Summer is coming and, with the high temperatures, comes the desire to be outdoors more and be in places with lots of water to cool off. In Brazil, there is no shortage of options, with many beaches, lagoons, waterfalls and natural pools, as the country has the largest hydrological reserve in the world, with breathtaking natural landscapes.
Even though it is high season, it is possible to enjoy incredible places, as long as you plan your trip in advance. Check out some tips below for unmissable destinations to enjoy lots of water this summer.
River Beaches
Busy or calmer, Brazil is rich in beaches, but not just those bathed by the Atlantic. As it contains 15% of all fresh water on the planet, our country also holds a record for the number of river beaches.
As beautiful as the saltwater beaches, these beaches appear, like small islands, when the river waters recede. Example of this is Alter do Chãoa destination that is still little known, but has already been considered one of the most beautiful river beaches in Brazil, by the English newspaper The Guardian.
Located in Pará, more precisely at the mouth of the Tapajós River, it is only 38 kilometers from Santarém and can be accessed by canoe or walking on small trails. The most famous islands are Ilha do Amor, also known as “Amazonian Caribbean”, a busy place with bars and kiosks with beach chairs to relax; and Pindobal, which is very similar to the first.
Very close to the island of Love, there is Lago Verde, which during “dry” periods, is separated from the Tapajós River by a sandbank, forming a lagoon that allows diving in the streams. There is also Ponta do Cururu, accessed by boat or hiking from Ilha do Amor. It is a perfect place for watching dolphins and contemplating the beautiful sunset.
Another example for those who can’t resist a delicious fresh water bath is the Pantanal, an ecological refuge with strong ecotourism due to its rich biodiversity. This region is greatly appreciated and explored by tourists curious to observe species of birds, fish, reptiles and mammals in abundant settings of the Amazon Forest, Atlantic Forest and others.
To visit, it is best to divide it into two: Pantanal do Norte, a region that floods first, between February and March, but the waters begin to recede in the next two months, at most, and that is when you can travel along the Transpantaneira, the main road place to visit places like Poconé and Barão de Melgaço, and, for those who enjoy fishing, enjoy Cáceres and Porto Jofre.
The other division is the Pantanal do Sul, and its flood period begins in May, making it possible to navigate roads flooded by river waters, via boat. However, from July until September, it is now possible to travel on dry roads by car. With this, it will be possible to visit regions of rich nature such as Lampião Aceso, Buraco das Piranhas, Maciço de Urucum and the famous Curva do Leque, in the district of Porto da Manga.
Saltwater beaches
An unusual destination tip is the Parnaíba Delta, place where the river meets the sea, which is why it unites saltwater beaches and freshwater beaches. It is the only open sea delta in the Americas and one of the three largest in the world, second only to the Nile, in Egypt; and the Mekong, in Vietnam. It is located between the states of Piauí and Maranhão.
The region is formed by the subdivision of the river into five different points, also called mouths: Tutória, Caju, Carrapato, Canários, Igaraçu. These mouths that gave rise to more than 80 river islands filled with lush forests and mangroves, with exotic fauna and flora, attract visitors from all over the world.
Already Jijoca from JericoacoaraJericoacoara or just Jeri, as it is known, is a small municipality located in the extreme north of Ceará and its main attraction is the beach that has the same name.
The region was discovered by tourists only in 1985, and until then, it was a peaceful fishing village. Today it is a trendy village and has been the setting for films such as the award-winning “The Oyster and the Wind”, as well as having also served as the setting for soap operas.
For those who can’t do without extreme sports, Jeri is a great place to practice kitesurfing and windsurfing. Other unmissable attractions are watching the sunset over the Dunes, or watching the sun fall into the sea inside Pedra Furada, a phenomenon that takes place in the month of July.
O State of Bahia It has a very diverse destination and has, in terms of salty beaches, some of its greatest assets. One of the most paradisiacal ones are Itacaré and Maraú, perfect places to enjoy the tranquility with your feet in the sand.
And if you want to observe marine life, spotting graceful whales showing off to onlookers, for example, we have Abrolhos, where, in its surroundings, you can also visit indigenous Pataxó villages for contact and a special experience of their customs and traditions.
Waterfalls
For those who like beautiful waterfalls, heading towards the interior of Bahia, this state has reserves with other types of natural beauty, such as Chapada Diamantina. This is an ideal destination for adventurers, who enjoy hiking and trails to discover mountains, caves, streams and exuberant waterfalls.
In terms of “water to cool off in the summer”, the charm lies in the beautiful rainbow formed by the waters of Cachoeira da Fumaça. A beautiful waterfall of almost 400 meters, surrounded by rocky walls that form a wonderful nature for the Capão Valley.
Other options for observing crystal-clear blue waters are Gruta da Pratinha and Gruta Azul, both located inside Fazenda Pratinha, a beautiful place for boat trips, diving and snorkeling for impressive observation of aquatic vegetation, rock formations and colorful fish.
But, there is much more… Morro do Pai Inácio is an imposing and high hill, unmissable to observe along the way, the entire natural scenery of this Chapada, allowing wonderful views of other hills such as Morro do Camelo and Morro Três Irmãos. This trail also takes you to contemplate one of the most impressive Brazilian sunsets, seen from the top of the mountain.
Another destination rich in waterfalls is located in the heart of Brazil, in the state of Goiás, the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park. It is considered a Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO and brings together an impressive set of rivers, waterfalls, canyons, trails and geological formations, all surrounded by the exuberant nature of our cerrado.
Option to take several tours outside the Park, its attractions spread across private properties located in the municipalities of Alto Paraíso de Goiás, Cavalcante and the village of São Jorge. It is a region frequently visited by those who enjoy contact with nature, however, to get there, it takes a lot of effort, as many of the waterfalls and wells are at the end of long trails.
But the reward is worth it because of the incredible landscape. One of the most visited areas is Vale da Lua, located in Alto Paraíso de Goiás, which features rock formations that form a landscape similar to the surface of the Moon and also offers visitors natural pools formed between caves and crevices.
Other wonders are the Almécegas I and II waterfalls, and Raizama, much sought after due to the possibility of jumping from the walls, which also favors rappellers. The Santa Bárbara Waterfall has water that varies between a very light blue and deeper nuances. Other points worth visiting are Cachoeira do Segredo and the São Miguel River.
These are just some of the countless destinations that can be enjoyed in summer 2018/2019. In addition to fun, it is an excellent opportunity to discover extraordinary places in Brazil.
Before traveling, speak to our consultants to find out the best period for your trip and important tips. Ambiental is one of the pioneering companies in ecotourism in Brazil and offers packages with different options for you to make the most of your trip. You will lose?
