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BrazilCome celebrate life!
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Brazil
Brazil: Contents
BrazilCome celebrate life!
Published byTravelPlus Media
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Come celebrate life!
Brazil
4
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8 10
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Brazil
Salvador
Recife
Rio de Janeiro
NatalFortaleza
Brasília Belo Horizonte
Porto Alegre
InsightWorld Cup Olympic Games
São Paulo
18
WITH AN AREA OF 8.5
million sq kilometres
(3.3 million sq miles)
and a coastline of almost 7,500 km
(4,500 miles), Brazil is the world’s
fifth largest nation in terms of
area. It is larger than all of Europe
combined or the continental
USA, and 35 times larger in area
than the United Kingdom. Brazil
currently has a population of over
190 million, making it the world’s
fifth most populous nation.
There are 18 metropolitan areas in
Brazil with a population of over one
million, of which São Paulo is the
largest with 20.5 million residents
and Rio de Janeiro second with
11.3 million. In short, Brazil is
simply too big to ignore. Due to
its size and population it should
come as no surprise that Brazil
has more than one international
gateway; what may surprise you
is that it is the national carrier of
Portugal, TAP Portugal, that flies
internationally to more cities in
Brazil than any other international
carrier. Currently TAP Portugal
serves São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro,
Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Salvador,
Recife, Porto Alegre, Natal and
Fortaleza from Portugal. Brazil has
a very efficient and sophisticated
domestic airline system that
services these gateway airports
so you can get anywhere in Brazil
quickly and comfortably by air.
Brazil is a fantastic and diverse
destination for both business and
pleasure. For business it is one
Brazil
4
of the world’s largest economies
and markets, both of which are
only likely to grow and develop
in the future. Brazil is home to
the world’s third largest stock
exchange; it is one of the world’s
top eight agricultural producers; it
has the largest healthcare market
in Latin America; Embraer S.A. is
the world’s third largest com-
mercial airline manufacturer;
Brazilians are the largest con-
sumers of luxury products in
Latin America; the country is
the seventh largest producer of
vehicles in the world and 45% of all
energy consumed in Brazil comes
from renewable sources. This
country is not just about business
and commerce however...
Braz
il
Brazil is one of the world’s great
playgrounds and there are
options to suit just about every
taste and budget. It offers modern
cosmopolitan cities, many of
which have their own beach life,
as well as tiny out-of-the-way
villages that have rarely seen a
foreign visitor.
The natural wonders of Brazil are
unrivalled. It is home to over 60%
of the Amazon Rainforest, which
is responsible for generating over
half the planet’s oxygen while
the Amazon River, over 6,760
kilometres (4,200 miles) in length,
pours enough fresh water into the
Atlantic on a daily basis to supply
the entire water needs of the UK
for over two years.
The Amazon is responsible for
a tenth of the world’s 10 million
living species and 30 per cent
of all known plant and animal
species but the planet’s greatest
diversity of bird and wildlife
6
is contained in the Pantanal
Conservation Area, while the
crystal clear waters of the rivers
around Bonito are home to an
astounding 263 species of fish.
The main attraction of the south,
and one of the world’s great natural
wonders, are the waterfalls at Foz
do Iguaçu on the Argentine border.
Five times larger than Niagara the
275 individual falls stretch nearly
3 kilometres (1.8 miles) across
the Iguaçu River. The main fall,
the Devil’s Throat, is the largest
waterfall in the world in terms of
volume of water per second.
Also in the south there are the
great cities of Porto Alegre,
Florianópolis, and Curitiba,
the exceptional beaches of
Santa Catarina and the majestic
highlands of Rio Grande do Sul.
The country currently boasts 17
UNESCO World Heritage Sites as
well as the iconic Rio attractions of
the statue of Christ the Redeemer
and Ipanema and Copacabana
beaches. To these you can add
Carnival, samba, the Brazilian
football team, and perhaps,
most importantly, the Brazilian
people themselves who always
offer a genuinely warm wel-
come to any visitor. Brazil has
many, many highlights just waiting
to be discovered. So what’s
stopping you?
Braz
il
AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN
as Cidade Maravilhosa
“Marvellous City” Rio de
Janeiro does not disappoint.
Whatever your expectations Rio
is more beautiful, breath-taking
and vibrant than any words or
photos can describe. As a major
city Rio de Janeiro has all you
might expect and more. Excellent
restaurants, sophisticated night
clubs, charming bars, musical
extravaganzas, theatres, movie
houses, museums, art galleries,
fashionable stores and world class
sport. As a tropical resort, Rio
offers mile after mile of golden
beaches, near perfect weather the
year round, hotels to appeal to
just about every taste and budget,
folklore, a vibrant music scene and
delicious local cuisine.
In addition, there are the
natural attractions of the city
that have made Rio famous
and celebrated throughout the
world. The mountains and sea
that surround it that have given
this, the world’s largest tropical
city, its unique beauty and it
is these same topographical
features that have dictated how
the city has spread along the
coast and inland since first being
discovered by Europeans in the
early 16th century.
From the summit the of
Corcovado mountain in the
Tijuca Forest National Park the
statue of Christ the Redeemer
looks over the city, Sugar Loaf
mountain and Guanabara bay.
This area of water is so large that
the first explorers assumed it had
to be the mouth of a great river
and called it River of January
or... Rio de Janeiro. Copacabana
and Ipanema may be the best
known of the city’s beaches but
Rio: Rio de Janeiro
8
Rio can boast fifty miles of beach
shoreline. São Conrado beach is
great for surfing and hiking on
the nearby trails while Barra da
Tijuca beach is the longest in the
city and is less crowded; and you
can enjoy the beautiful natural
surroundings of Abrico beach in
the nude if you wish.
Rio is famous for football (soccer)
and the big matches are still
played at the Maracanã Stadium
(as the Estádio Jornalista Mário
Filho is better known), which was
opened for the 1950 FIFA World
Cup and could then handle
crowds in excess of 200,000.
Nearly 60 years on the stadium
is still one of the largest in the
world hosting concerts and other
sporting events and is expected
to host matches during the 2014
FIFA World Cup including the
Final, as well as the opening and
closing ceremonies of the 2016
Summer Olympics.
Rio is one of the most musical cities
in the world. It is the birthplace of
both samba and bossa nova and
and its musicians remain at the
forefront of Brazilian musical trends.
The city’s carnival is also the world’s
biggest and most famous, while
the celebrations on Copacabana
Beach to see in the New Year are
some of the most spectacular,
and not to be missed. Don’t
take our word for it, go and see
for yourself.
9
THE CITY AND STATE OF
São Paulo go to prove that
at times size really does
matter. São Paulo is the largest
city in South America and the
fourth largest urban area in the
world. With a population of 11
million the city is the largest in the
southern hemisphere, while the
metropolitan area’s population of
close to 20 million puts it on a par
with New York and not far behind
the entire population of Australia.
In terms of layout São Paulo has
more in common with Los Angeles
than New York, in that rather than
having one dominating centre
such as Manhattan, it is a sprawling
metropolis with many different
centres of activity. In total, it covers
an area five times that of Paris.
São Paulo is notorious for its traffic
congestion so visitors arriving on
business should check the venues
of their meetings in advance and
book a hotel accordingly to avoid
frustrating hours stuck in traffic.
Happily São Paulo offers the best
and most diverse selection of
hotels in South America with all
the major brands represented and
spread across the metropolis.
If São Paulo is not the actual capital
of Brazil, it is certainly the business
heart of the country and of South
America housing the headquarters
of many major corporations. The
economy of the state of São Paulo
alone is larger than the economy
of any South American country,
so when the business leaders of
São Paulo talk, the region listens
and it is no wonder that the city is
considered an Alpha World City.
The paulistanos (sometimes known
as paulistas) as the residents of
the city are called, are known for
working hard, but also for playing
hard. They know their city does
not have the beauty and charm
of neighbouring Rio, but that is
São Paulo: São Paulo
10
not going to stop them using
their leisure hours to the full,
especially at night. São Paulo’s
nightlife caters for every taste
and budget, as well as every age
group and sexual persuasion.
Bars and clubs abound and the
city is a haven for clubbers, yet
also offers world-class opera and
ballet. On almost any given night
it will be possible to catch leading
international acts and major
Brazilian artistes performing in
the city.
The nightlife of São Paulo is
unrivalled in Latin America and
the same can be said for the
shopping. Shoppers can choose
between traditional shops,
modern shopping centres such as
Iguatemi, Morumbi and Cidade
Jardim, or exclusive boutiques,
the most famous of which are
found in and around Rua Oscar
Freire, the city’s Rodeo Drive.
São Paulo is a truly world class,
cosmopolitan city and prides itself
on its gastronomic excellence,
offering not only the best of
Brazilian cuisine, especially the
churrascarias (or steak houses)
and barbecues, but also a truly
eclectic mix of restaurants serving
dishes from the four corners of
the globe. The city also boasts
world-class museums, art gall-
eries, monuments and parks. Its
sporting credentials include the
Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit at
Interlagos, the São Silvestre Road
Race and, of course, football. The
city will host football matches
during the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
11
THE FIRST EUROPEAN
ships landed in Brazil
in April 1500 at Porto
Seguro in the south of Bahia and
commander Pedro Àlvares Cabral
claimed the land for Portugal.
In 1549 the city of Salvador
was founded on the triangular
peninsula that separates the Baia
de Todos os Santos (Bay of All
Saints) from the Atlantic Ocean. It
is one of the oldest cities in Brazil
and the New World and was the
first colonial capital of Brazil, a
position it held until succeeded
by Rio de Janeiro 1763. For many
years Salvador was the most
important seaport in the southern
hemisphere and a major centre
for the sugar industry and the
slave trade. It was through the
slave trade that the links between
Africa developed as almost five
million West African slaves arrived
and Salvador is now the centre of
Afro-Brazilian culture in Brazil.
Estimates suggest that over
80% of the current population of
Salvador has some trace of Black
African ancestry. It is no surprise,
therefore, that African influences
can be found in the region’s
cuisine, music, dance, dress, arts
and crafts, and even religion. From
Olodum to capoeira, Candomblé
to the typical dress of the Baianas,
the African cultural legacy is there
to be discovered, explored and
appreciated.
The historical centre of Salvador
still contains a wealth of Baroque
colonial architecture dating from
the 17th to the 19th centuries.
At its heart is the Pelourinho
where colonial mansions and
churches have been restored to
their former glory. The entire area
is a UNESCO World Heritage
Site. The week long Carnival in
Salvador rivals the one in Rio for
sheer exuberance and numbers
of participants.
Salvador, like Rio, is a major tourist
attraction in its own right, as well
Salvador: Bahia
12
as being an important centre
of trade. It is the fifth largest
metropolitan area in Brazil, with
a population of 3.6 million, and
the ninth most populous city in
Latin America.
The state of Bahia, which is the
size of France, is a popular holiday
destination for all Brazilians
and a growing number of inter-
national visitors. Bahia’s coastline
stretches over 1,100 kilometres
(685 miles), most of which are
magnificent, untouched beaches
lined by swaying palm trees.
Accommodation is in picturesque
pousadas and inns, or modern
international resort properties.
Popular destinations along the
coast to the south of Salvador
include Porto Seguro, Arraial
d’Ajuda, Trancoso, Itacaré,
Itaparica and Morro de São Paulo.
To the north is Praia do Forte and
Costa do Sauípe.
No less spectacular are the
national parks of the interior of the
state, most notably the Chapada
Diamantina. Created in 1985 it
offers innumerable trails through
spectacular unspoilt scenery. The
Cachoeira da Fumeça at 380m is
the highest waterfall in Brazil: so
high that the water vapourizes
and therefore never hits the
ground. The village of Lençóis,
400 kilometres (250 miles) inland
from Salvador, is considered the
best base for visitors interested
in exploring the natural beauty of
the Chapada Diamantina.
13
FORTALEZA, IN THE NORTH
east, is the seventh most
populous metropolitan area
in Brazil with nearly 3.4 million
inhabitants, making it slightly
larger than metropolitan Curitiba,
and just smaller than Recife.
With an extensive coastline of
over 570 kilometres (350 miles)
of mostly-unspoilt sandy beaches
and near perfect weather all year
round (it is less than 4º south of
the equator), the state of Ceará,
and especially the coastal region
close to Fortaleza, has been a
popular holiday destination for
Brazilians for a number of years.
Fortaleza is the closest of the
major Brazilian cities to Europe,
and flight time between Lisbon
and Fortaleza is around seven
hours: only slightly longer than
the journey between Fortaleza
and Porto Alegre in the south of
the country; this illustrates of the
sheer size of Brazil.
Fortaleza has the nightlife and
infrastructure you might come
to expect from a major holiday
destination, the Monday night
party at Bar do Pirata (on Iracema
beach), being famous or infamous
in its own right for over two
decades. Bars reataurants and
accommodation are plentiful
at the main beaches. Iracema
is lively with a slightly boho
vibe, Meireles beach is popular
with locals and tourists alike; at
Mucuripe you can see jangadas
(traditional fishing boats) and
Futuro beach is regarded as the
best for swimming and surfing.
Further down the coast is Porto
das Dunas, a spectacular beach
and home to what is considered
to be Brazil’s best water park and
the largest aquatic park in South
America. Fortaleza will be a host
city for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Other popular destinations in
Ceará are Canoa Quebrada and
Jericoacoara. Canoa Quebrada is
located 182 kilometres (113 miles)
east of Fortaleza and was once a
sleepy fishing village, but is now
better known for its bohemian
lifestyle and laidback bar and
restaurant scene. Buggy tours are
a popular option and take visitors
along the relatively deserted
beaches to giant dunes backed
by red sandstone cliffs.
Fortaleza: Ceara
14
A trip to Jericoacoara is an
adventure in its own right as the
isolated village is not accessible
by normal vehicles, at least not
the final 23 kilometres which is
across the dunes. It is located over
300 kilometres (186 miles) west
of Fortaleza and is basically five
streets lined by simple houses.
Many visitors are charmed by
the idyllic setting and stay much
longer than intended. There
is accommodation to suit all
budgets from simple pousadas
to boutique hotels. Sitting on the
northern tip of the Ceará coast,
visitors to Jericoacoara can see
both the sun rise and set across
the sea. Untouched beaches, sand
dunes, and freshwater lagoons
surround Jericoacoara. It can also
be one of the windiest spots on
the entire Brazilian coast making it
a mecca for wind and kite surfers.
15
Fly with TAP Portugal from Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester via Lisbon with convenient connections to Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Brasilia, Natal, Porto Alegre, Recife, Salvador, Belo Horizonte, Fortaleza and in conjunction with our partner Airlines, onward flights to all other major Brazilian domestic airports.
With TAP Portugal you can explore the pristine beaches of the north-eastern coastline, uncover the natural wonders of the Iguaçu Falls, feel the vibrant pulse of Brazil’s iconic cities and discover extraordinary wildlife in the rainforest of the Amazon and the wetlands of the Pantanal.
THERE’S ONLY ONE WAY TO DISCOVER THE WONDERS OF BRAZIL
NATAL IS KNOWN AS THE
City of the Sun and is a
major tourist destination
on the northeastern tip of Brazil
but is relatively unknown to most
Europeans. Unlike Salvador and
Recife, Natal was never a major
business or trading centre, and
the sandy soil kept it from being a
producer of sugarcane.
There is no historic centre to speak
of, although one city landmark is
the well-preserved Forte dos Reis
Magos, a five-pointed fort that
dates back to 1598 and the birth
of the city.
Tourists head for Natal for its sun,
sea and sand. The centre of Natal’s
tourist trade is Ponta Negra
beach, where the majority of the
best hotels are located. Visitors
looking for something less built up
will head south to the small fishing
village of Tibaú do Sul which
offers high-end accommodation
and wild beaches, many of them
backed by sea cliffs. Another
popular spot is Praia da Pipa,
well known for surfing and its
restaurants and nightlife, while
Baia Formosa is best known for its
dolphins. No visit to Natal would
be complete without a visit to
the magnificent sand dunes
located a short distance to the
north at Genipabu.
Hire a buggy and driver and set
off on a drive and an experience
that you are unlikely to forget in
a hurry. You can ask the driver to
take you on a ride “com” or “sem
emoção”. That means “with”
or “without emotion”. This will
dictate the height of the sand
dunes the driver will negotiate in
the buggy as well as the speed.
Accidents are few and far
between, and the drivers are
extremely skilful. During the trip
through the dunes you can stop
and take a ride on a camel or learn
to sand-board down the dunes.
Natal: Rio Grande do Norte
17
RECIFE IS THE PORTUGUESE
word for “reef” and it is the
reefs that sit off the coast
of Pernambuco that have helped
make the beaches of the state
so special and sought after: the
reefs helping to break up the
waves rolling in from the Southern
Atlantic Ocean. This includes the
beaches of Recife itself, including
the popular Praia de Boa Viagem.
Recife, the state capital, is not
only a tourist destination but also
an important port and industrial
zone. It is also Brazil’s second
most important centre of medical
excellence with over 400 state-of-
the-art hospitals and clinics.
Recife and neghbouring Olinda
boast a fine collection of colonial
buildings and churches dating
from the 16th and 17th century.
Olinda, one of Brazil’s best-
preserved colonial centres, is
recognised by UNESCO as a
World Heritage Site and its
carnival celebrations, along with
those of Recife, are amongst
Brazil’s most popular and are
driven by the region’s signature
frevo beat.
Like Salvador, Recife grew and
was influenced by its mix of
Portuguese settlers, Amerindians
and the black African slaves. The
city also reflects the influence of
the Dutch settlers who invaded
and controlled Recife and Olinda
from 1630 to 1654. It housed
Brazil’s first Jewish community
and the first synagogue in the
Americas was founded in the
city close to the main docks. It
is still open to visitors. When the
Portuguese and Amerindians
fought back and retook the
city, many of the Dutch Jewish
settlers fled north to set up New
Amsterdam, a city that is better
known today as New York.
The beaches in and around
Porto de Galinhas, a resort
south of Recife, are outstanding
with the added attraction of
being able to visit the reef in
front of the village and swim
Recife: Pernambuco
18
in natural tidal pools teeming
with exotic tropical fish. The
beach has been voted ‘Best
Brazilian Beach’ by a Brazilian
tourism magazine no less than
eight times. The village itself
has terrific character and charm
that is reflected in its bars and
restaurants. Accommodation
ranges from international low-
rise five star resorts to delightful
pousadas and inns.
Other popular areas along the
coast of Pernambuco include
Tamandaré, Itamaracá and, for
surfers, Maracaípe. Inland, the
city of Caruaru is famous for its
traditional handicrafts and Nova
Jerusalém hosts the famous
Paxião de Cristo (Passion Play)
each Easter.
One of Pernambuco’s most
popular destinations is located
354 kilometres (220 miles) off the
coast in the Atlantic Ocean. It is
a 21-island unspoilt archipelago
known as Fernando de
Noronha. The main island is only
10 kilometres long and 3.5 wide
(6 miles by 2) and has a population
of around 3,000. As well as its
outstanding beaches and laidback
lifestyle, Fernando de Noronha
offers the best diving in Brazil.
The diversity of marine life, high
density of dolphins and concerns
for the protection of endangered
species led UNESCO to declare
the islands a World Heritage Site
in 2001.
19
BRASÍLIA IS A PURPOSE
built capital city constructed
in the heart of Brazil for a
country of the future. Today the
city is a UNESCO World Heritage
Site and famous for its daring,
original modernist architecture
and innovative urban planning.
It was Brazil’s 21st president
Juscelino Kubitschek that gave
the go ahead to start construction
as soon as he took office in 1956
and on 22 April 1960 he was able
to inaugurate the city as Brazil’s
new capital. The diplomatic
and political communities had
to transfer from Rio de Janeiro
to Brasília and that gave the
opportunity for many countries to
build state-of-the-art embassies
that reflected the spirit of their
countries. If you view Brasília’s
unique layout as an aeroplane,
the principal government and
public buildings are to be found
in the ‘fuselage’, while the ‘wings’
contain the residential areas along
with a great many of the city’s
bars, restaurants and hotels.
Running through the ‘fuselage’
is the ‘Monumental Axis’ (Eixo
Monumental), which is lined by
the most important government
buildings including the huge
Palácio do Itamaraty that houses
Brazil’s foreign ministry.
The nose of the fuselage is home
to the Houses of Parliament
(Congresso Nacional) and the
office of the president (Palácio
do Planalto). Outstanding
architectural features include
the Congresso Nacional (one of
architect Oscar Niemeyer’s most
famous creations) that consists of
two 28-story-high towers flanked
by the futuristic dome of the
Senate and the ‘saucer’ of the
Chamber of Deputies. Another
Niemeyer masterpiece is the
Metropolitan Cathedral designed
Brasília: Federal District
20
to resemble a crown of thorns.
You can arrange guided tours
of the Congresso Nacional, the
Palácio do Planalto and Palácio
do Itamaraty through good
travel operators and it’s also
possible to watch parliamentary
debates from the public gallery.
The city’s distinctive pyramid-
shaped National Theatre (Teatro
Nacional) is also a very striking
building. Its auditoriums are used
for a wide range of cultural events,
including concerts by Brasília’s
own symphony orchestra. Due to
Brasília’s strategic location, it is
relatively easy for people touring
Brazil to visit, if only for a 24-hour
stop over. Located in the heart
of Brazil, Brasília has excellent
flight connections to Rio and São
Paulo as well as the key cities in
the Northeast.
Flights between Rio, São Paulo
and Manaus (the gateway to the
Amazon) often stop in Brasília.
There are also frequent flights
to Cuiaba, one of the gateways
to the Pantanal, while close by
is the spectacular Chapada dos
Veadeiros National Park.
Brasília is also an important
economic centre because of its
administrative function but other
important industries include
construction and food processing
as well as publishing, printing, and
computer software.
Due to the working nature of
Brasília, visitors will often find
that hotel rates are considerably
cheaper at weekends.
Brasília is a major centre of
spiritualism with many mystical
communities located on the
outskirts of the city and in the
neighbouring state of Goiás.
21
MINAS GERAIS IS ONE
of Brazil’s best-kept
international secrets,
but possibly not for long. Perhaps
being a landlocked state and the
fact that it sits in the shadow of
São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro has
led to it being overlooked.
The state capital, Belo Horizonte,
is a vibrant and modern city with
a lively night scene of bars and
restaurants, especially in the
Savassi and Funcionários districts.
Rua da Bahia, in the city centre, is
also a good place to party with the
locals. Belo, as it is often referred
to, is the third largest city in Brazil.
It is a planned city, laid out in a
grid system, making the centre
easy to get around on foot or by
public transport. The area of the
city known as Pampulha is often
regarded as the early blueprint
for Brasília and the driving force in
the 1940s for its development was
the city’s then mayor, Juscelino
Kubitschek, who became the
country’s president in 1956 and
made the building of the new
capital a priority.
Many of the architects and
landscapers that Kubitschek used
in Pampulha, would go on to work
on Brasília, most notably Oscar
Niemeyer and Roberto Burle
Marx. Pampulha, and Belo in
general, have many outstanding
examples of Niemeyer’s
architectural genius. Pampulha is
also home to the Mineirão, one of
Brazil’s largest football stadiums,
which will be totally refurbished, if
not rebuilt, to host games during
the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Belo Horizonte is just the gateway
to the real treasures of Minas
Gerais. The state has many historic
and colonial towns that sprung
up in the 17th century after the
discovery of gold and precious
stones. Many of the towns have
changed little architecturally
since being first built, so it is no
surprise that a number of them
such as Ouro Preto, Congonhas
and Diamantina are now UNESCO
World Heritage Sites while São
João del Rei, Tiradentes and
Mariana are also of historic
interest. Visitors to these charming
historical towns can stay in a
variety of picturesque pousadas,
inns and lodges in this area.
Belo Horizonte: Minas Gerais
22
THIS SOPHISTICATED AND
prosperous city is at the
centre of the fourth largest
metropolitan area in Brazil and one
of the top cultural, political and
economic centres of the country.
Porto Alegre is the capital of the
state of Rio Grande do Sul and lies
where the delta of five rivers form
the Guaíba Lake at the northern
end of a large freshwater lagoon
known as Lago dos Patos (Lagoon
of the Ducks). The many islands
on the lake form an archipelago
where a unique ecosystem gives
shelter to abundant wildlife.
The city has many parks including
Parque Farroupilha, which, at
37 hectares (91 acres) is the largest
green space within the city and
is a favourite with locals and visitors
but there is also an extensive
Botanical Gardens housing import-
ant scientific and conservation
facilities as well as a museum and
zoo. There are a number of well-
preserved neoclassical buildings to
discover including the Cathedral
Metropolitana.
There is a vibrant arts and music
scene in Porto Alegre and
nightlife to suit everyone. Small,
informal bars with live music
are numerous but there is also
a fashionable and upscale club
scene in the wealthy Moinhos
de Vento area. The Usina do
Gasômetro, a converted 1920s
power station on the banks of the
river has an arts centre as well as
a cafe and a good bookshop.
Within the state of Rio Grande do
Sul in the Serra Gaúcha you will
find the largest wine-producing
centre in Brazil founded by Italian
immigrants in the 1870s. Why not
follow the Rota da Uva e o Vinho
tourist trail and taste the wines
for yourself?
Porto Alegre: Rio Grande do Sul
23
THE 20th FIFA WORLD CUP
will be held in Brazil
between 12 June and 13
July 2014. This is the second time
Brazil has hosted the tournament,
the first being in 1950. It is the
first time two consecutive World
Cups have been held outside
Europe. Brazil has won the tour-
nament a record five times (in
1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002)
and the country has produced
some of the best football players
in the history of the beautiful
game. Of course there will be
fanatical home support but the
Brazil team occupies a special
place in the hearts of millions of
football fans worldwide and they
are often named as supporters’
second favourites after their
own national team! There will be
12 host cities: Rio de Janeiro, São
Paulo, Manaus, Belo Horizonte,
Natal, Fortaleza, Curitiba,
Salvador, Brasilia, Cuiabà, Recife
and Porto Alegre. Each host city
is the capital of its state and all
the main regions of Brazil are
represented to ensure that as
many Brazilians as possible get
the opportunity to attend and to
spread the financial and economic
benefits. The opening ceremony
and first match involving the
Brazilian team will be held at the
newly constructed Arena de São
Paulo (or Corinthians Stadium) in
São Paulo and the final match will
be at the world famous Maracanã
Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
The Brazilian government and
other partners are investing not
only in the construction of new
stadia and the renovation of others,
but in developing the transport
and tourism infrastructure. Around
600,000 visitors are expected
with the hope that when they
see all Brazil has to offer they will
want to return. The tourist board
is launching new advertising
initiatives to show the world all
Brazil’s splendours both natural
and man-made and to encourage
visitors to all regions of the country.
FIFA World Cup: 2014
24
THE IOC ANNOUNCED
in October 2009 that
the Games of the XXXI
Olympiad would be held in Rio
de Janeiro from 5 to 21 August
2016 with the XV Paralympic
Games following from 7 to 18
September. During the Games
representatives of 205 nations
will compete in 28 sports in over
30 competition venues in the
city. The Paralympic Games will
involve more than 4,200 athletes
competing in 22 sports. It is the
first time the Olympics have been
held in South America and Rio’s
intention is that the organisation
and infrastructure will be in
place for the Games through
the upgrading and extending
of existing stadia as well as the
provision of new facilities.
Rio, as the most visited city in the
southern hemisphere, already has
an extensive road, rail and metro
network that will be enhanced
by the extension of Metro Line
1 and provision of new stations
and improved traffic flow through
the creation of new transport
corridors. More than 100,000
people will be involved in the
organisation of the Games, of
which 70,000 will be volunteers.
The breath-taking natural surround-
ings of Rio complement its cultural
and recreational facilities and all
are enhanced by the joie de vivre
that inspires the cariocas (those
born in Rio) and those lucky
enough to visit the city.
On 12 August 2012, at the
2012 Summer Olympics closing
ceremony, Mayor Eduardo Paes
received the Olympic Flag, via
Jacques Rogge, President of the
IOC from London’s Mayor Boris
Johnson and Rio officially became
the Olympic City.
The motto of Rio 2016 is ‘Viva sua
paixão’ or ‘Live your Passion’ and
this extraordinary city invites you
to the biggest party on the planet.
Olympic Games: 2016
25
ACCOMMODATIONBrazil offers an excellent selection of
accommodation to suit every taste and
pocket. Large cities have a wide range
of hotels that include everything from
the budget brands, deluxe international
properties, to privately owned boutique
properties and even youth hostels. Tourist
areas offer the option of large, sophisticated,
all-inclusive resort properties belonging
to internationally known brands, Brazilian
chain hotels, as well as small, privately
owned establishments, the pousadas, that
may only have two or three rooms and be either
very simple and rustic or super sophisticated.
International brands operating in Brazil
include Golden Tulip, Grand Hyatt, Hilton,
Iberostar, Ibis, Inter-Continental, Marriott,
Mercure, Novotel, Orient-Express, Pestana,
Sofitel, Sol Meliá, Starwood and Superclubs,
while Brazilian hoteliers include Atlântica,
Blue Tree, Fasano, Othon, Transamérica,
Tropical and Windsor. Price in Brazil is the
best indication to the degree of comfort you
can expect, the facilities that go with it, and
the location.
AIRPORTSMost international flights land at the main
airports of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro
where there are connecting flights to most
other major Brazilian cities. Rio and São
Paulo have their main international airports,
as well as smaller airports closer to the city
centre which are used for the air-shuttle
between the two cities and a number of other
short regional services. Rio’s airports are
Galeão (GIG) for international and domestic,
and Santos Dumont (SDU) for the shuttle;
while São Paulo’s are Guarulhos (GRU) for
international and domestic, Congonhas
(CGH) for the shuttle. TAP Portugal is unusual
in that it offers direct flights from Lisbon not
only to São Paulo and Rio but also to Belo
Horizonte, Brasília, Fortaleza, Natal, Recife
and Salvador.
CLIMATE90% of Brazil is within the tropics, but
more than 60% of the population live in
areas where altitude, sea winds, or polar
fronts moderate the temperature. Plateau
cities such as São Paulo, Brasília and Belo
Horizonte have milder climates averaging
19°C (66°F). Rio, Recife, Natal and Salvador
on the coast have a warmer climate that
is balanced by the Trade Winds. Rio, for
example, has an average temperature of
around 26°C (80°F) that climbs into the
low 40s (around 100°F) during the summer. In
the southern Brazilian cities of Porto Alegre
and Curitiba, the climate is similar to parts
of Europe, with frosts occurring in the winter
months (July – August). Summers are hot. In
Brazil the seasons are the reverse of those in
Europe and the US: Spring: 22 September to
21 December Summer: 22 December to
21 March Autumn: 22 March to 21 June
Winter: 22 June to 21 September.
CUSTOMS & IMMIGRATIONAt immigration non-Brazilians will have their
passport, visa (if required) and any other
immigration formalities checked. Like most
airports, the airports in Brazil have separate
lines for national passport holders and
foreign visitors. Foreign passport holders
should make sure they get their passports
stamped. Visitors who miss getting the stamp
will have to get clearance from the Federal
Police to leave the country.
DRESSBrazilians, even in the major cities, dress casually
outside the office. None of the top restaurants
insist on collar and tie, although the occasional
club does. Collar and tie still predominate in
formal office and business surroundings in São
Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Brasília.
Brazil: Insight
26
DRINKThe legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages
in Brazil is 18. Brazil produces or imports most
of the major international brands. Brazilian
beer is a light lager that is served in draught
form (chopp) or bottled. The national drink
is cachaça, made from crushed sugar cane,
which is the basis of the popular caipirinha.
Soft drinks are equally popular including
Brazil’s own Guaraná. Brazil is, of course, the
world’s largest coffee producer.
LANGUAGEThe language of Brazil is Portuguese. Spanish
and English are the most widely understood
foreign languages.
MONEY, BANKS & CREDIT CARDSThe Brazilian monetary unit is the real,
(plural, reais). There are 100 centavos (C)
to the real (R$). The official exchange rate
is published daily in the newspapers. The
US dollar and increasingly the Euro are the
most widely accepted foreign currencies.
In the main cities there is little problem in
changing other currencies, such as pounds.
There is also an extensive network of ATMs
at which visitors can use their cash or
credit cards to withdraw reais. Most major
international credit cards are accepted
in Brazil. The most widely accepted are
MasterCard and Visa. The majority of the
major banks are Brazilian, but many foreign
banks have an agreement with one or more
of the major players.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYSAs well as the national public holidays listed,
individual states and cities also have their
own separate holidays. National Holidays:
1 January (New Year’s Day); February/March
(Carnival); Good Friday; 21 April (Tiradentes);
1 May (Labour Day); Corpus Christi;
7 September (Independence Day);
12 October (Our Lady of Aparecida);
2 November (All Souls Day); 15 November
(Proclamation of the Republic); 25 December
(Christmas Day).
RESTAURANTSEating out is one of the many joys of visiting
Brazil. Brazilians enjoy their food and eating
out is often the main focus of the evening.
Brazil offers a huge diversity of culinary
delights and influences including a wide
variety of regional culinary styles, most
notably those of Bahia and Minas Gerais.
There is a clear influence in the cuisine of
Brazil of its early discoverers, the Portuguese.
Other visitors have also left their mark,
including the French, Spanish and Dutch.
The West African slaves also had an impact,
especially on the cuisine of the northeast.
More recent immigrants have also had a say
on how Brazil eats, especially those from Italy,
Germany and Japan.
SAFETY & SECURITYBrazil, including the main cities of Rio,
Salvador and São Paulo, is no more
dangerous than anywhere in Europe or
North America and violent crimes against
tourists are rare, hence the headlines if they
do happen. Brazil is politically stable with no
natural enemies and no terrorist activities.
Being sensible and streetwise is the key to a
trouble-free and enjoyable stay.
TIMEThe time in the areas of Brazil most popular
with foreign visitors is generally three hours
behind Greenwich Mean Time. This is true
of Rio, São Paulo, Brasília, Bahia, Minas
Gerais. Brazilian “summer time” runs from
October until mid-February. During this
period, clocks in Brazil go forward one hour
in most of the southeast. If in doubt check:
www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/
TIPPINGMost hotels add a service charge to the bill,
usually 10%. Most restaurants also add 10% or
more to the total of the bill, but must make it
clear that they have done so as they are not
meant to. Brazilians don’t normally tip taxi
drivers, although they may round the total up.
27