Brazil - Land of Carnival, Beaches & Natural Beauty
(COVID-19 Update as @ 16 Apr 2021):  Brazil's air borders are currently open for tourism, but the country has been badly affected by the COVID pandemic.  We do not recommend visiting until a greater percentage of the population and fellow travellers are vaccinated, likely to extend to Sep/Oct 2021 in time for the start of the "Austral Summer"  ​(for MORE see links on Travel Advice below).
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​Brazil, land of magnificent beaches; home of the Amazon, feeding vast tracts of rainforest and great numbers of the world's rarest species; and host of the world's most sensuous and famous Carnaval, it offers an astounding variety of natural wonder, rhythm and cultural that is unbeatable!
​Over 15 times the size of France* or California**, the distances are HUGE!  As the world’s largest country in the tropics, the only limit to a journey here is your imagination!
(* Metropolitan France - 550,000 km2; ** California - 424,000 km2)
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​One of the four officially recognized "megadiverse" nations in South America*,  setting the stage in Brazil are idyllic, palm-covered islands, pristine stretches of coastline fronting emerald seas, and jewel-box colonial towns framed against verdant peaks – yet all this is found in just one state!  Throughout the other 26 states of Brazil lie dazzling gold-mining towns, futuristic cities of the interior, major natural parks, and 18th-century villages whose soul is more African than South American.
(* 17 "megadiverse" countries recognized globally by Conservation International in 1988 for hosting the highest number of Earth's species)
Unique Destinations recommends the following four different experiences to be enjoyed in this huge and varied country:
  • ​FIRST, we STRONGLY recommend that wildlife lovers should visit Brazil's mighty  Amazonia ​(1) or "Pantanal"(4), each unique reserves like no other. 
  • SECONDLY, in a series of outstanding destinations that are best summed up as "Brazil, Best Beaches, Sea & Sun", we have found stunning locations in remote and beautiful places such as Fernando de Noronha Island ​(2), Rio (of course!) (5), nearby Ilha Grande ​(6), and other great resorts like Florianopolis ​(9), where  railway enthusiasts can also travel on the iconic train to Curitaba (8).   Along this same shore stretches the unique Atlantic Rainforest (Mata Atlantica), sadly now only 20%  of what it was, home to similarly rare and unique flora and fauna.
  • THIRDLY, for Brazilian "Music & Rhythm", what beats the Rio ​Carnival?  (NB.  Rio Carnival 2021 has been called off, the first time since 1912, due to the COVID crises).  The Carnival normally starts on the Friday before Lent, and ends on the following Saturday.  For good hotels and your Samba costume, book before October of the preceding year to avoid disappointment.  Otherwise, join a capoeira class in Salvador la Bahia (3) at any time of the year.  Enjoy ​Musical Brazil! 
  • FINALLY, for an experience that caused Eleanor Roosevelt to exclaim "Poor Niagara!" when she first saw it, not much matches the IMPACT of the mighty ​Iguacu Falls! (7)  Take 3 days to see both sides, from both Argentina & Brazil.
TRAVEL ADVICE & HEALTH   Despite a history of very high, violent, crime associated with poverty and narcotics, most visits to Brazil are trouble free, but it has still been accorded a Level 2 rating from the US State Department - Exercise Increased Caution!  Most crime is associated with organized crime and drugs, involving people from the poor districts (favelas) in the main cities, including attacks onboard the public transport systems, at popular tourist spots (beaches, etc), and after sunset.  A particularly high level of violence is often involved, and armed robbery is on the increase. Tourists have also been targeted after visiting ATMs, or defrauded by scams involving criminals posing as local authorities.  There are also risks that can occur on demonstrations and other political assemblies, and when approaching the border areas with neighbouring countries, especially with Venezuela.  For CURRENT DETAIL click HERE (UK) for current UK FCO advice, or HERE (US) for US State Department guidance.   There are also health risks when visiting "hot" Amazonia, particularly from Yellow Fever and Zika.  Both links above give advice on HEALTH issues, and additional information can be obtained from the (US) Centre for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) - click HERE.