Welcome to "InformationAboutBrazil.Com"
* Soul Brasil magazine - Travel & Adventure Page
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Learning About Brazil
Brazil is, above all, a country with one of the most diversified
cultures in the world! In reality, it is much more than a
country. It's the discovery of a new world!
The country, which since its earliest days has combined native
Indians, Portuguese and Africans, nowadays assembles striking
numbers of descendants of Italians, Japanese, Spanish, Arabs,
Germans, Polish, Chinese, Jews and people from all neighboring
Latin American countries.
Brazilians understand Spanish, just about, but Spanish-speakers
won't understand Portuguese. More importantly, though, Brazilians
look different. They are one of the most ethnically diverse
peoples in the world: In the extreme south, German and Italian
immigration has left distinctive European features; São
Paulo has the world's largest Japanese community outside Japan;
there's a large black population concentrated in Rio, Salvador,
Recife and São Luis; while the Indian influence is
most visible in the people from of Amazonia and the Northeastern
interior.
And, naturally, this diversity is reflected in the wide variety
of foods, from north to south - all the way from exotic flavors
of typical regional foods and tuneful of fruits you've never
heard before, to very international seasonings.
And in countless typical and religious festivals. In this exceptionally-blessed
country, people love to celebrate and mostly ofthem don't know
what means "stress." Some difficulties, as the inequalities
in land distribution, have led to land shortages but not to
agrarian reform. Brazil has enormous natural resources but their
exploitation so far has benefited just a few.
However, rarely seem to overshadow everyday life in Brazil.
It's fair to say that nowhere in the world do peopleknow how
to enjoy themselves more. This national hedonism manifests itself
in Brazil highly developed Beach Culture;
The country's superb music and dancing; and in the most relaxed
and tolerant attitude to sexuality - gay or straight - that
you'll find anywhere in South America. And if you needed more
reason to visit, there's a strength and variety of popular culture,
and a genuine friendliness and humor in the people that is tremendously
welcoming and infectious.
Brazil
is vast. Vast and Beautiful!
What is more, its people are hospitable. It is a melting pot
of many races, beliefs and cultures. All living in perfect harmony.
A trip to Brazil brings happy memories. And leave good friends
behind…
You will find a richly musical and tuneful people, represented
by the Bossa Nova of "The Girl From Ipanema" to the
rhythmic African beats.
Brazil is a country which has many flavors and many pleasures,
always renewed.
In reality, it is much more than a country. It's the discovery
of a new world
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Magali D'Souza
Over 18 year experience in the Travel Industry
Complete assistence for your Brazil's Journey
Concierge Service in California
Transfers to/from/to Hotel/Airport
Magali Travel & Tour / (323)428-1963
email: magali@soulbrasil.com
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The North
The Northeast
The Midwest
The Southwest
The South
Travel and Tourism Bureau
Entry Requirements
Currency
Climate
Religion
Airlines Co. flying from USA to Brazil
Some Useful Websites
The
North
Meet the Amazon, where the green is unbelievable greener! If
you are looking for an ecologic adventure, the north of Brazil
offers the Amazon region, the world largest biological reserve
with unequaled natural resources, and one-third of planet's
living species. The rivers of the Amazon Basin, in which a fifth
part of world fresh water flows, are "roads" for adventure
folks and "locals." Nowadays, 10% of the travelers
who move around the world are looking for doors to open their
way to this new balsam, a kind of earthly lineament against
the excesses of a breathless civilization...
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Brazilian Indians from the Amazon
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The Anavilhanas archipelago and
the
"Rio Negro", 20 Km from Manaus |
The
Northeast
Where you better knows the Brazil's origins, where the country
offers its most generous demonstration of popular culture, and
where Nature is luxuriant.
Here you will find a continuous summer climate and the continent's
most beautiful beaches, like the fascinating Jericoacara in
Ceara state, Porto de Galinha and Fernando de Noronha Archipelago
in Pernambuco, Pipa in Rio Grande do Norte, Itacaré and
Porto Seguro in Bahia (the state with a strong African influences).
The delightful swing of the typical "Forró",
"Frevo", "Maracatu" and "Axé",
as well, the best of the Brazilian Carnival in the cities of
Salvador (Bahia) and Olinda (Pernambuco). The tiled architectural
style of 17th and 18th centuries, in the cities of San Luis
and Alcantara in the Maranhão state, and at Pedra Furada
National Park, in Raimundo Nonato County, Piaui, you will find
cave paintings which date back to the first evidences of man's
presence on the American continent.
The
Midwest
You will find the stark contrast of the newborn and the timeless.
On the one hand, Brasilia, the nation's Capital, with its bold
architectural style - so "avant guard" that is the
only 20th Century architectural complex which UNESCO considered
to be a Universal Asset of the Whole of Mankind. On the other
hand, the Pantanal of Mato Grosso, a virtual ecological sanctuary,
preserves Nature in its primitive state with its unique ecosystem,
where the visitor,' housed in Lodges, can go on hikes with trained
guides, and safely observe alligators, rheas, parrots, deer,
capybaras and countless birds, which chose the Pantanal as one
of the Planet's most important stopovers on their migratory
routes. Also, the mineral springs at Caldas Novas, in Goias,
present medicinal properties in the reinvigorating 98F to 122F
waters.
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Blue Cave Lake in Bonito/MS |
Pantanal |
The
Southwest
Brazil begins to show its urban face. In Rio de Janeiro,
called the "Marvelous City, the luxuriant greenery contrasts
with thousands of modern buildings. The city brings together
one of the country's busiest night and cultural lives, the world's
most well-known Carnival parade with its luxurious samba schools.
But still in this state, you have option for great "Rio
Escape Gateways," as the paradisiacal Ilha Grande in Angra
dos Reis (south of Rio), and Buzios (north of Rio). In the state
of Minas Gerais, you can visit historic and small charm cities
like Ouro Preto, Tiradentes and Diamantina. Or you can bathe
in the waters of the mineral springs found in Caxambu and Araxa,
as well as see (or maybe...find)! the most beautiful precious
and semiprecious stones in this old mining region. In the North
coast of São Paulo state you still find the beautiful
Atlantic Forest.
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Rio De Janeiro (Looking over Corcovado) |
A UNESCO World Heritage Landmark |
The
South
Blonde children with big blue eyes, a strong regional
accent - are you really in Brazil? - since it was colonized
mainly by German, Italians and Polish immigrants, the facial
features and the achievements of its inhabitants present a decidedly
European atmosphere. In the state of Parana you will find the
Iguazu Falls - one of the world's largest waterfalls. In the
state of Santa Catarina, you can find so many beautiful beaches
along the coast, with water and sand for all liking. And in
Gramado or Canela, in the Rio Grande do Sul state, you will
find a real image of Bavaria, with colonial cafes serving tasty
German delicacies. The state strong regional spirit offers an
abundant folklore of music and dance, combined with the custom
of eating churrasco (BBQ) and drinking chimarrão (mate
tea).
More
Information:
Travel Consultant: Brazil and South
America Specialist-
Magali D'Souza (323) 428-1963
magali@soulbrasil.com
EMBRATUR - Official Brazilian Travel and Tourism
Bureau
www.embratur.com.br
Entry
Requirements
A visa is required for foreign citizens wishing to visit
Brazil. Passport should be valid for six months from the intended
date of arrival in Brazil. They can be obtained through the
nearest Brazilian consulate in your area. More information in
the links below:
Brazilian Embassy - Consular Service in Washington
DC
District of Columbia, states of Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia
and West Virginia 3009 Whitehaven Street, N.W. Washington, DC
20008
Tel: 202-238-2828 / Fax: 202-238-2818
E-mail: consular@brasilemb.org
/ Homepage: www.brasilemb.org
Consulado-Geral do Brasil
em Nova York
Consulate General of
Brazil in Houston
Consulate General
of Brazil in Los Angeles
Consulado Geral do Brasil
em Miami
Consulate General of Brazil
in San Francisco
Consulado-Geral do
Brasil em Toronto
Consulado-Geral do Brasil
-Sydney Australia
Consolato Generale del
Brasile - Milano
Currency
The Brazilian monetary unit is the REAL (R$). The official exchange
rate is published daily in the newspapers. Cash and traveler's
check is easily exchanged with hotels cashiers and doorman's.
The Universal Currency Converter
Climate
Climate varies, according to latitude and altitude. Seasons
are the exact opposite of those in the U. S and Europe (except
in the North of the country). the average yearly temperature
is about 82F in the North and 68F in the South.
Religion
Catholicism is Brazil's largest religion. But Protestants, Jews,
Evangelical Christians and African spiritual religions, such
as Candomblé and Ubanda, all are present in Brazil.
Airlines Co. flying from USA to Brazil
Varig (Brazilian): Canceled Flies to/from/to Brazil/USA
Tam Airlines (Brazilian): from Miami and New York
Copa (Panama): from Los Angeles (stop in Panama City)
American Airlines (American): From Miami and New York
Continental (American): From Newark
United (American): From Miami, New York and Chicago
Delta (American): From Atlanta
AeroMexico (Mexican): From Los Angeles (Stop in Mexico City)
Some
Useful Websites
www.embratur.com.br - Official Brazilian Travel and Tourism Bureau
http://br.weather.com/index.html - Weather in Brazil
www.discountcars.net – Quickly rounds up comparison quotes on rental cars everywhere.
www.whytravelalone.com – A travel Companion Exchange. Beat the single supplement bugaboo by finding a travel companion.
www.globalvolunteers.org – Features write-ups of 150 short volunteers trip (working in orphanages, repairing schools, etc) in 19 nations in Africa, Asia, Latin America, North America, and Europe.
www.cybercafes.com Save on calls by sending an e-postcard home. This site guides travelers to more than 4,200 internet cafés in 150 countries.
www.insuremytrip.com – Compare prices for travel insurance from more than 16 companies and over 100 policies.
www.rentvillas.com – If you planning a trip to Europe consider rent a apartment or a house than stay in a hotel. Specially if your travel with family or a group of friends. Properties are available for as little as three days, a week or a month at time. If your destination is Brazil we can recommend some of our friends in Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Recife and Maceio that have private homes and condos for rent by day/week/month as well. Click HERE to see some places/locations photos/description (SOON – UNDER CONSTRUCTRION)
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>> Additional Value Info/Tip <<
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