Brazil Travel Wish List

Pretty much every spare moment I’ve had since we learned we would be going to Brazil has been spent dreaming of all the places we’ll visit around the country. From nearby Sao Paulo to Bahia, I’ve stared at hundreds of Google images over the past month. Here’s a list of all the places I’d love to see while we’re there.

Iguazu Falls

(also known as the Iguacu Falls and Iguassu Falls) – Brazilian side
(photo credit)

The biggest falls I’ve been to as of now are the Great Falls in Virginia, which are pretty, but not quite on the same level as what you see above.
Iguazu Falls is one of my top travel priorities while we’re in Brazil. Bauru has a small airport that offers affordable flights to Foz do Iguacu, and accommodations appear to be relatively cheap. The plan is to go over a long weekend, and spend one day on the Brazilian side, perhaps overcoming a fear and taking a helicopter ride over the falls, and another day on the Argentinean side to get the entire Iguazu experience.

Porto Alegre/Rio Grande do Sol

You guys probably know I’ve got to find wine wherever I go. And while Brazil’s wine production is relatively unknown, the region of Rio Grande do Sol, a two hour drive from beautiful Porto Alegre, reportedly offers plenty of vinho gostoso (I’m hoping that means tasty wine, but my Portuguese is still not so good).
Ideally, we will stay at a pousada (guest house) at a winery, something that’s much more affordable to accomplish in Brazil than in top wine regions.

Florianopolis

We’ll likely make at least one trip back to Rio de Janeiro, but I would love to explore other Brazilian beaches and am intrigued by the diversity of options available near Florianopolis, or Floripa. Because we’ll be in Brazil during their winter, we could really make this a budget trip by going in the off-season.

Itatiaia National Park

I hope we can do a lot of hiking while in Brazil, but the Itatiaia National Park seems to be a must. As long as we are able to find access to a car, this trip would be very easy to make over a weekend, staying at a pousada for one night or even returning the same evening if necessary.

Sao Paulo

The gigantic city of Sao Paulo is certainly one of the most accessible destinations from Bauru. I look forward to several weekend trips to explore museums, hike in the urban rain forest and hopefully watch some futebol.

And as much as I’m looking forward to making all of these dreams come true, I’m also excited to be able to make any spontaneous trips that may come up as well through locals’ recommendations or to meet up with American friends who may want to come visit (please come visit American friends!).

And that’s just Brazil, we certainly hope to make it another country or two before returning to the states.

Have you been to any of these places? What did you think?

What’s on your Brazil Travel Wish List?