Before even setting foot there, everyone knows Rio de Janeiro its Concorvado, its Sugarloaf. However, nothing will prepare the amazement that will come with each moment. Magic..

Stopped by the Rio de Janeiro

Between Itacaré in the north and Canavieras in the south of the State of Bahia, the Cocoa Route is becoming one of the must-see locations for those travelling to Brazil. On the 180km that separate the two cities, visitors will discover large farms where the manufacture of chocolate chips is at the heart of the activity, mangroves and a primary forest, "Mata Atlantica".

Trip on the Cocoa Route

The fifth city of Brazil, situated in the north-east of the country, is generally forgotten by tourists. Despite a reputation that is sometimes a little rough, the city which unites large avenues, tall buildings and old colonial buildings, has something to charm you. In the surroundings, the city of Olinda and the beaches of Porto das Galinhas are much more popular among tourists.

Discover Recife and its surroundings

Although the reputation of the Rio carnival may have faded, it's not the only city in Brazil that knows how to party. The proof is in Salvador de Bahia, the capital of Nordeste where rumba rings in every street corner.

Salvador de Bahia, immersion in the Bay of All Saints

Reserva Florestal de Tapajos

Fortaleza

Canoa Quebrada

Natal

One of the famous valleys of the sublime Chapada Diamantina, Vale do Capão is well known for its hippy villages and its landscapes, which offer great potential for hiking and extreme sports.

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On all my travels, I've rarely seen such a beautiful place as the Chapada Diamantina, so much so that my dream is to spend a whole month there, walking, hopping from rock to rock like a mountain goat and paddling up and down the rivers, the waters of which are sometimes blue (due to the presence of magnesium) and sometimes black (due to high levels of iron). Vale do Capão (main town: Palmeiras, population 8000) is one of the essential places to see in Chapada. Activities to do? Hiking (and plenty of it), nature watching, rock climbing, mountain biking, and to refresh your tortured muscles after all that effort, a little paddle at the Cachoeira da Fumaça ("Smoke Falls") is a must! There are many little tour and extreme sports agencies in the area that can act as your guide and organize activities for you. In my opinion, the region of Chapada Diamantina (not to be confused with the town of Diamantina in Minas Gerais) ought to be considered an essential place to see when visiting Brazil, one of the top five in fact.

One of the famous valleys of the sublime Chapada Diamantina, Vale do Capão is well known for its hippy villages and its landscapes, which offer great potential for hiking and extreme sports.

Found in an isolated part of the region, Capão has everything you need if you're looking to get off the beaten track.  Some find this village enchanting, some just think it's full of hairy, out of work hippies. One thing's for sure...it won't leave you indifferent. The town itself is tiny, but its setting's stunning. Imagine it - lush vegetation, mountains, plateaus, waterfalls and even trails where crystals are mixed among the pebbles. It's magical. And with such a high number of hiking trails in the Chapada (or 'marvelous Vale do Paty'), you'll find lots of interesting and unusual things to do along the way. Circus courses, complimentary medicine, alternative therapies, yoga, capoeira angola martial arts, seances with shamans, beekeeping...it's a multi-cultural spot! A lot of people have come here, fallen in love with the area and never left. When you get here, you'll see what I mean. It's not just its beauty but also a place where you'll meet people who've decided to live life on the margins, away from consumer society. You may well find yourself embroiled in pseudo-philosophical discussions, which may bore some of you, but not me!

A village situated in central Bahia, and a quieter entry point than neighboring Lençois, if you're planning to explore the Chapada de Diamantina.

Capao Holidays

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Brazil: our articles for your holidays