Travel and transport agencies Brazil

Created in 2008, the Makunaima agency chose its name (Makunaima is the name of an Amerindian ethnic group in Roraima) to show its attachment to this region. The agency has diversified its services. Makunaima offers several types of excursions in the region. Hikes, bike tours and expeditions to Mount Roraima (6 days) are all on the program. You can also take a hot-air balloon ride over the savannahs, or go birdwatching. All tailor-made.

The Henvil Tranportes company connects the "mainland" with the island of Marajo, the largest river island in the world, as big as Switzerland and known for its herds of water buffalo that roam freely. The ferry company runs from Icoaraci (a district of Belém) to the port of Camará in the municipality of Salvaterra. However, to get to the city, you will have to take a bus or a van, as the pier is far from the heart of the village. You can also take a bus to Soure, one of the other small towns of the island.

There are various ferry services linking Belém to different destinations on the island of Marajo. The Banav ferry company links Belèm to Camarà every day. Ferries depart from the Belèm waterway terminal.

departures are either morning or afternoon, depending on the tide (Sundays are rare). Check timetables in advance.

Departure from Belèm to Camarà is currently at 2pm (subject to change). The ferry from Camarà to Belèm departs at 2:30pm.

The journey takes about 2 hours and costs R$ 35.

The port of Tefé offers berths for vessels operating regular or non-regular passenger transport services. In general, embarkations and/or disembarkations are made from or to Manaus. The relative distance between the two cities makes the transport time quite long.

There are two options to get to Tefe by boat from Manaus (Roadway port):

Scheduled boat: every day at 9am from Manaus and 6pm from Tefé. Count 3 days of travel.

Fast boat: every day at 7am from Manaus, and the same from Tefe. Count 12 hours of travel.

Terre et Nature Voyages is a specialized agency for all lovers of the sea. Led by a team of enthusiasts, the agency uses its expertise to offer unique stays. Whether kitesurfing, windsurfing, sailing or diving, this tour operator scours the oceans for the best spots. Terre et Nature Voyages offers adventure, discovery and culture. Trekking, hiking, dog sledding, canoeing, sailing, mountain biking, trail running, multi-sport raids, cruises... all await you! Several emotionally-charged stays.

COMTAL is one of the two taxi cooperatives present at the airport. The fare is fixed in advance and is quite high, so it's up to you to see if the comfort is worth it. However, if you arrive in the evening, do not hesitate to take this means of transport. We will remind you the instructions to follow when using a taxi. You should have them called by the pousada or the restaurant or take them at the head of the station. The taxi driver must start his meter at the beginning of the trip.

The airport project was slow to take off, but since March 2014 commercial activities have been resumed and now Parnaiba Airport is functional and fulfilling its function, even though there are not many flights there. Work is underway to increase its infrastructure so that it can accommodate more than one large port aircraft at a time.

Airlines: Azul, three flights per week to Teresina and Fortaleza.

Services: coffee, ATM.

Built in 1970 and put into service in 1971, this cable car was the first single-cable cable car to operate in Brazil. For tourists used to ski resorts, it looks like a classic "chairlift". This ride is now part of the city's "heritage". It takes ten minutes to climb 1,300 metres to Morro do Elefante and enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the city at an altitude of 1,800 metres. You can even see the floral park of Campos (horto florestal) located 13 kilometers away. A classic in Campos.

Enjoy Brazil is a tourism agency that was created by a couple with experience in this sector and having lived a few years in Germany. They prefer qualitative tourism to quantitative tourism. The team speaks English and German (multilingual website too) and they work only with small groups. Their speciality is stays in the Mata Atlântica area, the Atlantic Forest (from São Paulo to Rio), where they offer excursions with naturalist guides and also some houses for rent on the coast

This agency offers (with online booking) transfers from/to Campo Grande airport, directly to Bonito, at a competitive price compared to the bus, especially considering that the airport and the bus station are 11 km apart and must be covered by taxi. This is a serious alternative for very early or late departures. It should be remembered that there are more flights to the major cities in Brazil from Campo Grande, and that air links between Bonito and Campo Grande are expensive.

Between Curitiba and Paranagua, the Serra do Mar Paranaense train is a man-made technological feat. Born of the glorious, bygone era of the railroads that linked the state capital to the coast, it is now an essentially tourist train that runs from Curitiba to Morretes (or Antoninha) and Paranagua. The train winds its way along tracks often clinging to the rock, through the exuberant Serra do Mar, crowned by granite peaks and the mata atlântica. Along the 110-kilometer route, the train passes through 13 tunnels cut into the rock and 67 viaducts spanning chasms and tumultuous rivers. The panorama alternates between sumptuous canyons, lush plains and sea views that merge with the sky, in a tangle of tropical forests punctuated here and there by waterfalls. This is one of the region's not-to-be-missed trails, with several different itineraries to choose from.

Curitiba railway station. The railway station is located next to the Rodoviária in Curitiba. There are two lines. The "por do Sol" version (R$379, R$179 one way) runs from Curitiba to Morretes, with a stop at the Nossa Senhora de Cadeado church (departure at 9.30 a.m.). The cosier "litorina de luxe" version offers a round trip at R$ 509. Departure from Curitiba station at 8:30 am. See website for options.

Serra do Mar line: 110 km, 3-hour journey. Sundays only. The train runs from Curitiba to Paranagua, passing through Morretes.

Curitiba - Morretes: daily departures.

It is a local agency integrated in the pousada of the same name that organizes tours and excursions to the natural pools and other wonders of Nobles. They charge official prices (not overcharged). Responsive and professional team with a proven track record. The pousada offers suites decorated with typical local handicrafts. They can comfortably accommodate up to 4 people. It has a parking lot and free wi-fi. The complex is in the heart of a pleasant environment surrounded by a wooded garden.

The main local bus company that serves the most remote areas as well as the big cities. For decades, Verdes Transportes buses have connected Cuiabá, the capital of Mato Grosso, with many cities in the north, west and east of Mato Grosso, southern Pará, São Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sul, Goiás and the Federal District. More than 150,000 are transported per month. The company claims to be committed to an environmentally friendly approach. The website is very good for consulting prices and schedules.

If you have enough time, a passport and your finances allow it, Brazil is quite accessible: in less than 3 hours flight from Cayenne, you can reach the picturesque city of Belém (located on the estuary of the Amazon River) or Fortaleza, a dynamic city in the Brazilian Northeast! The company specializes in domestic flights within Brazil and also offers connections to the United States, Portugal, Argentina and Uruguay from Brazil.

Rumo Norte Expediçoes is an agency specialized in Amazonian tourism. Specially designed for small groups of 2 to 10 people, the tours of this agency will take you deep into the Amazon, where few visitors have ever been. Ideal if you want a fully customized and authentic service. The quality and safety are there, as well as the awareness of sustainable and responsible development with the local communities. Rumo Norte's creativity allows for unforgettable experiences.

Viverde is an agency specialized in tourism in the state of Amazonas. The services are well established and of high quality. We can make visits of the city of Manaus and its surroundings. The agency proposes stays in Amazonia close to nature, in the forest, in hotels or in lodge. Excursions by boat, reservation of ecolodges, city tours... You can book with Viverde the tickets for the cruise boats with guided tours Amazon Clipper, Katerre, Iberostar Grand Amazon and Tucano Iate. Complete offer!

Valeverde is a large travel agency with several shops in town. The range of trips is very wide, geographically and in the services. It offers various excursions in Belém and its surroundings, boat trips and excursions, and also stays with hotels and transport included from Belém to Marajó and Santarém. Like other major agencies in Belém, Valeverde Turismo offers trips to other regions of Brazil and abroad. Details and prices are to be negotiated in the agency or by email.

AR Transportes operates two boats that sail regularly throughout the year between Belém and Manaus, with several stops between the two cities, including one in the town of Santarém (AR Transportes headquarters), located between the two Amazonian cities. With capacities ranging from 252 to 850 passengers, the boats are equipped with hammock decks , toilets, bars, cabins and private suites. Comfort is basic, except for the suites. Between Belém and Manaus, the trip takes between five and seven days, depending on the itinerary, and between Belém and Santarém, two nights.

Line 1 of the Belo Horizonte metro has been in existence since 1986 and serves distant suburbs of little interest to tourists. However, it serves from the central station (Estação central) the bohemian district of Santa Teresa, where there are youth hostels and nice bars.

The planned Line 3 will be really interesting, as it will serve the whole center of BH.

Line 1 currently has 19 stations, from Eldorado to Vilharino. The central section that is interesting to visit is: Lagoinha - Central (station) - Santa Ifigenia - Santa Teresa.

For those who want to go from Rio to Ilha Grande without going to Angro dos Reis, further away from Rio, Vilanova Tour offers daily shuttle services between the small town of Conceição de Jacarei and Abraão.

Daily shuttle times: from Conceição de Jacarei to Abraão: 8:30am, 9:30am, 10:00am, 10:30am, 11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 2:30pm, 3:30pm, 4:30pm, 6:00pm and 6:30pm. From Abraão to Conceição de Jacareí: 8am, 9am, 9:30am, 10:30am, 11:30am, 12pm, 1:30pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5:30pm and 6:30pm. Vilanova Tour also offers sea trips from both ports.

The country's main airline was created in 2010 from the merger between TAM (Brazilian airline) and LAM (Chilean airline). It serves 42 destinations in Brazil and 20 international destinations, including many South American cities. It is competitive for domestic return flights, but for a one-way trip it is better to fly with a low-cost airline. The South American company provides connections between Europe and Brazil, but there are no direct flights from or to France by this company.

With Terres de Charme, go on a tailor-made or organized trip to discover the wonders of Myanmar, in "the footsteps of Buddhism" and according to your desires. A stay in 13 days and 10 nights where you will travel through Burma through the usual more or less traced path. From Yangon, to the marvellous plain of Bagan, its temples and ruins. Then of course, the Inle Lake, its acrobatic fishermen and floating gardens, before coming to seek the calm of the Bay of Bengal on the superb beach of Ngapali for a few nights.

Rio Natural Ecotourism is an ecotourism tour operator, offering specialized services. A unique experience in the middle of breathtaking landscapes. We discover the extraordinary nature of Rio and its rich culture. Tours and activities can be tailored to suit your needs and interests. For those seeking tranquility, it is possible to explore Rio through a more cultural and "ecological" approach. For the thrill seekers, paragliding, hiking or climbing awaits.

The new Praça Arariboia station provides quick access to the main buildings of the Caminho Niemeyer.

Estação Praça Arariboia. Shuttle boats between Praça XV (Rio Centro) and Praça Arariboia (Niterói) operate between 6 am and 11 pm every day. Between 6 and 10 a.m., departure every 10 minutes, then every 20 minutes.

Estação Charitas. The boat shuttles between Praça XV and Charitas operate between 6:50 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. every day of the week, but not on weekends. From 6:50 a.m. to 12:00 a.m., and from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.: departure every 15 minutes and then every hour.

This private boat company from Paraty is the only one that also organizes speedboat transfers (1h30 only) between Paraty and Ilha Grande. Departures only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from Paraty at 8:30 am, from Ilha Grande at 10 am. Paraty and Ilha Grande are two unmissable wonders of the Costa Verde and the possibility of connecting them by speedboat in only one hour and thirty minutes is an interesting alternative (more polluting?) to transportation by bus or van from Parati to Conceiçao do Jacaré (then by boat to Abraao).

The Litoreana company, as its name suggests, operates bus services to destinations throughout the state, and in particular to the tourist resorts along the Paulista coastline, which, while not as well known to the French as those in the neighboring state of Rio de Janeiro, attract a large number of tourists from southern Brazil. Several departures a day for Praia de Maresias (R$ 77 and 5h drive), São Sebastião - Balsa Ilhabela (R$ 66 and 3h30 drive), Campos do Jordão (R$ 64 and 3h drive).

The Viaçao Rapido bus line serves the cities of São Paulo, Santos, Bertioga, Guarujà and São Vicente.

São Paulo - Santos: buses depart in both directions every half-hour or more. R$32.45 and 1h10 travel time.

There are around 12 buses a day. In the Santos-São Paulo direction, the first bus leaves Santos at 4.30 a.m. and the last at 9.30 p.m. In the São Paulo-Santos direction, the first bus leaves at 5.45am and the last at 9.15pm. Tickets cost R$ 33.35.

For other destinations on the line, connections must be made.

The Viação Rapido bus line serves the cities of São Paulo, Santos, Bertioga, Guarujà and São Vicente.

São Paulo (Jabaquara station) - Guarujá: there are departures every half hour in both directions. It costs R$ 38.25 and takes 1h15 to 1h30. There are 10 departures per day between 6.45am and 9pm in the direction São Paulo-Guarajà. In the Guarujà-São Paulo direction, departures are between 5:30 am and 8 pm. The price is only R$ 33 in this direction. For the other cities served by the line, you will have to make connections.

The Real Expresso bus company, with a nationwide reputation, serves the Chapada de Veadeiros national park from the small town of Alto Paraiso to the major cities of Goiás state.

Goiania-Alto Paraiso: one bus a day at 5pm. 7h30 of transport. From R$ 130 for a normal seat, R$ 232 for a couchette.

Brasília-Alto Paraiso: two to three buses a day in both directions at 7pm and 9pm. 3h30 travel time. From R$ 64. Numerous departures from other terminals in the terminal district.

Founded by Alberto in 2001, this reputable agency specializes in the Pantanal and offers a variety of tours in the Chapadas dos Guimaraes mountains, but also in the other magnificent sites of Mato Grosso (Transpantaneira, Nobres and Serra do Roncador...). Tours including boats, 4x4 and trekking. The activities are diverse: 5 to 8 days walks, jaguar observation. All activities are done with respect for the environment and with the maximum integration of the local communities in the project.

Bonito airport is a small regional airport. Departing from or arriving at Bonito airport is easy, as the small airport is very close to the city. More and more people prefer to land at Campo Grande airport and come by bus or car.

Flights Bonito-Campo Grande and Campo Grande-Bonito : Regular flights operated by Azul from Campo Grande, every Wednesday and Sunday. Then take a cab to downtown Bonito (about R$60) or the bus to the bus station.

With more than a dozen agencies located in the city centre, Loumar Turismo is a key player for booking hotels in Foz do Iguaçu and organising tourist activities. The agency offers à la carte or tailor-made tours. In the programme: discovery of the falls, rafting, reminder, flight in ch, tour by boat, dinner in the best restaurants in the city, acrobranche, touring, tour in Argentina and Paraguay transfers between airport and hotels and many other options.

An internet café next to the Mistura restaurant.

Pantanal Viagens & Turismo has been in the ecotourism business for some twenty years. A reputable agency based in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso, it works with beautiful pousadas-fazendas, organizes excursions to Bonito and offers stays of varying lengths in the Pantanal. Environmental protection and sustainable ecotourism are two concepts at the heart of their activities.

There are several bus stops on Avenida Juscelino Kubitschek that serve the surrounding area. For the falls on the Brazilian side, bus Cataratas (R$ 4 and 45 minutes trip to the falls); for the falls on the Argentine side, bus Puerto Iguazú (about R$ 5); for Paraguay, bus Ciudade del Este (about R$ 4); for the Itaipu Dam, bus Conjunto C (R$ 4).

Buses from the three border countries run in Foz. You will easily recognize the local buses with their flamboyant pink and purple colours of the Brazilian drivers.

Brasilia has a metro with only two lines, the green and orange lines, which have a number of common stations. From the Rodoviaria the metro follows towards Samambaia or Taguatinga/Ceilândia, always passing through the Asa Sul district. Stops: Rodoviária, Galeria (central area - Setor Bancario), 102/202, 108/208, 112/212 and 114/214 south, Asa Sul terminal, shopping (this stop gives access to the Park Shopping and the Interestadual station). Both lines also pass through Guara, where there is a large popular market (Feira do Guara stop).

Localiza offers car rental services in Brasília, DF. Their fleet includes a variety of cars, from compact models with air conditioning to electric cars, economy cars with air conditioning and economy sedans. They also offer mid-range cars, luxury cars, SUVs, vans, pick-ups and disabled-friendly vehicles. Localiza offers rental options to suit all needs and budgets.

The idea of self-service bicycles has taken off. From now on, in Paris or Rio, you can get around by bike without having to go through the restrictive rental system in stores. You have to register on the website and then use your cell phone. It's true, this step can be a bit complicated, but we advise you to pay a monthly pass online (easier than by phone). Bikes are picked up and dropped off at defined points (especially in the South Zone where the bike paths are the most developed).

The bus company Goianésia operates from Goiânia and Brasília, respectively the capital of the state of Goiás and the federal capital of the country. The buses are generally comfortable and fairly modern. The Brasilia-Pirenópolis connection is the most interesting.

From Goiânia to Pirenópolis,

a daily bus at 5pm, 130 kilometres. The journey takes about 2 hours.

From Brasília to Pirenópolis,

about 5 buses daily at 7:30am, 10am, 12pm and 5pm. 3 hours of travel, 152 kilometers.

From Pirenópolis to Brasília: departures every day at 9:30am, 10:30am, 4pm and 7pm.

With Decolar.com you choose the dates of the trip and the search engine finds the best prices offered by local airline companies. You can buy the tickets directly with them.

Buses to/from Gramado and Canela from Porto Alegre (station and airport afterwards).

You can go from Gramado to Canela directly by bus, from their respective bus stations. It costs between R$5 and R$10. 6 km distance.2 hours and R$ 30 or R$ 38 for theexecutivo. Departures are approximately every hour. For Florianopolis, count R$ 130 and 9:15 of travel (3 departures per day with Viasul). For São Paulo, change at Joinville, 280 R$ and 20 hours of travel. For Foz de Iguaçu, change at Caxia do Sul, count between 25 and 30 hours and 250 R$.

Maceio Airport is served by the following airlines: TAM, GOL, Azul and Avianca. Direct flights or with connections throughout the country.

Services: Correios, tourist information, banks, car rental and taxis.

Transportation: From the airport there are daily buses (every 30 minutes or every hour on weekends) to the urban beach area of Pajuçara, Ponta Verde and Jatiuca, R$3. By taxi count R$ 80

The company Viaçao Cidade Sol is with the other Bahian company 'Real Expresso' one of the bus companies which connects Salvador to Mucugê and/or to other cities of the Chapadas region.

Departures from the capital at 20:25, 21:00, for the moment. It takes about 7 hours and 25 minutes and between 100 and 133 R$, depending on the departure time.

Departure from Mucugê at 4:00 am, arrival at 1:00 pm, from R$ 100

Possibility to book your seat on the company's website. You can even choose your seat. As in Lençois, it is necessary to warn the pousada of a late arrival.

A bus connects Maceió to Porto de Pedras. It passes through Barra do Camaragibe, São Miguel dos Milagres and Porto da Rua. About 15 R$ for a 3 hours 30 minutes trip, there are 8 buses per day. The first one leaves at 7:45 am, the last one leaves at 6:10 pm. In the direction Porto de Pedras-Maceio, there are also 8 buses that serve both cities, the first bus leaves at 5am and the last at 5:30pm. You can also take collective taxis and minibuses from Maceió. It is often faster and a little more expensive, but it is still an interesting option.

You'll need to take a ferry to get from Porto Seguro to Arraial d'Ajuda: in summer, boats leave as soon as they're full. Out of season, they leave every half-hour. Service can be chaotic. Ferries are sometimes overwhelmed by demand. The queue is long, and the short distance you have to travel seems interminable. We've been told that prices change frequently, and some users report prices that vary according to the mood of the staff. Plan ahead if you have a tight schedule (bus to catch...).

The consulate offers consular services for Belgians living in Fortaleza and the surrounding area.

Airline company.

The Belém boat terminal was inaugurated in 2014, built inside a historic warehouse offering greater comfort and services to passengers. From Belém, you can embark for Manaus, Macapá and Camará (Marajó Island).

To Marajó. Banav boats depart at 6:30 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. depending on the day for the port of Camará (return at 6:30 a.m. or 3 p.m.). Bus to Soures or Salvaterra. 3 hours.

To Macapá, capital of Amapá, 22 hours by boat and 11 hours by catamaran.

Marripa Tour offers all the services of a tourist and travel agency. Marripa Tour sells bus tickets, plane tickets and boat tickets. The agency can also offer guided tours with a French-speaking guide around Oiapoque. For those looking for advice and trips outside the Amazon region, Marripa Tour also offers international flights, stays in southern Brazil, Punta Cana, cruises in the Amazon or the Caribbean. A sure bet.

The Alliance Française de Manaus is a French language school located in the center of Manaus. It offers French courses for all levels, as well as cultural activities and events to promote the French language and culture.