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ABOUT BRAZIL

Sun, Samba, Energy, Capoeira, Music, Laughter and the fabulous and lavish Carnaval … Brazil has all this and much more. If you are looking for an injection of life to make you feel alive, Brazil is the place for you!

“If travelling is your passion, Brazil is your destination. Brazil will take your breath away. For the sporty, the adventurous, the curious. For children, teenagers and adults. For couples, families and friends. For all kinds of people, all the time. With its dazzling beaches, forest trails and lively cities, Brazil will put all your emotions to the test. Pack your bags.”

Brazil's colourful diversity and geographical abundance seem to embody everything that is best in South America. The Amazon flows through its heart! There is a dazzling string of great cities along its coast - the pulse-pounding resort of Rio de Janeiro; sprawling, metropolitan Sao Paulo; and, further north, the entrancing canals and bustling piers of Recife.

We have programmes in two very different locations. You can choose between the dazzling city of Rio de Janeiro and the beach paradise Florianópolis. A world of contrasts! Alternatively, why not combine your placement and visit them both....?

Brazil has an incredible amount of diversity in vegetation and climate and a fascinating cultural mix of immigrants who have brought with them their customs and cuisines. A vibrant, pulsating country!

To get a good 'feel' of placements in Brazil please read our volunteers' feedback

OUR TEAM IN BRAZIL
Our local Brazilian staff are brother & sister team Fabio & Ana Castilha. They  have both been with Travellers for many years and look after all our volunteers in Rio and Florianopolis respectively. They both have endless time to spend with volunteers, making it their mission to make them feel at home in their country.

“Fabio you are fabulous ... Thanks Rio, thanks Travellers for arranging all this but mostly thanks to the children and the people who have made us so welcome here .... Tops Fabio, Keila [Fabio’s wife] and Cayo (and members of his family too numerous to mention). It says a lot that I am fighting back the tears as I say cheerio for now folks, love you all, please stay safe” – A tearful final message from Vera Tyler, Rio volunteer

ABOUT BRAZIL:
This tropical paradise is alive with mad passion in every walk of life. Axe (a-chay) means energy in Brazil and nowhere else is the heart-pounding, rhythmic energy more prevalent, be it an impromptu capoeira roda on a street corner, bursting with music, excitement and physical perfection, or the sound of loud raucous laughter between two acquaintances over ice cold beer in local open sided bars.

Brazil has the sixth largest population in the world (about 169 million people) which has doubled in the past 30 years. Because of its size, there are only 15 people per sq. km, concentrated mainly along the coast and in the major cities, where two-thirds of the people now live: over 19 million in greater Sao Paulo and 11 million in greater Rio.

In Brazil work is secondary to leisure and Brazilians know how to enjoy life. It is impossible not to absorb this infectious passion for life, enthusiasm for fun and appreciation of the little things in each day. Of course, a consistently hot summer and beaches such as the Copacabana and the infamous local tipple of Caipirinha all help secure that lively, happy vibe! 

Caipirinha is the traditional Brazilian cocktail and is fittingly delicious. Refreshing and powerfully alcoholic, a Caipirinha is prepared with a Brazilian sugarcane liquor, Cachaça, lime juice (fresh from the fruit), sugar and lots of ice. This is an appetiser to be enjoyed before eating when socialising with friends – something you will do much of in Brazil.

Brazilians know how to party, in the cities, in the country, on the beaches and, in fact, wherever they go, and the biggest party of all time occurs each year throughout the country. Carnaval is spectacular!! It takes place in February all across Brazil but particularly in Rio. The streets are packed and pumping with incessant samba beats and pure hedonism for 5 days with a period of building excitement for some time before. Any excuse for a party! The year begins after Carnaval and, as with all things Brazilian, somewhat later than planned. Well, after all… what’s the rush….?

Around the same size as the USA, Brazil is by far the largest South American country. It borders every country in South America but Ecuador and Chile. Brazil’s population is clustered along the East coast of the Atlantic whilst much of the rest of this tropical land remains scarcely populated and difficult to access. Brazilians are most commonly of African, European or Indian descent and of Roman Catholic faith. The official language, unlike anywhere else in South America, is Portuguese. This diverse ethnic background is often cited as the explanation for the welcoming nature of the average Brazilian, who, as some say, ‘have a little of the entire world in their blood’.

CARNAVAL!
Like Mardi Gras, Carnaval has its roots in ancient pagan ritual. The wild parties began in the Middle Ages but were tamed in Europe by Christianity. The Portuguese were irrepressible, however. Carnaval flourished and incorporated extravagant costumes from India and primitive carnal beats from African rhythm. Carnaval takes place before lent where Catholic Brazilians officially gave up luxuries such as meat, alcohol and pastries. The word Carnaval seems to have derived from the Latin ‘goodbye meat’. The reasoning, and a grand one, behind Carnaval therefore was to accumulate and rack up all sins in a blow out of extreme proportions, in advance of the deprivation ahead!

The excitement of Carnaval builds practically all year round. Rehearsals at samba schools begin in August and marching percussion bands practise for their performances of music throughout the year.

Carnaval Balls are extreme, surreal and erotic events. There is various stages of undress, extravagant body painting, stickered tattoos, fishnets and spandex involved! Hypnotic music, grinding movements and beautiful ladies of the night vying for the camera’s attention are included in the price of the ticket. Some of these beautiful ladies are less ‘lady’ than they may appear…

Street Carnaval is all about the dancing in the streets, marching bands pump out their theme tune and other rhythms as the drag queens and party crazed people bop along behind.

The samba parades are perhaps a highlight of carnaval. As the Lonely Planet so nicely puts it, the Brazilians harness sweat, noise and confusion and turn it into art. The best Samba schools in the country prepare all year for their moment of glory. This procession is a competition of the art. There are many aspects to samba including percussion, song, dance, choreography, costumes, story line, floats and decorations. The winner of the samba parades earns admiration and the pride of Rio and all of Brazil.

PLACES TO VISIT IN BRAZIL
Brazil offers so many different things to do that it's impossible to narrow it down to a few 'favourites'. One of the greatest things about this vibrant country is the atmosphere.... wherever you are and whatever you're doing, take time to absorb it - as you learn about the country around you and interact with local people you'll soon appreciate the energetic yet laid back Brazilian way of life!

Iguaçu Falls: Sometimes described as being one of the 7 natural Wonders of the World! The falls have 275 separate cascading waterfalls, above which you'll see a glistening rainbow coloured mist. Simply spectacular!

Recife: Located on the north eastern coast of Brazil, Recife is well known for the cannals and connecting bridges that criss-cross the city - a picturesque city and a famous tourist destination. There are many great beaches in this region and the cuisine is entirely different from that of the south of Brazil, making it well worth a visit.

The Pantanal: Considered one of the world's great wildlife reserves with the best fishing in South America. Visitors come to these wetlands for the bird watching - this region is teeming with birds and other wildlife.

Sao Paulo: Sao Paulo is HUGE!! Not only is this the most populous city in Brazil, but it is also the commercial centre, home to many big businesses and skyscrapers. Italian and Japanese immigrants have settled in the city, leaving a cosmopolitan atmosphere with some of the trendiest nightlife in the whole of Brazil.

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Teaching Project: All types of teaching projects, from English to Music and Drama, Maths and IT. No qualifications required.
 Sports Coaching: Pure Football OR Total Sports Projects at clubs and centres... lots of variety!
Crèche Project: With cute Brazilian kids!
 Care for the Elderly and Orphans: In a friendly centre that really needs volunteers!
Teach Ballet and/or other Dance: Teach ballet or dance to kids in Rio's poorest neighborhoods.
 Portuguese Language Courses: Live, eat and breathe the language.
 Photography Courses: Capture the flavour of Rio de Janeiro with your lens on one of our professional courses for all levels.
 Capoeira Courses: Capoeira, is it a martial art? A dance? An art form? It's all of these and lots of fun!
 Brazilian Music Courses: Music is part of the Brazilian soul - this is an outstanding place to learn and immerse yourself in rhythm.
 Latin American Dance Courses: Learn to dance like a Brasileiro!
 Cultural Mix & Match: Cultural Exchanges tailor made to suit YOU!
 The Latin American Triangle: Combine volunteering with organized travel for a unique 6 week experience!

OPTIONAL EXTRA ACTIVITIES

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Why choose Brazil? Click here to find out
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Carnival time is party time in Brazil, as the whole country grinds to a stand still to celebrate