Race across South America - Week One

Week One. Belem to Canoa Quebrada, Brazil

Travelling to a new destination, especially those on the far side of the world, can open your eyes and awaken your senses. It can broaden your perspective, increasing awareness and understanding of another country's culture, people and way of life.

Nowhere is that more obvious than in the colourful cone-shaped continent of South America. A living theatre of unparalleled spectacle and variety, the vast area of the southern continent contains the world’s largest river, highest waterfall, driest desert and most immense rainforest. Unique wildlife, remarkable cities, snow-capped mountains, beautiful national parks, mystic sacred valleys, archaeological treasures, stunning islands, endless beaches and a pulsating heartbeat that is enrapturing.

For the first leg of their journey across the continent, Kelly Brook, Jeff Brazier, Kola Bokinni and Scott Mills and their partners travelled from Belem, Brazil, to a checkpoint of Canoa Quebrada. Their final destination is Frutillar in Chile.

We will be with them every step of their journey, sharing our local tips and experiences with you. Sunvil are experts in Latin America for a reason with 30 years' experience in arranging tailor-made trips to the continent.

Belém

Belém, recognised as the 'city of mango trees', is a significant cultural hub situated close to the mouth of the Amazon. This historic city boasts a colonial core, numerous museums, and art galleries. Positioned 60 miles upriver from the Atlantic Ocean, it houses the region's largest port. The quay is bustling with colourful fishing boats and canoes unloading a diverse range of goods, from indigenous ceramics to aromatic herbs. The old town, known as 'cidade velha', features picturesque squares adorned with mango trees, churches, and colonial mansions adorned with Portuguese azulejos (tiles) reminiscent of 17th-century Lisbon architecture.

Lençóis Maranhenses National Park

The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park stands out as an ideal destination for adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Here, visitors can enjoy strolling across the expansive white sand dunes, the largest dune field in Brazil, take a refreshing dip in the numerous crystal-clear lagoons and watch breathtaking sunsets, all creating unforgettable moments.

For thrill-seekers, an off-road adventure awaits in a specially equipped 4x4 vehicle, designed to navigate the sandy and flooded terrain of the coastal vegetation in Lençóis Maranhenses. Situated on the eastern coast of Maranhão State, the park lies in the Cerrado region, blending influences from the Caatinga and the Amazon. Spanning 155 thousand hectares, the park houses diverse and delicate ecosystems, shaped by the lagoons that emerge between the dunes during the region's rainy season.

Fortaleza

Fortaleza, the capital of Ceara, serves as the entrance to Brazil's northeastern coast. This vibrant city offers a variety of attractions, from its year-round sunny weather to 16 miles of urban beaches. Beyond its modern architecture, Fortaleza features a colourful historic centre that is perfect for leisurely walks, and a scenic waterfront ideal for strolling. Visit Mucuripe beach early in the morning to witness traditional wooden boats returning with the day's catch. In the evening, head to Iracema to enjoy a stunning sunset over the Atlantic Ocean while enjoying cocktails, fresh seafood, and dancing to rhythmic 'forro' music.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• How do I travel from the UK to Brazil? Direct flights operate from the UK to Sao Paolo and Rio de Janeiro. Indirect flights opens up further gateways including Brasilia, Belo Horizonte, Recife, Fortaleza and Belem.

• When is the best time to travel to Brazil? Due to its sheer size the country can be visited all year round. The Pantanal, for example, has two distinct seasons - the wet season (October to March) and the dry season (April-September).

• How easy is it to travel to different regions in Brazil? As the fifth largest country in the world, the scale of Brazil is immense. If you then consider that almost 80% of the country is uninhabited and its population is 25 per km2, it becomes clear that the population is concentrated along the coast in its cities, leaving the inland regions largely wilderness and areas dominated by nature and wildlife. The country has rail networks along the coast; elsewhere long distance bus transfers and domestic flights are utilised. A flight from Rio de Janeiro to Iguazu takes 2 hours 15 minutes and from Rio to Manaus 4 hours.

• Is English widely spoken in Brazil? Some 5% of the Brazilian population speak English, but this percentage increases with those in the tourism industry. A few words in Portuguese or Latin based languages such as Spanish or Italian will ease conversation locally. Sunvil can arrange private guides and include English speaking transfer drivers for our guests as standard.

• What places would you recommend for a first time visitor? Our Classic Brazil itinerary is a great introduction to Brazil and includes stays in Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu and Manaus in the Amazon Basin.

• Can you tailor-make a trip for me? Of course, this is our expertise and we'd love to assist. We have explored Brazil far and wide and, alongside our local partners, can design the perfect trip for you.

Experience the real Brazil with Sunvil

Our Latin America experts, Joe and Rose, are passionate about all our destinations across the Latin America region. They are well qualified to advise and recommend, based on your own holiday criteria. They can point you to those special, little-known places, some not found even in guidebooks. If you have been inspired by any of the destinations from the new series, please contact either Joe or Rose and with their personal, first-hand knowledge can answer any questions that you may have.