Viajes

Mar 25, SIGHTSEEING RIO DE JANEIRO

Let’s go sightseeing Rio de Janeiro and discover why it’s considered one of the top tourist attractions in Brazil.

Rio de Janeiro is one of the most beautiful and spectacular cities, not only in Brazil but on the planet, and perhaps the friendliest as well, despite its reputation of violence and danger.

Nestled between a magnificent bay on one side and a mountain range covered by luxuriant tropical forest on the other, Rio truly deserves the name Cidade Maravilhosa – Marvelous city.

Take the tram through the old Santa Teresa neighborhood and all the way up to the famous Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado mountain for a fantastic view of the city.

By the way, just as an introduction on sightseeing Rio de Janeiro, check this video, a 360 degrees helicopter flight around the statue of Christ the Redeemer

Watch the sunset at Pedra do Arpoador.

Take the ferryboat to Niteroi and Ilha da Paqueta or just walk along Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro’s most famous beach.

You have no chance at all to get bored in Rio, day or night...

In addition, what makes Rio de Janeiro truly enchanting is its people.

Cariocas are a friendly and festive breed that thrive on dance, drink, beach, sport and sun.

Different religious beliefs and ethnic backgrounds coexist peacefully here. There is room for all, a melting pot of races, colors and creed.

The city caters to all tastes and this is also true for its nightlife, no matter if you are young, old, married, single, straight, gay, or lesbian.

Rio de Janeiro nightlife has no end: bars, cafes, theaters, dance clubs, shows and live music, samba, ballroom dance and the list goes on.

Just make sure not to leave out the gafieiras (samba parlors).

In addition, the city offers a wide range of other attractions: cultural centers, museums, parks, churches, historic sites and more.

Have a look at this amazing video (and make sure you get the earphones on)…

Whether you choose to take a Rio de Janeiro tour or prefer to go sightseeing Rio de Janeiro on your own, the following attractions should be included in your Rio de Janeiro vacation:

• Christ The Redeemer (Corcovado Mountain)
• Lapa’s Arches (the Carioca Aqueduct)
• Copacabana beach and Fortress
• Tijuca National Park
• Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar)
• National Library
• São Bento Cloister
• Nossa Senhora de Candelária Church
• São francisco das Penitências Church
• Catete Palace – The Republic Museum
• Botanical Garden
• Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon
• National Historical Museum
• International Museum of Naif Art
• National Museum of Beaux Arts
• Quinta Boa Vista
• Municipal Theater
• Maracanã Soccer Stadium
• National Art Museum

With 8,000 km of coastline – Brazil has the longest coastline in South America – the number of Brazil beaches is absolutely outstanding, well into the thousands, so you are not short of options in any case.

Of all Brazil beaches, Copacabana – voted world’s top ten beach – is an old time favorite of all beaches in Rio de Janeiro, followed by Ipanema.

Here’re the top ten:

Which is your favorite of all Rio de Janeiro beaches?..

Rio de Janeiro is the cultural and tourist capital of Brazil.

It hosts famous events throughout the year…

• Rio de Janeiro carnival is a unique and colorful festivity that attracts millions of visitors each year. It’s the biggest popular celebration in South America and provably the entire world.
• Festas Juninas (in June) and Festa de Nossa Senhora da Gloria do Outerio (August 15th.), one of the largest religious and popular festivals.
• New Year’s Eve and Festa de Iemanjá.

As a word of caution, Rio receives bad press regarding security and safety for travelers but I honestly think this is overstated.

Certainly is not free from problems associated with poverty or unemployment, but this is a reality that applies for just too many cities in the world, including first world countries.

It only takes common sense to keep you out of trouble in the majority of cases, the same you’d apply when travelling to some districts in Los Angeles, New York, Paris or Rome for that matter.

Here’re a few tips for a safe sightseeing Rio de Janeiro..

• Don’t wear flashy jewelry and expensive watches.
• Leave all valuables in a safety box of your hotel.
• Carry only the cash you need.
• Avoid walking along dark or isolated areas.
• Carry a photocopy of your passport.
• Remain on the south side of Rio.

For a more comprehensive list on safe travel to South America visit South America Travel Wise.

Rio de Janeiro’s golden age went through the 1920s to the late 1950s, when it became a romantic and exotic destination for Hollywood stars and international high class.

It was capital of Brazil until 1960.

Today it remains the cultural heart of Brazil and one of the most fantastic tourist destinations in South America…

By Air:

Out of the two Rio de Janeiro airports, Santos Dumont Airport is for domestic flights – located at the Guanabara Bay – while Antônio Carlos Jobim is the International Airport, around 20 km. from downtown Rio.

Visit main airports in Brazil for more info on this.

By Road:
From São Paulo: BR-116 and BR-101.
From Belo Horizonte: BR-040.
From Salvador da Bahia: BR-393, BR-324, BR-101, BR-040

Rio de Janeirro has an excellent infrastructure, luxurious hotels, small inns, plenty of hostels and pousadas, mainly located in the southern and downtown areas.

Check some options here..

Hotels:

Find and compare hotel rates in Rio.

Hostels:
Book budget accommodation in Rio.

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Mar 13, Cusco, Peru

[unable to retrieve full-text content]I first went to Peru in 1981 and I fell in love with the people, history, and all the country has to offer geographically. It can’t be explained in
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Mar 1, SANTO ANTONIO

It’s not easy to reach Santo Antonio – not even by boat – but is one of those places you shouldn’t leave out when you make it to Ilha Grande, Brazil.

Isolated, rocky and deserted, it’s the epitome of the rough, savage beauty South America is made of.

I spent over two hours there and didn’t see a single soul – not that I complain though – but this situation may change during peak season (end of December to March). In any case, bring some mineral water, fruits or anything you’d like to eat with you. There is nothing there but nature.

And make sure you bring back your own rubbish as well. It will be safely disposed in the village. In fact, all garbage in Ilha Grande is collected and sent by boat to the continent for a proper treatment.

If you don’t feel like it, or have the time to trek all the way from Abraão to Lopes Mendes and then hike to reach it, there is a shortcut that will get you there faster, thus giving you more time to enjoy both beaches in the same day with less time on the road.

For a few Reais (Brazil currency) you can get a boat (1/2 hour ride) from Abraão to Pouso/Mangues beach and then start the shortest possible trek to reach them both.

Follow the sign to Lopes Mendes (half an hour trek max. on Trilha 11) and keep an eye on the sign/trail branching off to the right. It will take you around 20 minutes to get to Santo Antonio.

Once you are ready to move on, just walk back to Trilha 11 and continue for a few more minutes to Lopes Mendes.

You can get a sandwich and a soft drink right on the beach if you didn’t plan in advance.

As a word of caution, because this place can make you loose sense of time, give yourself half an hour to get the return boat to Abraão.

Apart from a little bar/restaurant, there is no option to stay overnight at Pouso.

Enjoy the following pics as much as you can and please let us know if you have any questions…

Feb 27, Peru Attractions: Chavin de Huantar

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Feb 23, ARIPEBA

The tiny beach of Aripeba is nature’s extravaganza.

With thick, dense Atlantic rainforest falling all over it and warm, calm, emerald waters, is ideal for swimming and snorkeling. So wild that you’d almost expect to see Tarzan, Jane and Cheeta showing up any minute for a bath.

Well, provably I’m exagerating a bit.

Found the place a little bit too crowded to suit Tarzan’s lifestyle (and definitely mine) but it was a very nice experience nevertheless.

It would have also benefited from a bit more of cleanness as well. Litter is perhaps the biggest challenge Ilha Grande has to face due to the large number of visitors on a yearly basis.

Unfortunately, not all of us understand the need to preserve and to keep un-polluted this beautiful example of true Mata Atlantica in the Green Coast (Costa Verde) of Brazil.

So if you are a predator, please stay away – nobody needs you there – nature least of all.

There are several tour operators along Rua da Praia (in Abraão) that can take you there, either by escuna (schooner) or a fast boat. Ask first because options vary, along with prices. Standard is around 35 Reais for a escuna ride, not counting lunch at Japariz or somewhere else.

In all cases, you will visit other beaches as part of your day-long excursion – 10 to 4pm or so – it could be Lagoa Azul, Lagoa Verde, Saco de Seu (don’t miss it) and provably Freguesia de Santana as well, first settlement in Ilha Grande.

It has the oldest (Imperial) palm trees and a church of Colonial Portuguese style built by slaves in 1796.

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Feb 19, ABRAAO POSTCARDS

With Abraao Postcards we complete a little photo reportage we’ve started with Vila do Abraao – main settlement – or capital of Ilha Grande, in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Super friendly, safe and tranquil, it’s the kind of place I could stay forever.

No shoes required, you could go bare footed all day long or use a pair of flip flops if you are more comfortable with. This tropical village has only a few dirt roads, being Rua da Praia, Buganville and the church road its main “avenues”, if I can put it this way.

No car traffic either. Apart from the garbage truck and a couple of official vehicles nothing would disturb or polute this peaceful jungle-like environment. A bicycle or a boat are the only means of transportation.

Besides, being so close to Rio, it provides a breath of fresh air from the bustling activity of the cidade maravilhosa.

Enjoy it as much as you can and feel free to contribute with your own pics, we’ll be more than happy to publish them. Just make sure you are the copyright owner. Images will be resized to 700×526 pxls.

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Feb 15, BRAZIL TRAVEL

With Brazil travel, you will certainly experience one of the most unique and diverse cultures on the planet.

To have some Brazil holidays is a must-do stop over in your next adventure travel to South America …

“Own only what you can carry with you, know language, know countries, know people.

Let your memory be your travel bag.”

Alexander Solzhenitsyn (1918)

Brazilians are tremendously welcoming and sympathetic.

They are one of the most hospitable people in the world and certainly know how to enjoy themselves.

Samba, bossa nova, cachaça, beer soccer and fejoada seem to be daily ingredients in the life of the average Brazilian.

Party and good times are in the core of Brazilian culture, so you’re guaranteed to thoroughly enjoy your Brazil travel experience.

And talking about good times…have you ever heard of a more famous Carnival in the world than the one celebrated yearly in Rio de Janeiro?

Totally amazing…

Here’s some Brazil facts and figures…

Our first Brazil travel experience was back in 1976, when we entered the country through the Venezuelan border, arriving to Boa Vista.

To get to Manaus, in the heart of the Amazon jungle, was a unique experience in itself as they were building the Trans Amazon Highway cutting through the jungle and facing resistance from local aboriginal tribes.

Understandably enough, they weren’t prepared to let it go easily.

So we were escorted by armed men, day and night. In land as well as crossing rivers and creeks in precarious rafts, we were surrounded by rifles everywhere.

Have to admit that the risk factor added spice to our Brazil travel adventure, like a character out of Indiana Jones.

In addition, those nights sleeping under the sky, with stars brighter than a Chinese firework, were among the best we’ve ever experienced out in the open.

We navigated the Amazon river for almost a week. Visited Santarem and arrived at the port city of Belem, near to where the Amazon meets the Atlantic Ocean.

What about you? Do you have an exciting adventure story to tell? I’d love to hear about it.
You can share your Brazil travel experience HERE!

The Brazilian NE is magnificent.

Over two thousand miles of virtually uninterrupted white sand beaches, emerald-green waters, coral reefs, lagoons, coconut palms, mangroves….you name it. Brazil beaches at its best!

The ideal place for sun lovers, were fun and leisure are an integral part of the landscape.

Followed the coastline and visited Fortaleza, Recife, Fernando de Noronha island, João Pessoa and Maceió, before arriving to Brazil’s main tourist destination: Salvador da Bahia. A unique blend of indigenous, African and European cultures.

Home of Capoeira, Salvador da Bahia is also the birthplace of famous musicians and composers such as João Gilberto, Caetano Velloso, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, Maria Bethania and writer Jorge Amado among others.

Brasilia – Brazil’s capital is a truly modern city.

We’ve got really impressed by the Cathedral Nossa Senhora Aparecida. We’ve never seen religious architecture so harmonious and futuristic as this one.

Heading south, we reached Belo Horizonte, capital of the state of Minas Gerais, and visited Ouro Preto, a historic mining town built in 17th century and a World Heritage Landmark by UNESCO.

It hosts the oldest theater in South America.

Next stop was São Paulo, Brazil’s largest city and ranked 4th on a global scale.

Absolutely impressive place, it can even make you feel intimidated by its size and activity level.

As we discovered, São Paulo tourism rivals Rio in terms of fun and entertainment.

But Rio de Janeiro kept us all excited in anticipation.

After all, you just don’t walk into the most sensual city on the planet to remain indifferent, do you?..

Neither do I!.. That’s Brazil travel par excellence!..

We spent about one week sightseeing Rio de Janeiro…what an experience! Truly deserves the name of marvelous city.

For now, let’s review some Brazil attractions…

Our Brazil travel itinerary took us to Buzios and the port city of Santos before moving to Curitiba, a clean, tidy and beautiful place where all city projects had been chosen by referendum.

Impeccable.

One of the best examples of urban planning in the world.

Florianopolis or Floripa as it’s often called, is a paradise not to be missed in the Ilha do Santa Catarina.

With 42 beautiful beaches, excellent restaurants and vibrant nightlife, Floripa is a top destination for surfing in Brazil.

We specially loved the little fishing village of Barra da Lagoa.

Quiet, bohemian and less developed than the beaches in the North of the island, Barra’s beach is also ideal if you want to start learning how to surf.

Andf you want to experience nature at its best, head off to Naufragados, in the Shourthernmost part of the island. It can only be reached by trail or boat.

After nearly two month, we were wrapping up our stay in Brazil.

We visited Pantanal before moving to Foz do Iguaçu, home to the impressive Iguazu Falls in the border with Argentina and Paraguay.

It’s one of the main sights in the Southern Hemisphere.

Brazil travel is a must-do destination in your next trip to South America.

Bring your bikini or Bermudas short, slippers or sandals (no socks please) and a T-shirt, and be prepared to enjoy provably the most incredible South America vacation of your life…

With such good times you will want to return to Brazil time and
again…

One way to stay that is low priced is international
timeshare like Plaza Praia Suites on beautiful Iracema Beach!…

You will be excited in anticipation with all the amenities like
sparkling pools and uninterrupted white sand beaches.
When you are ready to enjoy yourself like Brazilians rent Brazil
timeshare…it is not to be missed!…

For the independent/solo traveller, cheap accommodation (hostels) is the best way to go.
Book hostels in Brazil here.

Need to book a hotel instead?…
Find and compare best hotel rates in Argentina .

TRAVEL BLOG

Feb 15, SANTIAGO DE CHILE

Santiago de Chile is like a second home to us.

We’ve visited it countless times either as a main destination or passing through to Valparaiso and Viña del Mar, to Atacama desert in the far north, or to the south, all the way down to Torres del Paine National Park and Punta Arenas, on our way to Ushuaia, Argentina.

A couple of times we’ve visited Santiago just to get a plane to Easter Island or a fishing boat to Archipelago Juan Fernandez – also known as Robinson Crusoe Island – one of Chile’s hottest trekking destinations.

Santiago de Chile is a friendly city and one of the safest in South America as well.

Clean, tidy, business-minded, a hard working society that pretty much reflects one of the most dynamic economies in South America today.

It has all one can ask for in a city: a rich cultural life, plenty of nightlife, superb cuisine and an impressive jazz scene, best represented by the Club de Jazz de Santiago, with everything from Latin jazz to blues to bossa nova.

Providencia, one of the top end districts, hosts a jazz festival every year around February, and also provides provably the city’s best clubbing scene as well.

In addition, it has a fantastic sight of the Andes and plenty of adventure travel opportunities just around the corner.

From the ski resorts of Portillo, El Colorado/Farallones, La Parva and Valle Nevado that have given Chile an international reputation as skiing destination, to el Cajon del Maipo (Maipo River Canyon), a favorite week-end retreat for Santiaguinos and a paradise for adventure travel enthusiasts.

Horseback riding – you can even cross the Andes to Argentina on a ten day trip – cycling, hiking, camping and whitewater rafting.

From September to April rafting takes place on the Maipo river – from San Alfonso to Guayacan/Parque Los Heroes – a two hour descent with mainly Class III rapids. Check the International Scale of River Difficultyto learn more about it.

Need some maps?

For all your Chile adventure travel needs, get some inexpensive Chile Maps here.

And if you are in for water sports, just take the two hour bus ride to Viña del Mar, Chile’s most famous beach resort, and don’t forget to stop at Valparaiso, to visit the colorful old town and enjoy a nice sea food meal with a glass or two of chilled white wine.

Try Santa Carolina 5 Stars or Undurraga for starters.

Talking about wines – Chile is a major wine exporter to the world – you have several wine tasting opportunities within the city limits or nearby. Among others…

• Viña Santa Carolina
• Viña Cousiño Macul
• Viña Concha y Toro (Chile’s largest winery, located at Pirque, just after Puente Alto, one of the gateways to Cajon del Maipo

The cultural scene is best defined by Estacion Mapocho, on the south bank of the Mapocho river, with concerts, exhibits, live theater, etc.

It used to be a train station to Valparaiso and Viña del Mar as well as to Mendoza, Argentina.

Another one is Centro Cultural Matucana 100, but there are some others that you may want to explore too.

Santiago de Chile is the financial, cultural and political center of the country.

It was founded by Pedro de Valdivia in 1541 – who also designed the Plaza de Armas – the city’s historic center, and owned the first house where the main Post Office is located today.

Around Plaza de Armas we find other Colonial and Neo-Classical buildings such as the Municipalidad de Santiago (Town Hall), Catedral Metropolitana (1745), Palacio de la Real Audiencia and the Museo Historico Nacional.

The list of Museums include…

• Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino
• Museo Colonial de San Francisco
• Museo de Arte Contemporaneo
• Museo de Artes Visuales
• Museo de la Soliraridad Salvador Allende
• La Chascona (Museo Neruda)
• Museo Nacional de Historia Natural
• Palacio Cousiño
• Casa Colorada

Visit Palacio de la Moneda – the Presidential offices are located here – and of course, Paseo Ahumada, the heart of Santiago de Chile, full of gallerias (shopping arcades) and charming little cafes.

For the best view of the city, go to cerro Santa Lucia and cerro San Cristobal at Parque Metropolitano, crowned by a 36 meters high statue of the Virgin Mary, you can reach it by funicular.

Other Parks include…

• Parque de las Esculturas (Providencia district)
• Parque Quinta Normal
• Parque O’Higgins

For night outs, fine restaurants and cafes, hang around barrio Santa Lucia and Bellavista, among the liveliest around.

Also visit Santiago de Chile’s top end districts of…

• Las Condes
• El Golf
• Vitacura
• La Reina
• Lo Curro
• Providencia

Santiago de Chile is a lovely city.

The fifth in South America in terms of population and one of the warmest in terms of friendliness, so don’t be surprised if you are invited to a party of at home for a meal.

It’s also your ideal base camp to explore either side of the country, whether you’re heading off to Atacama or to the wilderness of the Chilean Patagonia, at the far end of the South America continent.

Enjoy it thoroughly and don’t forget to carry a copy of “Chile and Easter Island“, the ideal companion for the independent traveler, by Lonely Planet Publications…

The main gateway for travelers around the world is Arturo Merino Benitez airport, not far from the city center through Costanera Norte. Taxis, buses or a bus-metro combination will take to downtown in no time.

Santiago airport receives flights from Europe, Oceania and South American countries as well. Just a two hour flight from Buenos Aires.

Time permitting, you can reach it by bus as well to/from Mendoza, Argentina. A beautiful ride through the Andes that takes about seven hours to complete.

During winter month this road may be blocked due to snow storms, so check beforehand, or use instead the all-season international Los Libertadores tunnel to Argentina.

From the top end international hotels of “Sanhattan” to a more modest but equally comfortable options, Santiago de Chile has something to everyone.

Hostels:
Book cheap accommodation in Santiago.
Hotels:
Find and compare best hotel rates in Santiago.

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Feb 12, ABRAAOZINHO

Praia do Abraaozinho is not advertised and certainly not the most famous of all Ilha Grande beaches as far as I know, but it fits the bill big time to me. Could have a summer retreat there anytime if you ever ask.

Just under ten minutes boat ride from Vila do Abraao, it would take around half an hour trek to reach it, enough to discourage more than one – and thus giving me several hours head start for an early morning swim before anyone shows up.

Don’t know about you, but I love quiet places where I can be overwhelmed by nature, an innocuous participant of its grandeur playing only the part of the unobtrusive guest. This adds perspective to my life, irrelevant of the place I happen to be at.

Listening to birds before dawn and the relaxing sound of waves reaching the shore is a marvelous way to be awaken, far from the crowds but close enough to have a chat if needed.

Abraaozinho is all that.

At the end of Praia do Canto you will see a trail branching off Trilha 10 (Abraão – Pouso) with the corresponding sign pointing to it.

Following the coast, you will pass Júlia, Biquinha, Comprida and Crena beaches. Not particularly demanding as a trek but definitely not the kind of walk you’d enjoy at sundown.

My suggestion would be for you to start the trek around 8 or 9am and to plan for a day stay till 4pm or so. Bring some water with you but do not worry about cold drinks or food, there is a little restaurant/bar to have some fresh fish or sea food right at the water edge.

For now, let us introduce you to the place. If you’ve already been there you are more than welcome to share your comments, pictures, videos or whatever else comes to mind.

In all cases, please be nice and corteous, so we can all rip the benefits and enjoy your own unique South America travel experience ever…

It might happen that after seeing some pics you’d love to be there by yesterday.

No sweat, find out about how to get there and where to stay but – pretty, pretty please – don’t bring all your friends, would you?

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Feb 9, LOPES MENDES

You will get blown away by Lopes Mendes, undoubtedly the most beautiful of all Ilha Grande beaches.

Over the last few years it’s been repetidely voted among the top ten beaches in Brazil (by The Guardian, UK) and the world, by Vogue magazine for instance.

It’s a well known fact that the State of Rio the Janeiro is not short of options when it comes to worldwide famous beaches – enough to remember Copacabana, Ipanema or even Arpoador for that matter – but this is beauty of a different sort.

It’s not sexy, it’s not crowded and it’s not an urban beach, not the kind of place you go to see or be seen.

It’s simply a stunning piece of nature, a two miles of uninhabited stretch of sand between the tropical rainforest and the Atlantic ocean.

So fine and soft it is that you’d think you are walking on flour.

There are two ways to reach Lopes Mendes from Vila do Abraao, by trekking or by boat – this option also involves some trekking though.

The easiest is to do the boat ride Abraão to Pouso/Mangues beach – it costs around 20 Reais round trip and it will pick you up again at 3 or 4pm. From Pouso take Trilha 11 and it’s only a 20 minutes trek or so.

By the way, once you are at it, keep an eye on the sign to the right pointing to Santo Antonio, another wild, lovely beach worth to be discovered while you are in the area.

The other option involves 5 to 6 hours trekking on Trilha 10. You could save some legs on the way back and get a return boat from Pouso for just a few Reais.

Whichever trilha you choose to explore in Ilha Grande, always carry enough water, insect repellent and be sure to return in broad daylight (by 4pm) to Abraão. Light falls early in the thick canopy of the rainforest.

How did you like it?…could you picture yourself in?…

In case you are travelling around Brazil at the moment, or spending a few days in Rio with some time to spare, find out about how to get to Ilha Grande and where to stay.

Remember that you can take the ferry to Abraão either from Angra dos Reis or Mangarativa (daily at 8am).

Whichever way you choose, let us know how was your experience, would you?

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