beaches, many of them with hotels on or near the seaside. Also, each beach has developed its own personality and caters to a slightly different population.
The Jurerê Internacional beach is a magnet for the crowd that likes to party long into the night. There huge clubs and lounges play music and offer drinks like the caipirinha, the national cocktail of Brazil. Surfers prefer beaches like Praia Mole, where many surfing competitions are held. Joaquina Beach, with its rolling sand dunes, is also popular for surfing as well as for sandboarding. This is an ideal beach for your island stay, because there are all the amenities that a beachgoer could want, such as lifeguards, showers, restaurants, and handicraft markets.
One of the most gorgeous hotels is the Costão do Santinho Resort Vilas, located in Praia do Santinho. This resort, tucked into glistening green hills, has an oceanfront grill, excellent dining, ocean views, and some of the rooms have private jacuzzis.
For those that want peace and quiet, the Torres de Cachoeira hotel is a great choice, as it is hidden on a secluded beach. The rooms are reasonably prices, some have seaside balconies, and the restaurant serves regional cuisine.
Another good location to stay at is the Lagoa da Conceição, the giant lake located in the middle of the island. This lake is often used by water sport enthusiasts, and on most days you can go sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, or jetskiing. Along the edge of the lagoon is Rendeiras Avenue, which has great restaurants, cafes, and markets. There are also lively nightclubs such as Confraria das Artes that are very popular.
By Kaitlin Nunn

Are You Planning to Visit Brazil? By Amit Mahajan Chakraborty


Brazil is the largest and one of the most beautiful countries of South America. If you are planning a trip to Brazil then it will be interesting for you to know more about this exotic destination. There are many things which can be enjoyed in Brazil. It is a country which gave birth to carnival and dazzling costumes. You will be amazed with the hospitable spirit of people. It is an ideal destination for tourism due to amazing rain forests, beautiful waterfalls and exotic food. You will never forget this country after visiting it once.
Every city of Brazil is special. You will find magic spots in big as well as small cities. Never forget to try eco-tourism. It is one of the main attractions of the destination.
What about accommodation? You can find every type of accommodation according to your budget. You can find a large number of reputed hotels with variety of facilities. Number of tourists visiting this country is growing every year.
Brazil covers almost half of South America. Atlantic Ocean runs along the entire east coast of the country. By visiting this destination you can enjoy one of the beautiful beaches of the world.
There are many things which should be kept in mind while planning a trip to Brazil or any other destination. First of all you should fix your travel budget. After fixing the budget you can look for some travel agencies online. Online travel agencies can help you a lot in buying a perfect travel package. It is a good idea to buy a travel package as it includes all the basic travel requirements. Most commonly a package includes airline ticket, hotel room, tour package and taxi rental. You can save lots of time and money by buying a travel package. I would recommend you to spend some time with a travel agent before you decide something. It is a good idea to explain all your expectations to him.
Never forget to compare the price of the packages offered by different agents. There are many websites and portals which can help you in comparing the price and finding an affordable package.
You should always try to find lots of information about the destination your family is planning to visit. It is a good idea to read some books or articles. There are many websites and blogs which provide free of cost information about several travel destinations all over the world. You can also visit some blogs which review popular destinations. Reading reviews can help you a lot in selecting a dream destination.
By Amit Mahajan Chakraborty

Brazil Vacation Tips - 5 Things Not to Do

A Brazil vacation can be a wonderful experience. There is much to see and do in the world's fifth largest country. However, there are also some things that you should not do in order to make the most of your trip to Brazil. This article lists five.
1. Don't drink the water...unless it's bottled and sealed.
Like many developing nations, Brazil's sanitary conditions are less than ideal. You can avoid complications by drinking only bottled water. Make sure that it is delivered to you closed and sealed. Unless you are assured by a trustworthy source, it is also a good idea to avoid raw vegetables.
2. Don't dress like a typical tourist.
Crime rates in Brazilian cities are exceedingly higher than those of large cities in the United States or Europe. Tourists are often prime targets for seasoned criminals. Common sense and extra caution should be used. Get an idea of what Brazilian wear in the places you plan to visit and try to blend in. Try not to call attention to yourself by wearing either expensive clothing or jewelry.
3. Don't go without checking the climate and holiday schedule.
Since Brazil is located in the Southern hemisphere, the seasons are the opposite times of year as those in the United States. Brazil's summer runs from December 22 to March 21 and winter goes from June 22 to September 21. Since Brazil is so large, temperatures vary widely, especially during winter months. Rainy seasons are also at different times of the year. Besides the weather conditions, you will also want to check the holiday schedule. There are quite a few Brazilian holidays related to historical events or religious celebrations. You certainly don't want to travel to Brazil when most things are closed or overly crowded.
4. Don't act like an ugly foreigner.
The term "ugly" refers to your attitude. Don't be ethnocentric. Respect the local culture. Participate in and learn from the traditional events and activities. Mingle with the people. Get to know some of them. It's not that hard. Brazilians are very friendly and usually go out of their way to befriend strangers. Try learning a little Portuguese both before you depart and during your trip. Sure, you'll make mistakes but you will also make friends. Many things will be different. Don't criticize. Take note and learn what it means to be Brazilian.
5. Don't forget to get a tourist visa to Brazil.
On more than one occasion I have seen tourists barred from entering a plane destined for Brazil because they did not have the appropriate visa to Brazil. While there are many countries in the world that allow U.S. citizens to enter without a visa, Brazil is not one of them. The visa applications process it pretty straightforward.
Complete the visa application online. Once this has been done, you schedule an appointment at the nearest Brazilian Embassy or Consulate. At the appointment, you need to present your current U.S. passport with at least six months validity and two adjacent blank visa pages, a recent 2x2 inch photo, a copy of your itinerary and a copy of your driver's license. If you cannot attend the appointment yourself, you can have an authorized third party represent you. This can be a friend, relative, travel agent or visa expediter.
Following the five tips above will not only help you to get to Brazil but will help you create a more memorable experience on your vacation to Brazil.

By William Manor

A Brazil Vacation to Rio and Iguazu

A Brazil vacation is not complete without a trip to Rio de Janeiro and Iguazu Falls. Iguazu is the eleventh largest city in Brazil and home to one of the most amazing waterfalls in the world, Iguazu Falls. With a flow capacity equal to three times, Niagara Falls between the USA an Canada, Iguazu is defiantly worth a visit. It is located right on the border of Brazil and Argentina.
A visit to the falls from the Brazil side offers beautiful panoramic views of the falls which consist of 275 individual falls along a 1.7 mile stretch of the Iguazu River. The mos impressive section of the falls is known as the Devil's Throat, and is a u-shaped, 490 ft wide by 2,300 ft long fall. The Devil's Throat actually marks the exact border between the two countries.
From the Brazil side you are able to walk down a long path which follows the rim of the canyon. There is a section which extends to the lower base of the Devil's Throat. The wide views are spectacular and unique to the Brazil side which is a better side for seeing the whole picture.
A complete tour of Iguazu Falls however, will visit both sides. From the Argentina side of the falls there is better access to the waters and tourists have a more intimate experience with the falls. The Rainforest Ecological Train brings visitors to different parts of the falls, and at one point there is a half-mile trail that can take you directly over Devil's Throat providing the opposite perspective you had from the Brazil side.
It is really an amazing opportunity to be able to explore this extraordinary natural phenomenon, so thoroughly. It is highly recommended that for a complete visit one experiences the falls from both perspectives. Two thirds of the falls are in Argentina territory.
A visit to both sides of the falls can easily be combined to a visit to the culturally rich and historically significant, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Rio has a lot to offer it's visitors in addition to the long stretches of tranquil beach and glistening waters of the Atlantic. The once long-time capital of Brazil is full of exciting landmarks such as Christ the Redeemer, looming on top of Corcovado Mountain and Sugarloaf Mountain adding to the diversity of the beautiful landscape. Rio has a vibrant nightlife and is riddled with samba clubs and hip drinking spots along the beach that light up when the sun goes down.
Don't miss out on these amazing Brazil vacation hotspots that can be easily a part of your Brazil travel Package. It may be easier than you think to bring it all together and the ability to customizing your itinerary to include other points of interest is important. So instead of continuing to put it off, make your South America vacation happen sooner rather than later.
By Matthew Barker

Holidaying in Brazil

An increasing popular country to visit for Brits is Brazil and there are many reasons why people want to go there. Firstly and very importantly is the weather. Brazil is south of the equator so whilst the UK is in winter it's summer over in Brazil, and the summers are not like in the UK, they are long, hot and dry. If you visit the North East of the country, which is very close to the equator, temperatures rarely go below 30 degrees in summer. As well as it being very warm it is also dry. Winter in the North East is not much colder than the summer but the downside if that there is a lot of rain, therefore summer is definitely the time to go.
Not only is there good weather in Brazil there is also a great deal of attractions to see. If you take the most popular destination in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, there are some of the most famous landmarks in the world to visit. Probably the most famous places to visit are the beaches; there is Copacabana, made famous by the Barry Manilow song and Ipanema from the Bossa Nova song by Antonio Carlos Jobim, The Girl from Ipanema. These beaches are not just famous from songs being written about them there was also featured in a number of films and documentaries about Brazil. One of the most famous films which featured Copacabana was the critically acclaimed City of God which looks at the life of young men growing up in the Favelas of the city.
One downside of visiting Brazil is the cost of the flights, though it's relatively cheap when you get there, it is expensive to fly to Brazil. The very cheapest flights are around £500 going up to over £1,000 in summer, and especially for the New Year. What's strange about the price of flights to Brazil is that there are many destinations further away that are cheaper than Brazil. For example it can often be cheaper to fly to Australia and Brazil even though it's twice the distance. The reason of the cost of flights is that, even though it's becoming more popular, there are still not a large number of airlines flying to Brazil from the UK.
By Rachel Jane Williams

Brazil - Just Sensational!

Because Brazil is the country that gave birth to the carnival, the dazzling costumes and glorious beaches of Rio de Janeiro, will allure you to the rhythm of the Samba. The mix of colors shows Brazil's great diversity. It has a hospitable spirit unequaled anywhere else in the world. The country of Soccer, good food, exotic beaches, rain forest, waterfalls, and many other topics make Brazil come together and the ideal destination for those who wish to be well received and treated as if at home. This is a place where many people leave their hearts.
Indubitably it is an ideal destination for travelers that deserve a very luxury custom program, service and money wise tour provide. It's obvious that so many costumes arrive home already day dreaming of returning.Whoever visits Brazil always comes back. And every time you come back you will witness a different spectacle. Travel to Brazil for an awesome experience in a life time.
Brazil is a unique mix of races, Breath - taking Mountains, Amazing wild life, and a great pleasure. Come and get a glimpse of Brazil rich biodiversity. Those who come, fall in love. Don 't miss the opportunity to get your vacation in vacation.
Covering almost half of South America, it occupies an area of 8,547,403.5 square km. It is the fifth largest country in the world. The Atlantic ocean extends along the entire East Cost of the Country offering 8.5 thousand km of marine coastline.
Iguassu Falls
 Large International Hotels and good quality of service area way of life. Growing numbers of tourists are coming to Brazil, every year and 96% of the American citizen says they want to return to Brazil.
From Amazon to Iguassu Falls it's a fantastic scene with beautiful views of cities, Brazil eco-tourism, Unbelievable forest and happy and smiling people. From the big cities to the little ones, you are always going to find many magic spots and a reason to come back to a paradise named Brazil.
By Luiz Silva

Amazing Vacation in Brazil

Enjoy your Brazil Vacations. The Country that gave birth to carnival, the dazzling costumes and glorious beaches of Brazil, will allure you to the rhythm of the Samba. The mix of colors shows Brazil's great diversity. It has a hospitable spirit unequaled anywhere else in the world. The country of Soccer, good food, exotic beaches, rain forest, waterfalls, and many other topics make Brazil come together and the ideal destination for those who wish to be well received and treated as if at home. This is a place where many people leave their hearts, so look for some of the best Brazil Travel Deals.

Indubitably it is an ideal destination for travelers that look for a very luxury custom program or just a getaway from work and routine life for a great time of relaxation and fun. You will find here the perfect spot at any occasion for amazing Brazil vacations. Many tourists arrive home already dreaming of returning. Rio de Janeiro Brazil is the principal entrance of the Country for tourists. People from all over the world looking for the life style, gorgeous beaches, friendly and smile people, and the unforgettable tours sites to visit like Corcovado mountain, Sugar Loaf and the Botanical Garden in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil travel deals offer a variety of activities for different tastes and budgets and an exciting and worldwide know night life.
Brazil is a unique mix of nationalities, rich cultures, breath-taking mountains and gorgeous landscapes, amazing wild life, and rhythms. Come and get a glimpse of Brazil rich biodiversity. Those who come, fall in love. Your Brazil vacations will provide you with excellent opportunities to see an amazing Country and have exotic experiences.
Large International Hotels and good quality of service, unique way of life. From Amazon to Iguassu Falls you will experience fantastic scenes and a happy people with a laid-back way of living that enchant every visitor. From the big cities to the little ones, you are always going to find many magic spots and a reason to come back to a paradise named Brazil. Do not forget to check if you need visa to travel to Brazil, for more information speak with your travel guide or visit specialized web sites and enjoy the variety of beautiful places that Brazil travel deals offer to you. See You in Brazil and have fun!

By Luiz Silva

Brazil Shopping

Shopping facilities in Brazil are of the best quality on the whole continent, with various clothing, gemstones, jeweler, leather goods and arts and crafts on offer. As would be expected Brazilian main cities carry the widest range of goods, however many of the smaller cities and towns offer bustling markets where you can pick up some ethnic and regional crafts.
Rio de Janeiro (River of January) scored 135 in the list of the 150 most expensive cities in the world. That's why don't worry when you go shopping in this city, it is very affordable. You can spend all day in shops without feeling so guilty. In Rio de Janeiro shops are full of character and sophisticated, and you will find everything you could ever think of.
Moreover Brazil is a country of high production of gold and diamonds. Brazil produces almost two thirds of the world's colored gemstones alone. So, if you are searching sapphires, opals, rubies, emeralds, amethysts, aquamarines, topazes, or gold jewelers or diamonds, you will find them all in Brazil. You will be pleasantly surprised by very inviting prices, and will find leading world jewelers as H. Stern or Roditi operating all over Brazil.
Unfortunately the leather isn't particularly supple in Brazil, though leather goods are moderately priced and quite acceptable quality. In the up market shops of Ipanema and Copacabana you can find the better Brazilian shoes, belts, wallets, purses and luggage. The highest demand is for shoes as they have extremely good value, but many of the best are reserved for export, and larger sizes are difficult to find. In sporting-goods stores all over Brazil you can buy good quality, cheap, durable, leather soccer balls with hand-stitched panels. In differing regions throughout the country you will see different cities, buildings, property in Brazil and of course you will find arts and crafts that are another great thing to purchase in Brazil, and you will see also difference in these items. You can buy ethnic arts and crafts at various tourist and souvenir stores throughout the country; however it's advisable to go to artisan fairs, generally located outside the major cities, where local people come to show and sell their wares.
There are big shopping malls/centers very often located close to luxury Brazil property, apartments, hotels and tourist places all around the country. At least every little city in Brazil has one shopping centre. Shops seem very luxury inside and outside and you will not feel like in a South American country or a third world one. However you may see that in those shopping centers prices aren't very cheap, but if you compare prices it will be okay. Inside shopping malls usually you can find a lot of shops, from a-z all things to buy. Nowadays the biggest shopping mall in Brazil and Latin America is Midway Mall located in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte and the owners of such a huge Brazil property is Grupo Guararapes.
You can find great deals for clothes and shoes in the old downtown neighborhood of Centro. The pedestrian streets around Rua Uruguaiana, Rua da Alfândega, and Rua Buenos Aires are jam-packed with hundreds of merchants in small shops side by side which can be a fun and exotic experience for you. In the '70s it was planned to demolish this area and to make room for a viaduct, but over 1,200 shopkeepers formed a merchant's association and banded together to put a halt to the development. It's advisible to go shopping in weekdays from Monday to Friday when the downtown core is full of office workers.
Dollar is very popular currency and accepted in all banks, cambios, and travel agencies and authorized hotels, exchange offices. Even people who claim to hate shopping can't help but be drawn into the experience shopping in Brazil; it is just an incredible experience. Brazil shops feture the incredible array of goods and items on display and for sale, the shop windows, the fantastic prices and unique way of making everything that creates iconic and impressive will have anyone in awe!
By Christen Richardson

Must-See Highlights For a Brazil Tour

 When planning a Brazil vacation there are certain sites that you absolutely do not want to miss. This article highlights those places that you'd never forgive yourself if you didn't see them on your once in a lifetime Brazil vacation. A high quality, high service Brazil package will include Rio de Janeiro, with Brazil tours to Sugarloaf and Corcovado Mountains, Buzios and visits to the beaches and islands, Iguazu Falls, offering both the Brazil tour and the Argentina tour, Salvador de Bahia and its rich cultural heritage and finally Manaus and an experience in a real Amazon Jungle lodge with tours of the rainforest.

Rio de Janeiro used to be the capital of Brazil. It is home to some of the liveliest events of the year including the famous Rio Carnival each February. It has both beaches and mountains to offer its residents combining to form a unique and amazing landscape. Christ the Redeemer was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and is a landmark of this important city.
Buzios is an exciting Brazil travel destination, with a small population but cultural significance as the peninsula was famous for pirating and slave trading. In Buzios there are 25 beaches nearby and with the vibrant nightlife, you don't want to skip this town, with its delicious seafood and surfable waves.
No Brazil package is complete without a visit to Iguazu Falls, considered the most magnificent falls in the world, higher than Niagara and with more water than Victoria. A proper visit to the falls will include seeing the complete perspective from the Brazil side and also the Argentina side.
Salvador de Bahia, Brazil's third largest city after Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, is a cultural capital with vibrant music and delicious Brazilian cuisine. You defiantly can't miss what is known as Brazil's 'capital of happiness' where there are opportunities to see Capoeira and dance Samba knocking on your door every night.
Finally, your Brazil travel experience isn't complete without a visit to the Amazon Rainforest, one of the most biodiverse places in the entire world. Here there are opportunities to fish for Piranhas, and scope around the lakes for caiman. The jungle is an amazing experience, so full of life and such a unique climate.
It is recommended that you take at least two or three weeks to see all of these sites. It is better to have more time in each location so that you can really get a feel for the local ambiance and culture, sample the food, and explore thoroughly the sites and attractions. Brazil is such an amazing destination with so much to offer. It is difficult to imagine the possibilities but then you think, why imagine them, when you can go to the country and see them with your own eyes. Now's the time.
By Matthew Barker

Why Buy a Vacation Home in Brazil?


Brazil has suddenly become the number one holiday hotspot and THE place to buy a vacation home if the press and media are to be believed!
In an article published this week in a popular British Sunday newspaper, the average Briton was seemingly being urged to consider investing in a second home in Brazil either for their own enjoyment or perhaps as a place that they can earn an income from by renting it out to friends and family...
So why has Brazil's star started to rise and is it really a place where you can trust an investment into real estate - let's take a closer look?

The fact of the matter is this - since Brazil re-elected Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for a second term in office as president the country has been going from economic strength to political strength and this has resulted in the wider acceptance and promotion of Brazil as a reliable, robust economy in which to invest in, and as an attractive, safe, increasingly accessible and very affordable place to vacation...
The president's policies are quite simply working - and this is why Brazil's star is starting to rise.
Economically Brazil is doing incredibly well, foreign direct investment is strong and the government is doing all it can to support and promote foreign investment. In turn this gives investors even more confidence to invest further - to the point that big name players like Donald Trump are now developing real estate empires in Brazil, and General Electric Real Estate is committing millions to long term direct investment into property in Brazil.
Okay - so - the big players are gunning for Brazil and profiting from Brazil- but that doesn't explain why you should buy a vacation home in Brazil!

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council's findings, the rate at which Brazil's tourism industry is growing is far and away more impressive than the global average. In 2007 so far tourism has expanded by 7.2% which is almost 3% above the global average. Brazil is being developed and promoted as a golfing destination, it is about to witness the construction of the fifth largest airport in the world, it has beaches, mountains, rainforests, cities and much, much more to draw in the crowds and so far, construction of resort style and attractive real estate is not keeping up to the demand for places to stay, for apartments to buy, for villas to live in...so there is money to be made from property in Brazil.
Therefore, why not jump on the property investment bandwagon that is luring in thousands of potential buyers and investors every month and secure yourself a vacation home in Brazil? As a foreign buyer your rights are as protected as a local person's - that's a commitment from the Brazilian government - you can easily and affordably now access Brazil and your property from North America, the UK and mainland Europe, you can rent out your vacation home to friends and family or even through an agency...and what's more, you can buy in to a real estate market that actually has some life left in it! Unlike the British, Irish, German or American markets for example!
By Rhiannon Williamson

Backpackers and Brazil

If you are considering exploring South America, Brazil should be at the top of your list. Brazil is an absolute blast for backpackers given the friendly people and very happy attitude of the culture.
Brazil has become a hot destination for many young travelers wishing to see a different sort of culture and climate. Where many college age people of former generations would spend their summer vacations trekking across Europe, today many Americans and Europeans spend that time in Brazil. While Brazil is generally considered to be a friendly and accommodating country to visitors, it's important to take a few steps to assure that your trip will be a pleasant one.
The main language spoken in Brazil is Portuguese, unlike the Spanish spoken in the rest of South America. If you take the time to learn a few key phrases in Portuguese, the people will be even friendlier as well as patient with the language barrier. You will need a visa to spend time in Brazil. For United States citizens, that will cost you $100 (free for Europeans!). You will also need about $35 a day to live on while in Brazil. Your best bet is not to visit during December through February, as this is summer in Brazil and prices tend to go up when the country goes on vacation. If you want to be in the country for Carnival, however, you'll need to spend the extra money and travel to Brazil in the end of February.
One problem that Brazil tends to bring up for backpackers is the large distances between cities and regions. This is not a country that is easily seen on foot or even by bus or train. Most of the inner sites in Brazil require plane transport, and you can find some discount airlines that leave from some of the bigger cities in Brazil. It's also important to take a good guide book with you that includes plenty of maps, books such as those by Lonely Planet tend to be the most accurate and up to date. You will also want to be prepared for the extreme weather and heat that is common in Brazil. Remember, the Amazon River is located in this country and rainforests abound. That sounds romantic, but dehydration can be a major issue as can heat stroke.
If you enjoy the beach life, Brazil is definitely for you. You can spend days on the beach in hotspots such as Rio de Janeiro. This is by far the touristiest area of the country, so try to get out and about to other areas. Salvador da Bahia and Recife are worth a visit. Sau Paolo and Brasilia are not so hot and probably should be avoided. Remembering to bring all of your necessities with you, including enough money to get along and your passport, as well as an open mind will make your trip to Brazil a memorable and interesting journey.
By Richard Chapo

Enjoying Samba on a Brazil Vacation

What is one of the first things that often comes to mind when a person thinks about Brazil? Samba. Samba is an exciting and sensual dance that has roots in Africa and Europe but has always been recognized as a symbol of Brazil. Samba is the most popular form of expression in Brazil and is an icon for Brazilian identity.
The modern samba has a 2/4 tempo, and is traditionally played by strings and more varied percussion instruments like the tambourine. Nowadays you'll often see some brass and woodwind instruments thrown in: trombones and trumpets and chor, flute and clarinet.

Samba is more than a dance. It is a people. It is a culture. It is a cuisine, a style, a dress, and a party. National Samba Day is on December 2 when the whole country of Brazil celebrates their national pastime. During Rio Carnival, arguably the biggest and most important party of the year, thousands and thousands of people dance the Samba in the Sambadromo, Samba schools spending small fortunes to prepare unique and fantastic performances to the crowds in Rio.
With the evolution of music in the 20th century, Samba has stayed in step with the times, fusing with different beats, crossing genres, etc. In the 1960's Samba music expanded to create Samba-funk, which fused traditional Samba with an American funk group recently arrived in Brazil. In the 1980's when Brazilian rock and disco were gaining popularity over the Samba a fresher, underground Samba emerged in the Rio suburbs, which incorporated Samba with the banjo and the tan-tan changing the language of the music to meet the needs of communities changing tastes.
Samba has merged with Caribbean beats to create samba-rap, samba-reggae and samba-rock. It seems that whatever music flows into Brazil, soon enough it emerges with a samba twist. The national beats have been laid down, and the people are proud and ready to show the world, who the best Samba dancers are every year during Carnival. No one else is really a contender.
No Brazil vacation would be complete without a visit to a Samba school to see high quality dancing or perhaps to even go out for an evening of Samba dancing yourself. The locals would be happy to teach you. So put your dancing shoes on and book your Brazil vacation.
While you're in Rio, you can tour Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer, at night you'll dance some samba, and experience the pulsing Rio nightlife. In Brazil you don't want to miss Iguazu Falls, the most amazing waterfalls in the world which you can tour from both the Brazil side and the Argentina side. And since you're on the border, and you're already dancing samba so well, why not learn to dance the Tango in Argentina.
Buenos Aires is just a short flight away, where you will be able to experience the rich impact that Tango has had on Argentinean culture in a similar way that the Samba has become the symbol of Brazil. This Brazil/Argentina package will shine some light on the vibrant South America culture.
By Matthew Barker

101 Reasons to Travel to Brazil

There are many reasons to go to Brazil, probably thousands of reasons. I've listed the top 101 reasons to travel to this beautiful country filled with warm, fun loving, people, and very beautiful exotic feminine women.
#1. Carnival - A world-renowned celebration in Rio which takes place 40 before Easter. Carnival in Rio, Brazil's world-renowned celebration, takes place 40 days before Easter. Rio is considered by many to be the carnival capital of the world!
#2. Copacabana Beach World famous beach that attracts millions of tourists every year. In 2005, Lenny Kravitz performed there in front of 300,000 people.
#3. Cariocas (Define Carioca) The women of Rio de Janeiro are called 'Cariocas'. They are known for being very friendly and hospitable to visitors.
#4. More Women then Men The ratio of women to men are higher then in most other countries in the world. Especially in Rio, where it is believed there are 100 women for every 86 men.
#5. Great surfing Beaches In Rio you have the Arpoador beach at the north end of Ipanema beach, and it's great for surfing. Brazil has many great beaches for surfing such as Florianopolis in the state of Santa Catarina and the island of Fernando de Noronha, located off the northeast coast of Recife.
#6. Brazilian Bikini Babes millions of young Brazilian women love to sport bikinis---and with warm weather all year long, trust me you won't miss seeing them in winter coats.
#7. Median age in the late 20's According to indexmundi, the median age in Brazil as of 2008 is 29. This is much lower then most Western European countries (late 30's), United States (late 30's) and Japan (40). This means more younger sexy ladies!
#8.Fitness Culture: most women are thin or fit It only takes one trip to Rio, Sao Paolo, Recife or any other Brazilian city to realize that in Brazilian culture the women---and men have a keen interest to stay in shape. Thousands of young ladies work out on the beaches every day.
#9. Small percentage of obesity in Brazil Because of a culture of fitness and health conciseness, most Brazilian women are in good shape and are not obese. Brazil doesn't have an obesity crisis like the United States, Australia, England and some other Western European countries. How can a young Brazilian woman where a bikini if she is obese? I guess the bikini craze keeps the pressure on them!
#10. Brazilian women love foreign men! If you are North American, German, British, Australian, Japanese---or from any other Western European country, then Brazilian women will love you. They have a thing for foreign guys---most Brazilian women are fed up with Brazilian guy's reputation of 'players'---but can you blame these guys? With such nice ratios of women to men and numerous hot young ladies to go around, it's very easy to fall to temptation!
#11. Great place to learn Portuguese If you want to practice some Portuguese, then this is a great place to start. Be sure to practice some basic phrases before you come! You will have plenty of women to practice with trust me.
#12. Brazilian women are fun to be with Most Brazilian women are very fun and know how to have a good time. In there culture it's all about the carnival and having a good time, dancing and just living life to the fullest
#13. Brazilian women are friendly and hospitable In comparison to American and some Western European countries, the women in Brazil are much friendlier and approachable. You can easily make new friends with young sexy Brazilian girls---just by being sincere, and they will make you feel at home very quickly.
#14. Great food Brazilian food is very good. Be sure to go to a 'churrascaria' while your down there. The 'Frango Asado' is a good dish, it's barbecue chicken with rice and fries. Very good.
#15. Ipanema Beach The other great beach in Rio besides Copacabana. Ipanema Beach is also one of the safest areas in Rio, giving you yet another reason to stay here. Plenty of young ladies to check out.
#16. Great weather all year round The average weather in Brazil fluctuates around 70's to 80's degrees all year long. For example, the average annual temperature in Rio De Janeiro is 73.5.
#17. Help Disco Almost half of the girls you will meet here are working girls. Either way, it's a great way to warm up with the local ladies.
#18. Club Six in Rio - A very popular nightclub in the Ipenema section of Rio. A great place to have some drinks while enjoying all kinds of music, including dance music, hip-hop, etc. Plenty of women to talk to.
#19. World famous Topless beaches Copacabana and Ipanema have great nude beaches. Don't forget the sunglasses!
#20. Lots of single attractive women who are not committed Unlike many other countries, Brazil is full of attractive single women who are not committed. Many are having a hard time finding a normal, down to Earth guy who isn't married.
#21. Friendly Brazilian culture In Brazil it is culturally accepted to treat everyone, especially foreigners---with great hospitality. A smile and a friendly greeting is very common from strangers. Not like in NYC!
#22. Variety of women from mullata to blonds You can find all kinds of women in Brazil. To date, there are roughly 11,714,000 people in the Rio De Janeiro metropolitan area. Out of these, 53.6% are white, 33.6% are brown, 12.3% are black, and .5% are Asian or Amerindian. This means you have plenty of different shades of women to choose from!
#23. Great soccer games If you like soccer, then you will be in the right place. There are many soccer games to go to.
#24. The Maracana Stadium The most famous soccer stadium in Brazil. It's located in Rio and the local clubs Flamengo and Botafogo play here.
#25. Open sexual culture Unlike women from many other countries, in Brazil sex is embraced openly---it's considered the national pastime!
#26. Brazilian women enjoy sex and are very sensual Great news guys! In Brazil sex is not used as a bargaining chip by the local women like in other countries. In Brazil sex is used to make love!
#27. Stable Government, Stable political climate The Brazilian government is experiencing a period of political stability. President Lula Da Silva has won the faith of the people and it's showing.
#28. Improving economic situation - Compared to other Latin American countries, Brazil is experiencing a period of unprecedented economic growth and investment.
#29. One of the easiest places on Earth to find an attractive girlfriend It's the most populated Christian country in the world that has a higher female to male ratio---China, India and USA have a higher male to female ratio! Indonesia is an Islamic country.
#30. Pay for play is always an option, especially in Rio There are many popular places in Rio where you can find plenty of young hot working girls. Help Disco is one of them.
#31. Hot Brazilian girls will flirt with you Hot Brazilian girls, from working girls, university students, professional ladies, to traditional ladies, they all flirt with you!
#32. No game needed, the sexy Brazilian girls will do all of the seducing They have no choice. Remember, in Brazil there are more women then men. This means the women have to compete over the fewer guys---like you!
#33. Beach soccer: A great way to work out and have fun also. Many women play soccer also, making it even more enjoyable.
#34. Brazilian thongs and bundhas World Famous "Dental Floss" thongs, very popular and very sexy. You won't find these in NYC, Dublin or London! Have fun!
#35. The Euro, Pound and Dollar are stronger then the Real (the Brazilian currency) Your currency is stronger. This means while in Brazil most local goods will be much cheaper for you. Especially the Euro and Pound, you guys will live like Kings!
#36. Brazilian culture is one of the most open minded in all of the Americas and the World - Due to a history of mass cultural absorption by Portuguese, Indigenous, African, Japanese, German, Italian, Spanish and many other ethnicities, Brazilian culture has evolved into a very diverse, 'everyone get along' culture.
#37. Brazilian women love to dance The local ladies are known for having a great time, especially on the dance floor. This is one reason they stay in such great shape.
#38. The exotic culture, women, and feel - Brazil is being discovered as the world's most exciting destination and the local Brazilian people are vibrant and the nightlife is simply extraordinary.
#39. The drums in Pelourinho - Salvador has some of the best nightlife in Brazil. Pelourinho explodes with music and people and activity search harder and on any given night in Pelourinho you could probably uncover scores of groups playing. Many of these concerts are free.
#40. The tan - Beach life is considered a normal part of Brazilian culture and a major attraction for tourists and foreign investors.
#41. New Years party on the beach Rio de Janeiro has the largest new year's celebration worldwide---well over 3 million people every year go to Copacabana.
#42. The Caipirinha's Brazil's most famous cocktail drink---so popular that even in Miami and NYC people enjoy it. It is delicious and potent!
#43. The view from Corcovado - Corcovado (Christ the redeemer) is one of the best-known landmarks in Rio and it is definitely the best view in Brazil. Recommended for one of the seven wonders of the world, you can see all of Rio beneath you.
#44. Sugar loaf mountain around 600 million years ago mother nature's formed a natural wonder, called Pao de Acucar or Sugar Loaf. Today it's one of the most recognized and sought after tourist attractions in Rio.
#45. Botafogo Bay (Rio) - Botafogo is a beautiful beachfront neighborhood (bairro) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Botafogo's beach is within Guanabara Bay and it's also home to two of the city's largest shopping centers, Botafogo Praia Shopping and RioSul.
#46. The malls filled with beautiful Brazilian ladies Botafogo Praia Shopping Mall and RioSul Shopping Mall are just two of the many malls filled with beautiful young ladies in Rio. This is a great place to get a few emails and make a few dates!
#47. Ipanema Beach - Ipanema is a neighborhood located on the southern region of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, near Copacabana beach. It is a sunbather's paradise filled with thousands of young beautiful women wearing Dental Floss bikinis. Ipanema is also regarded as one of the safest districts in Rio.
#48. Bello Horizonte (means "beautiful horizon" in Portuguese) - The capital of Minas Gerais state, located in the southeastern region of Brazil and with a population of 5.3 million it also has the third largest metropolitan area in the country. The city offers interesting leisure areas and it's known for a traditional characteristic: regional hospitality.
#49. Bahia - one of the 26 states of Brazil located in the northeastern part of the country on the Atlantic coast. It is also the fourth most populous Brazilian state after São Paulo, Minas Gerais. It is also one of the most important states in terms of history and culture. Bahia's capital is the city of Salvador (São Salvador da Bahia de Todos os Santos). Salvador is known for having world class beaches for surfing.
#50. Minas Gerais - one of the 26 states of Brazil and also the second most populous with 19,522,000 people. The capital is the city of Belo Horizonte. In Tourist attractions are Monte Verde and the national parks of Ibitipoca and Aiuruoca. You also have the Sete Lagoas, Cordisburgo and Lagoa Santa, and waterfalls which attract many tourists.
#51. Recife - the fifth largest Metropolitan area in Brazil with a population of 3,646,204. The capital of the state is the city of Pernambuco. It is also known as the Brazilian Venice thanks primarily to its resemblance with the European city. Recife is considered one of Brazil's cultural capitals.
#52. Fortaleza - Fortaleza is the state capital of Ceará, located in northeastern Brazil, and has a population of over 3.4 million (in the metropolitan region). Nightlife in Fortaleza is filled with energy and excitement, local nightclubs and discos open every day of the week.
#53. Florianopolis (nicknamed Floripa) - The capital city of Santa Catarina State in southern Brazil. It is composed of one main island, the Island of Santa Catarina. It has a population of 406,564 while the metropolitan area has an estimated population of 821,552. The city has 42 pristine beaches and is a center of surfing activity, considered by many Brazilians as one of "the best places to live in Brazil." As a result Florianopolis is growing as a second home destination for North Americans and Europeans.
#54. Porto Alegre (Joyous Port in Portuguese) - The 10th largest city in Brazil and also the capital city of the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. The city is one of the most important cultural, political and economic centers of Southern Brazil. It is also considered to have one of the highest standard of living in all cities of the country.
#55. Curitiba The capital city of the Brazilian state of Parana, with a population of 1.8 million---it also has the fourth best GDP ranking in all Brazil. As most of Southern Brazil's population, Curitiba is mostly inhabited by Brazilians of European descent. The city has the largest population and also the largest economy in Southern Brazil.
#56. Trancoso - A small town in the municipality of Porto Seguro in the state of Bahia, Brazil, it's the perfect sunny getaway---a place to slow down and relax. There are many great beaches---one of the most popular by visitors and locals is Coconuts Beach.
#57. Osklen Swimming trunks Here is your opportunity to sport some of the most popular Brazilian swimwear for men---and check out the ladies in bikini! This is not New York guys! In this environment everyone shows 80% of there skin every day!
#58. Sao Paolo - The capital of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, this city is also the largest in the country and the most populated city in all South America (10,886,518 people). Located in the South East of the country, Sao Paolo is also the richest city of Brazil. Again, like Rio, there are unlimited number of blondes, brunettes, mullattas, etc.
#59. Futsal The indoor version of soccer, 'Futsal is very popular in Brazil. Futsal is played with a smaller ball and places more emphasis on improvisation, creativity and technique. It's a great way to stay in shape.
#60. World cup champion soccer Brazil is the world cup's most successive national team, having won the prestigious tournament a record 5 times. Brazil is also the only country to have participated in every World Cup tournament.
#61. Porto Seguro- A municipality in Southeastern Bahia, a North Eastern Brazil state and one of the oldest settlements in the country. Many Brazilians believe it is in Porto Seguro where Pedro Álvares Cabral, (a Portuguese discoverer) first set foot on Brazil on April 22, 1500. An interesting note: A significant number of Bahian women have married Italian and Swiss men---and the trend continues to grow
#62. Investing- Apart from life's pleasures, Brazil is also a great country to invest in. The Brazilian economy and importantly the rates of interest and currency are recognized as stable and supportive for foreign investment. The country is also experiencing unprecedented growth.
#63. Outdoor culture unlike many other countries where people tend to spend a lot of time indoors, in Brazil people tend to spend more time outdoors, usually with beach related activities such as surfing, swimming, beach soccer, or just working out. This means there are plenty of sexy women outdoors!
#64. Brahma Beer a very popular Brazilian beer, originally made by the Companhia Cervejaria Brahma which was founded in 1888. It's very sensual and a great way to relax in the sun.
#65. Daily Flights to USA and Europe More then 5 million people visit Brazil every year. There are numerous flights from USA---Europe is literally connecting with Brazil, particularly via Fortaleza with direct flights from Germany, Netherlands , Spain , Norway and others.
#66. Great scenery and diversity One nice word to describe Brazil is diversity: a mix of cultures, food, music, dance, drinks, art, crafts, architecture and love of the sea.
#67. The nature Covering 3.8 million hectares (9.4 million acres), Tumucumaque Mountains National Park is the world's largest tropical reserve - the same size as Belgium and about 500,000 hectares (1.23 million acres) larger than the state of Rio de Janeiro. Nature untouched!.
#68. The Amazon Rain Forest - Brazil has the largest forest in the world in the Amazon Basin which houses 20% of the worlds living species and have 14% of the worlds renewable fresh water. Another interesting note: more than one third of all species in the world live in the Amazon Rainforest
#69. The Amazon River - The largest river in the world by volume, with a total river flow greater than the next top ten largest rivers flowing into the ocean combined. It also has the largest drainage basin in the world, accounts for approximately 1/5 of the world's total river flow. The Amazon river has over 3,000 recognized species of fish and that number is still growing. Some estimates go as high as 5,000.
#70. Beautiful waterfalls - Brazil is much more than beautiful beaches: a trip to the southern state of Paraná reveals one of the countries most popular tourist destinations. This is a beautiful waterfall named Cataratas do Iguaçu located in the town of Foz do Iguaçu,
#71. Lots of international food (from previous migrants and communities) - The cuisine of Brazil is very diverse and varies greatly by region. This diversity reflects the country's mix of native Amerindians, Portuguese, Africans, Italians, Spaniards, Germans, Poles, Syrians, Lebanese and Japanese among others. There is great variety and great food!
#72. Lapa (Small bar/club zone in Rio, close to club Six) - The Lapa street parties are among the best of Rio nightlife and there are bars open all week as the crowds gather from around 11 am until 5 in the morning. Hundreds even thousands of sexy ladies mill up and down the street, drinking beer at street bars and just going with the flow.
#73. Brazilian coffee - Brazil is the world's largest coffee producer. Santos Brazils is the most traditional Brazil coffee, and the kind most likely to be seen in specialty store. Be sure to try some when your down there!
#74. Salvador - a city on the northeast coast of Brazil and the capital of the Northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia. Salvador is also known as Brazil's capital of joy due to its countless popular outdoor parties, including its famous street carnivals. The first colonial capital of Brazil, the city is also one of the oldest in the country and in the New World.
#75. Manaus - a city in the northern part of Brazil and capital of Amazonas State, it is an important centre for ecological tourism. Located on the Rio Negro near its confluence with the Amazon River it is the chief port and a hub for the region's extensive river system. It is also a common point of departure for tourists visiting the Amazon region.
#76. Belem - the second biggest city of Amazonia, in the northern part of Brazil. It is the capital of the state of Pará, part of the greater Amazon River system. It is the entrance gate to the Amazon region and together with Manaus the most important city in the north of Brazil.
#77. Goiânia - The capital and the largest city in the state of Goiás, it's also the largest city in the Central-Western Region of Brazil. With a population of nearly 1.25 million Goiânia is the twelfth largest city in Brazil.
#78. Pao De Queijo (Cheese Bread - a famous bread from the state of Minas Gerais) - A typical Brazilian snack which is made of manioc flour and cheese--- served hot. Very delicious and very popular sidekick for coffee.
#79. Cachaca This Brazilian sugarcane liquor has become the second most popular drink in Brazil---after beer. Cachaca is distilled in such a way that the scent of sugar cane and inimitable flavor typical of rum are retained---making an enjoyable drink!
#80. Brasilia - The capital of Brazil which borders the states of Goiás and Minas Gerais. The city and the district are located in the Central-West region of the country and has a population of about 2,455,903 making it the fourth largest city in Brazil. It is also listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
#81. Praia do Pinho First official nude beach in Brazil's history located in the southern state of Santa Catarina. Praia do Pinho beach in Brazil is a naturists dream. It is one of very few nude beaches in the world where it is legally required to be nude!
#82. Scuba Diving There are more then beaches in Brazil. Arraial do Cabo Marine Reserve is considered the best scuba diving on the southern coast of Brazil---it's located just 2 hours by car from Rio de Janeiro. The splendid waters of Arraial do Cabo are teeming with marine life - turtles, sea horses, moray eels, colorful coral and some exotic tropical fish like the famous Holacanthus Ciliaris). For around 200$ you can take a tour that includes Scuba equipment, bilingual guide, boat operation and a 10 hour duration.
#83. Fishing - Peacock bass fishing in Northern Brazil (Manaus) is as good as it gets! The peacock bass is legendary in its explosive top-water strikes and bullish runs. In a class of its own, the peacock bass is one of the hardest hitting and most aggressive sport-fish---plentiful in the Amazon. The Amazon offers fishers a haven of fish life that makes fishing as fun and exciting.
#84. Trekking- One of the most traditional backpacking trails in Brazil, a 36 kilometer (22 miles) crossing linking the two Brazilian imperial towns of Petrópolis and Teresópolis. The crossing takes 2 to 4 days, hiking through valleys, ridges and mountaintops where Atlantic rainforest vegetation is exuberant and pristine. It's located just 100 km off Rio.
#85. Rafting - Hold on tight and experience a great adrenaline rush: rafting down the wild rapids of the Paraibuna River! The Paraibuna is located in Três Rios city, 2 hours from Rio de Janeiro by car. The Paraibuna is also a full 20 km (14 miles) of level 3 and 4 rapids so bring a change of clothes! For around 100$ you can enjoy up to three hours of great adventure!
#86. Amazonia National Park This massive park covers almost 40% of Brazil's landmass including seven of Brazil's 27 states. Every year thousands of visitors come here to witness the splendour of this magnificent natural wonder. You can go bird watching here. A journey into the Amazon rainforest can be an experience of a lifetime!
#87. Iguassua Falls The waterfalls of the Iguazu River located on the border of the Brazilian state of Paraná and the Argentine province of Misiones. The falls divide the river into the upper and lower Iguazu. It's a great once in a life time opportunity!
#88. Brazil's Oil Boom Last year a huge offshore oil discovery in Brazil could raise the countries oil reserves by a whopping 40 percent and boost this country into the ranks of the world's major exporters. The future of Brazil looks bright indeed.
#88. Great ecosystems - many of Brazil's plants and animals are found no where else on Earth.
#89. Brazilian women are generally very friendly the best part of Brazil is how friendly the women are. The great weather, nice beaches, growing economy, it's all great, but without the sexy friendly women---it's all in vain!
#90. The nice hips and bottoms Hourglass figures are very common in Brazil. How many women do you see where you live that have a nice .7 waist to hip ratio? If it's not 80% of all the women, then you need to come to Brazil!
#91. Proximity to other great destinations for men Brazil borders many great countries for meeting women, such as: Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and Venezuela!
#91. Language close to Spanish If you learn Brazilian Portuguese, then learning Spanish will not be so difficult. These two languages are cousins, so learning either one will only make it much easier to learn both!
#92. Brazil is considered the world leader in production of Ethanol based fule Brazilian Ethanol is made from sugar cane, which is cheaper then gasoline and is much less harmful to the environment and the world.
#93. Brazilian currency weaker then U.S. Dollar, Euro, Pound, Yen and Australian Dollar Get more bang for your buck. In Brazil you will find much cheaper prices then you would in the United States, Western Europe, Japan, U.K. and Australia!
#94. Brazil has the eighth largest economy in the world Their are a lot of potentials for investment in Brazil. Many people are realizing that Brazil has great resources and is a major player in the world economy.
#95. Political Stability Brazil hasn't had a major conflict as some of it's neighbors have had. It is politically stable, and is a leader in Latin America, such as the recent crisis between Colombia and Venzuela, Brazil's government led the peace and helped keep Latin America in a period of stability.
#96. Brazil is self sufficient in Oil! Due to the leadership in Ethanol on a global scale, Brazil today produces enough oil/ethanol to run its own economy.
#97. Brazil is not a Hurricane risk Unlike other countries such as Cuba, United States (Gulf Coast Area), Honduras and Guatemala,Brazil does not experience Hurricane risks.
#98. Cost of living very low compared to USA and Western Europe You can live like a King in Brazil. In some places of Brazil, you can live with 30% of what it would cost you in Western Europe, USA, Japan, UK, Canada, Australia and other wealthier countries.
#99. Real Estate in Brazil is Booming! Don't wait til it's too late. Now is the time to invest in Brazil!
#100. Brazil is believed to be a leader in the future Many leading world economists and politicians believe that Brazil has the potential to become a world leader along with China, India and Russia.
#101. All the young Brazilian ladies that are waiting for you! That's the icing on the cake! Remember, in Brazil there are more +women then -men = great news for you!
By Dan DeLa Cruz

Five Things You Didn't Know About Brazil

  1. Brazil is 100% Energy Independent. Brazil has been dabbling with Ethanol fuel for cars for over three decades. In the recent decades great advances in the efficiency of ethanol production in Brazil has lead ethanol to become a primary fuel source for cars. In Brazil, flex-fuel cars are now a common thing. These cars can switch between ethanol, and gasoline in order to run. Apart from the ethanol Brazil also has huge oil reserves and both of these things have lead Brazil to cut down it's energy imports to almost 0.
  2. Brazil has been the best soccer nation ever, in the history of the sport. Brazil has won the highly competitive world cup soccer tournament a world record of 5 times. No other country has won more world cup titles. Brazil is also the home of arguably the best player that has ever lived, Pele. Today however, Brazil has a new cast of soccer super stars including Rhonaldinho, Kaka, Robinho, and others. They continue to dominate soccer tournaments, and competitions and will host the world cup in 2014.
  3. Carnival is not only celebrated in the now famous Rio de Janeiro. The Brazilian Carnival, properly spelled Carnaval, is an annual festival in Brazil held four days before Ash Wednesday. Brazilian Carnival is a fiery mix of cultures and costumes, all born from the unique past Brazil has lived, having mixed African, Native, German and European elements (specifically Portuguese). Furthermore, rhythm, participation, and costume vary from one region to another. For example, in the southeastern cities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, organized parades led by samba schools compete for awards and prizes on the "sambodromo" open stage. Only samba-school affiliates participate in the shows. Smaller cities often have no public events but promote balls in recreational clubs. The northeastern cities of Salvador, Porto Seguro and Recife have organized groups parading through streets, but watchers are also welcome to dance. They follow the "trio elétrico" floats through the city streets.
  4. There are more women then men in Brazil. Brazil's now famous male deficiency can be attributed to many factors. Men die more often in Brazil at younger ages due to crime, motorcycle and car accidents, and gang violence. Apart from this many Brazilian men have migrated to Europe, Asia, and The United States in search of better economic opportunities. This has lead Brazil to become a land where there are more women then men. In some cities, the ratios can be as high as 3 to 1.
  5. When you go to Brazil you can now do tours through the famous "favelas". Favelas are the Brazilian ghettos. These are not places you would want to venture into on your own, but these days they've become a tourist attraction. Tour companies now give you a tour of some of Brazil's most famous favelas, so that you can you get a real glimpse at the inner city ghettos of Brazil.
By Dan DeLa Cruz

Must See Places in Brazil

Entertainment would be the exact term for identifying Brazil. A country in South America, Brazil has miles of coastline, brilliant sunshine, joyful nightlife, relaxation, kinds of beaches, historical places and various activities, festivals and much more. The country Brazil offers lifetime experiences. Brazil is also known as the land of contrasts. The hospitality of Brazilian people make the place more attractive. The country has always been a popular tourist destination.
Among the cities of Brazil, there are Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Salvador, Manaus, Florianópolis, Galinhas, Recife, Buzios, Natal, Brasilia, Belem, Buzios. The Capital of Brazil is Brasilia. Previously, Rio de Janeiro was the capital of Brazil however due to the position of Brasilia, it has become the capital.Brasilia has an architectural spectacle. In Brazil, each city has its own beauty.
Rio de Janeiro has one of the most beautiful settings in the world. Rio de Janeiro is the home of world-famous Copacabana beach which is a must see place. Also Rio de Janeiro welcomes visitors with that big statue of an open-armed Jesus on top of Corcovado, - the Christ the Redeemer statue- and this is also world famous. Rio de Janeiro is totally a mustsee place. It is a fantastic city. Rio also has some wonderful museums such as the Museu Historico Nacional and the Museu da Republica. Tijuca Forest, Sugar Loaf Mountain, Jardim Botânico are places to see, too. Rio's famous glitzy Carnaval is fantastic and very famous all over the world.
São Paulo is Brazil's largest and most cosmopolitan city. The city owns famed nightlife and offers shopping opportunities. Some of the attractions are Teatro Municipal, Casa do Grito e Capela Imperial, Memorial da America Latina, Niemeyer's Edifício Copan, the Museu de Arte de São Paulo, Patío do Colégio, Santa Fe Plaza etc.
Fernando de Noronha Island
 Some of the most interesting places to visit in and attractions to see in Brazil are Fernando de Noronha Island, Ouro Preto, Olinda, Iguacu Falls, Colonial Towns of Minas Gerais, Pantanal, Aquario Natural, Chapada Diamantina, Ubatuba, Rio Novo, Aeroporto de UFO, Cidade Alta, Reserva de Desenvolvimento Sustentável, Cidade Alta, Encontro das Águas, Fernando de Noronha, Igreja de Santa Efigênia dos Pretos, Parque Estadual do Caracol, Parque Nacional Sete Cidades, Bonito, Manaus Opera House and much more.
The sunshine with warm weather, brilliant sunshine call the visitors to the world famous beaches of Brazil. Brazil's coastal cities are well known for their beautiful beaches, mainly Rio de Janeiro. The Brazilian Carnival, The Amazon Rainforest, Capoeira are also most pronounced words about Brazil.
Capoeira
 The Carnival occurs annually as a festival and continues for 40 days before Easter. The streets become lively as the people dance and play music. Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is known worldwide for its parades staged by the city's samba schools in the Sambadrome. Sambadrome is one of Rio's major tourist attractions. Also in Brazil, there are several carnivals and these hold some important carnival parades.For example, Minas Gerais Carnaval, Pernambuco Carnival, Bahia Carnival etc.The Amazon rainforest is the largest rainforest in the world. The forest still has its own secrets and is a house for thousands of species.Capoeira has originated in Brazil.It is regarded as a kind of dance, game, sport or martial art. As a visitor, one can even learn Capoeira.

By Gokhan Ozbal

How to Find Cheap Flights to Brazil

Although low cost carriers are opening up more and more routes to Latin America, it remains fairly difficult to find excellent value airfares to many Central and South America vacation destinations, especially at short notice or during peak travel periods.
This is especially the case when flying to Brazil. The journey distance, a highly restricted number of flights and a large domestic market all help to push up the airfare price during a Brazil vacation.
But fear not, because there are a few options that will help you find the best prices.
If traveling from the United States, aim to depart from Miami for the cheapest fares. Begin by searching the most popular US low cost carriers: Frontier, JetBlue, and Spirit.
But before you book, also take a look at the main Brazilian carriers: Varig Tam and Gol . Finally, compare the fares with some of Brazil's cheaper alternatives such as Web Jet.
If traveling from the UK and Europe, check out the comparison site www.cheapflights.co.uk but also consider going direct to some of Europe's cheaper airlines, for instance Thomson, or TAP. You may also be lucky with any of the bigger carriers such as KLM, Iberia, or Air France.
Finally, always remember the standard advice for getting hold of those best value flights:
Keep away from the holiday seasons, especially school breaks, when prices will always be much higher than usual. Book as far ahead as possible before all the popular flights start to fill up and the prices rise.
Aim for flexibility and search for flights outside of the peak times, earlier in the morning, later at night and away from the weekends.
Shop around but don't rely on comparison sites alone. The airline's own websites often have the best deals and special offers are rarely mentioned on comparison sites.
Happy hunting and Buen Viaje!
By Matthew Barker

Brazil Travel - Hotels in Rio

 All tourists enjoy a travel to Brazil, no matter how old they are or what kind of vacation packages have they chosen. Being one of the largest countries in the world, called officially "The Federative Republic of Brazil", it is so large that there are numerous holiday spots where tourists can enjoy the tropical climate, friendly people, interesting wildlife, impressive culture, beautiful nature, old buildings, tasty foods, and excellent accommodation offered by a wide range of hotels and resorts. Hotels in Brazil are of all kinds, from budget housing units to luxurious 4 & 5 star beach resorts that feature all amenities that travelers need to feel like at home.

One of the main holiday spots in Brazil which attracts most of tourists is Rio de Janeiro. Rio is a cosmopolitan city renowned worldwide for the carnival held there each year, usually at the end of February, 40 days before Easter. This samba festival is a so attractive event that many people book rooms in resorts and hotels in Rio even with a year in advance! Carnival in Rio is an explosion of colors and sounds, gorgeous girls and frenetically dancing people, dressed with specific costumes that represent each samba school. In fact, during this carnival all samba schools are into a harsh competition to win the trophy of the best samba school and for this reason it invest very seriously in costumes, allegoric cars, choreography, and training.
Rio de Janeiro isn't renowned only due to the carnival. Many holiday makers travel there looking to spend relaxing beach vacations. The city is located on the shores of Atlantic Ocean and has miles and miles of long excellent beaches, from which the most famous are Copacabana (a 4 kilometers long beach) and Ipanema (adjacent to Copacabana and being one of the most expensive vacation spots in Rio), both visited by many locals too. Close to this beaches are settled some of the most luxurious restaurants, bars, night clubs, residential areas, hotels and resorts in Rio, majority of them featuring 4 and 5 stars. On Copacabana and Ipanema tourists find a really wide choice of luxury accommodation units, a few of the best 4 & 5 star resorts being Hotel Pestana Rio Atlantica, Hotel JW Marriott Rio de Janeiro, Hotel Caesar Park Rio de Janeiro, Hotel Melia Angra Marina & Convention Resort, Hotel Atlantico Copacabana, OK Rio de Janeiro, Hotel Olinda Othon Classic, Hotel Golden Tulip Continental, Hotel Leme Othon Palace, Hotel Golden Tulip Regente, Hotel Royalty Barra, Hotel Rio Othon Palace, Hotel Caesar Business Rio de Janeiro Botafogo, Ipanema Plaza Hotel, and Hotel Porto Bay Rio Internacional. Families and individual travelers with lower vacation budgets can choose from numerous good 3 star accommodation units such as Hotel Regina, Hotel Aeroporto Othon Travel, Hotel Arcos Rio Palace, Hotel Apa, Hotel Lancaster Othon Travel, Hotel Tulip Inn Copacabana, Hotel Copacabana Rio, and others.
Even if time spent there is memorable, relaxing hours on beaches isn't all what Rio has to offer. There can be taken day trips to a giant statue of Jesus, called "Christ the Redeemer", located on the top of Corcovado mountain, to Sugarloaf mountain (with an aerial tramway), to the "Sambodromo" (where takes places the carnival), or to "Maracana" stadium, where can be watched excellent football matches. Few people know that in Rio are located two of the biggest urban parks in the world, which are in fact regular rain forests (Floresta da Tijuca and Parque Estadual da Pedra Branca), where can be admired a multitude of tropical species of plants and wild animals. Other points of interest in Rio are the Botanical Garden, Palacio Guanabara, Catedral Metropolitana, and a multitude of museums displaying different types of artifacts.
Rio is so large and has so many interesting tourist attractions that a short vacation spent there isn't enough to see everything what it has to offer. A travel to this country is usually the first step of a long love story, many holiday makers returning year after year in comfortable hotels in Brazil and beach resorts in Rio!
By Victor Tuszing

Brazil Travel Guide - 48 Hours in Sao Paulo


The biggest city in South America; the economic heart of Brazil; one of the three largest metropolises in the world: what Brazil vacation could miss out at least a little time spent in Sao Paulo? And with the Brazil Grand Prix coming up, chances are visitors to Sao Paulo will also want to spend some time away from the races.
With a population that has grown to over 20 million, Sao Paulo is predominantly a city of immigrants. Its ethnic diversity and industrial development has produced Brazil's largest, most cultured and best educated middle class. Travelers to Sao Paulo will experience a dynamic city, with skyscrapers that spread across the city's vast area; restaurants to suit every taste; and a nightlife that never stops. With so many options it can often be difficult for visitors to know where to start. Enter the experts:

FRIDAY
1pm: FIRST TASTE OF BAHIA

Start off your visit in the verdant Jardims district with a delicious and authentic lunch at Brazil a Gosto, a wonderful restaurant inspired by the various flavors and recipes that Brazil has to offer try the popular Bahian snack Miniacarajé which is a fried pasty made from bean flour filled with the unique combination of shrimp, cashew and peanut purée, bean flour and okra, plus an extra side of shrimps and a green tomato vinaigrette.

2pm: SWAN ALONG PAULISTA

After lunch, take a walk down Paulista Avenue. Thisis a must see for any traveler in Sao Paulo and is considered by locals to be the beating heart of the city. It is located in the northeastern section of Jardims, known as Cerqueira César. The avenue is lined with tall skyscrapers, shops, churches, restaurants, cafés, museums and hotels; there has been much commercial investment on the avenue to its centralized location. It has now become a symbol of the dynamic and entrepreneurial nature of the city's economy making it well worth a visit.
While here, you can visit the excellent collection at The Museu de Arte de Sao Paulo. This has a fascinating collection of over 8,000 works by predominantly European artists of great fame (Rembrandt, Monet, Renoir, Picasso and Van Gogh to name but a few!) alongside a significant handful of Brazilian pieces as well.

7pm: UNDERNEATH THE FIG TREE

For a delectable local dinner, head over to Figueira Rubaiyat. This fabulous old restaurant is built around the branches of a fig tree giving a magical touch to any meal here. No less magical is the succulent flavor of the meat served, particularly the beef which is considered the specialty and is raised in the owner's own personal ranch.
10pm: REACH FOR THE SKYE
Look up to Skye Bar for a clean and classy club experience - this smart venue is on top of the trendy Unique hotel (Av. Brigadeiro Luiz Antonio, 4700) and has a spectacular sweeping view of the city's seemingly endless twinkling street lights. There is a very nice lounge and restaurant to share a drink with the eclectic group that converges here. Dress up smart, but not OTT.

SATURDAY
10am: CHILL IN THE PARK

In the morning, head down to Ibrupuera Park to freshen the head. This is one of the nicest spots in the city; the park is considered by Paulistanos as their equivalent of Central Park in New York. It is also a center of important museums and hosting cultural events. It is a picture of serenity containing pristine grassy areas, paths for running and cycling and a stage for outdoor theatre and concerts. There are also playgrounds, lakes and even a small wood for reading offering travelers a welcome break from the noise of the city. If you're lucky, you might catch one of the free concerts organized by city hall at the weekends.

12pm: MUSE THE MODERN

While at Ibrupuera park, visit one or more of the three important museums here. The Museu de Arte Moderna is perhaps the best; a space for some of the more modern artwork produced in Brazil. Their mission is to "collect, study, encourage and diffuse contemporary and modern Brazilian Art, making it accessible to the greatest number of people possible": well worth a visit for travelers at Ibirapuera.

2pm: COOL OFF IN VILA MADALENA

In the afternoon, delve into the cultural and artistic heart of Sao Paulo, with an indispensable look around the district of Vila Madalena. It is here that artists, actors, musicians and designers converge into the numerous galleries and studios of modern and contemporary art. Not only in these conventional mediums can the artistic flair of Vila Madalena be discovered - winding streets and alleyways are adorned with fabulous graffiti created by the most famous of Brazilian artists. Amongst the most visited sites are a record store with 80,000 vinyl and a "green building" which is designed using entirely sustainable concepts - a life form in the midst of a metropolis.

6pm: A MEAL OF ETHNIC PROPORTIONS

After an afternoon of culture, head out for dinner in one of the many authentic ethnic restaurants that Vila Madalena and Pinheiros have to offer. You could try Japenese sushi at Kabuki, classic Italian food at Santa Gula, maybe some spicy Moroccan at Agadir or splash out on some Spanish cuisine at Don Curro. The sheer variety of restaurants here demonstrates the strong influence that the immigrant populations have had on the city.

9pm: NIGHT ON THE TILES

As the night draws nearer, the famous nightlife of Vila Madalena and Pinheiros starts to heat up. Start out in one of the cozy traditional Brazilian bars with beer on tap before heading to whichever club takes your fancy. The district has something for everyone: from jumping dance clubs to sophisticated bars. The only problem here is deciding when to head to bed: the party here goes on all night.

SUNDAY
10am: IN THE CENTER OF A METROPOLIS

On Sunday morning after rush hour, drift over to explore the historical center of town. Although there are not many remains of colonial Brazil here, some sense can be grasped of the history and architectural development of the city. The Monastery of Sao Bento (Saint Benedict) is a mandatory stop, with 17th century architecture restored in the early 1900's in a more Germanic fashion. The monastary is now home to around 40 cloistered monks who follow the routine of work and prayer. For a truly sacred experience, visitors should attend one of the daily masses.
A few blocks away from Sao Bento is the Praça da Sé, which is a wide open plaza containing the magnificent Catedral Metropolitana. Although the current cathedral building only dates to 1954, the site has hosted various churches dating back to the foundation of the city.
A picture postcard of Sao Paulo often includes The Viaduto do Chá (the tea bridge). This is a wide and long viaduct that became the first to be built in the city after it was inaugurated in 1892. It is named for the large crop of Indian tea that was cultivated in the Vale do Anhangabaú district of the city's central zone in which the viaduct is located. Today it is a key artery in the city center, linking what was previously considered to be downtown (Rua Directa) with the now more significant area of Rua Barao de Itapetininga. It is lined with street vendors selling various trinkets. Beneath the Viaduct is the Parque Anhangabaú, a pretty park in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the center.

12pm: REMEMBER THE ROOTS

Round off your 48 hours in Sao Paulo with a look at the oldest building in town, Sao Paulo Igreija de Sao Francisco de Assissi. Originally built in 1647 and renovated a century later, this is one of the few physical remnants of the Portuguese empire that remains standing. This baroque style church is actually home to two separate religious institutions; one is ran by the catholic church whereas the other is controlled strictly by laypeople. The churches play an important role in the community, organizing fundraising events to help to support poor people with food.
By Simon Ross Gill and Matthew Barker

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