Visiting Brazil

Salvador

The best places to visit in Brazil are scattered throughout the country. From major cities to dense Amazonian jungles and spectacular waterfalls, the country has something to offer every visitor. Below are what I consider to be the best places to visit in Brazil.

Rio de Janeiro – This famous city needs no introduction. Rio has been one of the most popular travel destinations in Brazil for years, and the city’s vibrant culture, beautiful beaches, and great nightlife attract people from all over the world.

Sao Paulo – Slightly more serious than Rio, Sao Paulo is Brazil’s big business city. While some people think that it doesn’t have as much to offer as its rival, the city is full of cultural offerings and is worth a few days on any trip to Brazil.

Iguazu Falls – Straddling the border between Argentina and Brazil, the stunning Iguazu Falls are one of the best places to visit in Brazil. Called the “Niagra Falls of South America”, Iguazu offers visitors a chance to see beautiful natural waterfalls and dense jungle. People can also take boat rides into the falls to feel the spray on their faces.

Salvador – The city of Salvador in the state of Bahia is one of the most beloved cultural capitals of Brazil. The country’s African roots are deep here, and the music, dance, and atmosphere reflect the blending of cultures.

The Amazon – The Amazon River is one of the world’s most famous waterways. The jungle surrounding it is rich with flora and fauna of all kinds, and visitors can see everything from piranhas to jaguars.

When you plan your trip, keep in mind that the country is large and travel distances are long. If you want to go to a lot of the best places to visit in Brazil, consider getting an air pass with a Brazilian airline or international carrier like LAN.

Brazil Carnival

Flights to Brazil for Carnival are best booked well in advance. The main cities for Carnival in Brazil are Rio de Janeiro and Salvador, but you can fly to other cities in Brazil to celebrate Carnival as well.

If you’re a North American or European, your best bet is to fly a major airline on a flight to Sao Paulo or Rio de Janeiro for Carnival. Sao Paulo and Rio both are served by Delta, American, United, and British Airways, among others. You can use frequent flyer miles on these airlines if you book far enough in advance.

If your final destination for Carnival is Salvador, hop on a short flight to Salvador with a Brazilian low cost airline. Salvador airport (airport code: SSA) is served by low cost airlines in Brazil such as TAM, GOL, and Varig airlines.

GOL airlines is a low cost carrier like Southwest and Ryanair for domestic flights in Brazil. GOL offers roundtrip flights from Sao Paulo to Salvador for Carnaval for around US$150. The same goes for the Rio de Janeiro airports.

Avioes

Here are a few tips on transiting and customs at Sao Paulo Airport (GRU) in Brazil.

If you’re transiting to another flight at Sao Paulo Airport, you will not need to clear customs and immigration.

For example, if you’re flying from Sao Paulo to Buenos Aires, you don’t need to go through customs in Brazil at all.

This is great if you’re short on time.

On the down side, the airport is pretty boring.

There are a lot of shops but nothing really exciting, so bring reading material.

There is a United Red Carpet Club in Sao Paulo Airport too.

You might want to consider buying a one day pass at the counter for less than US$50 if you have a few hours to spend in Sao Paulo Airport.

You can go inside the lounge to shower and get free drinks. Not a bad deal.