The Portuguese Empire was the earliest and longest lived of the modern European  colonial empires. It spanned almost six centuries, from the capture of Ceuta in 1415 to Macau's return to China in 1999. Portuguese explorers began exploring the coast of Africa in 1419, leveraging the latest developments in navigation, cartography and maritime technology searching for a sea route to the source of the lucrative spice trade. In 1488, Bartolomeu Dias rounded the Cape of Good Hope, and in 1498, Vasco da Gama reached India. In 1500, Pedro Álvares Cabral added Brazil to Portugal's "discoveries."

Brazil! Where to start? We should first say that it is well worth the trek down to this unique and diverse country. Each area varies from the last, even if you’ve only cruised a mere 20 miles. From the beautiful, quiet anchorages of Ilha Grande (island) to the bustling streets of Rio de Janiero that parallel the most famous beaches in the world; heading north you will find the amazing Fernando de Noronha's islands a truly heaven spot.

The best place to base out of is the Rio de Janiero Yacht Club. Anchoring out just pass the club’s mooring field and tender in regularly. The club also runs a 24/7 tender so crew may easily return to the boat at anytime for about a dollar.
The club itself is amazing, they offer a chandlery, restaurant, lounge, pool, barber shop, rigging shop, sail loft (North Sails), gas station, small clothing store, podiatrist onsite, full size movie theater, billiards hall, Caterpillar Service Technicians, haul out facilities for up to about a 34’ power boat, and one of the most incredible sailing centers in the world. No wonder some of the best Olympic sailors on the planet have developed out of the programs here.