Karin-Marijke Vis's Blog
Posted by Karin-Marijke Vis
By travelling through unexplored regions where Tourist Information centres are non exisiting, one becomes creative in searching for information. Visiting the Prefeitura [town hall] proved very helpful and sometimes a town in fact had a Secretaria do Turismo [a tourism department]. What we notice is that all these remote towns in Mato Grosso are very eager to develop their tourism potential but that in many cases the knowledge or funds are missing. In 2014 Cuiabá will host some of the football games of the World Cup Football in Brazil. We expect this to be a good opportunity to put Mato Grosso on the map of tourism. You want to beat the hordes, go now! Here is some practical information on Prefeituras, Secretarias de Turismo and Sedtur [Mato Grosso's state department for tourism], where you can find information on arranging visits to Indian villages or on finding guides to organise outdoor adventures. Enjoy!
Visit Indigenous People in Mato Grosso, Brazil; Tourist Information in Campo Novo do Parecis
The Prefeitura of Campo Novo do Parecis can arrange a visit to the Indian villages in the Reservations of Utiariti, Paresi and Ponte de Pedra, where Paresi Indians live near spectacular waterfalls and sell handicrafts.
Tourist Information in Tangará da Serra, Brazil
Tangará da Serra's tourist department provides visitors with info on the area's waterfalls and resorts, as well as on adventure tours like hiking and snorkelling.
Campo Grande, Gateway to the Pantanal in Brazil; Tourist Information in Campo Grande
Campo Grande is a good city to arrange an excursion to the Pantanal or to find tourist information on Mato Grosso do Sul's tourist destinations and natural scenery.
Mato Grosso's Eco Adventure Destinations, Brazil; Tourist Information in Cuiabá
Cuiabá is a good base to arrange excursions, or to rent a car, to explore Mato Grosso's tourist attractions of the Pantanal, Alta Floresta and Chapada dos Guimarães.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Posted by Karin-Marijke Vis
Argentina has such a variety of landscape that it comes as no surprise that this country organises spectaculair outdoor events. We loved watching the Dakar Rally 2009 in the Sierras Chicas of Córdoba and witnessed the National Championship Paragliding in La Cumbre, also located in Córdoba. We missed the Landsailing Championship in San Juan, but simply cruising this incredibly flat patch of sand, which is entirely surrounded by mountains, with our Land Cruising was surreal and I can only imagine that landsailing is just awesome to do as well as watch.
Maybe you'll be in Argentina to witness one of these events, enjoy!
Dakar Rally 2010 in South America
During Dakar 2010 in South America cars, motorcycles, quads and trucks will cross extreme landscapes of Argentina and Chile, with a rest day in Antofagasta.
Dakar Rally 2009 in Argentina and Chile
Starting January 3, 2009, the thirty-year old Dakar Rally will be held on South American soil for the first time; 49 nationalities, 530 teams, and 6000 miles to cover.
Tandem Paragliding in Córdoba, Argentina
Cuchi Corral, in Córdoba Province, is thé location for free flight sports: take a tandem paragliding flight or paragliding lessons, and watch a parapente competition. It was also the location where the World Paragliding Cup was held in 1994.
Argentina – Landsailing in San Juan Province
The Pampas of Barreal, at the foot of the Andes Mountains in Argentina, is South America's best spot for landsailing, while camping in nearby El Leoncito National Park. It is also a location for the World Championship Carrovelismo.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Posted by Karin-Marijke Vis
Brazil is a country that invites the traveller to go out for lunch – lunch is the main meal of the day in this country. Self-service restaurants can be found everywhere and good value for money. I love Brazil for its fish dishes, the best were in the Pantanal and Bom Jardim, where we were introduced to the piranha and pacu fish. Enjoy!
Recipe of Pacu Fish in a Wood Oven
The Pantanal and Amazon are two of Brazil's regions suitable for sport fishing, where pacu is a popular catch. Enjoy this easy recipe for pacu fish prepared in the oven.
Brazilian Food at a Self-service Restaurant
Enjoy churrasco, grilled meat, at a por quilo buffet, where one pays per kilo, or have it served rodizio style. The cheapest Brazilian meal is marmitex: takeaway food.
Where to Eat in Brazil – Brazilian Restaurants
Brazilian steakhouses are famous for their excellent meat, a lanchonete is a snack bar, pizzas are served rodizio style and the best ice cream is eaten in a sorveteria.
Brazil - Piranha Fish in the Pantanal
The Pantanal is one of Brazil's natural habitats of piranhas. Take a fishing trip to catch a good lunch and try one of the tasty piranha fish recipes.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Posted by Karin-Marijke Vis
I studied the road map again, and I leafed once more through our guidebooks of Brazil. Mato Grosso didn't seem to have much on offer in terms of tourism. But why did I feel this invisible line pulling me there? I will never know, but I am happy to have followed my instincts and to have set out to discover this unknown region of Brazil. It has been a four months' journey full of surprises. Mato Grosso's natural scenery is amazing and suitable for many forms of adventure travel or outdoor activities. Some can be combined with a visit to an indigenous tribe, which is truly a unique experience.
I invite you to get off the beaten track and to discover something new. Enjoy!
edited on Nov 16, 2009 to add article on adventure tourism in Sapezal.
Mato Grosso's Eco Adventure Destinations, Brazil
Cuiabá is a good base to arrange excursions, or to rent a car, to explore Mato Grosso's tourist attractions of the Pantanal, Alta Floresta and Chapada dos Guimarães.
Visit Indigenous People in Mato Grosso, Brazil
Travel to the Indian villages in the Reservations of Utiariti, Paresi and Ponte de Pedra, where Paresi Indians live near spectacular waterfalls and sell handicrafts.
Adventure Trips in Campo Novo do Parecis, Brazil
Enjoy rappelling at the waterfalls of Utiariti and Salto Belo or adventure trips like hiking, snorkelling and scuba diving in rivers around Campo Novo do Parecis.
National Park Chapada dos Guimarães in Brazil
Parque Nacional Chapada dos Guimarães is an open-air museum for tourists, scientists and mystics. Its rock art, caves, waterfalls and UFO port offer incredible sights.
Refúgio Porto das Pedras at Bom Jardim in Brazil
Refúgio Porto das Pedras is a hotel surrounded by nature and Brazil's abundant wildlife. From here, adventure activities can be arranged to Bom Jardim's lakes and caves.
Brazil – Adventure Travel in Bom Jardim
Bom Jardim is one of Brazil's unexplored tourist destinations for adventure trips. Snorkelling, caving, and bird watching are some of the outdoor activities on offer.
Adventure Tourism Around Nobres in West Brazil
Brazil's adventure tourism is growing. Nobres' natural scenery invites the intrepid traveller to enjoy adventure tours like paragliding, snorkelling, rafting and diving.
Adventure Activities in Tangará da Serra, Brazil
Tangará da Serra is the place to go for the intrepid traveller. Lakes and waterfalls offer splendid adventure trips like rafting, hiking, rappelling and mountain biking.
Tourist Information in Tangará da Serra, Brazil
Tangará da Serra's tourist department provides visitors with info on the area's waterfalls and resorts, as well as on adventure tours like hiking and snorkelling.
An Adventure Holiday in Tangará da Serra, Brazil
Enjoy Tangará da Serra's splendid waterfalls, an active holiday of rafting, rappelling and snorkelling and visit an indigenous village or a nearby resort in Mato Grosso.
Hotel and Waterfall Salto das Nuvens in Brazil
Hotel Salto das Nuvens is a family-oriented destination with three lodges. This beautiful getaway offers a splendid holiday along a river ideal for swimming and angling.
Adventure Tourism in Sapezal, Brazil
Sapezal offers guided tours to the indigenous Paresi Indians, the Jesuit ruins near the Utiariti Waterfall and has adventure sports like rafting on the Papegaio River.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Posted by Karin-Marijke Vis
How did we get to know some of Argentina's and Paraguay's beautiful accommodations? Sometimes it was a stop to ask for directions and were taken in by the beautiful location. At other locations we were guests.
Estancia las Cañitas south of Córdoba city in Argentina
The gps shows a short cut, the unpaved road leads us through a dry, undulating landscape with pine forests. It's an area where tourism is being developed, in quite a few spots new cabañas [lodges] are under construction. We ask for directions and end up at Estancia las Cañitas where Juan Pablo shows us around. It has been turned into a tourist Estancia with eleven beautifully located cabañas with extraordinary views over vineyards or sparkling rivers. It's not our budget range, for sure, but we can imagine people having a wonderful stay here.
El Puesto in Jesús María, north of Córdoba city in Argentina
Via a friend we came into contact with Maxi and Jacqueline. There was an immediate click and over a year we stayed several times with them and became good friends. Maxi grew up and lived in Buenos Aires, until last year when he was fed up with the daily, boring routine of the city and decided to make his future here. Together with his girlfriend Jacqueline he turned an ancient puesto [farmhouse] into a lovely, warm home for tourists, which can sleep up to six guests. It's an excellent place if you like outdoor activities – ranging from horseback riding and motor-cross to hiking and parapente.
Estancia Helsingfors in the Andes Mountains of Patagonia, Argentina
Being at Estancia Helsingfors gives a feeling of being at the end of the world. The road literally ends here and to continue deeper into the mountains you have to walk or to take a horse. The Estancia is beautifully situated along Lago Viedma, with mountaintops in the background and since its previous owner planted trees around the house, it is now well protected from the fierce Patagonian winds. We have some lovely days while we hike, ride on horseback, take pictures and have interviews with the owners and employees. It's a place to my liking, I feel a very strong energy here and it's a place to go to in order to get away from everything and everyone.
Hotel del Lago in San Bernardino, northwest of Asunción [Paraguay]
Hotel del Lago was initially simply a place to ask for directions. The façade appealed to us, as did its location – along the blue lake of Ypacarai. The lobby and dining hall made us linger, beautiful black and white photos showed a rich history of the hotel so we asked if we could be shown around. Rooms with style, hotel with a story. A hotel that stands out from the standard chain hotels in every possible way. Like Estancia las Cañitas it's not within our budget range, but without doubt travellers, especially honeymooners, will love this place.
They are very different locations and all have their own features. What they have in common is that they are all unique, are located in areas of natural scenery and stand out for their personal service. Enjoy!
edited on Nov 25, 2009 to add two more articles: types of accommodation in Argentina and types of Campgrounds in Argentina.
South of Córdoba and amidst unspoiled nature lies Estancia las Cañitas: an upmarket retreat with comfortable lodges, offering outdoor activities and excellent service. more...
El Puesto is a personal and private accommodation looking out over the Sierras Chicas of Córdoba, offering a mixture of tranquil natural scenery and outdoor recreation. more...
Estancia Helsingfors is a luxurious lodge in NP Los Glaciares, offering open-air activities: hiking, horseback riding, trout fishing and a boat-ride to Glacier Viedma. more...
The historical hotel of San Bernardino offers relaxation and culture, stylishly designed rooms radiate comfort and a gallery exhibits a changing selection of artworks. more...
Here are two articles related to overviews of Argentina's offer on accommodation and campgrounds
Types of Campgrounds in Argentina: What is a Camping Libre, Camping Municipal, Refugio and Balneario
Argentina's balnearios are often used only during the day, while the countryside and national parks offer private campsites, or are suitable for bush camping. more...
Argentina is a popular tourist destination and offers accommodation to the low-budget hostel traveller, the eco-loving estancia visitor up to the five-star hotel tourist. more...
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
