“Ah, my other son. He’s in some tiny town in the far north, in Piaui state. I’ve never heard of it.” Our laid-back guide rolled the window down and shrugged. There’s many unknown places in Brazil. Take Chapada dos Guimaraes. It may be the official geodesic centre of South America, but until we…
Category: Brazil
Vibrant cities, incredible nature and warm people all await you in Brazil. From Sao Luis to Salvador, Iguacu Falls to Rio de Janeiro, Saltwater has all the tips you need to plan an epic trip to Brazil.
A stroll through the streets of Corumba, Brazil
It took us four hours to cross the border from Bolivia into Brazil – one hour for an exit stamp and three to get into Brazil. The Puerto Quijarro-Corumba crossing is not one of the fastest or most well-used! A couple of kids from Sao Paolo adopted me for a while to practice their English….
Bolivia to Brazil – trip highlights in photos
I’ve just returned from a great trip which took me from Bolivia to Brazil, through stunning landscapes and surprising cities. While I gather my thoughts, here are a few of the best pictures from my trip. Above – with ‘sticker Pope’ in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. We were there during the papal visit, along with an…
Mamiraua Sustainable Development Reserve – discover the Brazilian Amazon in a unique place
Many years ago, the Mamiraua Sustainable Development Reserve was my first introduction to Brazil and I’ve been in love ever since. Nothing I’ve done before or since has left such an impression as that journey. Below are my original travel diary notes of my first impressions. Tefe looks pretty relaxed after Manaus, or maybe it’s just…
From Argentina to Sri Lanka: five World Heritage sites you shouldn’t miss
I’m not really a country-counter. I’d rather return to somewhere I love and discover more than add somewhere new just for the sake of it. But when someone tweeted a link to a list of World Heritage sites recently, I have to admit taking a look. Surprisingly I’ve visited over forty, yet only written about…
Manaus, the Amazon city where the waters meet
As the home to England’s first World Cup game, the spotlight falls on Manaus this weekend. (England are already phoning in their excuses about the humidity which can be brutal). Manaus often gets overlooked by visitors to Brazil. It’s a long way from anywhere (a four hour flight from São Paulo), and those who do visit are…
Destination guide to Itacaré for South America Backpacker
The World Cup is just around the corner and interest in Brazil is higher than ever. Which is a perfect opportunity to give a little love to one of my favourite places in Brazil, Itacaré . I’ve written a destination guide to Itacaré for South America Backpacker, a great new site from the people behind…
Travel resources – plan a great South American trip
*Updated November 2025* As another email drops into my inbox offering a two-week trip to South America for an eye-watering £7,500, it’s little wonder so many people think it’s out of their price range. It’s true that some of these companies offer a reliable, tailored approach which takes the stress out of planning for first-time…
Half-time report: Brazil with Michael Palin
I’ve been looking forward to this show since I first heard plans for it back in 2010. I couldn’t wait to see Palin’s take on my favourite country in the world (so far). I’m also a huge fan of Palin’s early travel series (Around the World in 80 Days, Pole to Pole, Full Circle and…
São João in Salvador, Brazil
Arriving in Salvador in early June, the streets were already laced with strings of flags fluttering above the Pelourinho for São João. While the main festival is celebrated over the weekend of 21st-24th June, already the anticipation was building. Even the bus station was covered in festive red, white, blue, green and yellow. São João…