Backpacking in BrazilAs a destination, backpacking in Brazil is second only to Australia in terms of its size. It takes up 43% of the entire South American continent and, although much of this is the sparsely inhabited rainforests and jungle that make up the western side of the country, around half of the continent’s population reside in Brazil. It is unsurprising then, to hear that there is more to Brazil than football and the carnival (although these are both definite highlights!). It is tempting to spend all of your time on Brazil’s coast, which is stunning and – at over 4500 miles long – gives you plenty of options, but do try to experience the world’s biggest rainforest: the Amazon. It truly puts things in perspective – plus is a great place to write home about.
Where is it and what’s there?Brazil takes up most of the centre, and the middle portion of the west coast of South America. It is the fifth largest country on the planet, both in terms of size and population, and has a highly productive economy – amongst the top 10 in the world and the largest in South America by far.The far north of Brazil is equatorial, and the Amazon takes up 60% of the country. The Amazon River runs for 2000 miles through the country and is, amazingly, navigable by boat for the entire route. The country is bordered by every other South American country except Chile and Ecuador. Brazil’s capital is Brasilia (which was built and declared capital in the 1950s), although the cultural capital, and the primary transport hub is still very much Rio de Janeiro.
ClimateBeing such a vast country, it is no surprise that Brazil has significant regional variations in weather. The north (Amazon) has a hot, tropical climate with rain on a pretty much daily basis, and some areas experiencing annual rainfall of around 3 metres! The south has a temperate seasonal climate, colder the further south you go with occasional snow at the southern extremity of the country.The coastal regions – including the main metropolis – live up to their reputations for great weather, and for being great places to hang out and play a bit of football for most of the year. It is never really cold, and temperatures are generally pleasantly settled around the mid 20s. Return from Backpacking in Brazil to the Home Page Getting there and visasWith Brazil’s main cities being on the East coast - on the other side of the continent to the countries on the west side, flying is certainly the least gruelling option for backpackers. Brazil’s three large cities have international airports, and you can pick up flights from any other country in South America very easily.You can catch the bus – although Buenos Aires to São Paulo is around 33 hours – the roads are generally good and you can expect some decent quality buses. There are also main routes into the country from all of Brazil’s neighbours. Providing you have at least 6 months on your passport and you’re an EU or American citizen you will get a free 90 day visa on arrival. Some other nationalities (including Canadian and Australian) have to pay for a visa. Getting aroundAgain, this depends on what you’re planning to do! Travelling any distance around Brazil probably merits investing in an air ticket, unless you’ve got plenty of time on your hands.If you’re sticking close to the cities and beaches, then buses are also a viable option, although bear in mind that even the journey from Rio de Janeiro to Brasilia is around 17 hours. Another option if you’ve made some friend and there are a few of you, is to hire a car: which could well be a refreshing alternative if you’ve spent a significant amount of your travelling time staring out of a bus window...
Things to do while Backpacking in BrazilAs destinations go, backpacking in Brazil is excellent but, primarily due to its size and geography, there is definitely no recognised ‘route’. If you’re in one of the smaller towns or cities, or heading for the jungle, then you can easily spend a few weeks without seeing another backpacker. So, if you really do want to immerse yourself in South American culture, Brazil is a great place to do so. This said, the country also has more than its fair share of globally recognised events and sights, some of which (ok, the carnivals!) are worth embedding in your South American itinerary if at all possible.Carnival. Although – away from Brazil’s shores – people have generally only heard of one carnival, ‘Carnival’ is celebrated throughout Brazil in February and March. Most cities have their own events: Salvador has the biggest street party on earth, Olinda has the oldest and most traditional and, well, Rio has the most famous! They are all truly epic events and typify the Brazilian mindset. Great fun, great atmosphere, and a great way to spend a few days.
Beaches. Brazil probably does beach life better than anywhere else in the world. Entire towns and cities decamp to the beach at weekends, and you can expect to see lots of beautiful people enjoying the sunshine. This said, there are also thousands of miles of deserted beaches where you can find your own slice of paradise, plus there is some great diving, surfing and kite-surfing. The Amazon. Most trips start from Manaus, and you’ll travel up the Amazon by boat, stopping off or exploring at various points. You can take on a short trip, or go for a three week extravaganza. Whatever you go for – it is an experience guaranteed to blow you away and to put our little lives into perspective. Backpacking in Brazil can seem a bit decadent: it is more expensive and so big that travel expenses will add up, but it does offer so much, and is such a vibrant and enlivening country that it is worth it. Plus you’ve got the carnivals and the Amazon: both of which would be worth a backpacking holiday in their own right... Return to Backpacking South America Return from Backpacking in Brazil to the Home Page
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