Brazil: Journey to the 4 corners of the country (part 2)
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Iguaçu Falls
The famous Iguaçu Falls, a UNESCO natural wonder, straddle the border between Argentina and Brazil. They’re huge and can be seen in every country, and as long as you’re so far away from it all, I suggest you spend a day on each side.
A large part of the falls are in the Argentinean’s, but for my part I prefer the view that the Brazilians have. No visa is required for Canadians in Argentina. Paths and footbridges will allow you to observe them from different angles.
I also tried the experience of taking a zodiac close to the falls to feel the power and leave completely soaked. I found it worthwhile and would recommend it.
Transportation
Personally, I visited them from Argentina, but there is an airport on the Brazilian side for the falls area.
Chapada Diamantina
Located in Bahia, this verdant region of breathtaking scenery is a dream come true for lovers of the outdoors and nature. Rocky plateaus, mountains, canyons, waterfalls, caves and underground rivers will take at least 3 days to discover. For a more “hippie-ish” atmosphere: hire a local guide who will plan one-day or multi-day excursions tailored to your needs.
Personally, I dealt with Rodolfo who owns the Diamantina native guides Agency. He was reliable and spoke English well, and he was learning French. More importantly, he knew what was worth seeing, as some of the falls were dry at the time I was there.
To see
My favourites are hard to choose because everything was worth it, but don’t miss:
- the blue cave;
- the mountain with a typical “postcard” view, Pai Inacio;
- to slide down the Mucugezinho River.
Transportation
To get to the region, take a domestic flight to Salvador de Bahia, and then a bus to Lencois. Duration: 6 hours. In Lencois, everything is done on foot.
Jericoacoara
An exceptional seaside resort, Jericoacoara is unique because of its location on the seashore surrounded by dunes.
As there are no roads up to here, you’ll have to sit in a shared” dune buggy” that doubles as a cab.
Its sandy streets, magnificent beaches, dune exploration activities and wind paradise for windsurfing and kitesurfing will charm you.
A great atmosphere is guaranteed in the evenings, thanks to restaurants with terraces, open-air bands, bars and discos on the beach.
Transportation
Take a domestic flight to Fortaleza and then arrange private or shared transportation to your hotel in Jericoacoara. On the spot, you can move on foot.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $120 |
Lencois Maranhences
National park with unusual landscapes. You will find yourself in the middle of the desert, sailing among sand dunes and lagoons. You’ll even have the chance to take a dip. The vastness of the territory will make you feel tiny. Must be discovered with the help of a guide.
Transportation
From Jericoacoara, take private transport to Barreirinhas, where most of the excursions start. Alternatively, take an internal flight to Sao Luis and deal with an agency that will take you there and back.
Manaus
Manaus is the place to start if you want to experience the Amazon jungle. Various agencies offer multi-day excursions with accommodation in private or shared huts.
On your way to the jungle, you will be able to see the junction between the Amazon River and the Rio Negro. The colour demarcation is obvious.
Get ready, because it’s like a sauna you can’t get out of in the jungle! It is still possible to go and cool off in the river… with caimans, piranhas and anacondas!
I found the experience interesting, but I expected to see more animals. We mostly saw different insects and plants, lots of birds, caimans, and piranhas, and we fished for them.
Transportation
Take a domestic flight to Manaus and book an excursion with a travel agency. I chose Amazongero.com and got good service.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $150 |
Advice
A visa is required for Brazil but has been simplified in recent years. If you’re thinking of taking a day trip to Argentina to see the Iguaçu Falls, make sure the visa is multi-entry.
Safety: Brazil is a country of great social inequality and poverty. Don’t tempt the devil by wearing jewelry or valuables. When you arrive in a city, ask your accommodation about places to avoid. I have always followed their advice and have not had any problems, even when traveling alone. Usually, even people on the street will tell you if you shouldn’t be there. If you are passing through Salvador, do not go out on the street after 6pm.
In Rio de Janeiro, there are free guided walking tours. They give good advice for the rest of the trip. I liked the company strawberrytours.com which offers tours in several countries.
Transportation: I find that sometimes, travel agencies exaggerate the danger of Brazil in order to sell private transportation or all-inclusive tours. Go with your comfort level and judgment, but in the city during the day, there are many things you can do on your own. On the other hand, indeed, some long-distance routes are poorly served, and you’ll have no choice but to take private transport.
Popular purchases in Brazil include bikinis, Havaianas and Cachaça.
Brazilian food to try: Everywhere you look, you’ll see bowls of iced acai (a small purple fruit) and pao de quejo (cheese bread), which make excellent snacks. My favourite dish is the Picanha, a cut of beef that is not used here. Coupled with a Caipirinha cocktail and a brigadero treat for dessert, it’s the total Brazilian experience!
Reward points in Brazil
My last trip to Brazil earned me a lot of points Aeroplan by flying with Copa Airlines from Montreal to Rio de Janeiro. Note that Air Canada also flies to Brazil. I also racked up points on my internal flights with GOL airlines.
Recently, we received the good news that another local airline has joined the Aeroplan program, Azul Airlines.
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