SOUTHERN BRAZIL - General Information
RIO GRANDE DO
SUL, THE SOUTH GATE
Brazil's borders with Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay offering a wide
range of alternatives for entrying in the Southern Region. One suggestion:
enter the country where it ends at Arroio Chuí, on the border of
Rio Grande do Sul and Uruguay.
THE BANKS OF THE GUAÍBA
Porto Alegre, capital of Rio Grande do Sul, should be known on foot. Walk
towards Rua dos Andradas. In front of the building no. 736 there is the
Casa de Cultura Mario Quintana, with a theater, a gallery and a library.
Then, proceed towards the Metropolitan Cathedral, of Renaissance style.
Go then to the Art Museum of Rio Grande do Sul. Finish your itinerary
on the hill of Santa Teresa, with 131m height, and comtemplate the city.
THE MOUNTAINS
102 km from Porto Alegre, there is the mountain region in Nova Petropolis,
a city of German style. 32 km, in Gramado, the European spirit is printed
in buildings similar to those of Baviera. Canela is the next stoop, 8
km from there. The the river Paranhama offers conditions for climbs and
rafting. At Caracol Park, accessible by an existing trail in the woods,
opens up an impressive spectacle: the cascade of Caracol.
GRAPES AND WINE
Millions of liters of Brazilian wine are produced in Rio Grande. The itinerary
begins in the vineyards of Bento Gonçalves, Italian colonial city,
111 km from the capital, where in July, it happens the National Wine Festival.
Next are the cities of Caxias do Sul, Farroupilha, Garibaldi, Flores da
Cunha and Belo Monte.
SETE POVOS DAS MISSÕES
The ruins of São Miguel das Missões in Brazil, and those
of San Ignacio Miní, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto
and Santa María la Mayor in Argentina, lie at the heart of a tropical
forest. They are the impressive remains of five Jesuit missions, built
in the land of the Guaranis during the 17th and 18th centuries. Each is
characterized by a specific layout and a different state of conservation.
Included on the World Heritage List by UNESCO.
PAMPAS
In the vast plain of the Rio Grande lives a kind of folklore most striking
of Brazil, the gaucho. Dressed in bombachas, he reigns over vast stretches
of grasslands. Get to know the pampa from the city of Uruguaiana, on the
River Uruguay, which hosts one of the biggest cultural events of the state,
the International Festival of Campeira. Treat yourself to barbecues, abuse
of bitter mate and join the fandango, a lively local dance: chimarrita
and tirana.
A RITUAL
The gourd is passed from hand to hand, the silver pump is unique to everyone.
Do not commit the sin to reject the mate, a symbol of hospitality. But
beware: the mate is very hot. The preparation of the drink follows a ritual.
The leaves of Ilex paraguayensis occupy two thirds of the bowl, leaving
a side path to the bottom. Water can not boil or it will burn the herb.
Wait it to swell then sip!
BEACHES
The coast of Rio Grande do Sul is a long beach, surrounded by lagoons
and sandbanks. The best ones start at Cidreira, 120km from Porto Alegre.
However, the best beach is Capão da Canoa,suitable for surfing,
sailing and waterskiing. The coastal trail reaches its best in Torres,
where there is the State Park Guarita. In Torres, visit the island of
Lobos, where lions and sea lions rest on rocks.
IGUAÇU FALLS
Of a majestic collection of 275 waterfalls, plunging 6.500m3 of water
per second, on a cliff with 3 km long, bathed with the sunlight, the waterfall
projects lights. Foz do Iguaçu was blessed with the most beautiful
waterfalls in the world. From the bridges, lookouts or the existing tracks
in the cliffs or even by helicopter you can appreciate the stunning view.
THE FOREST
With more than 170 000 hectares, the Iguaçu National Park, listed
by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, is the ultimate continuous area of
forest in the southeast of the country. Its trails allow contact with
an important sanctuary environment, formed by araucarias, cedars and Brazilian
walnuts, where a multitude of birds, like toucans and macaws live. The
vegetation is full of ferns, bromeliads and orchids.
GIGANTIC DAM
One and a half hours from Foz do Iguaçu is located the world´s
largest dam. The Itaipu lake holds 29 million m3 of water, covering an
area of 1.460km2. It was used enough cement to build a bridge across the
English Channel.
VILA VELHA
The green route goes on at 590 km from Foz, Parque Estadual de Vila Velha,
an environment rich in rock formations, carved over thousands of years.
With 3112 hectares, located in Ponta Grossa, 114 km from Curitiba, it
is home to snakes and birds such as yellow crows and caves are accessible
by cablecar.
CURITIBA, THE TASTE OF HONEY
From Curitiba, the most modern and smart capital of the country, it is
worth visiting the art nouveau style building of the museum Paranaense.
Jump on a train to the Serra do mar towards the coast, and stop at Paranagua.
Cross the bay towards Ilha do Mel, and enjoy the tranquility of the beach
Fortaleza. The island is home to an ecological reserve of 2,500 hectares
and has hostels along its various beaches. For those who want isolation,
the best bet is Praia Grande beach, with waves up to 3m in height, suitable
for surfing.
SANTA CATARINA, THE CRADLE OF THE SOUTH
The occupation of the south began 140 years after the discovery of Brazil
when the Portuguese expelled the Spanish from the island of Desterro.
Since then, the coastal town of Sao Francisco do Sul, 226 km from Florianópolis,
preserves buildings from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
THE ISLAND OF FLORIANOPOLIS
From Barra Velha, A beach town with monazite sands, the BR-101, coasting
the country from Rio Grande do Norte to Rio Grande do Sul, becomes the
coastal route. And uncovers a string of beaches: Piçarras, Penha,
Itajaí, Camboriú, Itapema and Bombinhas. Then, crossing
the sea, getting into a large island, Florianópolis, the capital
of Santa Catarina.
BEACHES
The seafood is the specialty of Florianopolis. The beaches, its great
attraction. There are 43 alternatives. Among them, Canavieiras - crowded
and with great nightlife. To the north, lies the beach of Jurerê.
To the east, the beach of Santinho. For surfing, the ideal beaches are
Joaquina and Morro das Pedras. In the South Bay, head for the beach Ribeirão
da Ilha, with Azorean-style buildings.
EUROPEAN LANDS
The Germans conquered Santa Catarina because of a wedding. How? Owned
by Princess Francisca Carolina, sister of Emperor Pedro II, who married
the Prince of Joinville. With the end of the Empire in Brazil, part of
the region was sold to a German settler, who brought to Brazil settlers
from Northern Europe. Their traditions are alive in Blumenau, 139 km from
Florianópolis. In October, during the Oktoberfest, the city receives
more than 1 million people and the streets become a stage for bands and
folk groups.
POMERÃNIA
Pomerode, 168 km from the capital, is a small town where visitors will
enjoy a typical German einsbein. On a side road, at village Itoupava,
there is a hydrotherapy station and chocolates of superior quality are
made.
SNOW
Surrounded by pines and araucaria trees, Sao Joaquim awaits those who
want low temperatures. 288 km from the capital and 1.360m above sea level,
it is the coldest city in the country during the winter. Snow covers the
hills and trees. Enjoy barbecues, along with pine nuts baked in the embers.
Pleasure that ends only with the apple pies of Sao Joaquim, the Brazilian
capital of apple.
CANYON
In starts at Sao Joaquim on a winding roads. The tour requires attention.
But it compensates for its beauty. 20 km from the slopes and cliffs, along
the Serra do Rio do Rastro, where nature created a deep canyon, where
mornings are foggy.
SHOPPING
In Rio Grande do Sul, buy leather goods, woolen garments and leather crafts,
metal and wood. In Santa Catarina, prefer crafts lace and wicker. In Parana,
choose to polish craft and pieces of porcelain and pottery.
