Brazil Thrills & Spills

Introducing Brazil (Continued...)

is due south. And the Atlantic Ocean washes against Brazil's eastern shores.

Brazil has 4,655 miles of gorgeous coastline, 3.4 million square miles of verdant rainforest and archipelagos of tropical beach islands to explore. Diverse is the key word to use when describing Brazil.

In the northern Guiana Highlands sits Brazil’s highest peak: Pico de Neblina, which summits at 3,014 metres. The north, north-west and the majority of Brazil’s interior are dominated by the ‘Lungs of the Earth’: the awesome Amazon Rainforest. This natural phenomena is a multi-faceted world of bio-diversity and covers 2,123,562 square miles! Mammals, birds, reptiles, insects and secretive indigenous tribes all shelter from the modern world in this fertile sanctuary.

Southern Brazil is where you can find tropical island archipelagos, super surf spots and the awesome, powerful beauty of Iguassu Falls.
In western Brazil, the Pantanal is a massive wetland area that spreads over three countries. The largest wetland habitat in the world, it covers 54,000 square miles; the ecosystem here is as precious and precarious as in the Amazon Rainforest.
And then there's eastern Brazil. Imagine Brazil and you probably picture a long stretch of sandy beach with athletic people having a kick-about with a football. Or maybe you picture sitting with your toes in the sand, cool drink in your hand, watching the sun set into the Atlantic horizon; well, welcome to eastern Brazil!
The majority of Brazil’s population live on the east coast. The metropolises of Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and São Paulo are situated here, as well as six other major cities each with populations of more than one million.
The climate in Brazil is mainly tropical. Summer is from December to March and this is the best time to travel to the southern states. Parts of this region get frost and occasional snow during the winter months (June to August.). The coastal cities of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Salvador are consistently warm all year and humidity soars during the summer. The north-east dry season is May to November, but the heat is tempered by coastal breezes.
Travel in the Amazon is best done when much of the region floods, from January to June. Most travellers visit the Pantanal Wetlands toward the end of the wet season in April.

Kitesurfing

Along the eastern and northern coast of Brazil there are literally scores of awesome wave spots. Of this seemingly limitless choice the area around Fortaleza (north-east) boasts the best and most consistent conditions. A lot of people will use the major towns that are dotted along the coast as travel hubs, or organise transport out to the smaller towns and remote beaches from the cities. Most beaches are suitable for kitesurfers of all abilities.
The best winds in the north-east blow from July to January, averaging at twenty to thirty knots every day. From September through November you get the strongest winds. And on odd days the winds reach thirty-five knots.
Down in southern Brazil, the island of Florianopolis is well renowned for kitesurfing. This island lies just offshore and is connected to the mainland via a short road bridge. The lagoon between the mainland and the island is shallow and flat, and therefore great for beginners. On the eastern side of the island is the vast Atlantic; here the winds are stronger and the waves bigger. The best conditions are in spring, from September to November.

Multi-Activity

In Brazil taking a multi-activity holiday is a good option. Most adventure sports are on offer in Brazil: from trekking to kayaking, horse-riding to surfing and kite-boarding to cultural retreats. Multi-activity holidays give you the freedom to move around the country. Here you can experience land and water-based activities, and combine adrenalin-fuelled days with chilled-out down time. Alternatively, check out the coasts, hang out in the cities and explore the interior. The Pantanal Wetlands, Amazon Rainforest and island archipelagos are good recommendations for a memorable multi-activity trip.

Sailing

The Tinharé Boipeba Archipelago, south of Salvador, is a sailors’ paradise. It’s an area known for consistent year-round winds and natural diversity. Salt marshes and mangroves blend with picturesque small coves and palm-fringed islands. If you’re a beginner, then the sheltered estuaries around the archipelago provide a safe and confidence-building environment in which to learn. For more skilled sailors, the open sea is never far from the coast.
Farther down Brazil’s coast, south of Rio de Janiero, is Ilha de Sao Sebastiao. The island has thirty-five miles of coastline dotted with coves and bays. Amazon coastal rainforest and white sandy beaches set the backdrop for your sailing adventure here. The Rolex Ilhabela Sailing Week gets under way during July each year. It’s an international sailing event that’s a must-see if your travel dates coincide.

Trekking

One thing Brazil is famous for is her landscapes. For trekking expeditions, the first place to head for is the mighty Amazon Rainforest. Travel to Manaus, the main city in the Brazilian Amazon, as it’s a good central hub to organize treks deep into the jungle. The best time for trekking is March through December.
Further south, a trekking trip on the island of Florianopolis will ensure buena-vistas a-plenty and cool coastal breezes.
The Pantanal lies in the western part of Brazil and extends into regions of Bolivia and Paraguay. It is home to iguanas, jaguars, cougars, crocodiles, deer, and more than 600 species of birds and 200 varieties of fish; trekking in this area is a nature-lovers dream.

Surfing

The best thing about surfing in Brazil is there are decent breaks all along the coast. Therefore, whereever you travel be sure to have your board close at hand.
The best spots in northern Brazil include the Fernando de Noronha islands and the Natal coast. December to March is summer, and this is when the coast catches the northern swell - it’s considered the best time of year to surf here.
In central Brazil visit the tropical state of Bahia. The surfer-hideaway of Itacare offers hippy-hangout vibes with consistent surf conditions. Winter is the best season; you’ll get bigger waves up to ten foot from June to August.
The swells generated in southern Brazil are considered the absolute best in the country. The best period to surf in southern Brazil is April to October (winter), when the size of the waves can reach ten feet or more. Florianopolis, Santa Catarina and the beaches around Rio are the highlights down south.

Classic Itineraries

As mentioned before Brazil is massive! There’s a lot of ground to cover. If you fly in to Rio, spend a few days checking out the delights of this vibrant, exotic city. Highlights include the beaches at Ipanema and Copacabana, Sugar Loaf Mountain and the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. Then travel south and have a go at sailing or surfing around Santa Catarina and Florianopolis.
From here head inland to the Iguassu Falls and the Pantanal Wetlands; kayak, horse-ride and trek while taking in the awesome variety of flora and fauna.
Up north lies the Amazon Rainforest, where you can explore, investigate and appreciate the mighty ‘Lungs of the Earth’. And finish your trip with some kite-surfing fun in the north of the country.

Other Activities

If you prefer keeping your feet dry, then why not opt for an Eco-tour combined with a walking holiday. Alternatively, horse-riding and mountain biking allow you to cover more ground and hopefully get closer to nature. Brazil offers amazing cultural holidays, so why not gain an insight into its deep and intricate cultural history. Generally, overland travel is the best way to see the country. That said, if you’re a water-lover then windsurfing along the windy coastline will get the adrenalin pumping. Scuba diving invites you to explore the underwater magic of Brazil’s aquatic hinterland. And kayaking gives you the chance to paddle leisurely around the islands, investigating the small caves, coves and shoreline grottos.