Meaning 'nice sight' or 'nice view' in Portuguese, the Brazilian city of Boa Vista certainly lives up to its name. Situated along the Rio Branco in the northern state of Roraima, this modern city boasts an open and airy centre, white sandy beaches and lush green mountains.
Boa Vista has an equatorial climate, meaning temperatures are roughly the same all year round, and there are no distinct seasons like there are in the UK. March temperatures range from 19 to 26 degrees celsius and rainfall is around 18.8mm during the month; that's low for the area. Humidity is high all year round.
An unmissable sight in Boa Vista is the Monumento aos Pioneiros. Located in the Plaza Barreto Leite in the city centre, this 15 metre wide concrete structure tells the story of Roraima's first settlers and their traditions and customs. The inscription reads 'Iniciaram a construção de um sonho chamado Roraima', or 'They started to construct a dream that is called Roraima'.
For a truly unique experience, head 85 miles east of Boa Vista's city centre to the small town of Amaraji. Roraima's best horse riding stables are located here at BacabalFarm (or 'Fazenda Bacabal'), and visitors can take peaceful horseback treks into the Amazon rainforest, catching glimpses of colourful dragonflies, huge anteaters, and spectacular flora and fauna.
There's no need to keep one eye on the time either, as there's bungalows on the farm which are ideal for overnight stays. A bungalow costs just £45 per night and includes three meals and two guided horseback rides. The stables are open every day of the week and are popular with both foreign tourists and locals too. The owners can even arrange transportation from Boa vista for just £20.
