Sun, beautiful beaches, a vibrant culture, endlessly varied cuisine, and a booming economy. Just some of the reasons why more and more people are investing in property in Brazil. Due to a solid and promising economic climate, Brazil is amongst the fastest growing and most sought-after worldwide property locations, while returns on investment (currently at around 20%) from Brazilian real estate are amongst the highest in the world. The cost of living is roughly a quarter of that in Europe, there is huge international investment from Europe & USA, and it has a low international risk of war, terrorism and SARS.

In addition to these factors, Brazil is to host the Football World Cup in 2014, a sure sign that investment, infrastructure improvement and tourism will all be on the increase leading up to this date and beyond.

Rental income from Brazil based property is of great interest to investors as high rental yields are already achievable from property located in the current tourist hotspots of Brazil, where tourists flock from all over the world as well as from within Brazil itself. It is expected that mortgage payments and bills can be covered for the year from the rental income achieved during the peak season months alone (December to February and July to August). Rental Yield Potential : 11-18%.

Brazil Facts

Following three centuries under the rule of Portugal, Brazil became an independent nation in 1822 and a republic in 1889. It is a coutnry of great natural beauty with fantastic scenery and 7,000km of beaches.

Area: 8,511,965 sq km (slightly smaller than the USA and is the 5th largest country in the world)
Population: 190,010,647 (5th most populous country in the world
Official language: Portuguese
Capital: Brasilia
Time Zone: -3 hrs GMT
Chief of state: President Luiz Inacio LULA DA SILVA (since 1 January 2003)
Religion: Roman Catholic (70%), 30% Others

For more general information on Brazil, click here.

Economy

Brazil has a free market and export-oriented economy. In 2006 it's GDP (Gross Domestic Product) was estimated at 1.627 trillion dollars, making it the nineth largest economy in the world and the highest in Latin America. Brazil is part of the BRIC countries, which includes Brazil, Russia, India and China. Goldman-Sachs proposed this group of countries would have rapid economic growth and by 2050 would eclipse the current major economies.

Possessing large and well-developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil's economy outweighs that of all other Latin America countries and is expanding its presence in world markets.

Brazil's currency is the Brazilian Real and since its introduction in 1994, has largely been seen as a success. The strength of the real has gained the confidence of investors, allowing the first bond issued in reals instead of dollars in 2004. Issuing bonds in local currency gives more protection against currency fluctuation and international economic instability. Inflation has fallen steadily since 2002 from 12.5% to 3.1% in 2006.

The market estimates that the Brazilian economy will grow 4.50% in 2007, that foreign trade surplus for 2007 will be US$ 40 billion (exports greater than imports), and that foreign direct investment will total US$ 19,1 billion.

Exports: The worlds largest exporter of sugar, coffee, beef, soya & orange juice. Other major exports include transport equipment, iron ore, footwear, autos
Imports: machinery, electrical and transport equipment, chemical products, oil.

The State of Ceara

Only 6 hrs from Europe, the state of Ceará in the NE of Brazil is one of the most beautiful places in the country and is where many Southern Brazilian come to holiday during the winter months. The diverse landscape here includes endless kilometres of white sandy beaches, lined with coconut groves, multicoloured cliffs and rolling sand dunes. Besides the famous coast, Ceará has also a big touristic potential in the country land, where you will find lagoons, semi arid savanna, historic towns and the rainforests and waterfalls of the Highlands. Fortaleza, Brazil's 4th largest city is the state capital and has all the facilities of a great modern metropolis.

Compared to many other tropical destinations, Brazil does not suffer from any natural phenomena such as tropical storms, hurricanes or earthquakes and according to NASA has the purest air on the continent and the second purest in the world.... losing out only to Antartica.



Since Ceara is only a few degrees south from the equator, seasonal variations in temperature are minimal. Daytime temperatures for most of the year are around 30°C and it very rarely falls below 24°C at night. The sea is relaxingly warm at around 26°C (79°F). There are predominantly 2 seasons per year, a dry and a rainy season. The rainy season falls between the months of February and May. During this period, you'll experience a few hours of intense rainfall, more often than not at night, but if during the day, it is always followed by brilliant sunshine. This rarely causes a severe drop in the temperature which still remains around 24°C. The rest of the year is very sunny and dry and there is always a refreshing tropical breeze from the sea which makes temperatures feel even more pleasant.

Porto das Dunas

Porto das Dunas is a quiet town only 24Km from the airport and 27Km from the centre of Fortaleza. It has a number of restaurants and bars and all the normal amenities. It also plays host to Beach Park, one of S. Americas largest water parks which has a world class restaurant and bar set amongst the coconut groves on the beach. The enormous rolling sand dunes surrounding Porto das Dunas are ideal for beach buggy tours and equipment for various water activities can be hired on the beach. For those looking for a more relaxing time, find a spot under the shady palm trees, or bath in the warm, crystal clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Porto das Dunas already has a healthy national and international influx of tourists which means high rental yields,  making buying property in Porto das Dunas a great investment opportunity.