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Paraty
A beautiful colonial city approximately 3hrs South of Rio de Janeiro, Paraty is surrounded by lush Atlantic forest and is a great base to visit the nearby beaches and Islands of Brazil’s ‘Green Coast’.  Kayaking, trekking and snorkelling are just some of the activities to do in Paraty.
 
Buzios
Made famous by Bridget Bardot in the 1970’s Buzios is a charming fishing village surrounded by approximately twenty bays and beaches, all reachable by taxi boat.  The two main pedestrianised streets offer a large number of shops, bars and restaurants.  The atmosphere in Buzios is relaxed and is ideal for honeymoon couples or those looking for a relaxing start or end to their holiday. 
 
Manaus/Amazon
Manaus is the starting point for visits to the Amazon.  There are a variety of ways to explore the Amazon from Manaus.  Enjoy a cruise along the largest river in the world, overnight in Manaus and take a number of excursions or book our most popular option: a 2 or 3 night Amazon Lodge package which includes excursions to view animals, hike through the rainforest and even go piranha fishing in the Amazon River.
 
Iguassu
The Iguassu National Park is home to the magnificant Iguassu Falls, which border Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay and which are one of the most visited places in South America.  Viewed primarily from the Brazilian and Argentinean sides these Falls are spectacular in their size, power and sheer beauty with the view from the Brazilian side being the most panoramic.
 
The Pantanal
The worlds largest tropical wetland the Pantanal is home to a variety of wildlife and animals which wander out in the open and are easy to observe.  Home to hundreds of species of birds and animals including monkeys, capybaras, toucans and caimans the Pantanal is a wildlife and nature lovers paradise.  Packages here include activities such as horse riding and pirahna fishing.

 

 

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Currency
Most major international credit cards are accepted, though not universally. There is an extensive network of ATMs around the country.
 
Electricity
Brasília and Recife, 220 volts AC; Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, 127 volts AC or 220 volts in larger hotels. Plugs are of the two-pin type. Most hotels provide 110-volt and 220-volt outlets, transformers and adaptors.
 
Tipping
10 to 15% is usual for most services not included on the bill.
 
Food - National Specialities
Feijoada (thick stew of black beans, chunks of beef, pork, sausage, chops, pigs’ ears and tails on white rice, boiled green vegetables and orange slices).
Moqueca (delicious fish stew from Bahia)
Vatapá (shrimps, fish oil, coconut milk, bread and rice).

Nightlife
The best entertainment occurs in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. In Rio, the major clubs do not present their main acts until after midnight, and the daily paper gives current information; small clubs (boites) provide nightly entertainment throughout the city. São Paulo nightlife is more sophisticated, with greater choice. Both cities host top international DJs. Samba shows and clubs are popular, especially in Rio. Outside the main cities, most towns have late night bars and clubs.

Shopping
In Rio and São Paulo, major shops and markets stay open quite late in the evening. Rio and Salvador specialise in antiques and jewellery. Special purchases include gems (particularly emeralds) and jewellery (particularly silver). Fashions and permissible antiques, crystal and pottery are a speciality of São Paulo. Belém, the city of the Amazon valley, specialises in jungle items, but visitors should be careful not to purchase objects that have been plundered from the jungle, contributing to the general destruction. Travellers should also be aware there may be restrictions on import to their home country of goods made from skins of protected species.

 

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