Local Information - Brazil

The North East coast of Brazil is definitely the place to go at the moment, with Brazil's lively cities still popular and in this section you'll find info on:

North East Coast

Fortaleza

Salvador

Cities with Soul

Local Cuisine

A map - which opens in a new window

North East Coast of Brazil

Brazil’s beautiful North East Region is known as the Golden Coast and is made up of nine states and one territory (Fernando de Noronho Island), all with their own distinct personalities.

Each state edges the Atlantic Ocean with over 2000 miles (3,500 kilometres) silky white, palm fringed beaches. The perfect, year round summer climate, crystal clear, warm waters and the gentle, cooling breeze make the north east region the most popular place to be in Brazil.

The different states vary in atmosphere and their beaches reflect this – from lively holiday beaches, deserted beaches, sophisticated designer beaches, wild sand-dune covered beaches… take your pick. The one thing you can be sure of is you’ll be amazed at Brazil’s natural beauty.

Colonial Heritage

Brazil’s colonisation began in the North East in the Bahia region when the colonists exported the local brazilwood, a type of red wood, which was used to make dyes.

The North East was the dominant region and it continued to be so when the sugar cane industry took hold. Millions of African slaves were shipped in to Brazil to work on the plantations and today their contribution to the region’s rich culture is clear to see.

Rich in folklore and tradition, Brazil’s culture and the people are a fusion of African, French, Dutch and of course Portuguese giving the country and in particular the north east region a unique character.

Fortaleza

Fortaleza is the capital of the state of Ceara and is a major fishing port, a bustling modern city and a fast-growing popular tourist destination. It has been a top destination for Brazilian tourists for many decades but now the rest of the world is taking notice.

In recent years, many of Fortaleza’s old hotels have been replaced by European-owned international resorts and this has certainly raised Fortaleza’s profile with Europeans as well as North Americans.

The attraction for Fortaleza is clear to see, although it’s no one thing that draws visitors: the year-round summer climate; powder white tropical beaches; crystal clear seas; exciting nightlife, top class restaurants and entertainment; the rich Brazilian culture; the exceptionally low cost of living…

If you’re looking for entertainment, there’s plenty of nightlife – both European and Brazilian in flavour with many bars, clubs, restaurant and shows from sunset to sunrise…

Stunning beaches

Fortaleza’s beautiful beaches are edged with swaying coconut palms and dotted with “jangadas”, the traditional sailing rafts that the fishermen still use. It's a truly entertaining spectacular to watch the fisherman skillfully manoeuvre their “jangadas” and dominate the waves.

Beach life is big in Fortaleza and the promenade is edged with restaurants, cafes, bars, stores, craft markets… There are several beaches which are also the focal point for night life in Fortaleza. The promenades are excellent and plenty wide enough for walkers or joggers.

Two extremely popular beaches are Praia de Futuro and Praia de Iracema, both to the east of the town. Futuro is the place to go for surfers and swimmers and is made famous for its barracas (rustic restaurants built right on the beach).

Iracema attracts a more bohemian beach-goer and is also the location for night parties. It’s also home to Ponte dos Ingleses (Bridge of the Englishmen) – the perfect spot for watching the sunset and dolphin spotting!

Praia de Meireles is the stretch of beach with the highest number of hotels in Fortaleza and is popular with locals and tourists who go to stroll.

Praia de Mucuripe is the beach to go for boat trips as this is where they leave from. You’ll also see the most jangadas here, and when they return in the morning after a night’s fishing, part of the catch is sold in the nearby old-style fish market.

Central Fortaleza

There’s lots to see in central Fortaleza including many historical buildings. The fortress of Nossa Senhora da Assunção was responsible for naming the city many years ago – Fortaleza is the Portuguese word for fortress.

The Central Market as well as the Ferinha Beira Mar (craft fair) are fascinating places to visit and offer some excellent products – leather, lacework, embroidery, ceramics. You’ll find the prices are much better in the markets and craft fairs than in the typical tourist outlets.

Fortaleza Carnival

Fortaleza Carnival is famous throughout the world for its spectacle - it’s just one giant, open air party!

During the last week of July the streets are host to parades and processions, musical bands, jugglers, acrobats and floats with themes that differ each year.

Bars and cafes are set up in the streets and offer all sorts of liquid refreshment, snacks and local dishes.

There are displays in squares and courtyards around the city and it’s quite common to see al fresco dancing and singing amongst the locals and tourists – the samba rules at Carnival time and the atmosphere sums up perfectly the spirit of Brazil.

Salvador

They say that when you have been to Salvador, you have been to Brazil and if you want to see all that’s wonderful about this amazing country, you must visit Salvador – the epitome of Brazil as the world sees it.

Colonial Jewel

Salvador was the first colonial capital of Brazil and is the historic and colourful gem of the north east region. It is affectionately known as the Brazilian capital of happiness and is renowned for its cuisine, music and architecture.
Its African influence makes Salvador an important centre of Afro-Brazilian culture.

Although Salvador is the third most populous city in Brazil, it retains its old world charm surrounded by spectacular scenery and some of the loveliest beaches in the region. Its metropolitan area is the wealthiest in the north eastern region of the country.

Cultural City

The old historical centre of Salvador (called Pelourinho) is full of centuries old buildings and architectural delights and although it’s larger, older and much better preserved, is reminiscent of the French Quarter in New Orleans. Pastel coloured colonial buildings line the narrow, cobbled streets and Pelo as it’s known by locals, is a very walkable city within a city. It has been declared a world heritage and cultural site by UNESCO.

Thriving Sea Port

Located on the end of a triangular shaped peninsular, Salvador sits at the mouth of a huge natural harbour and is a major export port for the northern region of the coastal Bahia, a rich agricultural region. Divided into two distinct parts, old colonial Salvador sits on a high cliff overlooking All Saints Bay and the seaport below. The two parts are conveniently linked by a huge lift.

Paradise Beaches

If you're looking for total relaxation, then the beaches of Salvador are just a short stroll away. Or take the ferry out to Itaparica Island and explore the many silky soft beaches, lined with palm trees.

There’s plenty to choose from and you can pick your own level of seclusion but you may just want to be near a bar so that you can sip one of the local cocktails.

Salvador is surrounded by some 50 kilomotres of beaches and popular resorts, edged with mangroves, coconut groves and swaying palms. You could be forgiven for thinking you'd died and gone to heaven.

Tinharé Island

Further south from Salvador is the beautiful island of Tinharé. Home to our stunning new eco-resort, Tinharé is arguably one of the most desirable tropical destinations in the world and certainly one of the most visited places in Brazil.

With beautiful beaches and warm, crystal clear waters, the island has an Atlantic rainforest, mangroves and coconut groves that are home to a stunning array of flowers, colourful birds, monkeys and marine life.

There are a few small fishing villages, the largest of which is Morro de Sao Paulo, with beautiful colonial architecture and historic monuments.

The perfect location to mix luxury resort facilities with exceptional natural beauty - Garapua, our new eco-resort.

Brazil's much-loved cities

Rio de Janeiro, on the eastern coast, is one of the most spectacular cities on Earth, definitely a city that never sleeps or never stops partying.

One of the best places to appreciate the setting is from Sugar Loaf Mountain for a fantastic 360 degree view of Rio and Guanabara Bay.

Rio is home to Christ the Redeemer, the amazing statue which is one of the "New Seven Wonders of the World".

Rio is also home to the world famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches and its natural harbour is surrounded by lush countryside and amazing mountains.

Sao Paulo lies about 250km to the east of Rio de Janeiro and approximately 50km inland, it is the largest and most populous city in Brazil.

It is also the richest and one of the most important financial and business centres in Brazil, attracting many of the world’s biggest and most important business events.

Brasilia, the country’s capital built from nothing in a barren inland region. Brasilia was a planned capital rather than somewhere that evolved over the years into a country’s capital.

After many tens of years of planning, Brasilia was inaugurated on April 22nd 1960, in the central area of the country. Just five years before, the area resembled a desert, with no people, scarce water, few animals and plants.

Originally intended to be just an administrative capital, the satellite cities around Brasilia are home to millions of Brazilians who came to help build the capital and decided to stay.

The Local Cuisine

You’ll love the food in Fortaleza which is typical of the Bahia region. The predominant cuisine, known as Afro-Bahian has its roots in African, native Indian and Portuguese dishes having evolved from the food prepared on the plantations.

Fish, shellfish and meat play an important part in the Afro-Bahia diet with local spices and herbs used in abundance. Local ingredients are important and include seafood, white rice and black beans, coconut and tropical fruits as staples.

Superb Fruit and Vegetables

The superb fruit and vegetables feature in most meals and you’ll see mango, papaya, pineapple, sweetsop (custard apple), guavas and many more fruits everywhere. Okra, onions, tomatoes and peppers are grown and eaten in abundance as well as cashew nuts, sugar cane and cacao (the cocoa plant).

Fishermen take their catches to the fish markets and restaurants every morning so you can be sure of extremely fresh fish and seafood every day.

Churrasquerias

Churrasquerias, the famous Brazilian barbeque, are available wherever you go in Bahia and you’ll find plenty of the restaurants around town and along the seafronts. Waiters wander around the restaurant with various cuts of flame-grilled fresh meats and you just call them over when you see something you want.

The churrasco is accompanied by a selection of salads, rice and beans, along with various other typically Brazilian accompaniments.

A few typical dishes

Moqueca (mo-ke-ka) is a seafood stew which the Brazilians have been making for around 300 years. It’s cooked very slowly in its own juices, with no added water or liquid. The main ingredients are fish, tomatoes, onions, garlic, chili and coriander but it can be varied with other ingredients and spices.

Vatapá (vat-a-pah) is a cross between a seafood soup and a seafood curry. It’s made from bread, prawns, coconut milk, peanuts, cashews, onions, spices and palm oil. Vatapá is often eaten with rice and sometimes it is made much thicker and used to fill Acaraje patties. You can replace the prawns with any firm fish, chicken or turkey.

Acareje (ak-ah-re-keh) is a black eyed pea fritter traditionally served as a street food. Made from the peas, dried shrimps, onions and spices, the ingredients are pureed and then formed into fritters which are deep fried. Acareje are often split and stuffed with a variety of spicy sauces and/or local vegetables.

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