Salvador de Bahia
The ancient capital of Brazil
Salvador is a city full of life. The tourist neighbourhood, located at the end of the peninsula, is the safest place of the city. You can enjoy beaches and having a walk alongside the bay. When you go inland, you will see many neighbourhoods with more modest infrastructures next to big roads linking the different parts of the city. The city is well renowed for its African culture and vibes, which gives Salvador a special atmosphere. It is also way less touristy than Rio so you will find more authenticity in this town.
Not far away from Salvador, you can easily take a boat that bring to to islands on the other side of the bay if you want some quietness and nature.
The nightlife in Salvador is quite epic because it feels like people know each other which gives some kind of family vibe despite Salvador being a big city. Enjoy taking a Brahma until 8 am the next day after your party to get back on track. Definitely amazing experience.
The stadium of Salvador was used for the 2024 FIFA World Cup.
Pictures taken in April 2024
Rio de Janeiro
The royal court of the Portuguese Empire
The very popular Rio de Janeiro is a city of contrasts. The famous neighbourhoods along the coast, such as Copacabana and Ipanema, are the safest and most attractive areas for visitors, where you can enjoy beaches and lively streets full of restaurants and bars.
The city is surrounded by mountains and lush nature, offering incredible viewpoints over the bay, and good hikes. As you go further inland, you will find more modest neighbourhoods spread across the hillsides, favelas, alongside busy roads connecting the different zones. The city doesn’t feel “big” in the litteral sense.
The city is just like what you can see on the pictures, if so even better. The only drawback would be that Rio is likely a victim of its success as you encounter many tourists which erodes somehow the authenticity of the place if that’s what you are looking for. But the city is definitely an experience.
Pictures taken in May 2024
Ilha Grande
Rio’s paradise escape
Located not too far away from Rio, Ilha Grande is the perfect place to relax with nature vibes. Enjoy the beaches of the island reachable by foot or by boat. Also enjoy plenty of hiking possibilities with the Pico de Papagaio, the summit of the island. A hike that is particularly hard but manageable if you have a good physical condition. It is advisable to leave very early in the morning.
Parties are also organised just next to the beach in the main town. The midnight bath is also definitely a thing in Ilha Grande.
As for the beaches, the Lopes Mendes beach may likely be the best beach on the island, tons of space and easily reachable by boat (it takes longer by foot for the most courageous).
Pictures taken in May 2024
Paraty
The charming cobblestones town
Paraty holds a festival every year with local music and authentic dances. It is a pitturesque town, walkable next to the sea with charming shops. You can easily walk around the city and immerse yourself in the local culture in one or two days. A river crosses the town and with many bridges you can feel a romantic atmosphere in these streets.
Pictures taken in May 2024
São Paulo
The urban hell
São Paulo is enormous and litteraly a jungle of buildings, most of them are medium rises. One of the biggest cities in the world, it is Brazil’s economic centre. It used to be a small village not too far away from the sea but it transformed into a megalopolis like we could ever imagine.
You have in this city many things to do, museums, street art, nightlife and restaurants. The Paulista Avenue is the Time Square of São Paulo, you have many malls and activities to discover. Practically everything except if you want to go to the beach, then you will have to take transportation to the coast (not too far away from the city).
The Pinheiros neighourhood is particularly popular amongst tourist for its high density of restaurants and accommodations. Vila Magalena is a very nice part of the city where you can enjoy vibrant nightlife. Beware of the traffic that is very dense especially at peak hours!
Pictures taken in June 2024
