Our friend and experienced diver Gabriel went to Noronha and sent us a handful of underwater pictures. Thrilling stuff.

Fernando de Noronha ranks at the top of our 10 must-see places in Brazil and also at our top 10 Brazilian beaches. A brilliant destination, both underwater and above it. Our main entry for Noronha is destination: Fernando de Noronha.

——————————
RELATED POSTS:
the dark side of Fernando de Noronha
Noronha: ready to fork out a further R$130?
five days in Noronha for R$900 total – how we did it
pay your tax online… not!

subscribe to the Brazil Travel Blog by Email
follow the Brazil Travel Blog on Twitter
follow the Brazil Travel Blog on Facebook

Fernando de Noronha conjures up images of idylic beaches and awesome underwater landscapes. Few people associate the Brazilian paradise to other interesting aspects of tourism in the country, such as history. And while you wander around the Vila dos Remédios you will hopefully come across the beautifully restored church of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (built on 1772).

If you want to see more photos of Fernando de Noronha check out our Flickr album.

If you want more information on the destination, have a look at our blog post destination: Fernando de Noronha.

subscribe to the Brazil Travel Blog by Email
follow the Brazil Travel Blog on Twitter
follow the Brazil Travel Blog on Facebook

Jornal do Commercio published recently an outstanding piece of journalism that unfortunately will be restricted to those with certain fluency in Brazilian Portuguese. The feature, with the title Noronha às Avessas (something like “the other side of Noronha”) contains a harrowing tale of corruption, misery, suffering and environmental crime that you will never find on a tourist magazine or blog. After reading the article one is left with the feeling that we will no longer be able to use the word “paradise” associated to Noronha.

Does that mean we are no longer recommending a visit to Noronha? Far from it. All that it makes Noronha excel as probably the most beautiful (certainly the most expensive) Brazilian destination is still there in place. But for those who want to go beyond the fairy tale, the article does supply background information of a different kind on the island.

Our main entry here at the blog on the archipelago is destination: Fernando de Noronha

Many thanks to Ernesto from A Gringo in Olinda for sending the link to the article.

——————————
RELATED POSTS:
Noronha: ready to fork out a further R$130?
five days in Noronha for R$900 total – how we did it
pay your tax online… not!

subscribe to the Brazil Travel Blog by Email.
follow the Brazil Travel Blog on Twitter
follow the Brazil Travel Blog on Facebook

This is the sixth on a series of videos produced by the Brazilian tourism authorities. They all have a common theme: those states that will host 2014 World Cup games. During the coming weeks we will present all those videos here in the blog. They are shortish videos, with conventional but beautiful images of the states and its main destinations.

Pernambuco:

The most outstanding destination in the state of Pernambuco is the island paradise of Fernando de Noronha.

——————————
RELATED POSTS:
institutional videos: Paraná
institutional videos: Ceará
institutional videos: São Paulo
institutional videos: Rio Grande do Norte
institutional videos: Bahia
institutional videos: Rio Grande do Sul
institutional videos: state of Amazonas
institutional videos: Rio de Janeiro
institutional videos: Minas Gerais

The website PanMAP, specialized in pano images and virtual walkthroughs, contains a series of photos covering very well known Brazilian destinations. Delight yourself from your very own desktop!

• virtual walkthrough: Jericoacoara (Ceará)
• virtual walkthrough: Morro de São Paulo (Bahía)
• virtual walkthrough: Paraty (Rio de Janeiro)
• virtual walkthrough: Porto de Galinhas (Pernambuco)
• virtual walkthrough: Río de Janeiro

The Brazil Travel Blog contains destination cards on with plenty of travel information on Jericoacoara, Morro de São Paulo, Paraty and Rio de Janeiro.

subscribe to the Brazil Travel Blog by Email
follow the Brazil Travel Blog on Twitter
follow the Brazil Travel Blog on Facebook

The headline reads: “Minister [of Tourism] denies Brazil is a sex tourism destination”. Denial is the authorities’ major contribution to solving a sordid reality: according to UNICEF, there are 250,000 children forced into prostitution across Brazil. In the words of Sarah de Carvalho of Happy Child International:

“the crisis for these children turning to prostitution has increased significantly in the north-east of Brazil over the last few years, fuelled by increasing numbers of foreign tourists who travel to Brazil for sex holidays.”

These and other informations can be seen on a recent BBC documentary with the title Brazil’s Child Prostitutes. According to Chris Rogers, the BBC jornalist responsible for the program, Brazil is overtaking Thailand as the preferred sex tourism destination worldwide.

The World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games in 2016 loom ahead. Drastic and definitive action, of the kind I haven’t seen in Brazil in the ten years I’ve been living here, is needed.

subscribe to the Brazil Travel Blog by Email
follow the Brazil Travel Blog on Twitter
follow the Brazil Travel Blog on Facebook

What would be the ideal place for a honeymoon in Brazil? When people ask me this question I always have one place in mind: the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha. However, I go to great lengths to emphasize that my choice depends upon one crucial fact: whether you are a nature lover or not. If nature is not really your thing and you’d rather spend your time indoors, then go somewhere else and feel no guilt for your choice.

In Fernando de Noronha luxury comes in the form of pristine virgin beaches of crystal-clear waters and abundant wildlife. There are a few top pousadas on the island where you’ll be able to find luxury of a material kind, but you can expect to pay there double what you would pay at an equivalent hotel in the continent. We have devoted an entire blog post to Noronha: destination: Fernando de Noronha where you will find out more about the island. Have a look at our best of Noronha album at Flickr if you need to make up your mind.

——————————
RELATED POSTS:
destination: Fernando de Noronha
hotels and pousadas in Fernando de Noronha

subscribe to the Brazil Travel Blog by Email
follow the Brazil Travel Blog on Twitter

Aquasub (also known as planasub) is a novelty entertainment you will hear about if you head to Fernando de Noronha. It is basically snorkelling while towed by a boat. To gain estability, you make use of a resin board that allows you to move up and down, left and right. Put your mask and snorkel, wear a life jacket if you wish, and jump into the water.

Although it would appear from the boat that it moves at a really slow speed, once you are in the water you will realize you need strong arms to keep holding the board steadily while moving. If the sea is calm providing good visibility, chances are you will have some beautiful encounters of the underwater kind. If you are very very lucky dolphins might come across your way.

The information we have on the archipelago is at the entry destination Fernando de Noronha.

——————————
RELATED POSTS:
destination Fernando de Noronha
photos of Noronha 2009

subscribe to the Brazil Travel Blog by Email
follow the Brazil Travel Blog on Twitter

This is a guest post by our friend Ernesto. He first came to Pernambuco in March of 2007 as a tourist. In January of 2008 he returned and since then has been living in Olinda. He keeps two blogs: a personal one and another that focuses solely on Olinda. His email is nyenye03 at hotmail dot com. Thanks for your valuable contribution, Ernesto.

————————–

Most people who land in Recife seek two things: Carnaval and Porto de Galinhas. Carnaval only takes place for a few days each year and Porto de Galinhas, although considered by many one of the best beaches in Brazil, does not belong (geographically nor politically) of Recife.

Which yields the question: what does the Greater Recife area offer for tourists?

Recife and neighboring towns are not exactly organized, clean or safe. Greater Recife has one of the highest crime rates in the country. Recife itself is called the “Brazilian Venice” because of its rivers and channels, but the truth is that most are polluted and obstructed. The beaches have enormous signs that warn against the threat of sharks. Besides, it’s fairly obvious that urban beaches are, in general, not attractive, whether they are in Recife or in any other state capital in Brazil.

The negative reputation would indicate that tourists need to avoid Recife at all costs.

But behind all that, there are some attractions that are worth mentioning. With flights from Brazilian, European and North American cities, Recife has the chance to become a tourist magnet year round, even though Carnaval will continue to be “high season.”

If you find yourself in Recife, I have four recommendations for you:

1. The southern coast. Ok, so this is not technically a part of Recife. Porto de Galinhas is the most well known of the beaches south of Recife, but there are other (less busy) beaches where you could stop. Maracaipe has hosts surfing contests every year and lies immediately south of Porto de Galinhas. It has a less developed infrastructure, but enough to receive tourists properly. On its southern end lies the Pontal, though you should avoid the seahorse tour.

   Farther south there are more beaches, best explored via dune buggy. The most well known is, without a doubt, Praia dos Carneiros. There are reefs and natural pools, but what most impresses me is the estuary formed by the river and the sea, the dune banks and the neighboring beach of Guadalupe. The restaurants are not cheap, and Tamandaré (just south) might offer some cheaper lodging and food.

   Porto de Galinhas is known for its natural pools, though some tourists are put off by the overdevelopment of what once was a small fisherman’s village. You can visit the reefs swimming or walking; there absolutely no need for a jangada. For young and/or independent travelers, there are some budget accommodations and food in town, though north of the village center there are resorts and more expensive hotels.

   Three days are enough to explore Porto de Galinhas, Praia dos Carneiros and Maracaipe, although I don’t recommend visiting these during a weekend.

   The bus that connects Recife to Porto de Galinhas stops at the Recife airport. From the TIP (Recife’s main bus station), you can take the Metro to the center of Recife, where the bus leaves for Porto de Galinhas.

   

2. Itamaracá. This island, north of Recife, has three main attractions: Corõa do Avião, Centro Peixe Boi and Forte Orange. Corõa do Avião is a small island, a sand bank, famous for its near tropical waters. To reach it you’ll have to hire a boat from the Forte Orange beach. Since you are there already, visit the old Dutch fort. Nearby you’ll find the Centro Peixe Boi, where Brazilian scientists research and care after the sea cow.

   Besides the tours offered by agencies or taxi drivers, you can reach Itamaracá by bus, first taking a bus to the Igarassú terminal, and from there a bus to Forte Orange. Leave early.

   

3. Recife. The city is really just that: a city. It has museums, historic buildings, theater and everything else a big city can offer. A traveler can take in a few, essential sights in one day. Start at the Mercado São José, the largest public market in the city, where you’ll find a bit of everything. Also in Recife’s center you’ll find the Casa da Cultura, a former prison that now hosts artisans and vendors. If you’re not into shopping, perhaps the Forte das Cinco Pontas will interest you, a former Dutch and Portuguese fort that allows you to learn about the city’s history.

   Much, much farther from the center you’ll find a family that deserves two visits. The Instituto Brennand (open 1pm to 5pm) and the Oficina Brennand (open 8am to 5pm) are different in content but similar in magnificence. The first is located in the neighborhood called Varzea, and it hosts a huge, private collection of armor, paintings, sculptures and weapons. His cousin, Francisco Brennand, owns his own collection of sculpture and paintings, all made by himself, and housed in a former tile factory. They are both on the outskirts of Recife, near the rural university and the zoo, at the end of Caxangá Avenue. Take any bus that goes along Caxangá, get off at the last stop on this avenue, and hop on a taxi for the rest of the ride.

   Finally, if you are in Recife on a Sunday, check out Recife Antigo, where there is an art fair with live music, maracatú and forró. There are plenty of bars and restaurants in the area as well.

   

4. Olinda. The hills, the churches, the restaurants, museums and ateliers in Olinda are all packed into a small historic center, where walking is the recommended method of transportation. After a day walking around Olinda, you can carry on with a variety of cultural activities. The Bodega de Veio is a small bar on Rua do Ampara which is a famous meeting place on Tuesdays and weekends. On Fridays catch the serenade, which strolls the streets singing songs your grandparents would sing (if they were Brazilian). On Saturdays visit the Alto da Sé for Afro Brazilian music at the Preto Velho. Finally, every first Saturday of the month there is a famous street party at the Largo de Guadalupe, where you can learn how to dance samba de coco.

   If you still have time and energy (and can arrange transportation), visit the Casa da Rabeca do Brasil, in the neighborhood of Cidade Tabajara, on the outskirts of Olinda. Every Saturday there is a traditional forró party. Also on Saturdays, Lia de Itamaracá hosts a ciranda (circle dance) party on the Jaguaribe beach in Itamaracá.

   

For someone planning a trip to various Brazilian cities, a week in Recife should be enough. If you are planning longer holidays, it’s easy to include Recife in your plans due to the many transportation options leaving Recife.

Of course, there are many more attractions in Greater Recife, most importantly the culture. In Recife and Olinda there are many foreigners who are enamored with the culture. There is a universe to discover: maracatú, samba de coco, cavalo marinho and much more. Don’t hesitate to contact me if your visit is cultural in nature and you want more detailed information.

subscribe to the Brazil Travel Blog by Email
follow the Brazil Travel Blog on Twitter

Our Accommodation in Brazil has a new listing, this time with hotels and pousadas in Porto de Galinhas.

subscribe to the Brazil Travel Blog by Email
follow the Brazil Travel Blog on Twitter