Think of Brazil and huge swaths of tropical rainforest, swampy wetlands, rolling grasslands, rugged plateaus and green mountains come to mind.
You might assume that traveling around the world’s fifth-largest country would take a lifetime, but – while it can take a bit of planning – getting around this huge nation is surprisingly easy.
These days, you can cross Brazil’s patchwork of ecosystems and unique topography in a variety of relatively swift ways, including traveling by bus, carpooling, using ride-hailing apps and flying to avoid long, uncomfortable journeys by boat across the Amazon.
Whether you come to Brazil for the vibrant cities, the rich history or the natural wonders, here are the best ways to get around.
Because of Brazil’s gargantuan size – several of its states are larger than entire countries – flights across Brazil are handy and often necessary if you want to squeeze in multiple cities on a short trip, though there is a carbon cost. Depending on the distance covered, domestic air services are both pricier and more carbon intensive than traveling by bus, car or boat.
On the other hand, the alternative might be a journey of several days crammed into a bus or riverboat. All of the major cities have airports. Brazil’s biggest carriers, GOL and LATAM, offer regular flight deals if you book in advance, and they tend to be flexible about making changes to flights. Several smaller Brazilian budget airlines, including Azul, also operate services around the country.
You might be able to snag a discounted flight if you use this local travel hack: wait until a weekend day to purchase your flight. The GOL South America Airpass and LATAM’s South American Airpass are also available for non-South American citizens, but you need to also buy an international flight with those airlines or their internal partners.
For those with more time on their hands, buses are a popular and cheap way to get around Brazil, particularly between major cities and towns, and there are often good views en route. Bus services range from simple comum (conventional) buses to more luxurious leito (overnight sleepers) buses, reaching most corners of the country.
There are hundreds of private bus companies, and their websites sell tickets online: Águia Branca is one recommended operator. Alternatively, tickets can be purchased from ticket offices at rodoviárias (bus stations mainly built on the city outskirts), as well as through travel agencies. ID cards must be shown both when buying tickets and when boarding the bus.
One of the best value options for booking intercity trips in Brazil is Buser, which caters to thrifty locals and tourists. Book a bus using the Buser app at least a day in advance and a trip from Rio de Janeiro to São
The website maxtravelz.com is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.
While accepting one of the many Oscars he received for the film Parasite at the 92nd Academy Awards in 2020, South Korean director Bong Joon Ho advised that Americans would do well to “overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles” in order to discover an even broader swatch of amazing films than already available at our fingertips. Indeed, subtitles are nothing to be afraid of—but that doesn’t mean the movies they caption can’t be scary themselves. Amongst our editorial staff, in fact, there’s a consensus that foreign horror productions are actually much more terrifying than those produced stateside—bolder, bloodier, darkly funnier, and more haunting for their willingness to leave questions unanswered.
There are plenty of dazzling luxury resorts in the Caribbean, but people who like to fly private often like to stay private on vacation. One of those dreamy, secluded getaways is Villa Papillon in Antigua. Listed for $9.5 million, the 9,700-square-foot villa is located at the tip of Reed’s point, overlooking the water. For $8,000 to $12,000 a night (depending on the week), the villa can accommodate up to 12 people—but expect to spend your time on the vast terrace (on a clear day, you can see to Nevis and St. Kitts) or in the infinity pool.
People sometimes talk about “love at first sight” when they arrive in a new city. That probably isn’t what you’ll experience when you first get to Bangkok.
There aren’t many places where you can drive for hours on beautiful, open roads without seeing anything other than the occasional oryx. Namibia offers this kind of travel in abundance.
Few cities are as naturally spectacular as Rio. Flanked by the Atlantic and Guanabara Bay, backed by jungle-furred peaks and strung together with miles of creamy sand, this is a place of singular beauty. The beachside neighbourhoods are the obvious areas to stay: legendary Copacabana, quieter Leme and trendier Ipanema, the gateway to Rio’s western beaches. Don’t write off inland, though — over the past decade, a new, boutique-style hotel scene has emerged. High above the historic centre, Santa Teresa is Rio’s boho bastion. Directly below is nightlife-central Lapa.
Sri Lanka may only be small, but thanks to its jungle-clad mountains, golden sandy beaches, abundant wildlife in their natural habitats, and spice-laden cuisines, the island nation ensures visitors are never bored.
Scattered amid the azure waters of the South Pacific, Fiji is made up of 300 or so islands – sailing is undoubtedly one of the best ways of navigating this paradisiacal archipelago (with the best season being between May and October), but there are plenty of ways to get around if you don’t have your own boat.
With bald eagles and bears for neighbours, the mighty Mendenhall Glacier to the north and the Tongass National Forest — the largest national forest in the US — at its feet, Juneau may, at first glance, seem a daunting destination for hikers. Look closer, however, and the rugged wilderness of southeast Alaska reveals itself in stages. In the foothills and valleys just beyond the city, waymarked trails suitable for a wide range of abilities bring Alaska’s wild landscapes to life. Here are three to try.
While many Americans associate kaleidoscopic fall foliage with New England, Seattle also brims with autumnal appeal with cool, crisp air and a stunning backdrop of tree-covered hills and mountains. Also: where else can you take in awe-inspiring views of Mount Rainier, knock back a chambong (champagne glass-beer bong hybrid), savor spicy Laotian chicken laap, and retire to a plush room overlooking Elliot Bay in a single day?
Looking for the best car rental company? You’ve come to the right place. J.D. Power—which also ranks airlines, airports, hotels and more—has just unveiled the 2023 North America Rental Car Satisfaction Study. This annual study ranks the best rental car companies and evaluates customer satisfaction.
Mexico is huge! From fluffy, white ski slopes and thick, steamy jungle to cacti-strewn deserts and sublime stretches of untouched sand, expect to use many transport options to get around the world's 13th biggest country.