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13/08/2024
From Curacao to Santos
South America is an active adventurer's dream. Dense Amazonian rainforests, epic ancient trails like Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, the Galapagos Islands, beautiful waterfalls and amazing wildlife. If you haven't been yet, put South America on your bucket list now and visit all of these amazing places on board a Victoria Cruises houseboat.
One of the best things to do in South America is to visit the Amazon, which is great for wildlife viewing. South America's must-see attractions include Rio de Janeiro, Copacabana and Buenos Aires.
You can read more about Rio de Janeiro here:
The hustle and bustle of city life is as adventurous as South America's amazing nature, but it's still fun.
Do you want to know the best places in South America and get tips before you board the Victoria Majestic and travel the whole world including South America? grab a notepad and pen and dig into the South American travel guide below to get inspired for your adventures.
An eco-friendly guide to visiting the Amazon Rainforest
Wrapped in the mystical forest, the power of the Amazon rainforest is impartial. This tropical rainforest covers most of the Amazon basin and spans 9 countries (Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana) in an area of more than 2.5 million miles South America 40%- no.
Did you know that 2020 saw the worst fires ever recorded in the Amazon rainforest, while deforestation reached its highest level in more than a decade. The rainforest deserves the title 'LUNGS OF THE EARTH'.
From Curacao to Santos. Join us and let's discover the wonders of the continent together
Curacao: Traditional Dutch culture with a Latin twist
You say co*cktail, I say Curacao, you say dollhouse, I say Dutch architecture in baby blue, you say beach, diving, I say Netherlands Antilles. To combine two cultures so different from each other is a feat, but in Curacao, it was still possible. The Dutch organization and calm with the Caribbean colors and joie de vivre created a magical atmosphere.
Its national tree is the divi-divi. Another, best-known plant of the island is the Laraha, which is actually a green, bitter orange, but its peel gives the characteristic taste of Curacao liqueur.
Its capital is Willemstad, whose historic downtown is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
9 little-known facts about Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad and Tobago:
- the city's center of activity once consisted of George, Nelson and Duncan streets as all the main government buildings, markets, prisons and post offices were located there
- swampy area and the waterfront began southwest of Federic Street and Függetlensgé Square
- the streets running from north to south are named after former British royal families, King George, Queen Charlotte, King Henry and Prince Frederick.
- The area bordering Wringston Road to the end of Sackville and London streets was known as Cobo. Most of the fishing shops in town were there, so the birds flocked to that area.
- Laventille was once a quarry, the limestone from which was used to build the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the Royal Prison, the President's House and the Churchill Roosevelt Highway
- The NALIS building (National Library) is in the shape of a ship
- Woodbrook was once a large sugar estate, and some streets are named after children of the Siegert family
- 1808 was the year of the great port fire
- The Queen's Park Savannah was once a sugar plantation and is now the largest roundabout in the world
Georgetown- Guyana
If you haven't heard of Kaietuer Falls, Guyana's main attraction, now is the time to discover it with Victoria Cruises
When we dock in Georgetown, the cultural diversity of Guyana leading to the city, a melting pot of peoples and cultures. Colorful flags mark the Hindi houses, the shoes lined up in front of the mosques mark the time for prayer, and the church towers mark the fact that Christianity is the dominant religion.
Arriving in the jungle, the sloth seems to symbolize Guyana and the relaxed pace of life, where the heat and humidity turned every movement into a crawl.
At a height of nearly 226 meters, the impressive Kaietuer Falls is known as the world's largest single-cascade waterfall based on the volume of water flowing over it, and is ranked among the most powerful waterfalls in the world.
Paramaribo – Suriname
In a country inhabited by only half a million people, bauxite mining and processing plays an important role, for which most of the electricity is provided by the power plant of the Brokopondo reservoir, which is still being built behind the dam built by the Dutch. In addition to bauxite, the extraction and export of gold and crude oil and natural gas also generate substantial revenues for the state coffers every year, while a significant part of the population grows bananas, rice and other crops on plantations concentrated in the northern part of the country.
Breakfast: central market on the Waterkant:
Start the day early, like many residents of Paramaribo, to take advantage of the pleasant coolness of the morning, visit one of the many markets of the Surinamese capital. The most famous is Waterkanton, where you can get some fresh fruit to start your day off right.
Lunch: Zus en Zo
This restaurant in Pálmeker offers delicious sandwiches such as the hot Surinamese chicken sandwich or a Batjaw sandwich made with dried and salted cod.
Evening: a drink at T'vat
if you head to the deck of the Victoria Majestic after walking all day, don't miss the T Vat where you can end the day with a drink. This place is a concept in Pramaribo, drink an ice cold Parbo beer with the locals.
Cayenne- French Guyana
According to legend, the name of the place comes from the community that is the same as the son of King Cépérou. His father was so impressed by his actions that he allowed the village to be named after him.
The 7 best things to see in Cayenne:
- fort cépérou: historical center around which the city grew and was built on lands acquired by the French settlers from the Galibi tribe. The view over the city and the Cayenne River is amazing
- Place des Palmisters: the city's main square, named after the palm trees found there
- Montjoly salt mines: located 10 km from Cayenne, it is not a real salt mine, as it only got its name from the salt deposits that formed after the natural evaporation of seawater
- Ford Diamant: it was built between 1840-1849. In 1980 it was classified as a French national monument, and since then it has undergone several renovations. Today, it often hosts temporary exhibitions
- Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur de Cayenne: officially inaugurated in 1874, when the high altar, pulpit and confessional were moved there from the chapel at the Ilet de La Mére Penitentiary
- Musée des Cultures Guyanaises: the collection here contains ethnographic pieces with artefacts from the various ethnic groups that make up the population of Guyana
Cayenne Botanical Garden: a 3-hectare botanical garden, which is the most important green area in the city
Read our blog about cayenne pepper to become a spice expert yourself.
Belem- Brazil
Belem is the capital of the state of Para, about 2 million people live in this city, making it the most populous urban area in the region. One of Brazil's hidden treasures, it's full of tropical rainforests, exotic animals and a hint of chaotic magic.
An emerging powerhouse of Brazilian culinary culture, where local ingredients are used to prepare dishes that combine indigenous, European and African influences.
Perhaps one of the largest open-air markets in Latin America is located here, Vero o Peso, which means check your weight in English. The fort, built to ward off French, Dutch and British invasion, and the market located between the old docks, have been operating on this waterfront since at least 1625. Traders haggle for vegetables, huge Amazonian fish, herbs, Brazil nuts (Pará nuts), street food, live animals and much more.
Unmissable dishes:
- curarut: a paste made of okra and shrimp and nuts and palm oil
- vatapa: shrimp, pepper and onion puree
- unha: croquette made of crab, tomato, onion and coriander
In 2015, Belém was chosen as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.
If you are interested in other food specialties in South America, read our blog post about it: HERE.
Fortaleza – Brazil
In the 17th century, Fortaleza functioned as a colonial fortress. Today it has become the prosperous capital of Ceará and is currently the 5th largest city in Brazil. With a year-round tropical climate, stunning beaches and an interesting history.
Things to see in Fortaleza:
- Arena Castelao: Stadium used by Fortaleza EC. it can accommodate nearly 64,000 spectators and was one of the stadiums of the 2014 World Cup. Beyonce, Elton John, Iron Maiden and Paul McCartney have already given concerts in the arena
- Dragoa do Mar Centro de Arte e Cultura: a historical museum commemorating the history of the farmers of Fortaleza
- Cachaca Museum: the perfect place to learn about Brazil's national drink, Cachacha. The 19th-century castle, which was the first industrial location for the famous Ypióca cachaca
- Metropolitana Cathedral: one of the most famous historical monuments, with 75-meter-high towers decorated with stained glass windows, they offer a dazzling view
In Fortaleza, we find Water of Life, the famous white tequila, which is sold in hand-blown glass bottles with unique bottle caps.
Natal – Brazil
It is known as the city of the sun. Natal's name means "Christmas" and why because it was founded on December 25, 1599 by the Dutch who took part in the colonization of Brazil.
Let's see what attractions the city has in store for us:
- Forte Dos Reis Magos - the fortress of the Three Wise Men: why does it bear this name, because it was founded on January 6, 1598, on the day of the Three Wise Men. Today it is the oldest and most important monument in the city.
- Newton Navarro Bridge: 1.8 km long and 55 meters high bridge is one of the city's most famous postcards of the city. It was designed by Italian engineer Mario de Miranda in 2007.
- Ponta Negra beach: this is the most famous beach in the city
- Barreira do Inferno- Hell's Barrier: the rocket launch base of the Brazilian Space Agency.
You can also stretch out and enjoy the sunset on board the Victoria Majestik.
Salvador – Brazil
The city where the music never stops. It was a Portuguese colonial port and served as a central hub for the African slave trade. Today it is famous for its architecture, Afro-Brazilian culture and cuisine. Salvador is home to one of Brazil's most iconic buildings recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Pelourinho. Pelourinho is a famous historical and cultural center. Unique historic district with cobbled streets and colonial buildings.
Another famous attraction is the Elevator Lecande, a 235-foot high public elevator that serves as a link between the upper and lower cities.
One of the most famous Afro-Brazilian dishes in El Salvador is acarajé. This tasty street food consists of refried beans and shrimp crushed into deep-fried dough balls.
Rio De Janeiro- Brazil
Since Rio de Janeiro is perhaps one of the most famous cities in Brazil, we have already covered this in a separate blog post where we presented its lesser-known places in addition to the world-famous attractions, you can read more about it here: Six Day, One City: the Hidden treasures of Rio de Janeiro with VCL.
Now I would like to introduce you to a couple of famous events:
- site of one of the biggest carnivals in the world. The center of the event is the Sambadrome, where samba schools hold spectacular parades and dance performances
- In Révellon: one of the biggest New Year's Eve celebrations in the world was held at the Copacabana stand. fireworks are part of the event, don't forget to dress in white to bring good luck in the coming year
- International film festival, which is the most important event of the South American film industry.
- Anima Mundi is the largest animation film festival in Latin America.
These are just a few examples of the diverse and vibrant cultural events that color the life of Rio de Janeiro.
Santos - Brazil
Santos is not only an important economic center but also a vibrant culturally rich city that offers many attractions and interesting things to visitors.
- The port of Santos is the largest and busiest port in Latin America, where most of the country's exports and imports are handled
- Pelé and Santos Fc: Pelé is one of the greatest players in football history, he started his career here. The club's stadium also includes a Pelé museum, where visitors can learn about the career of the legendary player
- Jardins da Orla de Santos: the longest seaside garden in the world, stretching more than 7 km along the coast
- Visitors can reach Monte Serrat by cable car, where there is a historic chapel and casino
- Santos Coffee Museum
- Santos Aquarium: one of the oldest and most visited aquariums, here you can see sharks, turtles and exotic fish. The aquarium also offers educational programs to raise awareness about the protection of the marine environment
- Engenho do Eresmos: a historic sugarcane mill from the 16th century
The discovery and conquest of South America was a long and complex process, carried out by many explorers, conquistadors and missionaries. The route, which runs from Curacao to Santos and beyond, takes in a number of major cities and historical sites.
Author: VCL Team
13/08/2024
