Brazil holiday experts at WEXAS will tailor-make all aspects of your itinerary to create a Brazil holiday, personal to you.
Think about Brazil, the world’s the largest tropical country, for a moment and you’ll be thinking of pristine beaches, dense rainforest, world class football and that party capital – Rio de Janeiro.
If your heading for some adventure on your holiday options include heading into the Amazon rainforest by taking a boat trip up river from Manaus, jumping on the back of a horse and explore the Pantanal, taking to the seas for a spot of whale watching by Santa Catarina, or strapping on some scuba gear for some diving off the ever-popular Fernando de Noronha island.
If your hoping to get away from it all though, head south to Santa Catarina, a quiet state and home to small cities and beaches. But to see the true spirit of Brazil you must spend some time in the major cities Sao Paolo and Rio. There’s simply no other city like Rio – Christ the Redeemer surveys the city from Corcovado mountain, Sugarloaf mountain rises out of Guanabara Bay, the beaches – Copacabana and Ipanema – have songs written about them, and their Carnival, held 40 days before Easter, is the biggest street party in the world.
Contact a Brazil expert to prepare a personal itinerary and a no-obligation quote.
Brazil tailor-made holiday highlights
Rio de JaneiroThe spectacular harbour, dominated by Sugar Loaf Mountain and the statue of Christ the Redeemer on top of the Corcovado peak, leaves you in no doubt the city deserves its tag of cidade maravilhosa, 'the marvellous city'. Magnificent views of the city are gained from the Corcovado peak, reachable by cog train. The beaches of Copacabana (home to 24-hour entertainment) and Ipanema (especially popular with young people) are its other famous landmarks, reflecting various lifestyles and fashions. A rich collection of museums give a strong insight to the country, its people and culture.
The Pantanal & The Amazon rainforestThe vast wetlands of the Patanal are home to the most dense concentration of fauna in the world, 270 bird species, jaguars, ocelots, capybaras, monkeys - and much more. The magnificent Amazonian rainforest itself is of course famous for its diversity of both flora and fauna and hosts 15,000 species, including sloths, armadillos and manatees. Some areas are yet to be explored.
Salvador da BahiaSplit into upper and lower sections. Cidade Alta is perched atop a 50 metre high cliff, linked to Cidade Baxia by steep streets, a funicular railway and the grand Art-Deco Elevador Lacerdo. Home to many museums, palaces and churches.
Iguazu FallsThese spectacular 70-metre high waterfalls see 5,000 cubic metres of water fall per second.
People & place
Brazil facts
Capital: Brasilia
Language: Portuguese.
People: Highly diverse population including Portuguese and African descendants, more recent Italian and Japanese immigrants and indigenous Indian groups.
Religion: Mainly Roman Catholic.
Size (sq km): 8,547,404.
Population: 190,010,647.
Population density/sq km: 22.23
Etiquette
Normal European courtesies observed. Offers of tea and coffee are customary. Smoking is accepted. The Catholic Church is highly respected.
Shopping
Precious stones (emeralds), jewellery, antiques, crystal, and pottery available in SÃ¥o Paulo. Belem has jungle items for sale.
Food & drink
A Rio de Janeiro favourite is feijoada (a thick stew of black beans, beef, pork, sausage, chops, pigs ears and tails). A typical Bahain dish is vatapa (shrimps, fish oil, coconut milk, bread and rice). In the northeast dried salted meat and beans are the staple diet. The national drink is caipirinha, based on the phenomenally strong whisky liqueur cachaça, mixed with sugar, ice and limes.
International Airports
Brasilia International (BSB), 11 km from the city, Rio de Janiero (GIG), Sao Paulo (GRU).
Internal travel
One of the largest internal air networks in the world, although not always reliable. A Brazil Airpass saves money is offered by the three main airlines. It gives five domestic flights within a 21-day period. Rail services, have scaled down to almost nothing. However, it's worth taking the train between Curitiba and Paranaguá for the views of the coastal mountain range. Extensive road network. Car hire available in major centres.
Red tape
Visas
(UK/US) Required by all apart from UK.
Vaccinations
BCG, Cholera, Diphtheria, Hep. A, Hep. B, Malaria, Rabies, Typhoid, Y. Fever3 (See p649)
Driving requirements
International Driving Permit.
Reps in UK/US
UK: 32 Green Street, London W1K 7AT, tel (020) 7399 9000, fax (020) 7399 9100, email info@brazil.org.uk. US: 3006 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20008-3634, tel (202) 238 2700, fax (202) 238 2827.
UK/US reps in Brazil
UK: Sector de Embaixadas Sul Quadra 801, Conjunto KCEP 70200-010, Brasilia, tel (61) 3329 2300 email contact@uk.org.br US: Avenida das Nacnoes, Quadra 801, Lote 3, 70403-900 Brasilia, tel (61) 3312 7000, fax (61) 3225 9136.
Currency
Real (R$) = 100 centavos.
Finance
Most international credit cards and traveller's cheques are accepted.
Business hours
0900-1800 Mon-Friday.
Safety & life expectancy
Safety information
eware of petty crime (theft, pickpocketing). Outbreaks of Yellow Fever and Dengue Fever.
Life expectancy
Life expectancy: M 67.74, F 75.85.
Useful websites for travel
www.brazil.org.uk www.brasilemb.org, www.brazilny.org www.embaixada-americana.org.br, www.ipanema.com.
Local media
International newspapers and magazines are available, Rio Visitor is an English-language publication in Rio de Janeiro, The Brazil Post is a global Brazilian news service.
Tourist boards
n/a.
Below is a selection of some ideas for holidays to Brazil. This is simply a taste of what we can offer. If you're interested in a specific Brazil itinerary then please call one of our consultants on 0845 643 6548.
Let your passion for adventure lead you southward to lands of stunning natural wonder. The varied itineraries and epicurean pleasures of 6-star cruise line, Silversea, allow you to discover far more of South America than is possible on an overland trip....
More information »
The Amazon has all the fame and glory but if youre looking for wildlife you should head to the Pantanal. Theres less vegetation so the chances of spotting the different species are much greater....
More information »
The hotels surrounded by unspoilt natural rainforest and 3km of empty beach in an unforgettable setting, half way between Rio and São Paolo. The road stops at the beach where youre met by the hotel staff and guided the final 250m to the hotel, hidden in...
More information »
Helicopter tour of Rio de Janeiro....
More information »
Rio de Janeiro is a bustling and lively city that is arguably one of the most beautiful in the world. The setting is magnificent: between a curvaceous coastline and towering granite peaks. The view from the top of Corcovado, where the white statue of Christ st...
More information »
... 
Join Seven Seas Mariner on this 2012 special offer luxury cruise... 
