Article Surfing Archive

Tourism is a fairly new industry in Brazil, increasing by at least 30 per cent in the last year alone, with the property market hot on its heels. Despite being rather new on the international property-buying radar, Brazil seems to be ticking all of the right boxes for investors, holiday homers and retirees alike.

Accessibility to and from Brazil has also become far easier, as there are many airlines fly to Brazil from the UK and most major European cities. Although, should you be determined to stay on the ground, there are a number of options also available to the avid tourist.

The train services in this beautiful Latin American country boasts some exquisite scenic journeys, which can prove a popular choice if time is on your side.

For those shorter distances it is feasible to hire a car, however one should bear in mind that this may not be the safest option available to you. Tourists are generally advised to carry plenty of water and a detailed map ' and not to stop at red lights if you can help it.

Brazil is the optimal choice for both business execs and the hard-core party revelers. The popular carnival city of Rio de Janeiro boasts 45 miles of white beaches ' including Copacabana ' meaning that it is popular for sure-fire tourist lets. Meanwhile, Sao Paolo is the government and financial centre of the country and, at an 11-hour flight from the UK, promises good business lettings.

The best investment potential seems to lie in the northern beach resorts. The natural beauty of these areas are complimented by a range of high-quality developments and foreign direct inward investment, meaning that capital growth is on the up. But a purchase here isn't all about money ' some of the purest water and cleanest air in the continent has been found here, while the city of Natal boasts the highest quality of life (and the lowest crime rate.

However it is the resort of Bahia that is attracting the most attention from overseas buyers. Tranquil and beautiful beaches and an exquisite climate, compliment good value for money, a blend which many purchasers believe will pay dividends in the long run.

Today Brazil ranks as the '13th largest economy in the world, following a recent boost in GDP. And such growth is set to continue, with the nation's economy predicted to become the fifth biggest on the planet by 2035.'

Many investors are making their choice of preference, Brazil, because they feel there is tremendous room and potential for capital growth.

Brazil's Joint Health System is one of the largest public health networks in the world, however healthcare varies dramatically from region to region. As in any county, most of the cities have enough doctors per head, but once in the rural areas this figure can decrease dramatically.

In total, Brazil has over '200,000 physicians and around 16,000 hospitals and medical centres. Despite this, it is recommended that you take out comprehensive medical insurance before traveling.'

Education is divided into three levels, with several grades in each. 'The first educational level, known as fundamental education, is free for everyone (including adults), and mandatory for children between the ages of six and 14. Intermediate education is also free, but isn't compulsory. The Ministry of Education has ultimate control over virtually all of higher education, which is free at public universities, however all students need to pass an entrance examination before they are accepted.'

As you would expect from a popular tourist destination, transport in Brazil is of a good standard. The government's commitment to opening up the country to tourism has resulted in the upgrading of several new airports, and there has been further investment into new roads and general infrastructure.

Safety is obviously a major concern for people considering buying in Brazil, however if you make sensible decisions, and have your wits about you at all times, then there is no reason why this should cause a serious problem.

It is also important to do your research before you buy ' on your estate agent or developer as well as location. Rumours of prices being falsely inflated by up to 25 per cent are not uncommon, and any 'guaranteed' rental return promises must be fully scrutinised ' are you sure you are not simply paying out more initially in order get such a deal?

Due to the distance, buying in Brazil poses another problem ' the environment. In today's environmentally aware society, having a holiday home so far away may cause anxiety over the carbon footprint needed to get there. And, if you are price conscious, this may have a direct impact on your travel arrangements ' as a levied tax on all long-haul travel would not be an unexpected turnaround.

Overall, Brazil is a country to be reckoned with, and if the evidence so far is anything to go by, this beautiful Latin American country is only set to flourish and boom with even more grace and panache'watch this space for any new developments in Brazil.