Region: Rio de Janeiro and South East

Hotel Porto Bay Rio de Janeiro

The idyllic hotel option in Rio De Janeiro that boasts some of the best coastline views and stylish rooms

Serra da Canastra National Park

With a cool climate due to its altitude (900-1500m above sea level), many waterfalls and rivers, and two important massifs, the park is scenic and pleasant to visit and contains a large number of species in its grasslands and woods. These include giant anteater, maned wolf, rhea, armadillo and deer.

Pousada Naturalia

Situated within Ilha Grande’s main settlement, Abraão village, just off the coast between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo

Rio de Janeiro

Rio needs no introduction, being one of the world’s great cities and a popular tourist destination since the 1950s. Most will have heard of Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, Christ’s statue on Corcovado and the cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain. Less well-known would be the restored colonial districts, the Botanical Gardens and Tijuca National Park on … Continued

Mata Atlantica

Mata Atlantica is the name given to the extensive rainforest which once stretched along most of Brazil’s Atlantic coast: sadly there is little left now. However, significant pockets do remain, and are well worth visiting for their unusual fauna and wild beaches.

Guapi Assu Bird Lodge

Situated on a small hill at the edge of the restored wetlands, overlooking the forested Serra dos Orgaos Mountains

Serra do Mar Natural Reserve

Situated almost halfway between Rio and Sao Paulo, Serra do Mar is one of the last major Mata Atlantica tracts remaining, covering a large area of rainforested hills and palm-fringed beaches. The pretty colonial seaside town of Paraty is nearby and easily visited.

Guesthouse Bianca

Located on a quiet residential street in the heart of the bohemian Santa Teresa district of Rio de Janeiro

Minas Gerais

The southern state of Minas Gerais contains some extraordinary natural history treats, including the best chance of seeing the maned wolf in South America and the continent’s largest primate, the muriqui monkey. It also boasts Ouro Preto, a beautifully preserved colonial town and popular visitor attraction.

Pousada Abracadabra

Stylish Pousada Abracadabra is surrounded by lush gardens overlooking a beautiful bay and next to the famous Rua das Pedras

Caraca National Park

Within Caraca National Park, an old seminary has become a popular hotel for wildlife lovers while the park itself has attracted the interest of ornithologists over the past decade for its many avian highlights. Night time holds the hope of witnessing a mammalian spectacle that has made Caraca famous: each evening for many years the … Continued

Santuario do Caraca

Basic accommodation in the unique atmosphere of the gothic monastery and wildlife attractions

Caratinga

Near the eponymous town in Minas Gerais is the Caratinga Biological Station. The private reserve is a research centre for primates and home to a species of woolly spider monkey called the muriqui; the largest primate in South America. Three other rare primates can also be found here: brown capuchin, brown howler monkey and buffy-headed … Continued

Copacabana Palace

South America’s first luxury hotel and is still, one of the Continent’s top hotels