Hidden Paradise - Joatinga Beach
by zemarquinho
Beside the must visits like Corcovado, Sugar Loaf, Copacabana, Ipanema, Lapa and Maracana, there is this tropical paradise like beach named Joatinga, right inside the Megapolis. It is the most safest and most hidden Beach of all in Rio de Janeiro. It is located inside the richest residencial area of Rio: Joá. You can get there only by car. The entrance into the condominio is open to the public.
More information about that place with a lot of pics you can find at:
Rio de Janeiro Photo Guide at the Rio de Janeiro Beaches category. Cold Draft Beer - choppe
Hiking the Tijuca Forest
Spending an evening at Lagoa
Beaches
Shows of Lapa
Currency
by dvideira
Brazilian currency is the Real.
There are R$100, R$50, R$20, R$10, R$5, R$2 and R$1 bills ( as a matter of fact there are two types of R$ 10 bills )
In the 80's we had a plague of a galloping inflation, as in 50% a month. The currency changed names frequently, and trying to keep up to date was quite hard even for us.
Brazilians finally started to enjoy some economic stability in the 90's, with the creation of the real and we had a time when
the real was originally quoted US$1.
In 1999 the government stopped interfering in the exchange rate, and the real underwent a major devaluation.
This devaluation couldn't be better news for travelers visiting Brazil.
The current exchange rate is around US$1=R$3
General Weather patterns for major regionsJune-Nov
by racheljapi
This is officially the dry season in the Amazon, with October being the driest month. June and July are the months when the water level is at its highest, due to the quantity of rain that has fallen in the wet season. During these months it is possible to navigate through the flooded forests with a canoe to get a better view of the tops of the trees and the animal life that exists there. Temperatures in the dry season can rise to above 30°C (86°F).
Pantanal
Temperatures can be as cool as 10°C (50°F) in the winter and warm clothing is necessary, especially at night. The dry season is the nesting and breeding season. Hundreds and thousands of birds crowd the trees and the white sand river beaches are exposed with jacarés (crocodiles) basking in the sun.
Iguassu Falls
In the winter the average temperature is 15°C (59°F). During this season the water is much diminished, as are the birds and insects.
Fernando de Noronha
September to December is the dry season. October is the driest month, when rainfall will not be greater than 9mm (0.36 inch) in a 24 hour period.
Bahia
July and August is officially the rainy season, when the temperature drops to around 26°C (79°F) and the rainfall is heavier than throughout other months. There are still many sunny days during these months and shorts and a t-shirt can always be worn. Although it is the rainy season in nearly the entire state, inland in the mountains this is the dry season.
Rio de Janeiro
Between June and August is the dry season in the state of Rio, with the rest of the year rainy to a greater or lesser degree. Although it is drier it is cooler than in the summer with temperatures ranging from 22°C to 32°C (72°F - 90°F). Remember that it also depends on that particular season.
Drink those juices!!
by Groentje
My goodness! I will never forget my first juice in Brasil. They are just so incredibly yummy! I tasted a lot of them, and only found one or two that I didn't like. They're not only very refreshing, they also give you an incredible boost of vitamins, and they're mighty healthy!
If ever I am rich, I'm starting up a Brazilian juice bar in Ghent!
It is actually fruit mixed, added with (sometimes) condensed milk. When you put a straw in it, it should stand up right. The bar I went to the most was called Sucomania, and I believe it's a chain. Some of the (sometimes 30) varieties tasted were maracuja (passion fruit), mango, coco nut, strawberry, ... Some were mixed with milk or ice as well and all were so very refreshing. Pick one; you'll see they're very good.
You cannot have left Brasil without having tasted one!
Here's a selection:
* Acai (so yummy! ice cold smoothy like with sometimes kind of corn flakes in them: very energetic!)
* Acerola (a bit like Looza Ace in Belgium - drink with vitamins A C and E)
* Abacaxi (my favourite: pineapple!)
* Melaõ (Melon)
* Maracuja (Passion Fruit)
* Morango (Strawberry)
* Tamarindo (brrr, I did not like this at all!)
* ...
Sample the Brasilian foods in a local restaurant.
by dabidc
The day was hot and the bus left us at Buzios around noon, so Rafael who knew his way around set off for the main street and it was there that we found this bright and cheerful eating establishment, just beckoning us to enter and sample the delicios food.
Then a stroll along the street a visit to a couple of shops then a chat to a freind and finally the transport to the beach. A dune buggy no less, Vroom Vroom. It had to be experienced.
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The view was incredible
Barra Beach
Escola de Música
Copacabana's signature pavement design
