From Brasília, an easy day-trip involves taking one of the frequent buses from the rodoferroviária to the town of CRISTALINA, a two-hour ride south of Brasília into the Goiás plateau. Indeed, the journey itself is one of the main reasons to go, as you’ll pass through the distinctive rolling hills of the planalto along […]

Covering forty square kilometres, Lago Paranoá is a man-made recreation area, created by the diversion of three rivers to humidify the dry climate. Despite suffering from an algae problem, it’s the scene of water sports, clubhouses and the Ermida Dom Bosco. This small conical hermitage, sitting alone on the edge of the lake, around […]

Although it is sometimes difficult to imagine in the concrete heart of Brasília, the city is at the centre of some spectacular natural scenery that is easily accessible as day-trips from the capital. Here we’ve concentrated on straight day-trips or places where an overnight stay is possible but not really worthwhile; other destinations a […]

Airlines Mostly found around the Hotel Nacional in various agents’ shops. The main Brazilian companies are Nordeste, airport T61/3365-1022; TAM, SHS 1, Galeria Hotel Nacional 61 T61/3223-5168, and at the airport T61/3365-1000; Varig/Cruzeiro, ground floor of the Conjunto Empresarial Varig building opposite Brasília Shopping mall T61/3329-1169, and at the airport T61/3364-9583, 24-hour reservations, English […]

One of the best things about Brasília is the wide variety of bars and restaurants; in fact, a combination of the government, the university and diplomats supports one of the densest concentrations of good restaurants in the country. Candangos eat late, hanging around in bars until at least 10pm before heading off to eat. […]

The national park is a R$20 taxi ride from the centre, but you have to arrange a rendezvous to return, since very few unoccupied taxis pass by – the bus is a better bet, but not easy. Astonishingly, there is no bus stop at the park entrance: the closest you can get here is […]

Still working at the grand old age of 99 in 2006, Oscar Niemeyer is the greatest architect Latin America has produced. Best known for his unique contribution to Brasília, during his long and highly productive life he has left his mark on virtually all of Brazil’s major cities, especially Rio and Belo Horizonte. Widely […]