Icaraí de Amontoada is a small village on the coast of Ceará, where the lifestyle is simple and genuine. Hurry and ostentation have no business here! Walking barefoot through the streets, chatting with the locals, and spending a carefree afternoon on the beach is the kind of privilege we find in this region. The brighter point in Icaraí is its nature: green sea, golden dunes, and beautiful natural pools.
Makena Hotel has 13 exclusive suites that bring the best of modern Brazilian design without losing the rusticity and native charm of Icarai of Amontada. Each suite was designed individually to bring unique experiences such as the indoor/outdoor bathrooms. Ornamental landscaping in all suites ensures guests’ privacy so they can enjoy moments of relaxation.
Traveling around Brazil and getting to know better what we offer has always been the goal when I have a few days off.
Brazil has such different and enchanting sceneries and this time I decided to visit one of the 7 Chapadas do Brasil and one of the main Ecotourism destinations in the world, the Chapada dos Veadeiros.
I had always heard that Chapada was an enchanting place, full of huge waterfalls, mountains and viewpoints, considered a Unesco World Heritage Site and a Biosphere Reserve in the state of Goiás, so the expectation was great!
A short introduction about what the Chapada dos Veadeiros is. It is one of the places with the oldest rock formations on the planet and part of the largest plateau in central Brazil. There we find stunning landscapes, such as canyons, mountains, thermal Waters and large valleys. Its subsoil is covered by plates and veins of crystals, which attract a strong mystical movement to the place, because according to spiritualists it would be a great source of energy, propelling spiritual advances for mankind, being even the most luminous spot on the planet seen from space. Besides the presence of crystals, Veadeiros is located on Parallel 14, the same parallel that cuts through the sacred city of Machu Picchu and other spiritual cities in the world. Chapada dos Veadeiros is also known for UFO sighting stories and we can see funny specimens everywhere in its souvenir shops. And talking to the locals, there is always one story or another to understand why this place is so different!
Talking about my trip, I chose the low budget style, but there are lodging options for all styles from backpackers to charming hotels with spa and holistic experiences.
As I had plenty of time and the Chapada has many attractions, I made a longer itinerary and didn’t see everything! For those who have less time, I believe that 4 days would be enough to visit the must-go places.
To get there I took a 2 hours flight from Rio de Janeiro to Brasília, the closest city to Chapada and from there, I took the road to Chapada by a very good road with beautiful landscapes of the cerrado.
Chapada is divided into 3 main villages where it is possible to be closer to the attractions, Alto Paraiso, Vila de São Jorge and Cavalcante.
Full itinerary 9 days / 8 nights
1st day
On this day I decided to go to Cavalcante and I stayed at a campsite in a Calunga community where I had the opportunity to get to know up close how they live. The “kalungas” are descendants of slaves and gold mine workers in Brazil who today live in communities and sustain themselves through and tourism and family agriculture. And it is there where I saw one of the most beautiful and starry skies in Brazil!
2nd day
The second day started very early and we left to visit the four waterfalls of the community, the Santa Bárbara Waterfall being one of the most desired of all of Chapada because of the color of its water, some days with a shade of like a blue pool and other days in an emerald green tone, as I saw it! The waterfalls are fantastic and as there is a visitor entrance control, we have the sensation of having this paradise all to ourselves! By the way, a guide, besides being obligatory, is fundamental! It is enriching to know more about the way they live and the stories of their ancestors while we’re doing short trails.
We decided to stay overnight in the community again because the next day would have many hikes and waterfalls near the Community!
3rd day
On this day we took a dirt road with our guide and went to the Complexo do Prata, where we would hike a heavier trail with wonderful rewards at the end of each stop! A total of 7 fantastic waterfalls! On the road we saw buffalos and the different contrasting colors of the region. Then we headed towards Alto Paraiso, one of the villages that is also part of Chapada. There we saw many souvenir shops, open air markets, bars and restaurants where we could enjoy the local vibe.
4th day
The next day was lighter, light hiking and we took the opportunity to visit the famous Moon Valley! A rock formation carved by thousands of years that resembles the moon, a unique scenery! Different from the waterfalls, the falls pass through crevices forming incredible small falls! Just 15 minutes on the trail and we are in another unimaginable scenery amid rocks and vegetation!
After lunch we went to Fazenda São Bento with trails and stunning scenery! There they also offer a fantastic zipline of almost 1km, where we have a wonderful view of Chapada, but I already had other plans for the next day…
5th day
Our itinerary began at 04:30am going to see Chapada from a different point of view and realize a dream: FLYING IN A BALOON! The silence of the sky of Chapada was only interrupted by the sound of the waterfalls that we flew over! A dream come true!
After the flight, they offered a nice toast with sparkling wine and nuts! Nice way to start to start the day! After breakfast in town, where our guide took us to taste some local juices, we left for another day of waterfalls, this time the Complexo dos Macaquinhos, in this complex we saw about 10 waterfalls and pools of crystal clear water. As we didn’t want to walk too much that day, we visited only a few and these were very worthwhile. At the end of this incredible day we had dinner at a restaurant with one of the best risottos I’ve ever had, Risoto Santo Cerrado, and we ended up going back there the next day to try other dishes as well!
6th day
We chose this day to rest our legs and stayed at the Poço Encantado (Enchanted Well) Waterfall, there is a restaurant that serves regional dishes. On this day we still had time to visit an open-air market with vegan and organic products, handicrafts, incense sticks. Besides the little shops to buy beautiful crystals, souvenirs and have a little more fun with the famous UFOs.
7th day
It was a day to visit one of the most famous and imposing waterfalls in the region, Cachoeira dos Couros, where I saw a huge number of birds and plant species! As it was the dry season, the Falls had less volume and crystal clear water, during the rainy season, the water volume increases so much that it is forbidden to enter the water!
That day we decided to visit the Vila de São Jorge and I must say that I fell in love with the rusticity of the place, the simple people, with good energy.
Chapada is a destination of daytime attractions and doesn’t have night clubs, but it does have bars with good live music, good restaurants, pizzerias and tasty wines for the colder nights.
8th day
Penultimate day in Chapada and there are still so many things to see and do.
We visited the National Park, an area with about 50 species of animals that live in the region and are considered rare, endangered, and there are approximately 1,400 species of plants in the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park.
Walking along quartz trails, finding rare plants, crystals and at the end enjoying a waterfall can be considered a prize!
9th day
Before leaving for Brasilia, we went to the Loquinhas Waterfall, a very well signposted wooden hanging trail, with many wells and waterfalls and many monkeys that wanted to get our cookies from our backpacks! We took the opportunity to capture the last photos and capture moments, strengthen friendships built, learning from simple and friendly people that will stay forever in our memories.
The Convento do Carmo Hotel is an iconic site of the city of Salvador, at the laid-back state of Bahia. Dating from the 16th century it used to host one of the most important convents in this city, which has been one of the important economical centers of Brazil as a colony. In the heart of Pelourinho, one of the Unesco Patrimony sites of Salvador, the hotel is surrounded by some of the greatest attractions of this historical city, some of the most visited churches and only 800 meters from the curious Model Market (Mercado Modelo).
The Portuguese hotel group Convento do Espinheiro will run the Convento do Carmo Hotel, oriented for the high end guests looking for comfort, coziness and exclusivity.
Salvador is a destination full of culture and spirituality, an excellent option to enrich knowledge about the diverse culture of Brazil.
Venturing directly into the heart of the great Iguazu Falls during this safari tour. This exciting adventure will bring our guests closer to the new seven natural wonders of the world, feeling the strength of the falls during the boat trip and experiencing the Iguazu Falls in an exciting way. The Macuco Safari tour has its embarkation point on the Brazilian side of the great Iguassu Falls, an incredible experience that allows you to see the Argentinean side up close without having to cross the border.
Macuco Safari is a tour divided into three stages – Jungle, Trail and Boat
Jungle – The group is driven along a 2 km trail through the forest of the Iguaçu National Park in an open cart driven by an electric vehicle accompanied by an driver guide, who will fulfil the guests with the secrets of the Brazilian fauna, flora and others curiosities of the National Park.
Trail (optional) – In this stage contact with the environment will become even more narrow, with a walk of approximately 600 meters where is possible to observe the beautiful waterfall of Salto Macuco (Macuco Falls). Proceeding on driven route towards the banks of the Iguaçu River from where the powerful twin-engine boats will leave for the most special part of the tour.
Boat – Now the ride meets its most thrilling moments. The boat goes upstream the river towards the Amazing Iguaçu Falls, where there is an exclusive, unique and impressive view of the waterfalls. From underneath the falling waters one feels the greatness and power of nature in its most raw state!
An experience not be missed while in Iguassu Falls!
Rio de Janeiro International Airport, GIG, now offers the possibility for passengers to take the PCR exams for Covid-19 inside the airport. It is a partnership with Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein. This is Einstein’s first laboratory unit in Rio de Janeiro.
From the 29th of March, the inauguration of the complete structure of the unit, which will operate 24 hours a day, is planned. As of that date, the laboratory will release the results of the RT-PCR exam within 4 hours of collection, in addition to offering diversified services, such as vaccines and medical assistance by telemedicine. It will operate every day, from 7 am to 10 pm in the Arrivals area, Public Area of Terminal 2 – next to the TGI Friday’s restaurant. The service can be done by scheduling through the “Meu Einstein App”, but the service can also be provided without scheduling on a first-come, first-served basis.
In 2022 the biggest party in the world returns, the Brazilian Carnival. This year we remembered with much affection the best of our carnivals, while the samba schools prepare, not only the biggest party in the world, but also the biggest reunion after vaccination. Our Sambadrome missed our guests for the first time, so we are already preparing everything to have everyone close by in 2022. We are waiting for the greatest party on the planet to be a truly unforgettable one in 2022!
This wonderful Lodge was born with the intention of bringing you closer to the natural experiences that Atins can provide. The Lodge is a point of contact with nature and local culture.
Atins is a fishing village in the municipality of Barreirinhas, in the state of Maranhão, northeast of Brazil. It is located at the mouth of the Preguiças River where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. The village is surrounded by beaches, dunes and crystal-clear lagoons that form during the rainy season. It is also considered one of the entrance doors to the Lençóis Maranhenses National Park.
Vila Aty has a privileged location, as it is 200 meters from Atins beach and 1.5 km away from the beginning of the Dunes of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. That way it is possible to have quick access to the beach and proximity to one of the main natural wonders of the world.
The Lodge offers 10 accommodation apartments with a capacity for 35 guests. Each apartment offers two balconies, bathroom with two showers, finished in hardwood and masonry, capacity for up to 3 or 4 people, hammock on the balcony, internet and minibar.
This lodge is located in one of the points of the Route of Emotions, an exclusive option to add to your itinerary.
At Uakari Lodge, 2021 will be the 7th year in which The Onça Pintada Expedition will operate – a unique program in the Brazilian Amazon that combines the observation of jaguars with science and conservation of the species.Over the years, this experience turned into an increasingly ‘scientific’ expedition, in which some of the most important feline researchers in Brazil guide our visitors through Mamirauá. The focus will always be on conservation and science, and so observing the jaguar is just a short moment in a transformative experience.There will be only 3 exits for this program. As the concern is the conservation of jaguars, this innovative tourism program can bring impacts that are unknown in the behavior of jaguars. For this reason, researchers at the Mamirauá Institute have defined that 3 outings / 12 tourists seem to be a safe number for not bringing changes in behavior for this animal.
The dates are as follows:
June 14th to 18th
June 21st to 25th, and
June 28th to July 2nd
As an addition, visitors can fly over the Mamirauá Reserve with the jaguar researchers at the Mamirauá Institute. In this overflight we will use radio antennas to locate jaguars and collars around the Uakari Lodge.To live this unique and exclusive experience, contact our team to book and guarantee your visit.
Have you thought about the best place to relax? Nature is always a good option, but with the sound and the view of the falls it is a refreshing and unforgettable experience. Now with yoga, mindfulness and meditation sections for all ages, the practices can be both advanced and introductory, being adaptable to the script. They can be done in the middle of nature, during a tour of Iguassu Falls and is possible to practice alone, with the family or even with the corporate group.
Yoga is an ancient art that helps in reducing stress, relieving anxiety and its continued practice can even improve concentration, not only that, Yoga also brings benefits to the body, improving flexibility and even helping to lose weight. This time, there is no need to close the eyes to imagine a natural paradise and relax, it is already there.
The Roberto Burle Marx Site, a special unit of the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (Iphan), underwent a requalification, expanding public access to the life and work of landscape artist Roberto Burle Marx. The project, completed in December, aimed to enhance visiting places, improve work facilities, improve accessibility conditions, research and education actions. With 407 thousand square meters and a collection of more than 3.500 species of tropical and subtropical plants, the space, located in Barra de Guaratiba, in the west zone of Rio de Janeiro, has works by renowned artists and the landscaper himself, such as paintings, prints, furniture, ceramics, tapestries, murals, tile panels, all items from your private collection. Accessibility features include tactile maps and models and 3D replicas of works for handling. The new tour of the site covers the interior of the residence, giving access to environments such as the dining room, the visiting room, the music room, where the grand piano of the artist’s mother, the ceramics room, is located. It keeps a good part of the popular art collection, the Burle Marx room, the guest room and the kitchen. Now it is also possible to take a close look at pictures and family photos, as well as the landscaper’s collections, which include Cusco, pre-Columbian, sacred and popular Brazilian art. There is also a multimedia guide in the application format, with scripts in Portuguese, English and Spanish, in audio description and in Brazilian Sign Languages (Libras).
