It is not the first time we bring to the blog spectacular photos found across the internet (a few weeks ago we saw virtual walkthroughs: Jericoacoara, Morro de São Paulo, Paraty, Porto de Galinhas and Rio de Janeiro and 360-degree photos of Manaus and the BR-319 across the jungle).

Today’s selection deserve special attention both for their quality and their spectacular nature. The photos belong to the Russian company AirPano, specializing in aerial captures. Its website contains a beautiful selection of shots from all corners of the world.

Iguassu Falls 360º

Rio de Janeiro 360º

If you click on the photos you will go to the page where they are hosted. The mouse controls movements in all directions. With the wheel mouse you can zoom in or out. There are shots taking airborne and shots taken from ground level.

Two fantastic documents that help portrait in all its glory the grandiosity of two of the best-known Brazilian destinations.

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RELATED POSTS:
destination: Iguazu Falls
destination: Rio de Janeiro

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Here’s our annual rewrite of our list of our list of favourite places in Brazil (previous editions include Top 10: favourite places in Brazil and 10 must-see places in Brazil).

Here is the 2011 ranking of my 10 must-see places in Brazil. Click on the names of the places to go to their full destination cards here at the blog, and find out more about them. Some of the destinations are really well-known. Others fall within the hidden jewel description. I have only included places I have been to (places I’ve read/heard about but I haven’t visited didn’t make it into the ranking).

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1. Fernando de Noronha (Pernambuco)

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2. Paraty (Rio de Janeiro)

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3. Lençóis Maranhenses (Maranhão)

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4. the Pantanal (Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul)

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5. Alter do Chão and the river Tapajós (Pará)

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6. Iguaçu falls (Paraná and Argentina)

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7. Ilha Grande (Rio de Janeiro)

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8. Brasilia (Distrito Federal)

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9. Boipeba (Bahia)

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10. Curitiba (Paraná)

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RELATED POSTS:
10 must-see places in Brazil (2010 edition)
10 must-see places in Brazil (2009 edition)
Brazil 12 months 12 destinations
top 10 Brazilian beaches – 2009 edition
São Paulo’s top ten

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The Brazilian tourism authorities have released a series of videos with 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.

Paraná:

All the info we have on Curitiba is at destination: Curitiba.

For the Iguazu Falls we have destination: Iguazu Falls.

And we gave details of a fantastic train ride at the Curitiba-Paranaguá railway journey.

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RELATED POSTS:
destination: Curitiba
destination: Iguazu Falls
map of Curitiba
Curitiba, the main sights
Linha Turismo , Curitiba’s hop-on hop-off bus
the Curitiba-Paranaguá railway journey
institutional videos: Ceará
institutional videos: São Paulo
institutional videos: Rio Grande do Norte
institutional videos: Bahia
institutional videos: Pernambuco
institutional videos: Rio Grande do Sul
institutional videos: state of Amazonas
institutional videos: Rio de Janeiro
institutional videos: Minas Gerais

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Utter madness. The mayor of Foz do Iguaçu has been attempting for a number of years now to get the council to approve a project to set up a night time lights and sound show at the Iguaçu falls. Argentina (and a sizeable part of Brazil too) has always expressed dismay at the proposal (Argentinos rejeitam projeto brasileiro de iluminar as Cataratas do Iguaçu). And in spite of that, the project was resurrected once again recently.

Why in hell would anyone want to spoil the natural beauty of the falls? Is it not beautiful enough? The Niagarization of the Iguaçu falls only obbeys to material interests. We hope the project will never see the light of the day (or the night).

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RELATED POSTS:
Destination: Iguazu Falls
Enough water at the Iguazú falls?
Change of name to the Devil’s Throat
Accommodation in Foz do Iguaçu

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Torrential rain over the state of Paraná has meant a sharp increase in the volume of water carried by the Iguazu river. This has forced the Argentinian authorities to close the walkway leading to the Devil’s Throat.

If you have a look at the link we explained at Enough water at the Iguazu falls? you will see that the volume of water reached unbelievable 11,400 m3 per second when the average is 1,200 m3 per second. More than ten times the average volume of water! A Brazilian website published yesterday a photograph showing the awesome volume of water going down the falls on the Brazilian side.

Forecasters are expecting rain will ease over the coming few days.

Source: Chuva interdita passarela da Garganta do Diabo, em Foz do Iguaçu.

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RELATED POSTS:
Destination: Iguazu Falls
Enough water at the Iguazu falls?
Accommodation in Foz do Iguaçu

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The list with the 28 finalists for the new 7 wonders of nature has been announced. It includes two candidates with an important Brazilian input: the Iguazu Falls, shared with Argentina and the Amazon jungle, shared with Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela.

It is, above all, a marketing drive to enrichen the pockets of the clever Swiss businessman behind the 7 new wonders initiative. All it does is help promote a series of places that, as a rule, are extremely well-known tourist destinations. In a way, it is a relief to know that fantastic Brazilian natural wonders – and widely unknown – like Fernando de Noronha or Lençóis Maranhenses will not suffer as a result of the overexposure caused by the contest.

There is plenty of outstanding nature in Brazil (and elsewhere, amazing and mind-blowing Patagonia is nowhere to be found among the 28 finalists!), do go beyond the 7 Wonders!

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RELATED POSTS:
10 must-see places in Brazil
top 10 Brazilian beaches – 2009 edition

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Nearly two years after the publication of my first list of favourite places in Brazil (Top 10: favourite places in Brazil) a revamped version of that list makes the blog’s frontpage – gaining a catchier title in the process. So here is the 2009 ranking of my 10 must-see places in Brazil. Click on the names of the places to go to their full destination cards here at the blog, and find out more about them. Some of the destinations are really well-known. Others fall within the hidden jewel description. Bear in mind I have only included places I have been to (places I’ve read/heard about but I haven’t visited didn’t make it into the ranking).

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1. Fernando de Noronha (Pernambuco)

Noronha is where you will find the most beautiful beaches in the whole of Brazil, and crystal-clear waters of unparalleled beauty. If that wasn’t enough, locals do care about the environment, no mean fate in the Brazilian context. A unique place. Not even its dear price tag will remove it from the number 1.

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2. Paraty (Rio de Janeiro)

Atlantic rainforest, desert beaches and the best preserved colonial architecture in the country come together to make of Paraty a very special destination.

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3. Lençóis Maranhenses (Maranhão)

While it’s not easy to reach the Lençóis Maranhenses, the reward more than makes up for the long journey. A unique landscape of dunes and lagoons where mass tourism hasn’t left its mark yet.

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4. Ilha Grande (Rio de Janeiro)

In spite of the numerous threats looming, Ilha Grande is a fantastic and incredibly beautiful nature destination.

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5. Boipeba (Bahia)

Wild beaches and crystal-clear waters the way you won’t find anywhere else in Brazil – bar Noronha. On top of that, a charming quiet village where civilization has yet to leave its imprint.

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6. Iguaçu falls (Paraná and Argentina)

The breathtaking beauty of the falls will captive you the moment you set your eyes on them.

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7. Bonito (Mato Grosso do Sul)

In the southernmost tip of the Pantanal lies Bonito, a mecca for ecotourism and fun in close contact with nature.

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8. Morro de São Paulo (Bahia)

A unique combination of sublime beaches with a great atmosphere at the end of the day.

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9. Arraial d’Ajuda (Bahia)

Great variety of beaches and a lovely village. Rest and relax during the day, have fun when the night begins.

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10. Jericoacoara (Ceará)

Another destination with a nearly-mythical status among travellers. Captivating sand dunes in a remote setting.

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HONOURABLE MENTION. Florianópolis (Santa Catarina)

The only reason for Florianópolis not making the top 10 is that rather than a single destination, the island of Florianópolis contains an exciting collection of villages and beaches.

Ready to make that trip and looking for accommodation in Brazil? Choose from a wide range of cheap to luxury hotels in Rio de Janeiro and many other cities from beautiful Brazil!

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The AdventureTravelLogue reported last November that the National Geographic and the George Washington University had conducted a third study on the situation of some of Unesco World Heritage sites.

Three Brazilian sites were assessed in the report:

Iguazu Falls, (shared with Argentina) received a score of 61 out of 100, indicating mixed reviews, positive and negative aspects combined together. The comments in the report were:

“A small island of preserved rain forest in vastness of agricultural land almost bereft of wildlife and trees. Mass tourism, no feeling of local culture, shop-window ecology.”
“Spectacular aesthetic appeal, some improvements in tourism have been made, much more needed.”
“Since revitalization of the Brazilian National Park, this site has much improved.”
“The national parks on both the Brazilian and Argentine sides need more transboundary cooperation. The natural aesthetic appeal continues to be a major draw. There is plenty of room for improving the interpretation of the park’s biodiversity.”

The historical centre of Salvador, the Pelourinho, got the same score, 61, with the following comments:

“Renovation of the city center has completely changed the aspect of the city, together with major police control. The place became more secure for tourists, but keeping the streets clean of the local population gives it a pasteurized touch. The intangible heritage represented by the original population and their habits has been lost. Once again a place where infrastructure serves tourists more than locals.”
“Beautiful heritage site, excellent built heritage, interesting cultural demonstrations, but becoming touristy. There’s a sense that the historic zone is not the ‘real Salvador.’ Need to reinforce and infuse authenticity using more performances of artists from city.”
“The physical fabric of the historic site is well restored, however, the culture it once held is no longer there. Capoeira schools and Santeria practices no longer take place in the Pelourinho. The site holds many entertainment establishments and restaurants. It is mostly attractive in the evenings. There are plans to bring residents to the area to supplement those still living in the Santo Antonio area. This will greatly enhance the area’s attractiveness.”

Finally, the Pantanal received a score of 71, that signals “minor problems”. The comments were:

“The Pantanal is perfect for any tourist looking for wild animals and a paradise for birdwatchers. The culture of the Brazilian farmers is adapted now to tourism. Visitors can sleep, eat, and live the experiences of an old farm transformed into a safari lodge. The Pantanal is a place where the local people have benefited from tourism in a way that encourages the protection of the area, and where tourists are well informed about the locale.”
“One of the few examples in Latin America of a working cattle landscape that retains its importance for wildlife conservation. Some excellent privately run attractions, such as Conservation International’s Fazenda Rio Negro and working ranches with excellent wildlife observation.”
“Pantaneiros have their own culture—an interesting blend of cattle ranching with wildlife. Unfortunately, rivers flowing into Pantanal now are badly polluted with sewage and pesticides. Plans for wood-burning steel plants at Corumbá will have a catastrophic effect.”
“Generational division of farms and silting-in of the rivers (from agriculture outside the Pantanal) are the greatest threats at the moment. Not sustainable under current trends, and unlikely to become so.”

The list of World Heritage sites drafted by UNESCO includes 11 Brazilian locations under the Cultural Heritage category and 7 under the Natural Heritage one.

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A. CULTURAL HERITAGE:

1. Brasilia

2. Historic Centre of Salvador de Bahia

3. Historic Centre of São Luís do Maranhão

4. Historic Town of Ouro Preto

5. Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Congonhas

6. Historic Centre of the Town of Diamantina.

7. Historic Centre of the Town of Goiás.

8. Historic Centre of the Town of Olinda.

9. Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis: Ruins of Sao Miguel das Missoes.

10. Serra da Capivara National Park (cave paintings).

11. Praça São Francisco in São Cristovão

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B. NATURAL HERITAGE:

12. Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves.

13. Atlantic Islands: Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves.

14. Central Amazon Conservation Complex.

15. Iguaçu National Park.

16. Pantanal Conservation Area.

17. Discovery Coast Atlantic Forest Reserves.

18. Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks.

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The volume of water the Iguazu river carries when it goes through the falls fluctuates during the year. In several occasions during this millennium the volume was so low that most of the falls dried up.

The Brazilian organization responsible for the Iguazu river monitors the volume of water going down the river course:

Iguazu river at the falls – volume of water

The interesting bit of data is the column labeled vazão (m3/s). The anual average for the river at the falls is 1,200 m3/s. During August 2006, the level dropped to 200 m3/s. During the rainy season, it can reach the incredible amount of 8,000 m3/s. From 900 m3/s upwards you can be sure the display at the falls will be fantastic. A value much lower than that should make you reconsider your trip.

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RELATED POSTS:
destination: Iguazu Falls

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