Personality wise you will see right away that Venezuela is a very urbanized country, especially when compared to other countries, which combine the best or rural and urban sensibilities.  Even while Venezuela is urban and touristy, it also boasts a great diversity of wildlife.

What can you expect from Venezuelan cuisine?  Like most other South American specialties, meat is on the menu and you can expect to eat plenty of delicious local servings such as arepas, cachapas and empanadas.  The arepa is one of the most popular dishes as this is a cornmeal biscuit filled with any variety of food you choose.  For drinks, be warned that some beer you may taste in Venezuela could be a bit thin with what you’re used to.  On the other hand, Venezuelan-made rum is much stronger and worth the higher price.  Lastly, you can ask for the desert drink chicha andina, which is a Venezuelan specialty made with pineapple and corn flour.

Major Cities In Venezuela

Caracas: The capital city and a city known for its modernism and strong commercial presence.  Here is where you can find modern businesses like theaters, malls, museums, galleries, parks and colonial architectures.

Coro: Another city rich with history and colonial architecture, not to mention wonderful dusk scenery. 

Ciudad Guayana: One of the country’s most organized cities in terms of business and industry.  You can tour the Guri Dam and Reservoir from this city. 

Maracaibo: Known for its warm temperatures, musical events, shopping malls and wonderful parks like Vereda del Lago. 

Mérida: The best city for outdoor activities like the Teleférico, the longest and highest cable car, mountains Pico Bolivar or Pico Humboldt for climbing, and various other adventure activities like mountain biking, canyoning, paragliding and white-water rafting.

Puerto La Cruz: The best spot for beaches, though you might also want to check out Caribbean Mall and Plaza Mayor for some grade A shopping.

San Cristobal: Known for its mountainous valleys, beautiful green hills, waterfalls and agricultural sports. 

Valencia: Industrial city but not without its natural joys, including a natural thermal hot springs resort. 

Other Things To Do In Venezuela

Some of the best features of Venezuela are the city’s natural wonders.  Angel Falls is the world’s highest waterfall, measuring a drop of about 978m.  Along the way to the top, you can also enjoy other attractions like boat rides, walks through the jungle and lots of sightseeing.  You can also relax at the Archipelago de Los Roques, a chain of islands and coral reefs in the Caribbean Sea just north of Venezuelan’s mainland.  Finally, if you want to get away from the noise of the city and relax in a tranquil, more rural setting then visit Los Llanos, and enjoy taking in the beautiful flat landscapes and amazing animal life.

This prosperous country has something for everyone and taking a trip to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela won’t disappoint you.  Its motto is “Glory to the Brave People” and if Venezuela is the manifested glory of the spirit of Venezuela, then it is indeed something to celebrate.

Venezuela Trivia: There is estimated to be 4.1 million television sets in Venezuela, a country with a population of 26,084,662.  Looks like some Venezuelans like picking up a good book over watching recycled TV shows.

Uruguay is known as a very progressive country.  It has a stable political government (and has been said by many sources to be the least “corrupt” in the continent) and gives its residents many advantages that other countries have fought hard to ensure, or have yet to receive.  For example, the government of Uruguay provides free education, recognizes same-sex civil unions and allows women to vote—and they finalized these laws long before everyone else did.

The country is known for its tourist attractions as well as its sandy beaches and thriving city centers.  The weather in Uruguay is subtropical, and especially so, because there are not any nearby mountains in the country.  Therefore, this region is easily influenced by weather fronts with no interference from mountainous barriers.  When communicating with others you will mostly be speaking Spanish, or perhaps Portuñol in some areas, which is a mix of the two most common languages: Portuguese and Spanish.  Some of the elite of Uruguay may know English but usually only speak it when dealing with tourists in very commercially oriented areas.

The food in Uruguay consists of high butter, fried foods, grains and fat, but unlike other areas in the continent, low on spice.  Some of the most common dishes you will find include ravioli, empanadas and gramajo.  One popular dish is known as chivito, which is the Uruguay equivalent of a burger, with Uruguayan meat, tomato, lettuce, eggs, ham, bacon, mozzarella cheese and mayonnaise.  Yerba mate is the drink of choice though to many tourists it can be a bitter shot to swallow.  Uruguay is also known for its fine quality wines. 

Major Cities In Uruguay

Montevideo: The capital of the country and also a great destination for sightseeing, with many old sites like Ciudad Vieja as well as fishing and biking activities around Rambla waterside roadway.  This area is especially safe to walk around in and take your time enjoying the scenery.

Colonia del Sacramento: Offers many colonial buildings as well as cobbled streets.  It is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

La Paloma: This location is great for summer tourism activity, and offers some great beaches like La Aguada beach and Anaconda Beach.

Punta del Este is a beach resort town and offers more traditional vacation fun with features like casinos, beaches, yachts and water sports.

Piriapolis: Small beach town and more casual than Punta del Este, but probably more appealing to travelers looking to relax and enjoy a tranquil moment.

Salto: Offers visitors a free zoo and also the healing thermal spa of Fuente Salto.

Things To Do In Uruguay

The Rocha region is exceptional for bird watching, while Atlantic Ocean beaches are some of the most beautiful in the world.  Uruguay is one of the most popular and peaceable countries to visit in South America.  It is a city not marked by violence, and even the tap water is safe to drink.  Come see why Uruguay, a relatively small country, is still a major tourist attraction.

Uruguay Trivia: Uruguay’s motto is “Libertad o muerte”, which translated means to “Freedom Or Death.”

When traveling to Suriname you will find a very different personality and culture than you are accustomed to in other South American countries.  The official language of the city is Dutch though English is also spoken in various parts.  Other languages that you might encounter include Sranang Tongo, Sarnami and Javanese, and Mandarin.  As you can see, Suriname has a heavy Asian influence in its peoples and culture.  Though Dutch is the official language the most widely used language is Sranan.  In fact, this is the language most often used in Suriname, and the language that is recommended ahead of Dutch and English in order to communicate with the most people. 

There is a great diversity among peoples in Suriname and this is demonstrated in the wide variety of Suriname cuisine.  Indian food is readily available as are Chinese delicacies and Javanese (or Indonesian) specialties.  Though Javanese is often thought of as Indonesian food, the truth of the matter is that Javanese has a taste and style that is all its own.  There is also a great selection of drinks to sample in Suriname, and judging from the fact that Suriname is somewhat of a tropical paradise, you can expect lots of fruit drinks.  If you think the best part about fruit juice is the sugar, then you have to sample Suriname’s sweetest! 

One note of caution is that you should be extra careful when taking photographs.  People of Suriname are very respectful of their land, their environment and their heritage.  Therefore, remember to ask permission when in doubt of whether or not it would permissible to take a photograph.  This may apply to any place, person or thing.  It’s only reasonable to ask for permission before receiving a favor—and snapping a picture of beautiful Suriname is indeed a favor you won’t soon forget.

Things To Do In Suriname

Paramaribo: The capital city and a great place for shelling out money, whether you’re looking for Chinese jewelry, authentic Chinese food or drinks at a happening nightclub.

Central Suriname Nature Reserve: This lets you into over one million hectares of remote wilderness and tropical forest.  The total size of the reserve compares the size of a U.S. state and has numerous varieties of floral and fauna life.  Also included within this wilderness are parts of the Eilerts de Hann Gebergte mountain range as well as savanna ecosystems. 

Is Suriname Safe?

Most South American countries are safe for tourism, even if the entire land cannot be called a problem-free paradise.  Suriname is like other countries in this respect.  Police protection is somewhat limited and most effective around large tourist-friendly cities.  For the most enjoyable vacation stay in major areas like downtown and avoid darker secluded areas like Palm Garden or Binnenland if you’re traveling alone.  Using common sense is the best way to keep on guard no matter where in the world you’re visiting.  You should also know that though Suriname requires no special vaccination, surrounding areas that you might be traveling to later on (or on the way back) may require vaccinations against yellow fever.  Suriname is a safe vacation provided you take precautions.  Come see the rich cultural heritage this very diverse and exciting country has. 

Suriname Trivia: Suriname’s Independence is celebrated May 15.

The people of Peru are actually quite friendly, hard working and creative.  They have a natural curiosity about American culture that other nations don’t give off.  Knowing this, enjoy the hospitality in Peru, but don’t put too much emphasis on punctuality.  Like much of South America, Peruvians tend to be more helpful than they are efficient.  (i.e.; giving bad advice, not communicating in English well and various other reasons, which may cause delays)  The best thing to remember in Peru is to be patient with the services you work with and just enjoy the scenery.  English is spoken is some tourist-friendly areas, however in the countryside of this nation it would serve you well to know at least a little bit of Spanish. 

The climate in Peru is unlike most other equatorial territories.  Peru does not have a tropical climate all year round.  Rather, it has moderate temperatures near the coast as well as low precipitations and high humidity.  Towards the north it gets warmer and wetter, and especially in the sierra.  However, towards the Andes it will have snow and ice.  Peru is an exception to the rule of equatorial territories, probably due to its unique geography.

When it comes time to eat, Peruvians are ready to serve.  Just as Peru tends to be highly varied in culture so they are in cuisine.  You have to figure that Peruvian geography and weather plays an important part in determining vegetable and fruit production, and they are plentiful.  Because of all the multi-ethnic origins of Peru, expect to find the influence of many cultures in Peruvian cuisine, including American-Indian, Spanish, African, Asian and Italian.  As with most South American countries, meat is a traditional ingredient and included with most dishes.  Keep in mind that Peru is known for spicy foods, so come prepared with a strong stomach, or at least ask the waiter how spicy is spicy.

Major Cities In Peru

What are some of the most popular destinations in Peru?  Some of the best locations include Machu Picchu, which is the ruins site of an ancient Inca city.  It was only recently re-discovered in the early 1900s and tells a fascinating story of a forgotten civilization.  Other locations include the Southern Coast of Peru, which has ruins, museums and wildlife reserves, as well as the Southern Sierra region with its amazing mountains and deep valleys.  Cordillera Blanca has the ruins of Chavín de Huantar.

Peru offers much in the way of cuisine, friendliness and history.  Make plans to experience a breathtaking Peru vacation.

Peru Trivia: For quite a few South American countries, vaccinations are recommended or even mandatory for tourists.

First understand that thought the land is rich in resources (water, hydroelectricity, beef and soy bean) many in the nation live in poverty.  In fact, Paraguay has often times been cited by some sources as one of the cheapest countries in the world.  Climate wise, the country is heavily influenced by the Tropic of Capricorn, which brings a very tropical atmosphere to the country.  However, northern parts of the country are more tropical, whereas southern parts could be considered subtropical.  The official languages of Paraguay are Spanish and Guarani.  That means that English is not widespread, except in maybe very touristy and commercial areas.  In some parts of the country Portuguese is spoken. 

In Paraguay, usually men shake hands when they meet.  However, when men and women interact it is typical for them to shake hands and to give a kiss on each cheek.  A common phrase you will hear in Paraguay is “todo bien?”  This means “Is everything all right?”  It is a customary saying of good affection.  (Just think of it as the Paraguay version of “You OK?”)  Remember to be polite and to answer these courteous residents.  Whenever someone offers you food it is respectful to accept it and love it.  (Think of the server as your mother)  Otherwise, refusing food may be considered a bit rude.

What will you taste in Paraguay?  Paraguay cuisine is characteristic of South American cuisine as a whole.  Popular courses include rice and beans as well as Brazilian specialties like fried bananas.  You can also expect to find fried meat and pastry dishes such as empanadas and milanesas.  Since this is traditional South American food, most of what you will be eating won’t be too spicy.  

Major Cities In Paraguay

Asuncion: This is the capital of Paraguay.  It doesn’t offer much in the way of traditional tourist amenities but has a unique charm as well as some museums worth noting. 

Ciudad del Este: This is the premier city for shopping in the country. 

Encarnacion: Offers a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Jesuit Missions of La Santisima Trinidad de Parana and Jesus de Tavarangue.

Nueva Australia: This is not a city per say, but a town that still boasts descendants from a 19th century communist Australian colony.  Since it was founded in 1893 that would have the colony the first communist faction anywhere on earth.

Is Paraguay Safe?

Paraguay is not as rosy-colored as some other tourist countries in South America.  One problem could be that there are not many large cities in the area.  Therefore, try to use common sense to avert danger.  Try not to have any dealings with the police or with anyone you don’t trust.  This is not to suggest that Paraguay is dangerous; in fact, some say the small country is not even as risky as big cities like Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires.  However, exercising caution will keep you safe.  One note of caution: Paraguay is currently suffering its worst yellow fever epidemic in nearly a century.  It is strongly recommended that you get vaccinated for this disease ten days in advance of arriving.

Paraguay vacations are fun and enlightening—and best of all are probably the cheapest vacations you will find in South America or anywhere else.

Paraguay Trivia: Paraguay is home to the world largest drinking water reservoir in the world!

The official language of French Guiana is French, though there are many people that speak Creole as well.  Most everyone you meet will understand French, but the same cannot be said of English.  The only exception would be tourism workers and police officials.  The region has an estimated population of 209,000 people.  The region can be divided into two departmental arrondissements: (Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni and Cayenne) as well as 19 cantons and 22 communes.  The primary religion is Roman Catholic, and the people tend to have a conservative attitude about many political issues, including the region’s own independence. 

You can expect to see plenty of equatorial forests, colonial towns, natural wildlife and even a space center.  The population is known to be ethnically diverse, yet wealthy.  Years ago, there was rivalry between poverty-stricken youth and Paris.  However, because Paris subsides this area, it is mainly a dependant territory on France.

For food there are plenty of restaurants available including businesses that cater to western food, South American style food and French cuisine.  One of the best-reviewed places is Place des Palmiste.  As far as drinking goes, you can’t do any better than tafia, a local alcoholic beverage that goes good with limejuice and salt. 

Major Cities In French Guiana

Cayenne: This is the capital of French Guiana and holds all of the commercial-minded locations like Cayenne-Rochambeau Airport, as well as pricier hotels like Novotel Cayenne, Central Hotel, Hotel la Bodega and Best Western Amazonia.  Most of the action lies on the street Avenue Général de Gaulle.  There are also cathedrals you can see, museums (such as the French Guianese Museum of Culture) and a scientific research institute.  There are even some relaxing beaches like Montjoly and Montabo.

Kourou: This is the city that hosts the space center called “The Musée de l’Espace” and Arianespace.  The Centre Spatial Guyanais is a popular tourist destination as are the islands of Îles du Salut, which includes the legendary Devil’s Island, once used as an unusually cruel French penal colony, which was closed down by the mid 20th century.  The Les Roches Gravées features indigenous rock art while the Kourou River keeps things cool.  Visitors can ride the river with canoes or boats or can even camp along the shore.

Saint-Laurent: Not only offers boat tours and canoe rentals, but also lets you see the Camp de la Transportation on rue Tanon.  This is another abandoned prison, though this one actually lets you take a guided tour through the facility.  Most of the guides speak English here so you will not feel left out of the discussion.

Is French Guiana Safe?

Some parts of French Guiana have a reputation for being unsafe, such as areas like the Village Chinois in Cayennel, which is somewhat isolated, as well as some of the beaches that contain sharks.  However, tourists are not at risks provided they stay in tourist-friendly areas and use common sense.  French Guiana is a beautiful territory, and a political curiosity, being owned by France but position in the middle of South America.

French Guiana Trivia: The late Henri Salvador, who was the inspiration for the Bossa nova movement, was a resident of French Guiana.

The weather in Ecuador, like many South American territories, is tropical in nature, especially along the coastal regions.  However, as elevations increase and you move inland you will notice a cooling the temperatures.  In mountainous regions it is wise to dress warmly.  However, closer to the coast more casual clothing is the norm. 

When in traveling throughout Ecuador be careful to pay attention to local standards of communication and avoid disrespect.  For example, it is considered rude to gesture with downward-facing palm when describing the height of a person, since this indicates you are talking an animal.  On the other “hand”, it is also considered impolite to issue someone a “come hither” gesture with the palm facing out.  Reverse your palm in either scenario for respectful communication.  Spanish is the official language of Ecuador, though languages such as English or Quichua are spoken in some hotels.

Unlike some other South American countries, Ecuador has a wide variety of influences in its cuisine.  For example, in Sierra rice is very popular, but in and near coastal regions, potatoes are the most preferred side.  Soup is very common in restaurants as is avocados and seafood.  Most tourists advise you to buy bottled mineral water, as regular water is usually not safe to drink.

Major Cities In Ecuador

Quito: The capital city of Ecuador, and one of the first cities to ever be officially declared a World Heritage City by UNESCO.  It contains some ruin sites, historical landmarks and museums. 

Baños: A great location for seeing active volcanoes, which periodically give off small eruptions.  Volcano Tungurahua is one of the most famous.  There are also hot spring mineral baths in the city.

Otavalo: Great marketplace for finding indigenous crafts and livestock.

Riobamba: Come see the Nariz del Diablo train ride as well as Mount Chimborazo, which is the highest peak in all of Ecuador.

Esmeraldas & Bahía de Caraquez: Two of the best destination spots for beaching activity.

Sucumbios: A city centered around a jungle area. 

Things To Do In Ecuador

The Galapagos Islands: A piece of history, as these islands of natural animal habitat have been the inspiration of Charles Darwin, along with millions of visitors every year. 

Cotopaxi: Parque Nacional Cotopaxi holds the volcano called Cotopaxi, which is about 5,900m in height and is still active, making it one of the few large active volcanoes in the world. 

Piedra Blanca: A small community located in a rainforest valley.  This is a somewhat low profile community that resists heavy tourism in order to avoid
traffic and ecological damage.

Papallacta: Has natural hot springs and thermal baths to look forward to. 

The Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve: This national park offers sightseeing as well as more physical activities like horseback riding, trekking and mountain biking. 

Ecuador Trivia: Did you know that the Panama hat is actually of Ecuadorian origin?  There it is known as the “Sombrero de paja toquilla.”

What can you expect from a vacation in Colombia?  Ethnically, it is a very diverse country with peoples that have descended from indigenous peoples, Spanish colonists, African slaves and immigrants from other countries.  Is the country safe?  Provided that visitors remain close to popular tourist areas there is scarcely a problem.  In some remote areas where government is not as actively involved, the risk for violence increases.  However, tourist areas are regarded as friendly and very enjoyable. 

The fact of the matter is the waters and unique topography of Colombia does play a part in determining the country’s weather.  The climate is considered to be very tropical along the coast, yet surprisingly cold in the highlands.  Some areas even have droughts.  Because Colombia is what is called an equator country, it doesn’t have regular seasons as most countries do.  Temperatures remain consistent and all winter means to Colombian residents is that the rainy season has now begun. 

One thing that’s great about Colombia is that if you speak limited Spanish or have just recently learned Spanish, is that this is an easy country to adapt to.  Colombian Spanish is easy to understand, even if it does vary slightly from different territories within the country.  Even if you speak English though, you may be able to get around in Colombia, since the language is taught in many schools and Hollywood “subtitled films” have always been popular among Colombians.  Again, culturally speaking, Colombia is very diverse not only in nationality but also in social class, as some Columbians have actually spent time in North American countries.

Common foods you can expect in Colombia include buñuelos and arepas, which are distinctly Brazilian breakfast items, with fried tortillas, cheese and egg.  There are also meat and potato dishes, bandeja paisa and even some store chains from Western Civilization.  Fruits in Colombia range from extra sweet to extra strange, such as fruits like tamarinds,  guanabanas, lulo and mangostines.  You can even find more organic foods and vegetables in various stores.

Major Cities In Colombia

Bogotá: The capital city and venue for some of the biggest events of the country, including theatrical shows and world-famous concerts.  Also has a host of museums and fine quality restaurants.

Barranquilla: Famous for being the “Golden Port” of the country and also hosts a carnival in the first quarter of every New Year.

Cali: Popular tourist destination, full of museums, zoos and sporting activities, but also perceived as a bit commercial compared to some of Colombia’s other cities.

Cartagena: A well-known tourist spot that offers colonial architecture, skyscrapers and numerous festivals of interest to the intellectually curious.

Popayan: The religious capital of the country, not only home to one of the largest Easter festivals in the world but also houses many archeological sites

Santa Marta: Beautiful warm beaches and snowy mountains all within a month?  The weather is something in Santa Marta, as is the historical sites pertaining to Colombia’s history.

Things To Do In Colombia

San Jeronimo, Sopetran and Santa Fe de Antioquia: These areas are well known for their mountain regions.  You can make arrangements for travel on a motorcycle!

San Agustín and Tierradentro: Well known as archeological sites in the southwest.

Isla Gorgona: This island was once a prison but has been transformed into a nature reserve full of exotic animal life. 

Ciudad Perdida: The once pre-Columbian city still exists and has ruins dating back to the eight century.

Colombia Trivia: It’s not uncommon to find salsa dancing at children’s parties, as dancing is seen in Colombia as a celebratory act, not necessarily a sensual one.

Over 16,763,470 people live in Chile and gathers around the northern sections of the country.  Moving south, you would find more rural treasures, such as forests, plains, volcanoes and shimmering lakes.  Currently, Chile is one of South America’s best producers economically, as it has high political stability and globalization, yet low poverty and corruption reported.  Personally speaking, the people of Chile are known to be very friendly.  Chileans, as they are called, are polite and expect politeness in return.  Many of the people speak English and mirror the attitudes shown to them by tourists.  Therefore, behave humbly and you will be introduced to a very warm culture and people.  Dress in the area is modest and policemen are said to be among the most honest in Chile than anywhere else in South America.

When it comes to food in Chile, you can look forward to fried, meaty foods like Pastel de choclo, Empanada de pino and Cazuela de vacuno.  In addition to Brazilian specialties, you can also expect a steady supply of food straight from Western civilization.  Vegetables are common in Chile so expect a lot of vegetables with your main course.  Given the fact that Chile has a massive coastline, you can also expect lots of quality seafood, with everything from salmón to flounder, swordfish, scallops, oysters, mussels, turbot and more.  Chile is also popular for its tempered fruit, which is above the standard for most fruit and also cheaper than U.S. or European travelers are used to buying.  Chile is also known for making some fine quality wines and actually competes against major wine-territories like California, Australia and New Zealand for numerous markets.
   
Major Cities In Chile

Arica: This is a resort city that offers nice beaches and sun practically every day of the year, even in winter seasons. 

Iquique: Like Arica, Iquique has plenty of resorts and beaching activity, but is slightly more commercialized. 

Antofagasta: Known for the Atacama Desert and marine life.  For the past year, was in the process of being rebuilt into a more crowd-friendly tourist city.

La Serena: Offers museums, observatories and lush gardens like the Jardin del Corazon.

Valparaíso: Identified with local bohemian culture and contains many wonderful seascapes as well as unique architectural achievements.

Viña del Mar: A beach resort town but most famous for its Festival de la Cancion.

Things To Do In Chile

San Alfonso del Mar Resort: One item of interest is that Chile holds the largest swimming pool area in the entire world.  The San Alfonso del Mar resort in Algarrobo offers a swimming area open to the public that measures over 2km for one lap.

El Colorado: A top rated ski resort near Santiago.

Robinson Crusoe Island: Named after author’s Daniel Defoe’s “Robinson Crusoe”, which was inspired by the real life sailor Alexander Selkirk who was marooned on this legendary island.

San Pedro de Atacama: A popular tourist destination town for its geysers, wildlife, historical sites and volcano.

Chile Trivia: Chile’s most popular sport is association football, or soccer, and the country has been represented in 7 FIFA World Cups. 

The country was once a colony of Portugal but won its independence in
the early 19th century.  It wasn’t until 1889 that the country became a
Republic.  The country is a major force on the world scene when it
comes to economy.  It is easily identified as a country of wildlife,
great natural resources and love of football. 

Because of the country’s size, it actually has different zones of
climate.  For instance, in the northern part of the country you can
expect a very wet and dry season, as this area is near the equator. 
However, from Sao Paulo to the southern part of the country, there is
more of a traditional season according to spring, summer and winter.

Brazil is a country rich on culture and yet united by language, namely,
the official language of Portuguese.  English is not widely spoken in
the country, except around tourist areas.  If you don’t speak any
Portuguese the next best thing is to speak Spanish.  What’s interesting
about Brazil is that though the country is unified by language, there
are many distinct regions that are so different from one another than
they almost seem like different countries sometimes.  Music is very
close to the heart of Brazil, so expect to hear plenty of choro, samba,
bossa nova and caipira music.  However, there is also more
urban-influenced funk, dance, electronic and techno.

Brazilians, though very diverse in race and culture, are marked by
their fun-loving spirit.  Northern Brazil is especially friendly, while
Southern Brazil stays a bit reserved in comparison.  This is a nation
very keen on family values so it’s not surprising to learn how
hospitable strangers are to tourists. 

When it comes to food, Brazil’s best dishes vary according to the
culture of its cities.  There are some regional foods here, but a great
deal of what you will find is actually cuisine inspired by other
regions of the world, having been brought over by immigrants and
adapted to local Brazilian standards. 

Major Cities in Brazil

Brasília: The capital city and of great interest to travelers
interested in Brazil’s architectural side.  Look for the Arches Palace
and the Cathedral. 

Belém: The second largest city and home to many grand festivals like
Cirio de Nazare as well as many colonial buildings from way back when. 

Curitiba: Highly influenced by Italy and Germany culture, and a major city of industry.

Florianópolis: Well known and appreciated for its lakes, lagoons,
natural landmarks and many miles of beautiful, sandy beaches—over 40 in
all!

Fortaleza: Not only renowned for beaches but has also earned a reputation for forró music and comedy acts.

Rio de Janeiro: Famous for amazing landscapes, a thriving beach scene and exciting carnivals.

Salvador: Another city well known for its carnivals and one mixed with
indigenous, African and European cultures and populations.

São Paulo: The wealthiest city of the lot and welcomes a variety of cultures from all corners of the world.

Things To Do In Brazil

Chapada dos Veadeiros: A national park that offers tropical conditions, free-roaming wildlife and beautiful waterfalls.

Iguaçu Falls: More waterfalls, as well as wildlife preserves and boating activity.

Itatiaia National Park: Another national park that offers more forests,
rain forests, lakes, granite cliffs and alpine meadows than other
nearby locations. 

Pantanal: The largest wetlands anywhere in the world, which promotes great eco-tourism, biodiversity and wildlife. 

Brazil Trivia: Cheek kissing is common in Brazil between men and women, though the handshake is favored among men.