Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
beaches, pristine lagoons and rich marine life,
including dolphins.
See p.297
6
NATAL
From this lively coastal city - a hub for
music and dance - you can explore hundreds of
kilometres of wide, dune-backed beaches by
4WD or beach buggy.
See p.290
7
JERICOACOARA
This low-key backpacker
village in the dunes is far less isolated than it
used to be, but just as compelling, with quality
surf, wind and lagoons to lounge next to the
top draws.
See p.307
8
PARQUE NACIONAL DOS LENÇÓIS
It's
worth making the effort to reach this
spectacular national park, a vast area of
untouched sand dunes studded with
crystal-clear pools.
See p.322
9
SÃO LUÍS
End up at this steamy colonial relic,
its opulent
azulejo
-smothered mansions half
crumbling but filled with vibrant bars, museums
and galleries.
See p.314
THE AMAZON
Floating down the Amazon has been a romantic
dream of travellers for centuries, and though the
journey is a lot easier (and safer) today, it still
requires some planning and patience. Take your
time and make these stops along the way.
1
BELÉM
The gateway to the Amazon basin is a
surprisingly intriguing old city of museums,
mango trees, live music and craft beer.
See p.332
2
ILHA DO MARAJÓ
This vast island at the
end of the Amazon delta remains well off the
beaten track, with wild, untouched beaches and
herds of water buffalo.
See p.347
3
ALTER DO CHÃO
This remote Amazon
town is the home - bizarrely - of a wonderful
white-sand beach and a wildlife-rich lagoon
surrounded by jungle.
See p.357
4
FLORESTA NACIONAL DO TAPAJÓS
Take a
trip from Santarém to this tropical sanctuary
along the Rio Tapajós, noted for its jungle trails
and mammoth
samaúma
trees.
See p.359
5
RIO AMAZONAS
If you haven't done so
already, hop on an iconic Amazon riverboat at
Santarém for the two-day journey into the heart
of the jungle at Manaus.
See p.354
6
MANAUS
The capital of Amazonia is home to
the incredibly opulent (and incongruous) Teatro
VENEZUELA
COLOMBIA
ATLANTIC OCEAN
ECUADOR
PERU
BOLIVIA
PACIFIC
OCEAN
PARAGUAY
THE GRAND TOUR
THE NORTHEAST BEACH TRAIL
THE AMAZON
ARGENTINA
URUGUAY
