Brazil is one of the most exciting and exotic destinations not only in South America, but in the world. Housing what can arguably be called the best soccer team in the world, the Brazilian beaches and weather are simply outstanding for any tourist to spend a vacation in. Following is a glance at the top 'places to be' in this country.
Rio de Janeiro: Just a first look is enough to give a tourist a clear idea of how exhilarating the ride is going to be during one's stay at Rio de Janeiro. Also known as cidade maravilhosa (marvelous city), the city is surrounded by beautiful mountains, white beaches and rainforests resting alongside the sea. The natural beauty is so striking that it feels hard to believe that one is actually in a metropolis. The residents of Rio, also known as cariocas, seem to have all done a great deal of study in living well, and why not, for they have practically every resource one needs to lead a care-free and enjoyable life – then be it the Copacabana and Ipanema beaches or the cliff-side views from the Corcovado and Pão de Açúcar, not to forget open air cafes, bars and dance halls. Tourists from all parts of the world flock to this wonderland to surf, hike, sail, or simply dance till they drop!
Salvador da Bahia: Known as Bahia by the local population, this city's energy is unparalleled by any other destination across the world. The city was once the capital of Portugal’s new world colony. The city centre, so to speak, is practically a trip down the memory lane, with 17th and 18th century architecture visible in the churches, but that is not all to Bahia, since it also played a vital role in the arts movement. There are tons of festivals going on all through the year, and drum corps continue to churn soul-stirring rhythms on a regular basis. At night, plazas, and practically every open air space for that matter, is filled with capoeira circles, while the air gets overloaded with the fragrance of acarajé (bean and shrimp fritters) and other delicacies. In other parts of the city, religious followers conduct ceremonies of a different kind as they try to form an alliance with the African gods at the Candomblé ceremonies, which also makes Bahia the only place where the lineage of African slaves has preserved the heritage.
Foz do Iguaçu: Many centuries before these falls were discovered, they were the holy burial place for the Tupi-Guarani and Paraguas tribes. They were declared a World Heritage site in 1986, and have since been a place of avid interest for tourists. Although Argentina has the privilege of housing the major portion of the falls, there is a national park on both sides of the border, which is perfect for tourists seeking adventure. Brazil's share, the Parque Nacional do Iguaçu, gives a brilliant view of the 275 falls, and is thus the better of the two.
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