RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – From the enormous importance of the Amazon to its colonial past, Brazil is a country with vast cultural wealth, influenced throughout history by African, European, and even Asian traditions and customs.
Not surprisingly, this culture attracts almost thirty percent (27.2%) of Spanish tourists who travel to Brazil to discover the richness of Brazil beyond its beaches and carnival.
Due to its great extension and the different tribes and peoples that have populated the country throughout its history, we find in Brazil numerous cultures, each with its own traditions and festivals that offer unique experiences to tourists traveling to the South American country.
The open-mindedness of our people and the tremendous cultural diversity of each region make Brazil an attractive destination for international travelers. The cultural diversity of our country is enormous, and there is much to discover and marvel at in our rich history and unique destinations,” said Embratur President Silvio Nascimento.
RIO DE JANEIRO
Although Rio is Brazil’s best-known city, it has much more to offer than beaches, soccer, and samba. As the capital of the colonial era and a refuge for the Portuguese court, the city was central to the country’s development. As such, Rio de Janeiro represents the face of Brazil, combining the offerings of any major city with a magnificent display of Brazil’s diverse culture.
The city center is an ideal starting point for history and culture lovers, with attractions that will bring you closer to the city’s history, such as the National Library or the Municipal Theater, built in the early 20th century on the model of the Garnier Opera in Paris.
Another indispensable postcard of Rio is the Copacabana beach. Characterized by its natural beauty and its promenade of black and white Portuguese stones, the area is one of the most popular places for locals and tourists to taste the typical cuisine or practice sports.
When it comes to nightlife, there’s nothing better than walking through the bohemian Lapa neighborhood, considered the city’s cultural reference point, and two of the city’s most impressive architectural landmarks: the Carioca Aqueduct and the Selarón Staircase. At night, the streets are illuminated by the various restaurants and bars where you can dance the typical “Samba de Gafieira”, a dance similar to the ballroom scene.
MANAUS
Manaus is famous for its biodiversity in the Amazon rainforest and is a unique region not only for its fauna and flora. The city center is the perfect place to remember the old colonial cities.
Its palaces, such as the Palacio de Rio Negro or the Palacio Provincial, or the incredible Teatro Amazonas, were built at the end of the 19th century during the Belle Époque and attracted famous musicians from all over the world, are outstanding.
You can also visit the Amazon Peoples Cultural Center, where you can take part in a guided tour where you can interact with the different objects used daily by the native tribes and the Ribeirinhos, the people who now live along the river.
It is an excellent opportunity to discover the indigenous culture, with objects used to make flour or to obtain latex.
Another exciting attraction is the so-called “meeting of the waters”, a phenomenon that occurs in the Amazon after the confluence of the Solimões River, with its clear, clay-colored water, with the Negro River, whose water is darker, almost black. For a distance of six kilometers, the waters of the two rivers flow side by side but without mixing due to their different density and flow velocity.
The phenomenon strongly influences the city’s architecture, such as in São Sebastião Square, where the shape of the stones represents the meeting of the muddy river and the blackwater river.
SALVADOR DE BAHIA
The city of Salvador is practically a living museum of Brazilian history and culture. It is a symbol of the mixture of different religions and origins of its inhabitants, who are cheerful and always open to visitors.
In addition, the city is a reference point for architectural and artistic expression. The historic center and the Pelourinho, where the city’s old buildings are located, are a must-see in Salvador and a good starting point to get to know the region.
Also worth visiting are the Church and Convent of San Francisco, monuments from the colonial period and of great beauty in Baroque style. You can also buy souvenirs and local handicrafts in the traditional Mercado Modelo.
Pelourinho is the heart of Bahia and the center of African culture in Brazil. The place is full of colorful mansions, churches, stores, and restaurants. One of the area’s main attractions is the hidden squares, where local music concerts are often held and can only be reached on foot, as cars are not allowed so that you can avoid the hustle and bustle of the streets.
Salvador is also home to one of Brazil’s most famous churches; the Senhor do Bonfirm. In neoclassical style and with an ornate facade, the church was built at the end of the 18th century and is the central meeting place for the soteropolitan Catholics (a nickname for the inhabitants of Salvador).
On the steps of the Senhor do Bonfim church, the famous Lavagem do Bonfim takes place, an interfaith festival in which the faithful dress in white and walk eight kilometers in procession.
The festival’s highlight is washing the church steps by some 200 Bahian women, who pour water onto the steps and into the church’s forecourt while clapping, drumming, and chanting. After the religious part, the festivities continue on Largo do Bonfim with drumming, dancing, and stalls with drinks and typical food.
Another symbol of the church and Salvador is the colorful ribbons hanging from its railing. In this tradition, which originated in Africa, the faithful choose a color depending on their desire or the deity of the African culture and either tie it around their wrist until it falls off or tie it to the church railing as an offering.