FAMILY TRIP TO BRAZIL

Brazil has a variety of destinations and activities to keep your kids entertained on vacation. There is an abundance of natural wonders to explore, such as beaches, national parks, caves, and the ocean, as well as exciting activities like snorkeling, cable car rides, zip-lining, and interactive museums. Is Brazil good for a family trip? Brazil might have a reputation for being a tropical paradise with unparalleled nightlife, but it’s also the ultimate family travel destination for a trip with family and you should consider a trip to Brazil for your next family vacation.

 

Family Vacation

 

Salvador

 

The 18th-century city of Salvador has art, culture, history, and a hoard of wonderful beaches and coastal adventures. It is also great for foodies. With color and vibrancy in the lives and minds of its people, this is not a trip the family is likely to forget in a hurry.  Imagine, mornings spent in the surf, before dusting the sand off for lunch, and heading into the city for an afternoon of sightseeing! Here, you are only a short car ride from the historic center of the city. Spend the morning at the Forte de Santo Antônio da Barra with its picturesque Barra lighthouse. It also has an interesting Nautical Museum of Bahia, giving lots of detail about the merging of African and Latin cultures through the slave trade. It’s interactive and also gives you a chance to escape the heat! Perhaps follow this up with a picnic on the Praia Farol da Barra. 

Capoeira is more than just a pretty dance. Capoeira is more than 500 years old, and the ancient Brazilian martial art that is as beautiful as it is deadly. Coming from the 16th century, the acrobatics and mastery of such an art can be seen in modern street dance and pursuits like parkour too. And if you are lucky, you might just catch a demonstration out in the streets and all family members can take part in some capoeira classes.

If you want to get out of the city for the day, there can be no finer place than Arembepe. It is only 45km from the city center, and yet is a whole other scene. What began as a hippy commune is even now, seemingly, out of touch with the modern world. Not only does it have stunning coastal views and a laid-back atmosphere.  Whilst it will keep the adults entertained to walk the streets that once kept these musical gems, the children will be entertained by the wildlife! Arembepe beach is also home to sea turtle conservation projects. Between December and February, many turtles hatch from eggs laid in the sand and make their way down to the ocean. If you get up early enough, you can witness this rare event with your own eyes!

 

Carnaval, Salvador

Rio de Janeiro

The main attraction for kids is the incredible natural landscapes, from the white, sandy beaches that stretch for miles to the exciting jungle. If you’re staying in Rio, the Tijuca urban forest has plenty of features your kids will enjoy, including the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, the Cascatinha Waterfall, and riding the rail track of Corcovado.

Head to Leblon for the most kid-friendly beach in Rio. There is a large play area called Baixo Baby that offers plenty of kid’s toys and excellent facilities for mums and dads, too. The play area is in a cornered-off part of the beach, providing a safe, spacious area for kids to play and socialize. The beach itself is safe for kids to play on and perfect for building sandcastles.

Visit the Museum of Tomorrow. Just the outside of this museum alone will get your kids excited. Its science fiction-looking roof juts out over the square, making headlines all over the world for its impressive architecture. Get some family selfies outside before heading inside for a world of interactive displays, touchscreen boards, and plenty of colorful images and models. The Museum of Tomorrow considers the future of the planet and its possibilities of evolution, tying in elements of sustainability and climate change.

Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas is a stunning lake in the south of the city that is famous for its mountainous skyline, bundles of nature, and its pure tranquility. There is a 7.3 kilometers cycle path that encircles the lake that is popular with cyclists, runners, and skateboarders and makes a wonderful family activity. There are plenty of bike hire points with hourly rentals available on bikes or even tandem bikes. Something that is always a hit with the kids is the swan paddleboat ride that takes you right out onto the lake, followed by a picnic on the grass with capybara spotting.

Rio’s Botanical Gardens are a haven of discovery with over 6,500 different species of plants and several species of birds and monkeys. The gardens are a unique and safe way for kids to learn more about nature and get up close and personal with Brazil’s exotic wildlife. The garden is divided into subsections, such as the Amazon section, the Japanese section, and the sensory gardens which are as informative as they are fascinating. Be sure to take the time to check out the research centers, cultural centers, and the museums in the garden, too — kids will love the nature collections there.

Visit Rio Zoo which is small but has plenty of plants and about 2,000 different species of animals on display, the majority of them from Brazil. You won’t see any of the big five here, but the collection of birds is impressive with colorful toucans and macaws among others in an open aviary. This collection is particularly important for research purposes and conservation projects, as is the reptile house and primate display.

 

Surfboard on Copacabana

 

Iguazu

From the picturesque UNESCO world heritage site of Iguazu falls to its stunning national parks and jungle safari rides to the world’s second-largest dam. There is an attraction for all family members at Iguazu.  Foz do Iguazu is home to some incredible animals (giant anteaters, howler monkeys, ocelots, and endangered jaguars) within its national park so be sure to check out their animal sanctuaries while you are there. Enjoy the falls, the zoo, a boat trip, or even a helicopter ride if you’re feeling adventurous. Iguazu is definitely a great place to visit with the family.
Famed for its breathtaking waterfalls and stunning panoramic views, it’s a destination perfect for a family trip to Brazil.  Located on the border between Brazil and Argentina, it’s the world’s second-largest waterfall; with the Angel Falls being the largest. Surrounded by the Iguazu National Park you will find an incredible 2,000 different species of plants and several animals to keep your eyes open for. There are a whopping 275 waterfalls that make up the Iguazu Falls and the Brazilian side is by far the most majestic. Stretching over almost 3km there is plenty of it to see. It was declared a world heritage site in 1984 by UNESCO. One of the most spectacular and scenic sites is the curved waterfall of ‘Devil’s Throat’ which combines 14 individual waterfalls which have a drop of 350 feet. If you are looking for a bit more of a thrill and a once-in-a-lifetime experience you may want to consider a birds-eye view tour by helicopter of these magnificent falls and the city. Boat trips are also available for an up-close look at these falls, so expect to get wet.

 

Rafting Trip, Iguazu Falls

 

Brazil is a beautiful country to visit with children, whether they’re toddlers or teenagers. With a whole range of activities, accommodations, and food to choose from, now is a great time to consider planning that Brazil family trip.