Once known as 'the country of the future' for its immense potential, a spate of recent statistics suggest that Brazil is now fulfilling its economic promise.
 
For starters, tourist numbers are rocketing: there was a 134 per cent increase in visitor numbers between 2002 and 2005, and the World Travel and Tourism Council expects this figure to grow at a rate of 4.3 per cent per annum until 2014.

But tourists are far from the only foreigners attracted to the South American country.

Brazil is one of the four 'BRICs economies' (along with Russia, India and China) expected to eclipse all others by the middle of this century, and investors from overseas have not been slow to stake their own claim. Indeed, last year foreign investment doubled to $34.6 billion, and with credit-rating company Standard and Poor's now considering Brazil's currency to be 'investment grade', this level of interest looks certain to increase.

As inflation is now under control and global commodity prices are booming in all the right areas to benefit Brazil, the land of the samba can finally boast a steady economic rhythm. Brazil's lending institutions have been emboldened by the fair-weather conditions and are offering lower interest rates over longer periods than ever before, so the country's domestic property market is awash with cheap credit and, as a result, is surging as strongly as its overseas counterpart.

Interest from abroad is largey focused on Rio Grande del Norte in north-eastern Brazil. Here, an explosion of developments now offers property buyers an affordable range of beachfront accommodation.
 
For example, two-bedroom apartments at the Natal Ocean Club - which boasts its own private beach, as well as a spa and fitness centre - are available from agency UV10 at a starting price of £118,000.
 
Alternatively, those with half of this budget could opt for Pipa Paradise (pictured), where two-bedroom apartments are available from Experience International from £61,899.
 
All things considered, these figures could prove to be exceptional value for money over the next few years.

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For more information visit:
www.uv10.com
www.experience-international.com

Article first published 3 June 2008