Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Paraty - an alluring island bursting with
tantalizing beaches, untouched jungle, volcanic
peaks and waterfalls.
See p.530
9
IHLA DO MEL
Another popular surf and
backpacker hangout, just off the coast of Paraná
and a great place to rest up, hike or hit the
waves for a few days.
See p.559
G
FLORIANÓPOLIS
The premier resort island
in the South, this is a laidback place with
traditional Azorean fishing villages, modern
beach hotels, untouched surf beaches and a
plethora of activities on offer.
See p.574
8
DIAMANTINA
End your journey at the most
remote, traditional and intriguing of the
cidades
históricas
.
See p.175
THE NATIONAL PARKS LOOP
Brazil isn't just about beaches - the interior
harbours some mind-bending national park
scenery too, from the craggy canyons of the
south to the jungles of the north. To complete
this trip you'll need to fly and have lots of time.
1
PARQUE NACIONAL DOS APARADOS DA
SERRA
Hike the plateau rim of one of the
continent's most eye-popping canyons - a
subtropical gash into the massive ridge that
runs along the Atlantic plain.
See p.619
2
PARQUE NACIONAL DA CHAPADA DOS
VEADEIROS
Fly up to Brasília to experience
the landscape of Brazil's high-altitude inland
plain, studded with waterfalls, cave systems and
hiking trails.
See p.431
3
PARQUE NACIONAL DA CHAPADA
DIAMANTINA
Serious hikers will find plenty of
targets further east in Bahia, where this remote
park contains dramatic valleys, peaks and
monoliths.
See p.244
4
PARQUE NACIONAL DA SERRA DA
CAPIVARA
Head north into Piauí to view the
many prehistoric wonders inside this vast,
isolated park, including rare cave paintings and
petroglyphs.
See p.313
5
PARQUE NACIONAL DOS LENÇÓIS
The
gem in Brazil's park system - a pristine
wilderness of giant sand dunes and crystal-clear
lagoons - lies on the north coast.
See p.322
6
FLORESTA NACIONAL DO TAPAJÓS
Fly or
sail up the Amazon as far as Santarém, where
this forest reserve protects hundreds of giant
samaúma
trees.
See p.359
7
MAMIRAUÁ SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
RESERVE
Not a national park but just as
spectacular, this private reserve lies in the heart
of the Amazon, rich in flooded
várzea
forests
and wildlife.
See p.380
8
PARQUE NACIONAL DA CHAPADA DOS
GUIMARÃES
This
major park near Cuiabá, the
capital of Mato Grosso, is famed for the
60m-high Véu de Noiva falls and the Cidade de
Pedra.
See p.476
9
IGUAÇU FALLS
End your odyssey back in the
south at the Argentine border, where these
mighty falls on the Rio Iguazu thunder over
great ledges of rock.
See p.565
THE GOLD ROUTE
ESTRADA REAL
In the seventeenth century Brazil boomed
on the back of vast reserves of gold, feverishly
dug out of mines throughout Minas Gerais
and beyond. Most of the gold ran out
eventually, but the riches funded the
construction of magnificent colonial towns
that still remain; this route begins at Rio
and works north tracing the old “Estrada Real”
to the mines.
1
RIO
Though Rio is better known for its
beaches, the colonial heart of the city is one of
the richest historical zones in Brazil, with an
elegant ensemble of Baroque churches and
handsome mansions.
See p.59
2
PA R AT Y
The original “Royal Road” - the
Caminho Velho - began in this old port city,
still one of the prettiest towns in the nation.
See p.128
3
SÃO JOÃO DEL REI
Head north in Minas
Gerais, stopping at this modern university town,
which still retains an impressive collection of
colonial churches and museums.
See p.168
4
TIRADENTES
Wonderfully preserved
eighteenth-century town, boasting magnificent
churches and mansions.
See p.171
5
OURO PRETO
The richest concentration of
Baroque and Rococo art and architecture in the
country makes Brazil's eighteenth-century
gold-mining centre an essential stop.
See p.157
6
CONGONHAS
Make a detour to view
The
Prophets
by Aleijadinho, an astounding
ensemble of statuary created at the end of the
Baroque era.
See p.167
7
BELO HORIZONTE
The booming capital of
Minas Gerais contains the enlightening Museu
das Minas e do Metal, which chronicles the
history of mining in the region.
See p.138
