Brazil

Highlights

The North – Amazon
The Amazon is not a river but a vast network of rivers, streams and surrounding forest. It is the heart of the planet and boasts more plant and animal species than any other eco-system. Though getting to see the wildlife takes some effort. At Manaus the river is already over 10km wide and deep enough to be on the cruise ship circuit. The city became wealthy during the brief rubber boom and boasts a magnificent opera house. The jungle lodges are situated deeper in the forest and can be reached by small boat. Here you can spot monkeys, caimans, macaws or fish for piranhas.

The Northeast coast
Recife is a fun city like Rio, laid out along a beach that goes on for ever. Nearby Olinda is a colonial baroque gem and definitely worth a visit for a day. Natal is a bustling city with pleasant beaches, fishing villages that have become resorts like Pipa, sand dunes where you explore in buggies. Inland is the Carirí region once home to giant sloths and dinosaurs. The beaches keep getting better as you go further north towards Fortaleza, some are unspoilt hideaways. The city centre of Sâo Luis was a crumbling ruin now lovingly restored and has a lively nightlife. The archipelago of Fernando de Norohna is Brazil's Galapagos, a haven for divers and wildlife enthusiasts.

Salvador de Bahía
Salvador is the capital of Bahía, a colonial city steeped in African culture. Here you can learn Capoera - a dancing martial art. The old centre has been painstakingly restored. There are great beaches too but even better at lively Port Seguro. The interior or sertâo is rather dry but nearby the old mining town of Lençois is Chapada Diamantina National park of hills and waterfalls, great for hiking.

Minas Gerais – the gold and diamond trail
In the gently rolling hills of this region lie a chain of the prettiest colonial towns in Brazil, the most famous is Ouro Preto, named after the dark gold that was mined here. Other colonial gems are Tiradentes and Diamantina. These colourful cobbled towns are resplendent with baroque churches. There are national parks with excellent walking, canoeing and other adventure sports.

Pantanal – world's biggest wetlands
This vast wetland was once an inland sea, and the lack of tall forest makes observing nature easier than the Amazon. Caiman alligators can be seen nonchalantly crossing the road and by boat or horse-back you can see myriad birds, monkeys, armadillos, anteaters and the odd jaguar or anaconda. The dry season (May–August) is the best time for wildlife. During the rainy season (December-March) access may get restricted, especially in February. The best way to enjoy this region is to stay in a Fazenda (farm). In the southern Pantanal is Bonito, famed for its caves and crystal clear waters in which you can snorkel.

Rio de Janeiro and the Costa Verde
Rio is one of the most spectacularly situated cities among granite peaks, golden beaches and verdant hills. Sun-worshipers throng to the famous beaches but quieter resorts lie south near Paraty, Angra or north to the fashionable resort of Buzios. The statue of Christ at Corcovado has been voted one of the ‘New Seven Wonders', it is worth it for the views alone. The pre-lent Carnival is one of the greatest parties in the World, an excuse to forget all your worries.

Sâo Paulo
Brazil's largest city is a huge cosmopolitan metropolis, but has redeeming qualities: a range of cuisine at great prices, world class art museums, flea markets, a zoo and must visit the snake farm of Butantá, where you can watch serum being 'milked'.

The South: Iguaçu Falls, and whales
Iguaçu Falls, one of the natural wonders of South America, shares borders with Argentina and nearby Paraguay. They are the most magnificent waterfalls in the World partly due to their setting in the tropical forest and national park, with trails, many birds and butterflies and white-water dinghy rides. We recommend at least two days here. The southern state of Santa Catarina is a surfers paradise but also for watching southern right whales (July-October). There are also large tracts of Atlantic rainforest (Mata Atlantica) for bird-watchers and walkers.