The towns and beaches of Brazil’s northeast: Natal, Pipa, Salvador da Bahia: Brazil’s most exotic city (1.5 hours by air from Natal, 1 hour 20mins from Recife); Lençóis in the Chapada Diamantina, via Salvador and a 6 hour drive.

The easiest way to get local currency (reais) is to use a debit card in one of the many ATMs. You can also change US dollars in monet exchange offices - pounds sterling or euros are often not accepted as there is no rate available. 

It’s hot with plenty of sunshine all rear round, but most rain falls between Mar-Jul, so the Brazilian summer is relatively dry. 

Note that the time difference with the UK is GMT -2 hours in Fernando de Noronha and -3 hours on the mainland (Recife). There is daylight saving Oct- end Feb (approx) when clocks are put forward one hour.

Brazilian Portuguese, a more languid and musical version of Portugal’s mother tongue.