Brazil – Land of Samba – bespoketravelguru

Brazil is a country that’s just bursting with excitement and adventure! It’s the land of samba, soccer, and Carnaval – need I say more? From the lush Amazon rainforest to the sunny beaches of Rio de Janeiro, there’s something for everyone. And let’s not forget the delicious cuisine, like feijoada and churrasco, that will have your taste buds dancing samba. Plus, the people are some of the friendliest you’ll ever meet, always ready to share a smile and a cachaça. Come visit Brazil and let’s get our groove on!

Geography

Brazil is a country of incredible diversity when it comes to geography. It’s the largest country in South America and the fifth largest in the world. The Amazon rainforest is the most well-known feature, covering about 60% of the country’s land area, with an unparalleled biodiversity. Along the coast, there are stunning beaches and coral reefs. In the northeast, there are vast sand dunes and colorful cliffs, while in the south there are the lush rolling hills of the Pampas. The country is also home to some of the world’s largest wetlands in the Pantanal region, and the awe-inspiring Iguazu Falls, which is shared with Argentina. With such a diverse landscape, there’s always something new to discover in Brazil.

Cities

Brazil has many tourist cities that are worth visiting, but here are some of the main ones:

Rio de Janeiro: Known as the “Cidade Maravilhosa” (Marvelous City), Rio is famous for its beautiful beaches, vibrant culture, and stunning landmarks like Christ the Redeemer statue and Sugarloaf Mountain. It’s also the birthplace of samba and Carnaval, which are must-see events.
São Paulo: As Brazil’s largest city, São Paulo has something for everyone. It’s a melting pot of cultures with a bustling nightlife, great food scene, and impressive art museums.
Salvador: Located in the northeast, Salvador is a city known for its rich Afro-Brazilian culture, music, and colorful colonial architecture. It’s also home to some of the best beaches in the country.
Florianópolis: Situated on an island off the coast of southern Brazil, Florianópolis is a popular beach destination with a laid-back vibe. It’s also known for its great surf spots and seafood.
Foz do Iguaçu: This city is home to the awe-inspiring Iguazu Falls, one of the largest and most spectacular waterfalls in the world. It’s a popular destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
Brasília: The country’s capital, Brasília is a modern city designed by famous architect Oscar Niemeyer. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to many government buildings and museums.

Each of these cities has its own unique charm and appeal, making Brazil a great destination for a varied and exciting vacation.

Activities and Adventure

Whether its culture, music, food or adventure each of these cities has something to offer.

Rio de Janeiro: You can’t go to Rio without hitting up Copacabana beach for some sun, sand, and samba. But if you want to really see the city from above, take a hang gliding lesson and soar over Sugarloaf Mountain like a boss.
São Paulo: Get your art fix at the São Paulo Museum of Art, or if you’re feeling adventurous, check out the city’s vibrant street art scene. For a truly unique experience, grab a bite to eat at the quirky Japanese food court in the city’s Liberdade neighborhood.
Salvador: Take in the city’s Afro-Brazilian heritage with a visit to the Pelourinho district, where you can watch capoeira dancers show off their moves in the streets. And of course, you can’t leave Salvador without trying some of the local street food delicacies like acarajé and tapioca.
Florianópolis: Hit up Praia Mole for some killer waves and beach vibes, or head to the sand dunes at Joaquina beach for some extreme sandboarding action. And when you’re ready to refuel, be sure to indulge in some fresh seafood at one of the many beachside restaurants.
Foz do Iguaçu: Get your adrenaline pumping with a speedboat ride under the Iguazu Falls, or take a helicopter tour for a bird’s eye view of this natural wonder. And if you’re lucky, you might spot some of the local wildlife, like jaguars and toucans.
Brasília: Take a stroll through the futuristic architecture of the city’s government buildings, or hit up the nearby Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park for some stunning waterfalls and hiking trails. And if you’re feeling brave, try some of the fiery Brazilian chili peppers at a local restaurant – but be warned, they’re not for the faint of heart!

Samba, Cocktails & Dance

Rio de Janeiro is the perfect place to learn samba, drink cocktails, and dance. You can take a samba class at one of the many dance schools throughout the city, such as the Escola de Samba Mangueira or the Centro Cultural Carioca. After your class, head to a local bar or nightclub to try some Brazilian cocktails like the Caipirinha or the Batida, and practice your samba moves on the dance floor.

Lapa, located in the historic center of Rio, is a popular neighborhood for nightlife and is home to many bars and clubs where you can enjoy live music and dancing. Some popular spots include Rio Scenarium, Carioca da Gema, and Lapa 40 Graus.

During the Carnival season, which takes place in February or March, samba schools and blocos (street parties) take over the city and offer a unique opportunity to experience the vibrant samba culture of Rio de Janeiro.

Top Ten Beaches

Here are 10 of the best beaches in Brazil, along with why they’re worth a visit, the overall vibe, and some nearby food options:

Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro: This iconic beach is known for its lively atmosphere and stunning views of the mountains. Grab a caipirinha from one of the beachside vendors and indulge in some grilled shrimp from a nearby food stall.
Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro: Another Rio classic, Copacabana is the place to be for beach parties, live music, and of course, people-watching. Try some classic Brazilian street food like a pastel (fried pastry) or a churros.
Praia do Forte, Bahia: This stunning beach has crystal-clear waters and plenty of natural pools for swimming. The nearby town of Praia do Forte is known for its fresh seafood, so be sure to try the moqueca (Brazilian fish stew).
Jericoacoara Beach, Ceará: This remote beach requires a bit of effort to get to, but the peaceful atmosphere and incredible sand dunes make it worth it. Try some of the local tapioca pancakes filled with cheese or meat.
Pipa Beach, Rio Grande do Norte: Known for its laid-back surfer vibe, Pipa Beach has plenty of waves for surfing or just lounging in the sun. Try some of the local specialty, chambaril (braised beef with manioc).
Praia do Rosa, Santa Catarina: This picturesque beach has calm waters for swimming and plenty of beachfront bars and restaurants. Try some of the local oysters or fish stew.
Praia dos Carneiros, Pernambuco: With its calm, clear waters and coconut tree-lined shores, this beach feels like a true tropical paradise. Try some of the local tapioca crepes filled with sweet or savory toppings.
Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro: This island paradise has numerous secluded beaches with crystal-clear waters, perfect for snorkeling or just relaxing. Try some of the local seafood or the classic Brazilian dish, feijoada (bean stew with meat).
Praia de Canoa Quebrada, Ceará: This bohemian beach town has a lively nightlife scene and plenty of beachside bars and restaurants. Try some of the local seafood dishes like peixe ao molho de camarão (fish with shrimp sauce).
Praia da Pipa, Bahia: This long stretch of beach is perfect for long walks and sunbathing, with plenty of nearby restaurants and bars for refreshments. Try some of the local pastries filled with sweet or savory toppings.

Luxury Accomodation

Below we’ve selected 10 luxury accommodations, spas or hotels in Brazil that offer a unique and luxurious experience:

Fasano Hotel Rio de Janeiro: This stylish and modern hotel in Rio de Janeiro features a rooftop infinity pool with stunning views of Ipanema Beach and the city. The hotel also offers an upscale restaurant and bar with a refined menu of Brazilian and Italian cuisine.
Hotel Unique, São Paulo: The Hotel Unique is known for its distinctive architecture, with a bold, boat-shaped design that offers panoramic views of the city. The hotel features a rooftop pool and bar, a gourmet restaurant, and an indulgent spa.
Belmond Hotel das Cataratas, Foz do Iguaçu: This luxurious hotel is located within the Iguazu National Park and offers unparalleled views of the famous Iguazu Falls. The hotel features a swimming pool, a spa, and gourmet dining options.
Ponta dos Ganchos Resort, Santa Catarina: This exclusive resort is set on a private peninsula with stunning ocean views and features luxurious villas with private plunge pools, a spa, and an upscale restaurant serving fresh seafood and Brazilian cuisine.
Tivoli Mofarrej São Paulo: This sophisticated hotel in São Paulo features a rooftop pool and bar, a gourmet restaurant, and an indulgent spa. The hotel’s rooms and suites are elegantly designed and offer stunning city views.
Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro: This iconic hotel in Rio de Janeiro has been a celebrity favorite since the 1920s, with its luxurious rooms and suites, lush tropical gardens, and stunning pool area. The hotel also features several gourmet dining options.
UXUA Casa Hotel & Spa, Bahia: This luxurious boutique hotel in Bahia offers a unique and authentic Brazilian experience, with its beautifully designed casas (private villas) made from recycled materials and filled with artisanal furnishings. The hotel also features a spa and gourmet restaurant.
Hotel Emiliano, São Paulo: This sleek and stylish hotel in São Paulo features luxurious rooms and suites, a rooftop pool and bar, a spa, and an upscale restaurant serving contemporary Brazilian cuisine.
Kenoa Exclusive Beach Spa & Resort, Alagoas: This exclusive beachfront resort in Alagoas features luxurious bungalows with private plunge pools, a spa, and an upscale restaurant serving fresh seafood and Brazilian cuisine.
Pousada Maravilha, Fernando de Noronha: This luxury eco-resort in Fernando de Noronha features stylish bungalows with ocean views, a stunning infinity pool, a spa, and a gourmet restaurant serving Brazilian and international cuisine.

Dining

Brazilians are social and friendly by nature and they love nothing better than getting together over a good meal. In fact they love it so much we’ve suggested options from fine dining through to local institutions.

Here are 10 restaurants in Brazil that offer a legendary culinary experience:

D.O.M., São Paulo: This acclaimed restaurant serves contemporary Brazilian cuisine using indigenous ingredients and cooking techniques. D.O.M. has been named one of the best restaurants in the world and has received numerous accolades.
Maní, São Paulo: This Michelin-starred restaurant offers a fusion of Brazilian and Japanese cuisine, with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients. The menu features dishes like octopus with mandioquinha puree and cashew salsa, and wagyu beef with soy sauce and bok choy.
Olympe, Rio de Janeiro: This upscale restaurant in Rio de Janeiro offers innovative French-Brazilian cuisine, with a focus on local ingredients. The menu features dishes like Amazonian pirarucu fish with roasted cashew nuts, and beef filet with truffled potato mousseline.
Lasai, Rio de Janeiro: This Michelin-starred restaurant serves contemporary Brazilian cuisine with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients. The menu changes frequently, but might include dishes like grilled octopus with chorizo and sweet potato, or slow-cooked lamb with black garlic and bok choy.
Mocotó, São Paulo: This casual restaurant in São Paulo serves up traditional Brazilian dishes like feijoada (a stew made with black beans and pork), and carne de sol (sun-dried beef). Mocotó has been named one of the best restaurants in the world for its authentic and flavorful cuisine.
Epice, São Paulo: This elegant restaurant in São Paulo serves contemporary French-Brazilian cuisine, with a focus on seasonal ingredients. The menu might include dishes like scallops with butternut squash and ginger, or beef filet with beetroot and horseradish.
Tuju, São Paulo: This Michelin-starred restaurant offers innovative contemporary cuisine with Brazilian flavors and ingredients. The menu changes frequently and might include dishes like black garlic risotto with coconut milk, or suckling pig with pickled pumpkin.
Ovo e Uva, Rio de Janeiro: This cozy wine bar in Rio de Janeiro serves up delicious small plates like grilled octopus with romesco sauce, and roasted bone marrow with sourdough bread. The wine list features a great selection of Brazilian and international wines.
Aconchego Carioca, Rio de Janeiro: This casual restaurant in Rio de Janeiro is known for its delicious bar food, like crispy pastel (deep-fried pastry) filled with shrimp and catupiry cheese, and feijoada croquettes. The atmosphere is lively and fun, with a great selection of beer and caipirinhas.
Casa do Porco, São Paulo: This popular restaurant in São Paulo is all about pork – from the cured meats to the crispy pork belly to the juicy pork burgers. The restaurant also offers an excellent selection of craft beers and creative cocktails.

Casual Dining Drop-Ins

if your looking for a place to eat on the go between activities, here’s some popular places with the locals:

Pão de Queijo: This beloved Brazilian snack is made from cassava flour and cheese, and can be found all over Brazil. Popular chains include Casa do Pão de Queijo and Forno de Minas.
Boteco do Português: This lively bar in São Paulo is known for its traditional bar food, like bolinho de bacalhau (cod fritters) and coxinha (deep-fried chicken croquettes).
Bibi Sucos: This chain of juice bars in Rio de Janeiro offers a wide variety of fresh fruit juices, smoothies, and healthy snacks.
Rei do Mate: This chain of cafés in São Paulo is known for its mate (a traditional Brazilian tea) and for serving a variety of delicious savory and sweet snacks.
Bar do Mineiro: This cozy bar in Rio de Janeiro is known for its feijoada (a traditional Brazilian stew made with black beans and pork) and for its friendly atmosphere.
Casa do Alemão: This iconic café in Rio de Janeiro is famous for its signature snack, bolinho de chuva (deep-fried dough balls sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon).
Frango Assado: This chain of fast-food restaurants in São Paulo is known for its delicious roasted chicken and other tasty grilled dishes.
Pastel da Maria: This casual snack bar in São Paulo is famous for its crispy pastel (deep-fried pastry) filled with a variety of delicious fillings, like cheese, meat, and vegetables.
Bar Lagoa: This historic bar in Rio de Janeiro has been around since 1943 and is known for its excellent caipirinhas, burgers, and sandwiches.
Açaí no Ponto: This chain of açaí (a superfood berry from the Amazon) bars in Rio de Janeiro offers a variety of delicious açaí bowls, smoothies, and other healthy snacks.

Local Food Institutions

Want to try what the locals love ?

Bar do Mané – São Paulo: This popular bar is famous for its traditional dish of virado à paulista, a mix of beans, rice, sausage, and pork.
Casa do Porco – São Paulo: This award-winning restaurant is known for its creative dishes made with pork, including the famous pork sandwich.
Churrascaria Palace – Rio de Janeiro: This iconic steakhouse has been serving up delicious meats since 1951 and is a favorite among locals.
Bar do Gomes – Rio de Janeiro: This traditional bar is famous for its feijoada, a hearty stew made with beans and pork.
Confeitaria Colombo – Rio de Janeiro: This historic bakery and tea room has been around since 1894 and is known for its elegant decor and delicious pastries.
Bar do Peixe – Recife: This casual seafood restaurant is a local favorite and offers a variety of delicious fish dishes.
Café Nice – Salvador: This famous café is known for its hearty breakfasts, including the traditional dish of acarajé, a fried bean cake stuffed with shrimp.
Casa da Moqueca – Salvador: This restaurant specializes in the Bahian dish of moqueca, a seafood stew made with coconut milk and spices.
Caranguejo do Assis – Natal: This seafood restaurant is famous for its crab dishes, including the popular crab meat stew.
Ponto Chic – São Paulo: This historic restaurant is known for its famous sandwich, the Bauru, made with roast beef, melted cheese, and tomatoes.

Best Location to start your Brazil Experience ?

The best city to fly into and use as a starting base for a Brazil holiday depends on the traveler’s itinerary and interests.

If the traveler is interested in exploring the Amazon rainforest, Manaus is a good option, as it is the gateway to the Amazon.

Alternatively if your interested in experiencing Brazil’s vibrant culture and beaches, Rio de Janeiro or Salvador may be a good starting point.

If exploring the country’s history and architecture, São Paulo or Brasília could be good options.

Ultimately, it depends on the traveller’s preferences and itinerary, but Rio de Janeiro is a popular choice as it offers a good mix of culture, history, and natural beauty.

Itinerary Suggestion

A suggested 10-day itinerary that offers a good mix of culture, history, and natural beauty in Brazil:

Day 1-3: Rio de Janeiro Explore Rio’s iconic landmarks such as Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, enjoy the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, visit the colorful neighborhood of Santa Teresa, and experience the lively culture of samba and choro music.

Day 4-5: Salvador Fly to Salvador and immerse yourself in the city’s Afro-Brazilian culture, explore the historic Pelourinho district, visit the São Francisco Church, and enjoy some local Bahian cuisine.

Day 6-7: Chapada Diamantina Fly to Lençóis and explore the stunning natural beauty of the Chapada Diamantina National Park, including the Morro do Pai Inácio lookout, the Blue Pool, and the Cachoeira da Fumaça waterfall.

Day 8-9: Amazon Rainforest Fly to Manaus and embark on a guided tour of the Amazon rainforest, visit local communities, go on wildlife excursions, and experience the unique flora and fauna of the region.

Day 10: São Paulo Fly to São Paulo and visit some of the city’s cultural institutions such as the São Paulo Museum of Art, the Municipal Market, and the Ibirapuera Park.

Of course, this is just a suggested itinerary and can be adjusted to fit individual preferences and time constraints.

Best Time To Go

Here is handy table of average monthly temperatures in Celsius and Fahrenheit for some of Brazil’s top destinations, as well as the best time of year to experience different activities:

Destination	Best Time to Visit	Average Monthly Temperature (Celsius)	Average Monthly Temperature (Fahrenheit)
Rio de Janeiro	September-November & March-May	23-27°C	73-81°F
Salvador	December-March	26-30°C	79-86°F
Chapada Diamantina	June-September	16-22°C	61-72°F
Amazon Rainforest	July-December	27-30°C	81-86°F
São Paulo	March-May & August-November	17-25°C	63-77°F

Best Time for Beaches:

Rio de Janeiro: December-March
Florianópolis: December-March
Jericoacoara: June-September
Fernando de Noronha: August-November

Best Time for Carnival:

Rio de Janeiro: February or March (dates change annually)
Salvador: February or March (dates change annually)

Best Time for Hiking and Outdoor Activities:

Chapada Diamantina: June-September
Iguaçu Falls: November-March
Amazon Rainforest: July-December

Note that weather can vary year to year and these are just general recommendations. Be sure to check the weather forecast before your trip and pack accordingly.

Brazil – Land of Samba