My Carnival Holiday in Brazil an Escape to Paradise

Dec 14, 2011 by melissa3    No Comments    Posted under: Archive, Itineraries

Brazil is the place to be during the Carnival holidays. Leave those tennis shoes and loafers in your room and learn to dress more like a casual Brazilian native with sandals or flip-flops adorning your feet. There are many shops along the city streets and it was easy for me to trade my footwear for an authentic pair of Brazilian made sandals. Buying casual footwear on arrival in Brazil gives me an opportunity to begin exploring the bargains that are available in local shops and at street vendor stands.

I have been to Brazil for three Carnivals and each one is bigger, bolder and more enjoyable than the previous one. For travel in and around the city I usually choose to hire a lotacao or use a kombi, instead of relying on the local bus system for my transportation needs. The lotacao is a privately owned vehicle which is operated similar to a cab or taxi service. Kombi are small vans that are affordable options to the buses that are also available. There are also boats, vans and private planes that can be used by Brazilian tourists.

I especially enjoyed Igauacu Falls which is a Brazilian tourist attraction quite similar to the watery wonders of Niagara Falls. For nightclubs, dancing and restaurants I would highly recommend that new tourists check out the dining opportunities in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. These cities in Brazil are among the most popular for visitors and they are always crowded. Even with the throngs of people the energy, music and culture of the country will prove to be a wonderful experience.

While there are many different places to stay while visiting Brazil I have found the pousadas to be my favorite. Of course there are some elegant hotels and resorts to enjoy but when you want to save money and enjoy a little more privacy then a pousada could be your best bet. During Carnival I was able to save a lot of money by reserving a room at a small pousada owned by a charming Brazilian family. The room was clean, tidy and meticulously maintained at all times and I was treated to great, home-cooked food and clean laundry during my stay. The family hospitality alone was easily worth the cost of my small room.

The beaches are a major tourist draw in Brazil and I would recommend that any visitor take the time to see Ipanema and Copacabana which are in the Zona Sul (southern part of Rio de Janeiro). Another of my favorite Brazilian destinations is Canoa Quebrada where the more rustic approach to beach life can be enjoyed.

Some of the best attractions in Brazil that I have personally experienced were the trips to see the Tropical Rainforest in Tijuca and Sugar Loaf Mountain. You should allow enough time to spend a day at each of these locations. I feel that my Carnival holidays in Brazil were balanced with these day-trips that allowed me to get away from the majority of tourist crowds.

With very little effort I have found cheap international flights that I could easily afford whenever I am ready for my holiday in Brazil. Carnival season attracts millions of visitors and I try to find the best price possible so that I have more money to spend on food and shopping.

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