2nd Brazil Visit - Ideas please
 

Having been to Brazil 6 years ago where we had a marvellous time visiting Rio, Recife, Foz do Iguacu (probably the best, most majestic sight ever and I stayed ON Machu Picchu) and other pretty well known must-do's, my husband and I are returning mid July to 1st week August this year, and want some tips on places to go that offer stunning environs, preferably abundant wildlife and something a little different from what the tourist hoards may be doing.

We start in Sao Carlos, due to an A.I. conference my husband is at, we need to go to visit an English friend in Florianopolis in the middle, but otherwise Brazil is our oyster...

We have heard that the crystal waters of Bonito are worth visiting and maybe the Pantanal, or even Bahia.... suggestions would be EXTREMELY welcome, please.

Also if anyone knows a way to get a reliable, safe but not too costly plane ticket, that would be a real bonus!

Many thanks indeed.

Lisa (Bristol, UK)

I highly recommend Bahia. I went to Salvador in 2011 and loved it. The city is beautiful, and the natural areas around it are stunning. I booked pretty early and the flights weren't too expensive (I flew from London to Rio, then up to Salvador).

I've been booking our South American flights thru a website called cheapOair. The more flights you book with them, you save more money and if you download their app, you save a bit more. Up to $50 each flight booking. Cheapest I've found yet.

Paraty and Ilha Grande.

They won't be tourist free but they are beautiful. Do check out the weather first though as I wouldn't recommend either of them if it is likely to rain a lot.

Belo Horizonte and the colonial towns of Ouro Preto, Tiradentes and Marianna are worth visiting.

I'd also suggest an Amazon visit we stayed at Uacari Floating Lodge which was fantastic but a bit tricky to get to.

Salvador is interesting for colonial architecture, great for music and getting to know Afro-Brazilian culture. The food is also great, very different to the rest of Brazil.