Testimonials

This was my 3rd surf journey with the GaySurfers.net group and Brazil Ecojourneys. Though I am very fortunate to live in a place with great surfing conditions (Southern California), I love surfing in other locations around the world. Surfing the warm waters of Florianopolis and the breaks surrounding Praia do Rosa with Captain David are always enjoyable. And not only experiencing the awesome surfing that Brazil has to offer, but the meeting of new gay surf friends from across the globe. I now have close friends from Germany, Buenos Aires, Brazil and even Los Angeles – all because of these trips. Thank you!

Unforgettable visit we made to the vineyards of the region of Bento Gonçalves/Rio Grande do Sul. Those were happy days, visiting small wineries, talking and learning with young winemakers, drinking wonderful wines and enjoying delicious foods such as those provided by Marcia at Piacere and Sapore by Odete at La Colombina and Israel at Champenoise Bistro! Thank you, Martha and Lesley, by careful planning and passion to share with us a unique experience.

Thanks Marta and Lesley for a fabulous tour of the vineyards in Rio Grande do Sul. Your choice of smaller, boutique estates made the whole difference. Excellent wines, tasty food, interesting people who are clearly passionate about what they do, just like you. Picnic on the lawn, homemade lunch at Colombina and Piacere e Sapore were the highlights. Must come back! All the best.

We just came back from a tour in Brazil organized by Lesley from Brazil Ecojourneys and it was definitely one of the best vacations we have ever had. From the moment we arrived in Brazil we were looked after. Lesley met us at the airport and from that moment on our vacation continued without a hitch. All our accomodation, our guides and our activities met our needs perfectly. When Lesley said that she was available to help us 24-7 if we had any problems, we knew that was indeed the case. I would recommend Brazil Ecojourneys to anyone planning on going on a vacation in Southern Brazil. Thank you Lesley for a great vacation.

This trip gave us all an experience that surpassed expectations.
Our guides spoke very good English, were very knowledgeable & enthusiastic about the history, culture and environment that we cycled through, that every view, taste, sound and smell had enhanced meaning. They were very patient with the children and overall looked after us very well. The food was all perfectly in tune with the trip- we sampled lots of local produce (even the children!).
In summary: stunning views; in touch with the real Brazil; excellent food; great company… an amazing holiday!
Must see what else we can arrange with you.

Thanks!

Hello Marta.

I want to thank you for all the kind assistance you offered in putting together our trip in Brazil, it wouldn’t have been the same without your help.
Mata Atlantica was superb and Mati, Katri, my mom were very happy with their trip to Iguazu.

Hi Marta
Seems ages, now, since we were in Brazil – but we have some fabulous photos to enjoy, and to bring back all the wonderful memories.
We had such a great time – not least in the Serra Geral.
Iguacu was also fantastic. Despite lack of water in some of the cataracts, the Devil’s cataract was still absolutely stunning. We loved it.
Thank you again for ensuring we had such a great time and for coming to see us off, the morning we left. It was lovely to meet you and enjoy your company.
All best wishes

Dear Marta,
Julia & I found your company on the internet and did not know what to expect, but your efficiency & judgement were excellent. The holiday exceeded all expectations.
The organization was perfect & we like to think that Thomas and Raphael became friends – not just guides.
You linked the Iguaco Falls, the Serra do Mar train journey, our stay at Morretes & our time in the Sebui lodge to a great holiday but whilst all places had their great parts the three days at Sebui really hit the spot.
The Iguaco Falls are amazing -the Cataratas hotel in the National Park is a must to avoid the crowds – & the beer from Kurts micro brewery at the Pousada Graciosa in Morretes is worth a detour for!
However, we will not forget the long boat ride through the mangroves into the wilderness of the Sebui rainforest and then the walk to the accommodation& our luggage arriving by canoe & wheelbarrow! As you would expect, it’s basic but our hut was sufficient & the food wholesome. (Barbecued oysters collected from a fisherman whilst on our return from a canoe trip were the best I’ve tasted.) Since Raphael is an ornithologist, the walks into the forest came alive, and on a hot day the swims in the waterfall pools were experiences to remember. My advice to travellers – forget the Amazon & the other tourist hits – & head south to the rainforest!

We gave Marta some dates and some wishes, and she set us up with a fantastic itinerary for our family in Bonito, the Pantanal and a couple of great days in Rio. Exciting nature, birds, snorkeling, great lodgings and great food. Can’t wait to do it again.

We wanted to write and let you know what a great time we had in Brasil. Muita obrigada por todos! Going out to the Serra Geral was our favorite part. The long day hike with Luis was a great start to our journey down there – talking about ecosystems, pumas, trees, ecology, Brazilian people, the culture, politics and food.
We look back on that day as one of the best.

The Pantanal was beautiful. We saw lots of birds – like over 115 species – and literally thousands of individuals. We got to see Howler Monkeys, an anaconda, and nesting birds right outside our cottage. I got to see lots of hawks and falcons, and I loved that!
We loved Brasil – in a large part thanks to you and the great tours you got for us.
Thank you so much!

We have used Brazil Ecojourneys services twice in traveling to Santa Catarina, Brazil and have been very pleased.

Our most recent trip included hiking in the mountains and a stay at the beach.

Brazil Ecojourneys recommended a fine lodge in which to stay in the mountains. The natural beauty of the area is stunning. The lodge, Rio de Canoas, is charming and well-equipped. The food at the lodge was wonderful and our hosts were very friendly. We had several very nice hikes from the lodge to places of great beauty, accompanied by a very competent and friendly local guide.

For our stay at Rosa Beach, Brazil Ecojourneys arranged for us to stay at Caminho do Rei, a charming bed and breakfast with stunning views of the beach and surrounding countryside. Our hosts were so friendly, the food was delicious and plentiful, and we plan to return as soon as we can.

Dear Marta,

Thanks for all your help in not only booking a fabulous vacation but also getting us back home. We made it on to the four PM flight and they did not even charge us the change fee fare. Your help made all the difference there and we saved a lot. Transfer to GRU was easy and we made it to Chicago just in time for their second day of blizzards. We finally arrived in LA where it was nice and warm.

We still keep looking at our surf photos and smile.
When we can spend some more time in Floripa, we will call you to make the arrangements and to do some more surfing!

Sincerely,

Me and my boyfriend spent a week on Santa Catarina island on the Barra da lagoa beach (daily surf lessons included) and is has been truly amazing! Not just the beautiful surroundings on Santa Catarina island. The lodge was a cute house, confortable, clean and well equipped. And the daily beakfast was a dream.. The surflessons were very successfull. We both learned a lot in this week and it was a lot of fun!!

But the best was the amazing service which was provided! Everybody was so friendly and helpful.. A big thanks for Marta, and everybody from the team, you made this holidays very special to us!
I would defenitely recommend this surf adventure to everybody!

Best Regards,

Hi Marta,

Everything turned out great!

We really liked our accommodations and it was an extremely fun and relaxing trip. Thanks for arranging everything so well.

I have to say that this was one of the best vacations I’ve ever taken. Everything from beginning to end exceeded my expectations.

The white water rafting trip went through a beautiful section of the Atlantic Rainforest near Florianopolis.  The birds and plant life were breathtaking. For my day of trekking through the southern part of Florianopolis, I had a delightful English-speaking guide who was not only knowledgeable about the area, but also the local history, plant and animal life.

My Brazil Eco Journeys agent was so helpful, with recommendations for additional sightseeing, dining, and night-life. Everything about the trip was enjoyable. I will definitely use them again for my next trip to Brazil

Wow – what a great trip! Thank you, Marta, for organising a very memorable trip for all of us who made the journey. A gay ‘ol time was had by all – (US, Canada, Brazil and Argentina were all represented).

…For the past few years I have been wanting to take some time off to learn how to surf, but due to hectic work reponsabilities and not finding others with the same interest my plans got delayed.
Then, one day browsing on gaysurfers.net, I was surprised and happy to find out that Brazil Ecojorneys organized trips for surfers and also welcomed all beginners of all ages who are willing to begin with this amazing sport with the only requirement being enthusiasm.

All of a sudden Ecojourneys presented an opportunity to make this happen and I decided it was time to accept the challenge. I enrolled in 2013 surf trip, it took place in the perfect spot (beautiful Florianopolis in Brazil), with an amazing group of people from all over! There are classes for different levels so each surfer learns at his own pace.

The day activities are perfectly combined: couple of hours taking classes and surfing in the sea, then some yoga, delicious food plus time for new friends and socials!. Meeting others who shared the same passion for surf had a direct impact in my motivation and now, I cant wait for every weekend I can to lay footprints on the sand and taking a plounge with my surfboard.” Gabriel, Buenos Aires Argentina

Gay Surf Brazil 2017

My dear Marta,

I am still remembering with the fondest affection the wonderful time I spent in Florianopolis.  In fact, I am very homesick.

Meeting you at the airport and becoming acquainted with you and your professional life during the short drive to the Hotel Ibis was, indeed, a highlight of my visit.  What a wonderful and welcoming introduction to a beautiful place and a life-sustaining experience.

Thank you so much for the support and the research you did in my behalf to make my trip there so very, very enjoyable, enriching, and entertaining.  And thank you for providing Tony to assist me.  He was very pleasant to be with and was most helpful, caring, and supportive.

No doubt about this:  I will be returning, and I will be in touch with you when that time comes.

With all good wishes and best regards.

Hi Marta and Lesley!!

Am back in the office already today and seems like have never been away!

Just wanted to say a BIG thank you to you both for organising such a great trip – I really enjoyed it was great introduction to my first experience of Brasil! Am missing all the yummy food already!

After a walk on the beach today and a local bus I understand why
people come back!!  It has been wonderful!!!!

Stay well and continue with your kind and generous ways, I believe
that they work very well for you and bring back much positive energy!

Thank-you so much for helping to make my stay so wonderful!

Hi Marta and Lesley
now that I am home ………wish I was still in Brazil
just a quick note to say thanks again for everything – easy quick arrangements for me was exactly what I needed given my work situation as I mentioned the accommodation/location couldnt have been better – and I truly feel that I have discovered my new Brazilian paradise.
will be back………… soon
thanks

Dear Marta and the people of Brazil Ecojourneys,

Your planning in getting us to the Pantanal, Iguacu Falls, Curitiba and Florianapolis was outstanding.
The Pantanal part of our journey with an expert guide, Adriana Sartori Faria, was the absolute highlight. We will never forget our river trips on the Rio Mutum, seeing the black collared hawks dive to snatch fishes, capybara families roaming the river banks, and the giant otter sticking his head way out of the water to take a look at us.
And all the great and small birds, marvelous in their habitats and colors! Of course, the singing falls of the Iguacu will ever refresh our memories, now we’ve stood on their brinks, and the beaches of the Florianapolis will surely beckon us back.