Pearl Travel Guides is currently developing guides to destinations in Latin America. Our first guides will focus on Brazil. They include a series of mini-guides that to-date include:
Each destination will also have a separate website site soon. The first of these is Recife Guide which covers the state of Pernambuco. They will be in-depth guides developed and maintained by local correspondents with good local knowledge.
Our guides can also be viewed by region:
About Brazil
Brazil is a massive; practically 24 times bigger than Germany. To fly it´s length takes longer than from New York to London. So, when talking about Brazil, the first word that comes to mind is "BIG". The second is diverse: the variety of geographic and climate conditions; peoples who came in various waves of immigration to massively out-number the Brazilian Indians; and cultural diversity, a consequence of the size of the country and immigration.
Whilst on the one hand it is diverse, in other ways it is united. For a continent so much bigger than Europe, it is surprising that one language, Portuguese, is spoken by the whole population. Certain passions also act as bonds: carnival, football and music. These features dominate the the life, rhythm and energy of the country. They give it colour, stir passions, and make it such an exciting place to be.
North
The most unexplored part of the country, famous for the Amazon forest which represents over half of the planet's remaining rainforest, and comprises the largest, and most species-rich, in the world. The Amazon is the perfect place to get up close and in contact with nature. Many comfortable, even luxurious, hotels in the jungle mean this is possible without to much sacrifice. The most important cities in the region are Manaus the capital of the region and Belém. Discover the North
Northeast
This region has a spectacular coastline with many of the best beaches in Brazil. This is made all the more enjoyable by the tropical climate and a twelve-month summer. Here the region where the first Portuguese settlers arrived; the major cities then are important historic centres today. Salvador was first capital city of Brazil, and the cities of Recife, and nearby Olinda, were major commercial centers due to the thriving sugar cane business. These cities, and several of the smaller ones in the region, have spectacular examples of colonial architecture with a strong tropical feel. Several buildings, and areas, are considered to be of great cultural and historic importance by organisations such as UNESCO. Great beaches, amazing weather and cities of great interest are accompanied by areas of outstanding natural beauty, such as the tropical island nature reserve, Fernando do Noronha. The northeast is also a perfect destination for diving or surfing. Discover the Northeast
Central West
The Central West Region is the heart of Brazil geographically. It is most famously the home of the country's capital, Brazilia, since the 1960´s. Tourism in the region includes the capital city, with its architecture designed by Oscar Neimeyer, the country's most famous architect. By contract the region is also home to the colonial architecture of historic cities like Pirenópolis. But, the region is also famous for eco-tourism. Visitors can enjoy the rich fauna and flora of the region, plus spectacular landscapes. Amongst the areas of outstanding natural beauty are Pantanal, Alta Floresta, Bonito, the Chapada dos Guimarães national park and the Chapada dos Veadeiros national park. Discover the Central West
Southeast
This region includes the states of Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. It is the wealthiest region of the country. From a tourist perspective the area is also rich in history and culture, magnificent coastlines and areas of natural beauty. It has famous cities and national parks with famous attractions; examples being Sugar Loaf Mountain and the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. Discover the Southeast
South
The South is the smallest region in the country, but is an important economic and cultural center, and has a lot of interest for tourists. It borders three neighbouring countries: Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay, plus the Central West and Southeast Regions of Brazil, and the Atlantic Ocean. Large numbers of European immigrants arrived in the 19th century have had a large influence on region and its culture. The areas of greatest interest to tourists include Curitiba (the capital city), the coastal city Florianopolis, and the Foz do Iguaçu region with the magnificent Iguaçu Falls. Discover the South