Guided Tour activities in Brazil
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Sandmar
Tour operators who organize dives in these waters abound - the tourist office keeps a complete list. One good company is Sandmar.
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Associação de Bugeiros
Dune-buggy excursions are offered by a host of would-be Ayrton Senna bugeiros (buggy drivers), mostly in Brazilian-built vehicles with brand names such as Bird, Baby, Praya or Malibuggy.
There are pirate bugeiros and accredited bugeiros; the latter are represented by the Associação de Bugeiros. You can arrange buggy trips through most pousadas, agencies or, if you speak some Portuguese, directly with drivers.
To the north are the dunes of Genipabu, which are the biggest around. You'll be asked if you want the trip com emoção (with emotion), and if you agree you'll be treated to thrills such as Wall of Death and Vertical Descent. It is possible to go as far as you like…
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Phoenix Turismo
The best-established Phoenix Turismo offers services that include private boat tours, bike rentals (R$10/40 per hour/day), kayak rentals (R$10/30 per hour/six hours), surfboard rentals (R$40 per day), treks with bilingual guides (R$40 to R$50), round-the-island boat tours (R$60 to R$150), and daily schooner excursions to prime beaches and snorkeling spots, including Lopes Mendes (R$15), Saco do Céu (R$25 to R$30) and the twin lagoons Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde (R$35 to R$40).
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Tours
Trips to a tree-sloth recuperation center, a chocolate factory and Primavera Fazenda, where you'll be taken through the process of cacao production, can all be arranged through local travel agencies. Tours are also given of Lagoa Encantada, a state-protected area of Atlantic rain forest with waterfalls and wildlife; Rio do Engenho, an estate with Bahia's first sugarcane mill; and the Capela de Santana (1537), Brazil's third-oldest church.
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Snorkeling & River Trips
Travel agencies offer snorkeling day trips to nearby reefs and islands such as Parcel das Paredes, Sebastião Gomes and Coroa Vermelha. Since most tourists head for Abrolhos, these trips rarely meet the minimum number of people required (five) for departure. River trips up the Rio Caravelas or down the Rio Caribê to the next beach town to the south, Nova Viçosa, are also possible.
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Guided Tours of Lumiar
Lumiar (34km from Nova Friburgo) is a popular destination for Brazilian ecotourists, with cheap pensions, waterfalls, walking trails, a brand new Alê Friburgo hostel and white-water adventures centered around the Encontro dos Rios, the tumultuous confluence of three local rivers. Guided adventure tours of the area are available through the Alê Friburgo hostel or Lumiar Aventura.
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Candomblé Ceremonies
Cachoeira is one of Candomblé's strongest and perhaps purest spiritual and religious centers. The terreiros are in small homes and shacks in the hills, where long ceremonies are usually held on Friday and Saturday nights. You can try contacting the tourist office for Candomblé information; or get in touch with Luiz Magno, who takes visitors to ceremonies.
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Mãe Natureza Tours
Experienced agency offering recommended excursions and multiday tours throughout the area, including Lago Verde, FLONA, Rio Tapajós, Rio Arapiuns, Monte Alegre, Alenquer, and others. Operated by amiable Argentinean transplants Jorge Bassi and Claudio Chena (who lives on-site).
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City Guides
Official city guides are available from the tourist office. The office also organizes treks and horseback rides into the surrounding hills. Beware of unofficial guides, as there are some nasty characters hanging around.
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Centrotur
Worthwhile tours in the area include hiking and bird-watching treks, canopy tours, kayaking, and whale watching (in season). Centrotur is one of a handful of professional outfits in Forte offering excursions.
reviewed
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Grupo Excursionista de Agulhas Negras
A guide is required for climbs to the high country's peaks. You can contact the Grupo Excursionista de Agulhas Negras, which organizes climbs every other week, or ask local pousadas to help you find a guide.
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Raúl Helicópteros
If you have money to burn and no time to spare, Raúl Helicópteros will get you there in its fleet of light planes and helicopters. Trips available include Angel Falls and the top of Roraima.
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Tour Shop Búzios
Tour Shop Búzios runs the Búzios Trolley, an open-sided bus that visits 12 of the peninsula’s beaches daily. It also operates rafting tours and trips by glass-bottomed catamaran.
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Associação de Barqueiros
The Associação de Barqueiros operates small tourist boats. Check schedules at its information booth near Abraão’s ferry dock.
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Levy
A guide is required for climbs to the high country's peaks. One highly recommended guide is the park ranger Levy.
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Queen Lory
This outfit offers daily 2½- and five-hour schooner tours to Ilha Feia, Tartaruga and João Fernandinho.
reviewed
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Casamar
Casamar offers day and night excursions for experienced divers, plus a full range of courses.
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Vento em Popa Tours
Vento em Popa, next door to Mãe Natureza, offers excursions and multiday tours throughout the area.
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Mystic Tours
Some of the least expensive tours to Roraima, and local tours with a new age bent.
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Jeep Trips
Jeep Trips to Boipeba are possible. Book through local agencies.
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Kanoa Tur
Kanoa Tur also offers personalized tours around the island.
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Trilhar
Trilhar is another local agency that can help with tours.
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Itaguatur
Day tours visit destinations around the island.
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Representaciones y Servicios Turísticos Francisco Alvarez
Personable and helpful, with regional tours and camping-equipment rentals.
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