Brazil - John. Date of travel: Jan 2007
Brazil really isn't what this guide says... colourful people and with sultry smiles? They are normal people with normal smiles. It is really annoying how some Europeans and North Americans (and others) regard them as a different people. We are all the same. No difference. Actually, they descend from almost every country in the world. So there should be no surprise when anyone visits them. Don't go to Brazil looking for some jungle adventure...You won't find it. You will find witty people that will trick you out of money (and whatever else you have) simply because they are more used to real life than you. So dont consider them an adventure or some complete alien culture.

Be careful with some Amazon tour operators - Mattijs Koeberg. Date of travel: Sep 2006
Hi, We are a Dutch couple that have just returned from a trip to Brazil. We had a great time there, but we had an experience that we would like to warn other travellers about. We went to Manaus for a jungle trip. Arriving on the airport, we were immediately sweettalked by Armstrong Barros Batista, director of Amazon Lilies tours. He was very charming, spoke very good English and even quite a bit of Dutch, assured us he worked with several well known companies in the Netherlands (he knew all the names) and that he could arrange exactly the trip we were looking for. Our problem was not that he did not arrange the trip for us, the problem was that he charged us a 1000 Real per person for a trip that should have cost 500 Real. The lodge and food and service on the trip was all very basic and just adequate. Surely not what we paid for! When we told him this after the trip, he was surprisingly accommedating and understanding, saying he would discuss with the tour operator if he could arrange some refund for us. But... after that he disappeared and we never heard from him again! We have tried to call him and email him, but of course, no answer. So watch out when you arrive very tired at an airport. Do not trust this man! Or at least try to bargain for half the price or less of what he is asking! I even got 10 percent off the price myself, not realising it was still a big scam. This kind of thing can really ruin a holiday, it's not like we are that rich that we can miss that kind of money without a problem. So I would advise people to go to the tour agencies offices, and not trust any go-betweens. Regards, Annemieke and Mattijs

Malcolm Walton. Date of travel: Jun 2004
If you want miles of quite sandy beach's and/or a eco trip then the North East coast of Bahia is the place to go. My wife is Brazilian and she has shown me some of the most beautiful places I have ever seen and as yet I have only seen a fraction of Brazil. Last year we started at Salvador, the indoor market area is full of bargains, with a restuarant over looking the bay on the 2nd floor. This is a big city so there is plenty to see and do. The taxis are cheap and you can even barter with the drivers to turn the meters off (if there working) but not a lot of taxi's have air conditioning. We went onto my wife's home town Ilheus, the town has some lovely retuarants but not a lot to do at night. The hotel complex's on the outskirts of the town (on the airport side) are all near the beach and most have ther own entertainment. We stayed in one these hotels and while my wife was visiting her dentist I decided to explore a river which my wife said was a twenty minute walk along the beach. After walking forty five minutes of constant beach with a (thankfully) a few cabanas (beach bars) along the way I didn't reach the river. The next day my wife decided to show me the river, a hour and a half of walking along the beach again we got there. A beautiful place to have a swim, the water is clear and warm then into the local bar for a few deserved beers. We didn't walk back my wife phoned her daughter to collect us in her car. But that explains the sheer vastness of the beach's. After that we travelled to Porto Seguro. Here it is lively both at day and night. By day we were sight seeing, plenty of history how Brazil was founded and a few relics still exist from the past. If that doesn't appeal to you than a boat trip to the coral reef where you can snorkel or walk waist deep amongst the fish. There is something for all ages here to do. January this year we started at Salvador then Ilheus to see my wife's family, from there we went to an Eco village called Itacare'. it has become the place to be for the younger generation for surf boarding and night lfe during their holiday period, so if you want to get away from it all hire a guide who take you into another world of forest, waterfalls and secluded beach's and bars. Next stop was in another state of Brazil a little bit further north (can't spell or pronounce the name) to the city of Recife, we did not see to much of the city but by all accounts there is everything for the tourist here. We went to a little town called Porto Galinhas (Port of Chickens) which I recomend to everyone. Again miles of unspoilt beachs, safe sea for swimming and plenty to do at night or stay and relax in the hotel complex's. The name of Porto Galinhas (Port of Chickens) came from the slavery days when slaves were smuggled into the country hidden under the cargo of chickens. The seaman then would say that the chickens are in the bay (meaning slaves). This resort has only just begun to be popular with tourist in the last twenty to thirty years, but it's not commercialised. While you are here the best way to explore the different beach's and other area's is to hire a beach buggy. You can go off the beaten track and find an old sugar cane refinery where you can sample the products they made from the sugar cane and they will throw in a canoe trip down a stream where the only thing you will see apart from the jungle are tree climbing crabs. We were only here for two days, but I feel in love with the place "I will be back". On the return to Recife we stopped off at several places of interest, one being one of the oldest church's in Brazil and the other being secluded beauty spots by the sea. A book is availble in Porto Galinhas which most hotels have which will tell you the history and places to see in the area. We were only here for 3 days so "I'll be back" to to explore the rest of the area another time. The best way to find out more about the places I mentioned is to use your search engine on your pc and just type in the places I've mentioned and a long list of information will come up that I'm sure will help you. The quickest way to travel to Brazil from England is via Portugal, it took us just over nine hours last time. Last year we went via Washington USA and that was something like fourteen hours including waiting for connection flights. The flights maybe a bit expensive but once your in Brazil the cost of living is so cheap (for us). Another thing I liked about Brazil is that everything is fresh, the meat, fish, vegetables and fruit, if your self catering go to the local market in the morning where you can get a basket full of fruit for 5 real which is about one pound, a large bunch of banana's same price. I took my wife and some of her family to a top restuarant, we could help ourselves to a large variety of vegetables, salads and/or fruit as we wanted then the waiters would come round with a variety of meats on a large skewer where he would carve off what we wanted, he would keep coming back until you have had enougth (no extra charge) Then there was desert if you wanted it. Table of six including drinks 60 pounds: my wife went ballistic, I thought it was a result, 10 Pounds a head not bad at all. Normally to eat out at an average restuarant with drinks I was spending no more than 5 or 6 pounds a head. Try doing that in England. The next time we go to Brazil will be February 2007, that is carnival time, but we will be at Salvador not Rio Janiero. In Salvadore there is more tendency for the public to join in the fun and get in the spirit of things, I can't wait ! Finally the avreage temperature in Bahia is about 32 centigrade in their summer and anything from 14 to 22 during the winter. In Recife it is better, 25 - 27 centigrade winter time and well up in the 30's in the summer, so as a typical Englishman there is no cold period The best time to go is during our winter as it is their summer season in Brazil Tour Operator: N/A

Jens Vanmuelen. Date of travel: Jan 2004
I went to see Iguazu Falls which is very amazing to experience. You must take a raincoat as the spray can really soak you! It was a humid day and at one point you can stand quite near to a part of the falls which will make you totally wet and is good to get cool. But the whole of Iguazu Falls is really breathtaking.