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Another look at Iguazu - Responsible Tourism

Looking back at my last visit to Iguazu (and my last blog), there were other reasons that made that trip remarkable, besides the gigantic volume of water in the Falls.

Besides doing the usual inspections and day trips to the National Parks, we also looked at some different activities in the region.

The reason is that, our clients, I am happy to say, are every day more engaged in responsible tourism. This is a broad definition and for many simply means being "greener" during their holidays but for some, responsible travel means giving back something to the local community.

So I requested our local partners for ideas and we were pleasantly surprised by the number of initiatives they have in Iguazu.

Firstly, we visited the local Guarani community of Yriapu, in the Argentinean side, where the youngsters are receiving training to work with tourism in a sustainable way. On a 2-hour visit they take you on a guided tour of their reservation telling you about the fauna and flora of the Misiones Forest and also of their traditions and way of life. A fee is paid that benefits the whole community and you also have the opportunity to buy their handicrafts at the end, if you wish.

The next day we visited a local NGO, CIENS, that grows medicinal plants near Itaipu. They are now associated with the Itaipu power plant to produce phytotherapic medicines according to the regulations from Brazilian Health Authorities. Their produce is distributed free to many health centres in the region, allowing doctors to prescribe them to those that can't pay for the expensive commercial options.

The last visit was the most inspirational. We had lunch at Lar Casa dos Anjos (LACA), a home for children with HIV/AIDS started a few years ago by a local woman, Solange de Sousa, at her own house. The children that come to the house, from a few weeks old to teenagers, have either been abandoned, or are orphans or have been removed by social services from their homes because of negligence or abuse. At LACA they receive medical and psychological care, an education and are assisted during the whole process of adoption. Many will never be adopted, however, and will remain there until adulthood. These long term situation ends up transforming the Lar into their true family home.

What could be a very depressive experience was in fact a very heart-warming one. The kids love the attention and are very welcoming. We had a very short time there but we left with the feeling that we would like very much to promote their NGO and help them to maintain their amazing work, so we are recommending to all our clients a visit when in Iguazu. The small contribution for the delicious lunch served helps with the running costs of the home but there are many other ways to contribute.

Website: http://www.laca.org.br/- the site is not updated frequently due to lack of time and resources.
Phone: +55 45 35223457
Staff does not speak English, but we would be happy to intermediate any contact;
Posted by Brazil Ecojourneys team at 16:49 2 comments 
Revisiting Iguazu Falls - I

I have been many times to the Iguazu Falls. Last time I visited, I had the most amazing experience, being lucky enough to be in the deserted main platform of the Brazilian Falls at sunrise. It was a very emotional experience and I thought I could never get excited about the Falls again after that.

I returned last week and was taken aback once more by the incredible sight (and sound!) of the Cataratas. October brought an exceptional amount of rain to the whole south of Brazil and, as a result, the volume of the Falls was over 5 times their normal level. It might not have been the most beautiful time to see it (as the heavy rain gives the river an ugly chocolate colour), but it was certainly the most dramatic of all my visits. While inspecting the renovated Hotel das Cataratas, you could hear the windows of the Itaipu restaurant shaking with the force of the water nearby.

Inspecting new hotels was one of the purposes of the visit and the new Hotel das Cataratas (now under the Orient Express group management) has really benefited from its 60 million Reais renovation work. Rooms are lighter in décor and all well equipped- and the windows have all been changed, so they do not shake anymore! The new pool area and the grill restaurant offer a more relaxed option to the formal colonial style of the main building. From December 2009 all the work should be finished and Hotel das Cataratas becomes again, in our opinion, the best choice of accommodation in the Falls. Expensive, but worthy for its location, and, now, also for its facilities.

Outside the National Parks you can find more economical options, but there is nothing worth writing home about, at least in the Brazilian side. In Argentina, however, they are investing heavily in stylish "Jungle Hotels".

The brand new Loi Suites, located only 15 min away from the Argentinean National in the middle of the Selva de Misiones is a great choice for those that have time for spending an extra night in the region. Unlike the infamous Sheraton building, this hotel blends in perfectly with the landscape. The 800 sq metres pool, with huge tropical trees in the middle and built in different levels to follow the terrain and allow the pool water to be filtered (when flowing from one level to the other) and reused, it is one of the great features of the hotel. Another one is the very Zen Namasthé Spa- such a relaxing place that you would wish to stay that extra night only to enjoy the facilities.

Brazil Ecojourneys tips:

Posted by Brazil Ecojourneys team at 12:06 0 comments 
Kindness of Strangers : Community Tourism in Brazil

Visitors to Brazil usually list the stunning nature of Brazil as the number one attraction, but the friendly nature of Brazilians themselves comes a close second. As anyone who has visited Brazil can attest, Brazilians are fun loving and very welcoming. You will encounter this warm hospitality everywhere you go, whether it is in a small remote community or the big city. There is even scientific evidence for the “simpatico” mentality of the Brazilians: a study called “Kindness of Strangers” by Robert Levine (CSU-Fresno) published in American Scientist (2003), showed that Rio de Janeiro was the friendliest of 23 large cities in the world.

No wonder then, that there are plenty of community tourism possibilities in Brazil.

Interested to read on : Download here Kindness of Strangers : Community Tourism in Brazil (pdf)

Text by Ariane Janer from Ecobrasil institute.

See Brazil Ecojourneys site for community tourism programs.
Posted by Brazil Ecojourneys team at 15:03 2 comments 
Whale Watching Season Begins

Last week the Projeto Baleia Franca, the NGO that monitors the numbers of Southern Right Whales on the coast of Santa Catarina, made their first helicopter flight of the season.

The biologist in charge reported more than 60 whales observed on this first flight and predicted that 2009 should be one the best years in number of individuals since the monitoring started.

The record was in 2006 when nearly 200 different whales were identified in the Southern Right Whale Environmental Protection Area (that runs south from Florianopolis to Torres, on the northern coast of Rio Grande do Sul).

The tendency is that the same group returns every 3 years to our coast, so this should be a great season for whale watching in Santa Catarina.

Tips from Brazil Ecojourneys:
Brazil Ecojourneys 4days/3 nights whale watching tour starts from Florianopolis and runs from 1st August to 31st October.
Posted by Brazil Ecojourneys team at 22:17 0 comments 
Buenos Aires Welcomes Gay & Lesbian Tourists Posted by Brazil Ecojourneys team at 20:04 2 comments 


More Adventure in Santa Catarina 


Brazil is the Best Destination for Adventure 

Top 5 Adventure Trips in South Brazil by Brazil Ecojourneys :

Posted by Brazil Ecojourneys team at 19:00 0 comments 


Sao Paulo deserves a stopover! 


Posted by Brazil Ecojourneys team at 22:23 1 comments Friday, 22 May 2009

Kayaking in the mangroves...in Florianopolis! 

What a great place!

Tips from Ecojourneys:

Posted by Brazil Ecojourneys team at 20:04 4 comments 


South Brazil in ecoDestinations 

Brazil Ecojourneys and partners donated two tours for the auction. Labels: Ecotourism, Online Auctions, Travel Auctions


Birds of the Atlantic Rainforest

is one of the richest countries in the world in bird species and the region between and the coast offers unique diversity, as it is in a transition zone between two very different environments: the Aracauria forest and the Atlantic Rainforest.

Click here to watch a recent video from Bom dia Brasil, a Brazilian TV program, showing some local species and the scenery around Morretes, one of the oldest colonial towns in .


A great way to visit this area is to make the train journey from to Morretes. The train leaves daily and the journey takes 3 hours.

If you have more time you could stay overnight after the train journey in a local lodge to best enjoy the region.

For the more adventurous our Atlantic Rainforest expedition gives you a greater insight into this unique environment.

Special birdwatching departures can be arranged with an ornithologist guide. Please contact us.

Posted by Brazil Ecojourneys team at 18:16 2 comments Labels: Atlantic rainforest, bird watching, bird watching in Brazil, Birds, South Brazil Travel


IGLTA discovers Florianopolis

Last week we co-hosted the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) bi-annual International Symposium here in .

More than 300 people including IGLTA members from , , & participated. During 4 days travel agents, tour operators, local tourist boards and journalists had the opportunity to get to know some of attractions, join the discussions in the International LGBT Forum and network in a very busy market place.

Posted by Brazil Ecojourneys team at 18:32 2 comments Labels: gay florianopolis, IGLTA Symposium, LGBT Tourism


BRAZIL: Making Eco-History in a Southern Beach Town

Garopaba in Santa Catarina is participating in an international initiative called " Transition Towns" which aims for sustainable development.

Read more on this link:

Posted by Brazil Ecojourneys team at 14:46 0 comments 
The Best Time to Enjoy Santa Catarina 

Check our beach packages for some ideas.
 

Sunday, 22 February 2009

Carnival 2009 in Florianopolis - Gay Parties

Tip from Brazil Ecojourneys team: 

Thursday, 12 February 2009

Carnival 2009 in Florianopolis -II

Carnival in Florianopolis happens all over the Island, but the most traditional events, the Samba Schools Parade, Bloco dos Sujos parties and the Pop Gay Festival, all happen downtown.

During the 5 days (20-24th February), there are street parties animated by bands playing on stages distributed around the centre. Next to the Public Market, around the XV November Square ( a.ka. Praça da Figueira) and in Hercilio Luz Avenue, an area almost exclusively frequented by the LGBT crowd during Carnival. Music starts from 21h and finishes 2 a.m.

Saturday (21st Feb) is the night of the Samba Schools Parade in the local Sambadrome (Passarela Nêgo Quirido). Tickets are cheap but difficult to get hold of unless you queue for hours, so it is easier to get them from touts on the day. They should cost from around R$50. The parade starts oficially at 20h, but delays are very common, so expect to wait until 21-21:30 until the first School appears. The whole show lasts around 7- 8 h, going into the early hours of the morning. Dress warm and take a rain coat, as the stands are not covered!

Sunday is the day of Bloco dos Sujos, a very traditional part of the local Carnival. Hordes of cross-dressed man (most of them straight and married...) parade during the afternoon through the centre of town dancing, singing and drinking- loads!, frequently accompanied by their whole families. Quite a sight! Later on the smaller neighbourhood samba groups -"blocos"- compete at the Sambadrome. From 19h.

On Monday night the biggest event is the Pop Gay Festival, which is a competition of Carnival costumes for Drag Queens and Transexuals. Traditionally it was held in the Hercilio Luz Avenue (where the LGBT crowd gathers), but due to its huge success ( last year 50 thousand people attended) , it was moved this year to Tancredo Neves Square, a few blocks away from the original site. The crowd is very mixed with lots of families attending. Starts from 21h.

Apart from downtown, the neighbourhood of Santo Antonio de Lisboa has a more low-key but still very popular Carnival, with parties every night and also the Children's Carnival on Sunday. Campeche and Lagoa are also neighbourhoods that have "blocos" on Carnival Sunday.
Posted by Brazil Ecojourneys team at 17:25 0 comments Labels: carnival, Carnival in Florianopolis, festivals, folk events Brazil, local festivals, samba schools, street parties, travel


Carnival 2009 in Florianopolis - I

Unknown to many, this 4-day festival is celebrated all over Brazil. Besides Rio's famous Samba School's Parades and Salvador and Olinda street parties, you will find a lot of other cities that have great Carnival events.

Florianopolis has one of the most popular Carnival festivals in Brazil, because it mixes all the above (samba schools, street parties, neighbourhood "bandas") in a safe and friendly environment. It has also, rivalled only by Rio, one of the biggest Gay Carnivals in Brazil.

This week we will post news about all the upcoming Carnival parties in Floripa. If you would like to join the fun check Brazil Ecojourney's carnival packages.

To kick-off the season you can attend a Samba School rehearsal. From now to Carnival there are almost daily rehearsals in different points of the city.

One of the main candidates for Champion, Consulado, rehearses at their headquarters on Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays from 19h. Rua Custódio Fermino Vieira, 20
Saco dos Limões - Florianópolis. A small fee is requested after 20h.

The newcomer União da Ilha da Magia meets at the main square in Lagoa on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from 20h. Free.

Another favourite, Copa Lord, rehearses downtown next to the Public Market from Monday to Thursdays at 20h. Free.

Posted by Brazil Ecojourneys team at 20:58 0 comments Labels: carnival, Carnival in Florianopolis, Florianopolis, samba schools, Santa Catarina


The New York Times: Florianopolis is the Place to Be Tips from Brazil Ecojourneys Team:

Posted by Brazil Ecojourneys team at 15:42 0 comments Labels: carnival, samba schools, Santa Catarina, Summer music


Tips from the Brazil Ecojourneys team:

Posted by Brazil Ecojourneys team at 22:23 0 comments 
Happy New Year in Florianopolis