DMC Brazil - DMC - Walpax Brazil Travel Partners

Those in the know call Rio. Incomparable.
Rio is unique in terms of wildlife and natural beauty; the richness of its history and the contagious fun of its residents have contributed to its image as a very special destination, and never more so than during its two major festivals, New Year’s Eve and Carnival.
It is a resort destination which also provides the sophisticated infra structure of a modern city. One will find everything he requires in Rio de Janeiro. Factor in the rainforest flourishing between the city and the beaches and you have a virtually unique city.
Rio is a city of contrasts: the colonial architecture provides a reminder of the past, striking modern buildings provide a glimpse into the future. Two landmarks, true postcard images, are known the world over the Sugar Loaf and the Corcovado.
Rio de Janeiro is the perfect destination, not seasonally sensitive, the climate is temperate year round, and its attractions can be enjoyed at virtually any time of the year. Rio residents set their body clocks by the sun, so although to the visitor there would appear to be little variation in the seasons, the locals know whether it is beach season of not.
Visitors always discover what the residents know and are proud of: there’s always something new happening in Rio … exhibitions, dance and music shows, sporting events.
In common with many other cities of this size, the population of Rio is made up of true locals, people who have come here from other parts of the country and the small international community, here for short or long stays. All have contributed their flavor to this most cosmopolitan of cities. Rio de Janeiro residents are, broadly speaking, easygoing, creative, humorous and very welcoming to visitors. Although the country’s principal religion is Roman Catholicism, almost all other faiths have temples, services or representation in the city, where religious tolerance is unqualified.

Salvador means The Saviour – capital of the state of Bahia was the first capital of Brazil. The city is divided in 2 – “Lower City” where commercial activities revolve around the port – “Upper City” reached by stone steps or by the Lacerda lift, with the old government buildings, residential district, museums, and churches. Salvador is a city to be enjoyed at a slow pace. A perfect location, on the northeastern coast of Brazil, a lovely tropical city with white sand beaches, coconut groves, golden sunshine, refreshing blue sea and great weather year round. It can be said that Salvador is the heart of Brazil.
Once the economic, cultural and political center of the South Atlantic Salvador is at the same time colonial, modern and mystical. This city experienced the convergence of European, African and American indian culture of the 16th and 18th centuries, the perfect amalgam for a harmonious life, which still prevails today. It is said that in Salvador there are enough churches for each day of the year; majestic and simple: some like the São Francisco and the Senhor do Bonfim, covered with gold, silver and stones. Museums like the Costa Pinto, exhibit the rich Bahian heritage. Fortresses built centuries ago in an almost medieval style still stand guard. Pelourinho a UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered an eminent example of Renaissance urban structuring. The “baianos” as we call the inhabitants of the state, in general, are famous for their easy-going way, the warmth and their openness, the result of an incredible mixture of races: black, white and indian. Religious festivals play an important role in their life. It is said that the Bahian soul is the result of a fantastic mixture of religions and Salvador, known as the Land of All Saints, for its profound and multiple religious beliefs especially Catholicism and Candomblé (brought from Africa by the slaves).

This modern and thriving city was founded by the Jesuits in 1554, it can be intimidating because of its size and constant traffic, a host of immigrants and culture in all senses making it unique, diversified, attractive and entertaining. .
It would be simple to say that this is the largest business destination in Latin America. Numbers tell us that there are 12.5 thousand restaurants, more than 70 shopping centers and gastronomic centers where the Japanese and Italian culinary has an important role. The museum scene is unique from the Sacred Art Museum for the MASP – São Paulo Art Museum with an unexpected collection of European fine arts and the Pinacoteca. The Portuguese language has its own museum, an attraction to visitors.
It is difficult to squeeze all that there is to be seen in a short program making it a challenge to select what is there to see.
A city where trends, aromas, and colors mix into this sense of being that makes of São Paulo a must!

The first settlement in the area of Manaus was the São José do Rio Negro fortress built in 1669. In 1879, rubber trees became a major item and the Amazon experienced a progress boom that spanned the years until 1912. During the opulent years, Manaus was a thriving port and a magnet to cultural manifestations that took place in the Amazonas Theater. Manaus bears today witness to that period with highlights such as the Manaus Opera House, the Manaus Floating Dock, Rio Negro Palace (Government) and the Customs Building. Since the last decades of the 20th century, Manaus became the main entrance way to the Amazon forest and the many forest lodges installed in the area.
The term rainforest describes forests that grow in constant humid conditions. They can occur wherever the annual rainfall is above 2,000 millimeters (80 inches), even if it is spread throughout the year. The rather high temperatures favor plant development – i.e., above 20 degrees Celsius.
The main characteristic of this humid, dense forest is the fact that the plants congregate in groups, which are organized in a distinctive manner within the ecosystem. Contrary to popular belief, tropical trees are not over-sized. Average total height in the Amazon Rainforest ranges 30 to 40 meters (100 to 133 feet).
The Amazon Rainforest contains the largest area of tropical forest in the world. It covers 6 million square kilometers in 9 different countries (circa 60% in Brazil). At first look, the Amazon forest seems to be rather uniform in physiognomy but, in fact, there are many typological variations and ample species diversity. The forest canopy is frequently discontinuous, giving space for special ecological niches. The heart of this region is the impressive Amazon, the second longest watercourse of the world. The Amazon holds more than 20% of the planet’s fresh water, has at least 1,000 tributaries being the Rio Negro the largest. The Amazon Rainforest actually includes four major vegetation types:
Terra Firma Forest (upland forest) – located on higher grounds with no direct influence from rivers
Várzea Forest (marshland forest) – seasonally flooded lowland forest.
Igapó Forest – permanently flooded lowland forest.
Caatinga Forest – along the Rio Negro, called Campirana as well.
The extraordinary wealth of plant and animal life in the Amazon basin has attracted explorers and scientists since the dawn of the 16th century. At least 30,000 out of 100,000 species of plants in Latin America are found in the Brazilian Amazon. The wildlife is equally diverse: thousands of creatures, amazingly different but each ideally suited for its particular way of life in the jungle. Clearly, this is a world of enormous fascination to everyone interest in nature. With its legends and myths, the Amazon’s reality is still an enigma for humanity.

Sunshine, lovely beaches, soft breeze, tropical climate and the country’s most varied handicraft: that is why the state of Ceará has become a tourist attraction. Coming to Fortaleza, the capital, you enjoy special beaches, the raftsmen heroic life, the lace maker’s ability.
There is always plenty of the sunshine along the coast from where one can watch the constant movement of the rafts in the ocean. Fortaleza is a bright and lovely city. A fantastic location by the sea and between two rivers, makes the climate pleasant year round, a busy and cozy city at the same time. No matter where one is – swimming at Praia do Futuro (/Beach of the Future), sunbathing at Porto das Dunas (Dune Port) or watching the sun set at Cumbuco – there is always something to enjoy.

The capital of the state of Rio Grande do Norte is called the City of the Sun. At the easternmost point of the South American continent, Natal is famous for the gentle breeze brought by the ocean and white sand beaches lined with palms and natural and protected swimming-pools of reef barriers.
Natal is a complete destination by itself, but if you want to explore, take an SUV expedition to Fortaleza driving the dunes along the coast or explore the seaboard both north and south of the city.
One of the highlights of a visit to Natal is the Reis Magos Fortress, star-shaped built by the Portuguese in 1598 and Natal’s first building. Another attraction in the Northeast is the handicraft and the Centro de Turismo (Tourism Center) a 19th-century neo-classical building is a treasure chest of lovely handmade embroideries and other items as well as an art gallery.
Natal is famous for its beaches and moving dunes at: Praia do Meio, Praia dos Artistas, Praia de Areia Preta, Praia de Ponta Negra. Heading south: Cotovelo, Piranji do Norte, Piranji do Sul, Búzios, Barra de Tabatinga, Barreta and Pipa. North: Redinha, Redinha Nova, Santa Rita, Genipabu, Pitangui, Jacumã, Muriú, Barra de Maxanranguape and Praia de Touros.

Búzios a small fishing-village,turned-seaside-resort, 200 km up the coast from Rio de Janeiro is tailor-made for a special program in a getaway in style. The debonair atmosphere of Búzios, excellent restaurants, resorts and lovely beaches, is perfect at all times of the year. In fact, the charm of Búzios lies in its beaches and the highest ratio of restaurants-per-inhabitant of any place in the country.

The way to “do” Búzios is to stay in one of the resorts and carries an uncanny resemblance to resorts in the Mediterranean. A typical Búzios day begins around mid-morning, after a hearty breakfast – off to the beach – choosing Geribá, Ferradura or Ossos where a bar is a setup for beach side drinks, fried shrimp and oysters or dare the surf with windsurfing boards, kayaks or a jet ski. Other beaches like Tartaruga, Brava, João Fernandes and Forno are fantastic during the week. At night, a unique meal by a chef who prepares delicious seafood dishes. After dinner, a promenade on Rua das Pedras (Cobblestone Street) where you will find the perfect bar and entertainment.

Taking the “Estrada do Coco” / Coconut Road in Salvador, Praia do Forte, a fishermen village is 50 km the airport and 80 km from the heart of the city. Estrada do Coco is named after the immense number of coconut trees lining the way. A small and pleasant village with a welcoming atmosphere and a superb resort infrastructure.

Known as the Brazilian Polynesia, it keeps all its primitive beauty, with unforgettable beaches, surrounded by a large green belt of coconut trees. Due to the configuration of its coast, with long stretches of reefs and in the low tide form, many pools of warm and transparent water fantastic for snorkeling.

The residents of Praia do Forte are keen in preserving their ecosystem where four species of marine turtles come back to lay their eggs. An NGO called TAMAR works with the population to guarantee the preservation of these species. But Praia do Forte is not only famous for being an ecological paradise. It is also a place of simple, friendly people, with wide, friendly, hospitable smiles at all times.

The Reserva Ecológica de Sapiranga (an ecological preservation area), protecting the flora and fauna with small waterfalls and rapids.

At the village, small inns, bars, and restaurants make you feel at home.

Long before Spanish explorer Don Alvar Nuñes reached South America’s greatest waterfall in 1541, the natives had named it Iguaçu – meaning great waters. Once seen, the falls – all 275 of them – are never forgotten. The two-mile wide curtain of water crashing 300 ft. over a series of precipices into a spray-filled gorge constitutes the most spectacular sight of southern Brazil and probably the whole of South America. A two or three-day stay in Iguassu is fascinating for incentives. This allows time to enjoy the falls from both the Brazilian and Argentinian sides, ride over them by helicopter and approach them on a jungle / river trek. It also gives time to visit Foz do Iguaçú, the Brazilian border town nearby that mushroomed in the late 1980s when Itaipu, one of the largest hydroelectric plant in the world, was built. At the Iguassu National Park, a trail winds towards the falls populated by the contis, long-tailed racoon-like creatures with a well-developed sense of tourists’ feeding habits. At its end, an elevator provides speedier access to a viewing platform to a vantage point. Focal point of the falls, best seen from above, is the Devil’s Throat, a horseshoe-shaped gully in mid-stream over which seems to pour most of the Iguaçu River at the phenomenal rate of 13,000 cubic meters a second. To experience its deafening roar and feel the spray at really close quarters, you must cross the border to Argentina entering the Iguazu National Park and following a catwalk. One walks for 20 minutes along catwalks past alligators dozing in the shallows, to stand hypnotized by the thundering waters that fill the air with spray and render conversation near impossible. Above, the helicopter swoops and turns, giving tourists a gallery view of nature’s design work on a spectacular seven-minute ride back and forth across the falls’ most stunning points. Longer flights take one to see Itaipu dam.