Destination: Brazil

Odyssey travels by coach and occasionally uses local transport, including trains and ferries. Specifics are always outlined in your tour itinerary. Brazil has extensive bus and plane networks that provide comprehensive coverage of the country. Be aware however that Brazil does not have a particularly extensive passenger train network, so you might want to avoid relying on trains as a transport option.

In major cities, Odyssey stays in centrally located 3-4 star hotels, with easy access to public transport. In smaller towns or rural areas, we usually stay in family-run hotels or guesthouses. On our longstay tours, during which you spend the length of the tour in a single location, we use serviced apartments.

Odyssey always engages local guides with regional knowledge to ensure an authentic experience during which you can learn as much as possible about the history and culture of places you visit.

Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world, with a total area of 8,515,767 square kilometres. At the heart of Brazil lies the Amazon rainforest, the largest rainforest in the world and home to an extraordinarily diverse ecosystem of animal and plant life. Brazil has a vast and extensive network of river systems, most notably the mighty Amazon river, which snakes across the north of the country and into the Atlantic Ocean. The rugged terrain of the Brazilian Highlands makes up much of the central, eastern, and southern parts of the country, while the Serro do Mar mountain range runs alongside the Atlantic coast.

Climates can vary across Brazil, from the tropical climate of the north and centre, to the more temperate climates in parts of the south. In general, temperatures in Brazil are fairly high year round, with sticky and humid conditions being a near constant in its tropical areas. However, be prepared for cooler temperatures if you are travelling to the southern areas of Brazil during the mid-year winter. Much of the tropical areas, especially the Amazon region, can see heavy rainful, so check weather reports in advance and be prepared to bring some wet weather gear.

Brazil boasts 21 UNESCO World Heritage sites. You can view the official list of the sites here https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/br. Some of Brazil’s most notable heritage sites include:

Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Congonhas, a sanctuary in Minais Gerais that stands as a stunning example of the Rococo style of decoration and design

Serra da Capivara National Park, featuring cave paintings that are dated back to 20,000 years ago

The Central Amazon Conservation Complex, the largest protected area in the Amazon Basin, and a region of incredible biodiversity.

The Carnival of Brazil is one of the most famous festivals in the world, annually drawing huge crowds across the country for its colourful parades, exuberant dancing and festive music. Held five days prior to Ash Wednesday, Carnival is a nation-wide celebration of vast proportions, with the Rio Carnival alone drawing millions of revellers. Other festivals to check out include the many Festa Junina (June Parties), a festival in June that celebrates rural life, and Oktoberfest, the famous beer-drinking festival held in Blumenau, a town with German origin.

In the Spirit of Rio, by Bruno Astuto
Tree of Rivers: the Story of the Amazon, by John Hemming
Walking the Amazon: 860 Days. One Step at a Time, by Ed Stafford
Gabriela, Clove and Cinammon, by Jorge Amado

Befitting its multicultural heritage, Brazilian cuisine is a blend of Portuguese, African and native influences. The national dish of Brazil is feijoada, a hearty stew made out of black beans, beef, and pork. Barbecued meats are always a feature in Brazil, with its churrascarias (steakhouses) offering many cuts of meat. Tropical fruits such as acai berries and carambola also make up part of the national diet, while street foods such as acaraje (deep-fried patties of crushed peas, onions, and prawns) are also popular. As the world’s biggest exporter of coffee, it is only natural that Brazil is also one of the world’s biggest consumers of it, with coffee the national beverage. Cahcaca, an alcoholic drink made from distilled sugar cane, is Brazil’s native liquor, while beer is also popularly consumed.

As of time of writing, smartraveller.gov.au recommends exercising a high degree of caution when travelling in Brazil. A recent outbreak of yellow fever has affected several cities, including Sao Paulo and RIo de Janeiro, so get vaccinated before you travel. Also be aware that in urban areas, particularly Rio de Janeiro, there is a risk of violent crime, so pay attention to your personal security at all times.

Whenever you travel overseas, it’s always wise to take an appropriate travel adaptor. The electricity supply runs at 220V and 110V, and the standard frequency is 60 Hz. Officially, Brazil uses the Type N electic plug, though there are some regional variations – check in advance and be sure to bring the right adapter with you.