Pure Destinations | Holiday Builder, Trips, Resorts

World Cup Fever – Top 10 things to see and do in Brazil

With the 2014 FIFA World Cup now in full swing with people from all continents of the world heading to Brazil for one of the greatest sporting events to see the game’s first hand and witness the crazy street parties, we did some researching about this football mad country and found there is a lot more to it than simply football and Carnival!

Brazil is well known for its beautiful women, great football team and stunning beaches, so it is no wonder Brazil is one of the most popular holiday destinations. We have put together a list of the top 10 things to do in Brazil for your beach holiday, cultural holiday or adventure holiday.

1. Christ the Redeemer

A holiday to Brazil is simply not complete without seeing one of the Seven New Wonders of the World. It stands 120 feet tall and is perched on the top of Corcovado Mountain, overlooking the city of Rio de Janeiro. The statue took five years to compete and has become a symbol of the warmth of the Brazilian people, who receive visitors with open arms.

2. Fernando de Noronha

Fernando de Noronha is a beautiful archipelago of 21 islands and the main island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located 220 miles off the north-eastern coast of Brazil, its population is just 3,108. With warm waters year-round and great visibility for divers even at depths of 50 meters, this is a must-see location in Brazil.

3. Sao Paulo

Brazil’s largest and richest city, Sao Paulo is the seventh-largest metropolitan area in the world and is home to many famous landmarks and Ibrapuera, a cultural complex with museum, planetarium and more than 2 million square meters of green space featuring lagoons, flowerbeds and a Japanese garden.

4. Iguazu Falls

Iguazu Falls are a must-visit during your Brazil holiday where you will witness first-hand beautiful mighty waterfalls, the widest in the world at 1.67 miles wide and 269 feet high.

5. Rio de Janeiro

What trip to Brazil is complete without visiting the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro? Your holiday to Rio will be filled with beautiful beaches and outstanding mountains, a city as diverse as its people.  Ipanema and Copacabana are two of the most popular beaches in Rio and Sugar Loaf is a landmark that instantly identifies any picture of the harbour as Rio (the mountain you see in the live World Cup feed behind the presenters).

6. The Amazon River

The Amazon River is the second longest river in the world, just slightly shorter than the Nile, and the largest river by volume. Adventure holiday goers should take a jungle tour where you can take a boat ride upriver into the damp, buzzing, oppressive ambience of the Amazon.

7. Pantanal

Another one for adventure lovers, the Pantanal is the world’s largest wetland, famous for its wildlife and home to one of the largest Jaguar populations in the Americas. It is one of Brazil’s major tourist attractions.

8. Carnival

Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival is well-known as one of the world’s best parties as all corners of Brazil celebrates Carnival. The Rio Carnival attracts two million people per day on the streets and almost half a million foreigners during its 4 day celebration. If you’re travelling to Brazil and are around for Carnival, we highly recommend getting involved in the celebrations, Carnival is from February 13 – 18 2015.

9. Salvador

Another beach to add to the list – Salvador is home to exceptional beaches ranging from calm inlets, ideal for swimming, diving and sailing to open sea inlets with strong waves, perfect for surfers and beaches surrounded by reefs, forming natural pools of stone, ideal for children.

10. Football… anywhere & everywhere

Football fans, will feel at home in Brazil where you will definitely feel the hype among the locals of their love of football men play football on the beach, in the streets and anywhere they can kick a ball about. Go see a local match while you’re there and pick a team and get involved in the football madness.

To book your Brazil holiday call 0121 446 4932 or email quote@puredestinations.co.uk.