Imagine Latin America

Part of the Imagine Travel Family

enquire now

(646) 934-8942
  • destinations
  • holiday types
  • brochures
  • offers
Imagine Latin America  >  Destinations  >  Brazil  >  Top 5 colonial pockets
  • MAP


    • View map
  • South America

    • Argentina
    • Brazil
    • Chile
    • Colombia
    • Ecuador
    • Galapagos
    • Peru
    • Uruguay
  • Central America

    • Belize
    • Costa Rica
    • Guatemala
    • Mexico
    • Panama
  • Polar Regions

    • Antarctica
    • The Arctic
  • Holiday types

    • Beaches
    • Families
    • Honeymoons
    • Jungle and beach
    • Walking and trekking
    • Wildlife
    • History and culture

    • Off the beaten track
    • Small Group Tours

  • Highlights

    • Amazon
    • Antarctica
    • Galapagos
    • Iguazu Falls
    • Machu Picchu
    • Patagonia
    • Rio de Janeiro
    • The Pantanal
  • Brochures

    • Holiday inspiration brochure
    • Free guidebooks
  • Holiday ideas
  • Destination guides
    • A first timer’s guide
    • A land defined by football
    • Caipirinhas
    • The Rio Carnival guide
    • 14 fascinating facts
    • Rio’s Samba schools
    • The Pantanal
    • Top 5 colonial pockets
    • Top Attractions in Rio de Janeiro
    • Trancoso - paradise?
    • Wildlife Guide of Brazil
  • Places to go
    • Rio de Janeiro
    • Southern Brazil
    • Salvador and Bahia
    • North East Coast
    • The Amazon
    • The Pantanal
    • Iguazu Falls
  • When to go

Introducing Brazil

Watch our video to see why our specialists love Brazil...

Free Brazil Guidebook

We've put together a guidebook with everything you need to know about Brazil. Written by our specialists, it details destination information, a wildlife guide, some suggested itineraries and plenty more to inspire your holiday. Fill in the form below and if you live in UK, your guidebook will arrive by post within the next couple of days. For those who live abroad, we will send you a copy by email.

Jungle and beach

Carpeted with dense, wildlife-rich jungles and lined with a dazzling coast, combine the jungle and beach in Latin America for a memorable holiday.

A first timer’s guide

Our Latin America specialist Grant tells us why his heart lies in Brazil, a country defined by its natural beauty, exotic wildlife, spectacular landscapes and legendary beach hot spots. Brazil is simply made for travel and has something to offer even the most discerning traveller.

Top Attractions in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is undoubtedly South America’s most iconic city. It’s a city so full of life, samba beats, iconic landmarks, golden sand beaches and party people. It’s a city that has it all and here the Latin America team tell you the top six things that are not to be missed in Rio de Janeiro.

Top 5 Colonial Pockets of Brazil

In Brazil, colonial gems are found scattered throughout the country. Full of fascinating history, beautifully preserved architecture and cobbled stone streets, they leave culture-hungry travellers awe-inspired. For those wanting to see the best of colonial Brazil, the Latin America team have listed the top five places for you to keep in mind when planning your trip to Brazil.

If you would like to find out more about Brazil, call us on 020 7622 1116 and hear our latest recommendations.

Salvador

The former first capital of Brazil, Salvador is a melting pot of energy and beauty – it is well worth a visit. Whilst the modern day city has lost its economic and political importance, it is still one of the most historically important cities and considered the hub of the country’s ethnic diversity. Traces of its diverse blend of European, African and Amerindian cultures are evident throughout the city, in form of its local cuisine, architecture and its performing arts. The vibrant neighbourhood of Ciadade Alta is an excellent way to absorb and appreciate some of the arts and culture of Salvador. The centrepiece of this barrio is the Pelourinho Church, which is surrounded by cobbled streets and a collection of old brightly coloured colonial buildings from the 17th century and golden churches. Here you will find arguably the greatest display of Afro-Brazilian culture. Day or night, there is always something going on, whether it’s a Capoeira display, samba dancers or musicians performing.

Olinda

Olinda is one of Brazil’s best-preserved colonial cities, just north of Recife. It is brimming with colonial charm, with cobbled streets, beautiful Baroque churches and fountains and colourful old houses. There is also an air of bohemia spread throughout the town, and music fills the streets, making the atmosphere of Olinda very vibrant. The choice of restaurants and bars in the historic centre are of a high standard and the ambience here is fantastic. For history lovers, Olinda will be a place of interest given its bloody past. The former capital of Pernambuco was burnt with all its Catholic churches by the Dutch in 1631. What followed from the Dutch invasion was a feud, Guerra dos Mascates (war of the peddlers) – an important historical battle in Brazil for the native movement. There are beaches nearby which are also well worth a visit.

Ouro Preto

Historically significant for being the centre of gold mining, the colonial town of Ouro Preto is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the incredible baroque architecture which is prevalent all around the town. It is a labyrinth of winding cobbled streets – some of which are too narrow for cars to travel through – and as such, the town is best explored on foot. It can be a tiring walk due to some steep slopes, but rest assured it is worth it when you see the incredible views across the hills and the 23 churches which are scattered throughout the town. The architecture you will pass is outstanding – an exhibition of some of Aleijadinho’s finest works and mineiro art.

Tiradentes

Tiradentes is a small colonial town set in the heart of Minas Gerais. It is the perfect blend of natural beauty and impressive colonial architecture – mountainous topography scattered with wild flora, immersed between charming, picturesque buildings. You can easily while away a day wandering around the abundance of quaint trinket and antique shops. The star of the town is the impressive gold-filled church of Igreja Matriz de Santo Antônio – this can be found nearby the main square, Largo das Forras. The walk up to the church is also stunning, slightly inclined and lined with colonial houses.

Paraty

Paraty is a small UNESCO Heritage Listed town in the Costa Verde, the stretch of coastline which links Rio de Janeiro and San Paulo. The town is rich in culture and history and is full of charming cobbled streets and old buildings painted in pastel colours. Paraty also has miles of amazing, secluded beaches, surrounded by endless forests. It is one of the best areas for scuba diving and snorkelling. There are also lots of hiking opportunities such as the Golden Trail, which leads to some incredible beaches.

All our itineraries are 100% tailor-made.

Tap into our extensive knowledge by chatting with one of our specialists on 020 7622 1116 and they will put together a Brazil itinerary that is totally yours – with our experience and knowledge added for free!

Why choose us?

  • Our price promise
  • Tailor-made for you
  • Expert advice from specialists
  • 100% financial protection
  • Award-winning holidays
  • 24/7 emergency assistance
  • Exclusive deals

Our Price Promise

We want to be really clear about this. We offer amazing value. Tailor-made does not have to mean expensive, it simply means attention to every detail of your trip arranged by a true expert.

Here at Imagine Latin America, we are so confident that we offer the best value on the market that we have a price promise. If you find the exact same holiday cheaper with another UK tour operator, then we promise to beat their price by £50.

Financial Protection

Rest assured that all our holidays are 100% financially protected. Our ATOL bond protects holidays booked in the UK with flights. Our ABTOT bond protects holidays which are booked without flights or those booked outside the UK, either with or without flights.

Protection means that in the unlikely event that we become insolvent; your holiday will be refunded or you will be repatriated if already travelling or have flights with us.

Financial Protection

Sign up for our Newsletter

Imagine Africa Imagine Asia Imagine Latin America

Site Map

  • What
  • Where
  • When
  • Offers
  • About
  • Contact

Our Destinations

  • Antarctica
  • Argentina
  • Belize
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica

 

  • Ecuador
  • Guatemala
  • Mexico
  • Panama
  • Peru
  • Uruguay

About Us

  • How we work
  • Meet the specialists
  • Our guides, vehicles and transfers
  • What our clients say
  • Price promise
  • Why book with us
  • Financial Protection

Resources

  • Booking conditions
  • Travel Aware
  • Coronavirus information
  • Mobile site
  • Privacy & cookie policy

Connect with us

  • Blog
  • Work with us
  •  
  • Find us on facebookFollow us on twitterFollow us on Instagram
  •  
  • © Imagine Latin America
Imagine Africa Imagine Asia Imagine Latin America Imagine Blog