Brazil often has a bad reputation, especially when it comes to safety. “Be careful in Brazil, it’s notorious for pickpockets!” That’s what everyone said when we told them that Brazil was a part of our six-month trip across South America. However, after having spent 40 days in Brazil we can assure you that it’s a country with the friendliest of people, stunning nature, extremely delicious fruit and, to top it all off, we never once felt unsafe there. We were actually deeply impressed by Brazil. We saw so much and experienced so many beautiful things! That’s why we’ve decided to share a couple of our favourite and most beautiful places in Brazil:
Our journey through Brazil started in the southernmost part of the country, which is home to the hidden Serra Geral National Park. I used the word “hidden” here because it’s a very little-known part of Brazil, and wrongfully so, because it’s a truly unique part of the country. Serra Geral National Park is home to a canyon that is 900m deep. It’s hard to imagine how deep and fascinating it really is until you see it with your very own eyes. Especially if you get the chance to sit on the edge and look down.
Ilha de Santa Catarina translates as Island of Saint Catherine. It boasts the most beautiful beaches in southern Brazil. Praia Lagoinha do Leste was our favourite. It’s an hour’s walk to the beach, but when you finally get there, an amazingly beautiful stretch of coastline unfolds before your eyes that’s worth every drop of sweat. And when you climb up the top overlooking the beach and sit on the cliff that juts out into the precipice, you realise you’ve found your very own little paradise on Earth with a “drop-dead” gorgeous view.
Our second favourite beach is located near Barra da Lagoa, which we used as a base during our stay on Ilha de Santa Catarina. HI Barra da Lagoa Hostel has an excellent location (it’s only a couple of minutes from a gorgeous sandy beach) and offers delicious breakfast with plenty of tropical fruit, as well as comfort that is much needed by travellers. The closest beach is beautiful but packed with people during the day. That’s why we decided to walk on a little further, all the way to the natural pools or Piscinas Naturais Barra da Lagoa where the waves of the Atlantic Ocean are gentler due to a rocky shelter. This is an ideal place to watch the fish that found their home in the pools and to casually swim in the gentle ocean waves.
You absolutely must visit this famous city. Every traveller probably dreams about visiting the massive statue of Jesus, which stands high above the city, and jumping in the waves at the famous Copacabana beach. The feeling when you’re standing below the statue and looking out over Rio de Janeiro with Jesus truly is fantastic. The view is amazing. You can feel the wind in your hair and smell the sea and the humid forest. Ah, you quickly forget that you’re in a city of millions. One of our favourite things in the city we’d also like to mention is The Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading and the Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro. Even though the cathedral has a very modern looking exterior, the stained glass creates a soft light that makes its interior quite pleasant. The best part of our Rio experience was, of course, the city’s famous carnival and we think everyone should experience it at least once in their lifetime. Dances, costumes and music. In short, the whole experience of samba-school parades at the carnival is so intense and full of energy and rhythms it would cheer up even the gloomiest people. Even if you’re not a fan of samba, your hips start moving to the rhythm. Truly an unforgettable experience.
Since we wanted to be as close to the action as possible, we contacted HI CabanaCopa Hostel and arranged to stay there. The hostel is located in Copacabana and is therefore a great place to experience the city. There was also a free costume rental during the carnival, so we could dress up in something differrent for each carnival party.
Brasília is the capital of Brazil and its construction was planned approximately 60 years ago. The reason behind the construction of the new city was to move the former capital out of Rio de Janeiro in order to limit the burden on the city. Most travellers don’t visit the capital when in Brazil because they assume it has nothing special to offer. But if you have even the slightest interest in architecture, then this is the place for you. The city is shaped like an airplane. The central part – the fuselage – is the main avenue where all the administrative and office buildings are located (e.g. the congress and all the ministries), while the residential areas, shopping centres, the hospital and primary care centres, as well as places of worship, are located on each side of the avenue – in the wings of the airplane.
As a general rule of thumb, the further north you travel the friendlier the people. Southern Brazilians are already extremely friendly, but the capital is where the boundless Brazilian friendliness could truly be felt. For instance, the owner of HI Hostel Plan gave us so much fruit from his own garden we could barely carry all of it. What I mean is, he gave us one big bag of avocados and another bag of coconuts, mangoes and various other types of fruit.
Chapada Diamantina is one of Brazil’s larger and more impressive national parks. It boasts the highest waterfall in the country, the Fumaça Waterfall with its 340m fall, as well as a very diverse and dynamic landscape. This is a land of many canyons, even more numerous waterfalls and turquoise water caves. In addition to all the natural beauty, it’s also the part of the country where the demographic transition can be noticed. Southern Brazil is mainly populated by the descendants of Europeans, while the northern part of the country is predominantly populated by the descendants of African slaves who worked in coffee and sugar cane plantations, as well as in mines. Villages near Chapada Diamantina therefore look completely different and give you an impression that you’re in Africa. We stayed at HI Palmeiras near the national park. The hostel is the best example of African architecture in this part of the country. And it wasn’t just the hostel’s design, the furnishings and decor were also a reminder that the kind lady, the owner of the hostel, had African roots.
Are you craving for sandy beaches full of palm trees and crystal-clear sea? These types of beaches are of course abundant in Brazil, but the one that really stands out is Praia do Espelho, thought to be one of the country’s most beautiful beaches. But due to its slightly remote location it isn’t so easily accessible, which is why it has remained a hidden pearl. Those who manage to find it, though, remember it as one of the most gorgeous beaches. There’s pure white sand, the palm and date trees provide shade and the sea has a turquoise colour. It feels as if you’re in the Caribbean.
Have you ever imagined Brazil as a mountainous country? For us the answer was no. And yet the highest peak in Brazil exceeds 3000m. We do have to mention, though, that the mountains there are slightly different than the ones we’re used to. The majority are very smooth and round on top. One of the most interesting hills in Brazil, Pedra Azul reaches a height of 1822m, but its peak is not accessible to those without mountaineering experience (needless to say, if you wanted to reach the top of a completely smooth mountain, you’d need to climb up using a rope). However, Pedra Azul does have something that’s accessible to tourists – natural pools that are located in a saddle. They’re filled with rainwater that flows down the smooth slope of Pedra Azul. That’s how these natural pools, also known as infinity pools, are formed.
Iguaçu Waterfalls are probably one of the major landmarks in Brazil, if not in the whole of South America. And for a reason. The majestic waterfalls, an enormous amount of water rushing over the cliff, the mist in the air that soaks you to the skin, and the rainbow, a product of that very same mist. The result of this combination is a breathtaking view, which is an excellent way to end a trip across Brazil.
On our trip we’re trying to find out what makes other people happy. We got some pretty interesting answers in Brazil, which we perceive as the country with the friendliest people in the world.
Sindy, our host from Florianópolis: “To be with people I love. This doesn’t necessarily mean family. It can be completely random people who have this special, positive energy, which is why I grow fond of them so quickly. You two, for instance. You have been making me happy these last couple of days, with stories of your journeys and your cheerfulness.”
Moises, a Bolivian volunteer in Brazil: “To help others and make them happy.”
Raul, a student from Ouro Preto: “What makes me happy these days is the carnival and the parties,” he said after a long night of carnival parties.
Samuel, a young pensioner (38 years old) on Maraú Peninsula: “Enjoying the beach, reading a book, hanging out with friends.”
Aline, a new mom from São Paulo: “My family and the fact that we’re all healthy – my baby, my husband and I.”
Thiago, a professor from Foz do Iguaçu: “Travelling to unusual countries, like Slovenia, which is very little known among the Brazilian people, but I was there a month or so ago.”
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