Brazil
Brazil (Brasil) , the largest country in South America, is known for its impressive diversity of cultures, landscapes and lifestyles. With an area of more than 8.5 million square kilometers, Brazil offers a wide range of natural beauty from the Amazon rainforest in the north to the gigantic waterfalls of Iguaçu in the south.
Facts
With an area of around 8.5 million square kilometers, Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world. And with over 213 million inhabitants, it is the fifth most populous country in the world.
Brazil was a Portuguese colony from the 15th century until it gained independence in 1822. The son of the Portuguese king, Dom Pedro I, became the country’s first emperor on October 12.
The official language of Brazil is Portuguese, which is spoken by almost the entire population. Brazil is the largest economy in South America and one of the largest economies in the world.
Brazil is a federal republic consisting of 26 federal states and one federal district. The country has a multi-party system and a democratic form of government. The Brazilian currency is the Real (BRL).
Brazil is known for its rich cultural diversity, which is characterized by indigenous, African, European and Asian influences. It is famous for its musical styles such as samba, bossa nova and forró, as well as for festivals such as carnival.
Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics and music. It was originally developed by African slaves in Brazil and was used for self-defense and cultural expression.
Brazil is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world who want to explore the country’s breathtaking landscapes, beaches, cities and cultural sights. Places like Rio de Janeiro , the Iguaçu Falls , tha Amazon rainforest and the beaches of Florianópolis attract millions of visitors every year.
Brazil is known worldwide for its outstanding soccer tradition. Having won five world championship titles, the Brazilian national team, the Seleção (selection), is the record world champion and one of the most successful soccer nations in history.
Food & Drinks
Brazilian cuisine is a diverse mixture of local, European and African influences. However, the dishes vary depending on the region.
Food
Feijoada: Brazil’s national dish is a rich stew of black beans, pork (such as sausages, bacon and pig’s trotters) and sometimes beef. Served with rice, orange slices and kale.
Churrasco: Brazilian barbecue in which different types of meat (e.g. beef, pork, chicken) are grilled on a spit over an open fire. Particularly well known in Rio Grande do Sul.
Moqueca: Traditional stew made from fish or seafood, coconut milk, tomatoes, onions and peppers. There are variants with (Bahia style) or without (Capixaba style) palm oil.
Coxinha: Deep-fried dumplings filled with chicken and often with cheese. A favourite snack throughout Brazil.
Pão de Queijo: Cheese roll made from manioc flour and cheese, typical of the Minas Gerais region.
Vatapá: A thick dish of bread, prawns, coconut milk, peanuts and dendê oil that is often served in Bahia.
Farofa: Roasted manioc flour, often refined with bacon or onions, as a side dish with meat or beans.
Arroz e Feijão: Rice and beans form the basis of many Brazilian dishes.
Brigadeiro: Small chocolate pralines made from condensed milk, cocoa powder and butter, coated with chocolate sprinkles.
Quindim: A dessert made from egg yolk, coconut and sugar that has a shiny, pudding-like consistency.
Pudim: Brazilian caramel pudding, similar to crème caramel.
Açaí na Tigela: Frozen açaí fruit puree, often served with bananas, muesli and honey.
Drinks
Caipirinha: Refreshing cocktail with a perfect balance between sweet, sour and alcoholic. It consists of cachaça (Brazilian sugar cane spirit), limes, white cane sugar and ice.
Guaraná: A refreshing drink made from the guaraná fruit with a slightly sweet flavour.
Café Brasileiro: Strong, sweet coffee served in small cups and typically Brazilian.
Vitamina: Smoothie made from fresh fruit, milk or water and sugar, often for breakfast.
Açaí juice: Viscous drink made from the açaí fruit, which is drunk pure or mixed with other fruits.
Batida: A sweet cocktail made from cachaça, coconut milk and fruits such as passion fruit or mango.
Mate Gelado: Chilled mate tea, often with lemon and sugar, particularly popular on hot days.
Caldo de Cana: Freshly squeezed sugar cane juice that is drunk iced as a refreshment.
Chá de Hibisco: Hibiscus tea, often served cold, is appreciated for its fruity flavour.
Leite de Coco: Coconut milk that is used pure or as an ingredient in desserts and drinks.
Sights
Amazon rainforest (Amazônia) – The Amazon is the largest tropical rainforest area in the world and covers a large part of Brazil. From Manaus , visitors can embark on multi-day boat tours and jungle hikes to experience the incredible diversity of flora and fauna, including monkeys, river dolphins and exotic bird species.
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses) – The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park in north-east Brazil is known for its impressive white sand dunes, which are interspersed with turquoise-blue lagoons. Especially in the rainy season (June to September), the lagoons fill up to create a unique landscape.
Jericoacoara – Jericoacoara, or ‘Jeri’ for short, is a remote coastal town in the Brazilian state of Ceará, known for its endless sand dunes, turquoise-coloured lagoons and impressive sunsets. The relaxed atmosphere and excellent conditions for kitesurfing and windsurfing make Jeri a favourite destination for adventurers and beach lovers.
Chapada Diamantina National Park (Parque Nacional da Chapada Diamantina Bahia) – The Chapada Diamantina is a mountain range in Bahia and a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The area offers impressive waterfalls, caves and crystal-clear lagoons. The Cachoeira da Fumaça , a waterfall that plunges over 300 metres into the depths, is particularly impressive.
Itacaré – Itacaré is a small coastal town in the Brazilian state of Bahia, known for its tropical beaches, rainforests and surf spots. The city offers a relaxed atmosphere, unspoilt bays such as Praia da Concha and a vibrant culture. Itacaré is ideal for nature lovers, surfers and travellers who want to experience the authentic beach culture of Brazil.
Rio de Janeiro – The statue of Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) , one of Brazil’s most famous landmarks, is enthroned on the Corcovado mountain and offers a breathtaking panoramic view over the city and the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema . The nearby Sugar Loaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar) , a striking granite rock, can be reached by cable car and also offers spectacular views of Rio, the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding countryside.
Iguazú Falls (Cataratas do Iguaçu) – Located on the border between Brazil and Argentinien, the Iguazú Falls are one of the largest and most impressive waterfall systems in the world. More than 270 individual waterfalls cascade over a rock face almost 80 metres high. The Devil’s Gorge (Garganta del Diablo) is the most dramatic section of the waterfalls and offers visitors an unforgettable experience.
Florianópolis – Florianópolis, often called ‘Floripa’, is known for its more than 40 beaches that invite you to surf and relax. The city combines nature, lively nightlife and culture with highlights such as the Lagoa da Conceição lagoon and popular beaches such as Praia Mole . It is considered one of the most attractive cities in Brazil for locals and visitors alike.
Travel time
Brazil is a huge country with different climatic conditions and regions, so the best time to travel varies depending on the destination and planned activities. However, as Brazil is located in the southern hemisphere, it has opposite seasons to the northern hemisphere.
The Brazilian summer (Verão) lasts from December to February. Autumn (Outono) lasts from March to May. Winter (Inverno) lasts from June to August and spring (Primavera) from September to November. The rainy season in Brazil generally lasts from around November to April.
Amazonas
The Amazon has a tropical, hot and humid climate with temperatures between 25 and 30 °C all year round. The rainy season lasts from December to May, during which time there is heavy rainfall that raises the water level of the rivers and floods large parts of the rainforest. This rainy season offers spectacular boat trips through the flooded forests, but makes hiking on solid ground more difficult.
The dry season from June to November is the ideal time to visit the Amazon region, as it rains less during these months and the animals are easier to observe when they gather at the waterholes. The dry season also offers better conditions for exploring and hiking in the rainforest.
Pantanal
The Pantanal , one of the largest wetlands in the world, has a tropical to subtropical climate with hot temperatures and high humidity. The rainy season lasts from November to March, flooding many areas and making them partially inaccessible. However, the floods contribute to an incredible diversity of animal and plant life.
The best time to visit the Pantanal is from May to September, during the dry season. During these months, the water level drops and the conditions for observing animals are ideal, as the animals retreat to the remaining waterholes. There is little rain and temperatures are between 20 and 30 °C.
Northeast
The north-east of Brazil, with places like Salvador , Recife and Natal , has a tropical climate with warm temperatures of between 25 and 35 °C all year round. The region is known for its beautiful beaches and coastal towns. The best time to visit the north-east is during the dry season from September to February. During these months there are many sunny days and little rain, ideal for beach holidays and cultural discoveries in cities such as Salvador or Recife.
The rainy season lasts from March to August with short but heavy showers that make the climate humid. Nevertheless, the north-east is a popular holiday destination all year round, as there are rarely long periods of rain and warm temperatures prevail even during the rainy season.
Southeast
The south-east of Brazil, including the cities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo , has a subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. Dezember to March are the summer months, when temperatures often reach 30 °C. These months are ideal for beach visits in Rio de Janeiro and the famous carnival, but also the rainiest time with frequent short showers in the afternoon.
May to September is the best time to travel for city breaks and exploring the south-east, as there is less rain and the temperatures are a pleasant 18 to 25 °C. These months are also ideal for hikes and excursions into the highlands of Minas Gerais and São Paulo.
Events
Carnival
Carnival (Carnaval) in Brazil is one of the biggest and most famous festivals in the world. It takes place every year in the week before Ash Wednesday and is famous for its colourful parades, samba dances and elaborate costumes. The most famous is the carnival in Rio de Janeiro with the parades of the samba schools in the Sambódromo . Both in Rio and in other cities such as Salvador and Recife there are also free street carnivals (blocos) with music, dancing and spontaneous celebrations. The Brazilian carnival combines African, European and indigenous traditions and is a central cultural event in the country.
Jericoacoara
Ceará