Brazil Travel Guide
Information • Advice Tips

From: South America Travel Guide

See also: Brazil Travel Information • Brazil Travel Tips • Brazil Travel Advice • Brazil Festivals and Events 2013-2014


Brazil
South America's largest country is incredibly diverse and bursting with both natural and man made landmarks, which combined with its vibrant cities and renowned ecosystems make it one of the most unique and unmistakable places on earth whose enthusiasm for life can be found within its every corner.

Weather
Brazil's climate varies according to the region and time of year with much of the south following a four season pattern while the rest of the country split into two main seasons of a wet summer season which runs from September through to March with November through to March often the wettest months which are particularly strong in areas such as the Amazon and Pantanal and a warm dry winter season which runs from March to November.

Travel Guide
Due to Brazil's huge expanse it is often easier and a lot quicker to travel any long distances by plane, however if you prefer to travel by bus then there are plenty long distance busses available, however comfort levels vary considerably as do the road conditions and driving etiquette!

Brazil Festivals and Events
There are plenty of festivals and events taking place throughout the year with events such as Brazil's world renowned Carnivals to cultural, historic and religious events which are enjoyed with an infectious enthusiasm that's hard to beat... more about Brazil Festivals and Events

Shopping Guide
There are plenty of shopping opportunities in Brazil from bustling street markets and boutiques to cities bursting with shops and large scale malls that offer a wide range of hand crafted products as well as many well known designer labels. Rio de Janeiro is well known for its upmarket shops with many located around Ipanema and Leblon.

Popular products available include traditional arts, crafts, leather goods and items of jewelry which are often excellent in the state of Goais where plenty of handcrafted necklaces using gem stones and crystals can be found. Brazil's northeast especially around Fortaleza is well known for it traditional lace making craft with plenty of markets and shops selling all manner of lace products from delicate clothes to tablecloths, with the added bonus that you can often watch the lace makers hard at work creating their product.

Brazil Regions
The shear size of Brazil allows for an incredibly varied topography from the dense Amazonas region to the Pantanal Wetlands and on to sublime coastal islands dotted with coral reefs. Brazil's cities each offer their own unique characteristics from the energetic Rio de Janeiro with its historic landmarks, to Fortaleza, the bustling coastal city and on to the country's Capital which is filled with modern architecture around just about every corner of its beautifully planned layout:

Brazil Adventure Travel
The shear size of Brazil opens up the door for a number of adventure activities which can include abseiling close to formidable waterfalls, cave diving, white water rafting, surfing, kite boarding, snorkeling, horseback riding and of course trekking which can be enjoyed throughout Brazil and in particular through one of the most famous ecosystems in the world... more about Adventure Travel

Cuisine Guide
Brazil has a varied cuisine that varies with each region, the cuisine is often hearty and fresh with plenty of meat and fish dishes often accompanied by rice, beans, salads and vegetables from the region.

Feijoada is considered to be Brazil's national dish and is a healthy stew traditionally made using beef and pork with several parts of the animal used such as the tongue, ribs, ears and loins along with black beans, the finished stew is often served with rice and collard greens/couve and is usually served at the weekend or on special occasions, although some restaurants serve it more frequently.

In the south barbecued dishes of meat and fish are somewhat of a speciality as is the dish known as Barreado which is a meat stew served with a fried banana and rice.

In north Brazil the Amazon plays an important role in cuisine producing dishes like Vatapa which is a colourful mixture of shrimp, coconut milk, bread and peanuts often served with rice.

A popular dish found along the coast is Moqueca which is a seafood stew which contains tomatoes, onion and peppers and is often served with rice, variations of the dish include the addition of coconut milk, either olive or palm oil.

Brazil's national cocktail is called Caipirinha and is a combination of sugar, caghaca and lime often served over ice, variations of the drink often include the addition of fruit juices such as passion fruit, strawberry and pineapple.


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