At 21 I left London for Venezuela to continue my studies. My destination was the university town of Merida in the Andes, but first I stopped amid the chaos that is Caracas. While there, I had lunch with an English acquaintance who had been living in Caracas for a number of years. Inspired by the eye-wateringly strong Cuba libres, he let me in on a secret that has proved to be true everywhere I have lived and worked since; from Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula to Buenos Aires, via Quito and Caracas and now in Brazil's economic metropolis, Sao Paulo.
Read OnPicture it: you hit the beach early, but many of your fellow city-dwellers are already there, jogging, walking, and enjoying the shimmering, clear morning. The aerobics instructor begins stretching for her first beachside class of the day on the firm, fine sand, just as the giant yellow ball of the sun separates itself from the Atlantic horizon. The early-bird vendors set up their stands and start preparing the fresh fruit and juices that the beachgoers are accustomed to.
Read OnEditor's note: Brazil is a vast country, one that would take years to cover properly. Picking a starting point was difficult. We asked Roving Latin America Editor Lee Harrison to begin his coverage (which will continue over time) in the state of Ceará because of its diversity, beauty, beaches, and weather.
Read OnIf you’re bored with miles of sandy beaches and tranquil blue waters, and want to add a little excitement to beach life, then the city of Recife on Brazil’s east coast may be for you.
Read OnOlinda’s small, winding, cobblestoned streets, great Brazilian restaurants, fantastic views, and colonial architecture provided a welcome contrast to the beach scene.
Read OnWhat really makes Canoa Quebrada unique is the village itself. It’s clean, cheerful, and well cared-for, with cobblestoned streets, shops, boutiques, and small hotels.
Read OnBeautiful wide sandy beaches, warm South Atlantic waters, sizzling nightlife, fantastic weather, and the continent’s liveliest sex trade. If you can’t find something to like about Fortaleza, you’re in the minority.
Read On