Tourist Attractions & Monuments Brazil

Opposite the entrance to the Iguaçu National Park, the Bird Park reconstitutes, in situ, a fragment of the formidable wealth of local biodiversity and presents birds, butterflies, or snakes evolving in a spectacular environment. One can admire the magnificent macaws, or toucans, symbols of Iguaçu. This 16-hectare park, opened in 1994, has 600 birds of 150 species. Efforts have been made to rebuild their ecological niche, although it may be reminiscent of a zoo. This visit is magnificent and indispensable, to be combined with the visit to the falls, shortly afterwards.

Behind Fort do Castelo, two small river stations, main departures at 9 h and noon, for islands to Indian names as strange and dépaysants as those of fruit.

There is in fact not one but two parks dedicated to sculptures in Recife. The first one is located near the Recife shopping mall, where the consumer society finds a place to reflect. In a park of 19,000 square meters, one can admire the works of 39 Brazilian artists, such as Lula Cardoso Ayres, Corbiniano Lins or Evêncio and of course, the works of Francisco Brennand. The second space dedicated to sculpture is the one in the port of Recife, which can be reached by boat from the "marco Zero". All the works are by Brennand.

This garden was created in 1991 and was designed "à la française". It leads to its impressive Art Nouveau palace inspired by 19th century English crystal palaces, a postcard of the city. A grandiose greenhouse of glass and steel is surrounded by lush vegetation.

The Museu Botânico/Herbário that it houses attracts researchers and botanists from all over the world. It holds a scientific herbarium of nearly 330,000 plants, one of the most important collections in Brazil. Exhibitions on environmental issues are regularly scheduled here.

Francisco Brennand took over the family ceramic factory. Today, the site occupies 15,000 square meters and Brennand's wild creations are displayed in the large garden surrounding the main building. Inside, dozens of other sculptures, sketches, prints... Ony still produces ceramics industrially. To get there, a taxi is the best option. Determine the price of the trip (outward, waiting, return) before getting on board.

The beaches of João Pessoa, less known than those of the other north-eastern states, are no less beautiful.

The beach bars and kiosks are located in Tambaú. If you walk along the pavement, you will reach Cabo Branco, a quieter and nicer beach for swimming. From Tambaú there are boat trips to the quieter beaches in the area.

Praia do Seixas, 13 km from João Pessoa, is the easternmost point of the continent: Africa is only a few thousand kilometres away.

You can also try Pitimbu and its tormented coconut trees.

The Praia Pataxo is without doubt one of the most beautiful in the country. Clear sand, translucent waters and coconut trees as far as the eye can see make up the decor. For the moment, the place is spared by mass tourism. There are no groups coming from Maceió to spend the day there, the beach is rather quiet and not very populated. During low tides, natural pools are formed and the swimming is irresistible. If you stay there during the day, bring something to eat and drink (restaurants only in the pousadas Xue and Patacho).