Brazil is one of the largest countries in the world, both in terms of population and area. Needless to say, this country has a lot to offer.
Here are some of the top reasons why you should travel to Brazil.
Rio de Janeiro
This is one of the most beautiful and by far coolest cities in the world. Rio de Janeiro is lush and green while being densely populated and crowded.
Here you’ll find the wonderful and world-famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, one of the world’s seven wonders, carnival, and, big and small salsa clubs. This is the city everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.
Favelas
A favela is a slum, and in Rio de Janeiro alone there are approximately 1000 favelas. Throughout Brazil, more than 10 million people live in a favela. Contrary to what people believe, favelas are not full of violence and drug wars. As a matter of fact, many people from Brazil’s middle class live in favelas, and there are plenty of shops, places to eat, banks, and health care.
A visit to the favelas is both fascinating and safe, and a must. This is the life of a large part of Brazil’s population, and in Rio de Janeiro we can recommend travelling with the organization Favela Tour.
Arapiraca
Arapiraca is a city in the centre of the Brazilian state Alagoas. The city is most famous for growing tobacco, and is considered to be “The Brazilian Tobacco Capital”. Tobacco is an important export commodity in Brazil, being used all over the world, from American cigarettes to Scandinavian snus.
Christ the Redeemer
One of the seven wonders of the world stands at the top of Rio de Janeiro: Cristo Redentor (Christ the Savior in Portuguese). It extends 40 meters on a 704-meter tall mountain. The statue can be seen all over the city, but it’s still worth taking the trip.
If you can afford it, a helicopter ride is a great way of seeing the statue up close, and at the same time get an amazing overview of the city.
Carnival
The carnival of Rio de Janeiro is a world-famous and life-long experience. There are parades all over the city, but the most famous is the parade of samba schools passing the carnival arena Sambadrome.
Another great option is the city of Salvador. The carnival in Salvador is reportedly the largest party on the planet. The city also has a beautiful historic center and one of the longest coastlines among cities in Brazil.
Caipirinha
The national cocktail of Brazil called Caipirinha is based on the Brazilian spirits Cachaça mixed with lime and sugar. It’s said that the drink originated from Sao Paulo in the early 1900s. Today it’s popular all over the world, but still has the best taste in Brazil – preferably in the sun with a snus under your lip.
Football
Football is huge in Brazil, and everyone who visits Brazil should catch a football game. Be aware that most Brazilians are dead serious about football, and fights between fans can get ugly. Take all safety precautions if you’re going to see a match.
Chapada Diamantina National Park
Chapada Diamantina National Park has magnificent nature, with mountains, hills, and valleys. The National Park also has a number of caves where gold and diamonds have been found. If you ever want to go treasure hunting, this is the place for you.