Another annual Brazilian festival celebrated as the Rio Carnival, but less well known outside the country, is the Círio de Nazaré. This Oktoberfest is primarily religious. Local communities and pilgrims from all over the country gather to pay their respects to the "Lady of Nazareth". A huge procession - literally hundreds of boats crossing the Amazon River - carries the small statue from Belém to Icuarachi and back.

Festivities actually start in early August, but gather around mid-October. It is an inspiring occasion that showcases the culture and cuisine of the Amazon. If you love boats, you will be amazed at the scale of the walk on the water!