Brazillian Must-Sees?

[Dan 23]

People,

How is it? Heading into Brazil in a couple of weeks from Uruguay, unlimited time, open to suggestions, glad of advice. What should I see? Best beaches? Grooviest bars? Nicest hotels? Favourite roads? Smoothest waxers? etc etc

Ta, cheers, suerte,

Dan Walsh

[Stretcher Monkey]

Coast Road - BR 101 Santos to Parati & Rio. Not always easy, but stop where you want, and good views, little in the way of HGV's. Nice new bit of peage North from Salvador, (best bit of road in Brasil) - make sure you have a full tank. Oh, and Jericoacoara if you like lots of sand!

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"There's no justice, just us".
2004 650 KLR, Colombia

[Dan 23]

Couple of people have mentioned that Santos to Rio route. Sounds like a cracker. Ta.

[richardb]

Dan, there is so much. I spent six months there and its not enough. Don't miss the Iguacu falls on the Paraguay/Argentina border - and make sure you see it from the Argentinian side as well.

You must also go to Bonito and the Pantanal - best when the weather is dry becuase its all outdoor activity, and there are some dirt roads involved.

The Santos-Rio road is excellent, and yes there is Jeri up from Fortaleza. But unless you want some hardcore sand action, don't try and ride into Jeri, though local bikers will try to persuade you they can guide you. I found a private home to park my bike for a few days - perfectly safe.

Then of course there is Belem and Manaus. If you don't want to take the bike up river from Belem - and you won't if you are coming back down again - I found it to be safe to leave it at Belem airport, the security lodge by the entrance to the long term car park is manned 24 hours a day, so leave it right there. I did for 10 days with no problems.

Your SPanish will give you some help in Brazil, but if you have the time, it is well worth learning some Portuguese. English is not widely spoken outside the cities, and they will love you all the more for it.



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Richb
http://www.postmaster.co.uk/~richardbeaumont/60684/

[JamesCo]

There's a straightforward route into Jeri that the locals do in their wee front-wheel drive Golfs; if you have good tyres (my KLR got new MT21s in Fortaleza) it's very doable. Guides and exceptional sand-skills aren't required. Finding the way in from Jerioca is hard because there are many bewildering paths, no signs, and anybody that helps you will want to be paid for guiding... Here's the easy way:

A short way south of Jerioca there is a sign-post pointing out a dirt road running to the east to 'Prea'. This is a fishing village around the point from Jeri and there is no problem finding this road or following it to the end, where the fun starts. When you arrive in Prea continue to the beach and turn left (i.e. north toward the point) and keep going along the beach until the tracks head up a dune to the left, just before the point. There is a sign here. Follow the main tracks and you'll be in Jeri. It shouldn't take more than an hour. Fully loaded the only problem was overheating going into Jeri, since the wind was from behind and the engine was working hard in the loose & deep sand. It would have been miserable without off-road tyres, though there are plenty of others to help you when the bike is stacked (I was lucky). Once in Jeri unload the bike and go wild in the sand - the ride to Lagoa is very nice, for example; petrol is available back in Prea. It's also possible to ride the beach all the way from Fortaleza to Jeri - local riders practise for the Dakar here - but it would be very hard going on a loaded bike. The national park Lençóis Maranhenses further north is amazing and it would be a lot of fun to explore for a few days on an unloaded Dakar with good rubber and good company. You're going to love Brasil.

Have fun,
James

PS - Jeri is the home of the lovely and inspiring Jody (aka Patricia) who rode SA solo, dirt-roads only, for two years. Look her up if you can.

[This message has been edited by JamesCo (edited 28 February 2005).]

[Stretcher Monkey]

Dan, my blog on Jeri may be of some use in deciding:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tst...ugh/001128.php

If you go, stay at 'Juventude', I only paid R$s20, some places charge up to R$s170!!! And say 'hola' to Elisa for me.

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"There's no justice, just us".
2004 650 KLR, Colombia

[k7lro]

All great answers. I'd add Florianoplis (south of Sao Paulo) & Ilha Bela, an island just north of Sao Paulo but over on the coast.

I've done the Pantanal trip and finding a ranch that runs an ecological hotel is pretty easy.

I think the highlight of any Brazil trip is the Belem to Manaus. One of the best boats is the Santarem and you can rent a cabin or just buy a hammock and go "Brazilian" style. If you get a hammock, you'll need to get someone to watch your stuff at all times. And spring for the AC level. The lower level isn't air conditioned and it's damn hot all year round. Rumor has it the Santerem doesn't allow motorcycles but they will take smaller bikes. Otherwise, the airport parting is a great suggestion.

If you're in Belem, do a trip to the old docks and the public market next to them. Watch yourself though. It can be dangerous for tourists so don't carry a fancy camera in the open. If you decide to go hammock class on the boat, you can buy a hammock at the market for next to nothing. The Goeldi Museum in Belem is excellent also. Worth a side trip.

Once you get to Manaus, do a tour of the Opera House. Spectacular.

[richardb]

I went on the Santarem boat too - hammock only of course, but even the upper deck is hot when the boat is docked (in Santerem itself for the whole day!)

Can't say I ever worried about watching my stuff too closely.

Yes Florianopolis is also fantastic, as is Recife. Salvador and all the rest.

[Jake Dury]

If you like the outdoors go to Lencois, inland from Salvador. An incredible town surrounded by the most beautiful national forest I have ever hiked in. Don't miss it.

[burnout1]

Well I would also recommend Canoa Quebrada south of Fortaleza. Its a nice Village and you also have a "Partymile". Well its not that big, but you can rent buggys there. We did it for 80 Reais a Day (without a driver, much more fun, I can ensure you).
Have a look for the Pousada Bonanza near the entrence of the village. they have a nice little "mini appartement". However, its about 40-50Reais/Day incl. breakfast.

Also ride along the coast (not highway) when coming from Sao Paulo in direction Rio. Nice street and nice villages. Ubatuba and so on (you can also dive there, its great region. For Party after Rio head towards Buzios and so on.
In Rio I would recommend the Newtons roof top hotel. You can not get the bike in the house there, but ask Newton for the car parking building. It is behind the nearby shopping center. Normaly they just rent places for a year but they make exceptions. Ask for it.
I can also recommend Salvador and certainly all up the coast. Be carefull, partly very bad road conditions, I do not recommend to ride during night - very dangerous.
If you need more ideas, ask me.
Have a nice ride.
Burnout1

[Muno]

I recommend you very much the national park in Ibitipoca MG. It's one of the most amazing i ever saw.
http://www.ibitipoca.tur.br

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http://www.motorbike-tours.ch/Fotoseite.php

[spliffy]

Don´t forget Buzios 2,5hr north of Rio for good day and nightlife. Itacaré Beach north of Ileus Bahia, Praia da Pipa 1hr south of Natal (stop in for a on me at my bar Pacifico). And Last of all Leçois Maranhenses National park near São Luis Maranhão Very special river delta....
Jim