Whichever way you decide to travel in Brazil, one thing is for sure. You’ll have an incredible adventure! From incredible beaches and vibrant cities, to the Amazon and wide-open wetlands, Brazil has something for everyone. Natural attractions for outdoor enthusiasts, arts and history for culture vultures, and some of the best parties in the world… Are you packing your suitcase yet?
In this article, we’ll take a look at the 6 most popular destinations in Brazil. Hopefully, we’ll easily help you to plan out your next trip and make the most of it in South America’s largest country.
Rio de Janeiro
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Rio de Janeiro is home to a plethora of iconic Brazilian landmarks. Sugar Loaf Mountain, the imposing statue of Christ the Redeemer, and Copacabana Beach. And of course, we can’t forget probably the best carnival in the world. It’s certainly the biggest one in the world with over 5 million people attending annually.
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You probably know all of this stuff though – it’s what Rio is known best for. The city does have a few other secrets to hide though. For example, have you heard of Tijuca Forest? It’s the largest urban forest in the world, at over 32 square kilometres! It’s where you’ll find Christ the Redeemer, as well as some other cool attractions such as Parque Lage and the Vista Chinesa.
It’s also a city of superlatives. As well as having the largest carnival in the world, it also had the world’s biggest concert in 2006 when the Rolling Stones played on Copacabana Beach. Music not your thing? Well how about football. The Maracana Stadium hosted almost 200,000 people in the 1950 World Cup Final. The stadium is better controlled nowadays, and if you get the chance to watch a game of football there, take it!
To get you started, you may want to check some of the top vacation rentals in Copacabana, Rio de Janiro. It’s always better to have your stay to one of the best and comfortable places when you have your vacation.
Iguazu Falls
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Brazil has plenty of natural attractions that will take your breath away. One of the 3 best-known is the Iguazu Falls, located where Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay all meet. The Iguazu Falls isn’t just one waterfall, it’s 250 with walkways above them so that you can admire this incredible phenomenon. The best views are from the Brazilian side and you can get some incredible photos from the catwalks above! The Garganta Do Diablo (the Devil’s throat in English) is the highlight, and you’ll really be able to appreciate the power of nature there!
The Falls are also a great place to see indigenous Brazilian flora and fauna. The UNESCO listed Iguazu National Park surrounds the falls and you won’t want to miss that!
The Amazon
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Head to Manaus, the largest city in the Brazilian adventure to start your adventure in the lungs of the world. Elusive animals, submerged forests, converging rivers, and eco-lodges for all budgets are just some of the things that will make your trip totally unforgettable.
There are plenty of options should you wish to take a trip down the Rio Negro and the Rio Solimões. An all-inclusive cruise is a great way to experience the world’s largest rainforest, as there are options all the way from small and intimate right up to large luxury liners. You’ll be able to enjoy activities off the ship too, such as taking motor-powered canoes into flooded forests, swimming with river dolphins, and camping overnight in the jungle. If you’re worried about the beasties, you can always stay warm and cosy in your cabin on the ship!
Pantanal and Bonito
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We gave you a load of superlatives before when describing Rio, now here’s another one for Brazil in general. The Pantanal is the largest wetland in the world, and it’s certainly up there with the Amazon when it comes to wildlife watching. The ecological diversity in this part of the country is mind-boggling, and you can expect to see jaguars, tapirs, monkeys, and scores of caimans, just to name a few!
It’s a good idea to take a tour of the Pantanal as no-one lives in it. So, it can be quite difficult to navigate by yourself. It’s found in the southern region of Mato Grosso but extends over the Bolivian and Paraguayan borders. The area is easier to get around in small aeroplanes or boats than cars! July to October is the best time to visit, as it’s when the rainfall is at its lowest.
Salvador, Bahia
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Salvador is yet another jewel in the crown for Brazil, and it’s considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As well as being home to some of the most beautiful colonial architecture in South America, people hit Salvador for the beach. Take a swim in the azure waters of Praia do Forte, check out the car-free seaside village of Morro do São Paulo, and take a trip to the idyllic island of Boipeba when you travel to Salvador. Other noteworthy beaches are the 90km stretch near Porto Segura, the eco-friendly fishing village of Trancoso, and Arraial d’Ajuda.
If the beach isn’t for you, perhaps you’d prefer the former diamond mining town of Lencois and the Chapada Diamantina National Park. The views are awesome!
Fernando de Noronha
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If you really want to get off the beaten track when you travel to Brazil and you love nature, you simply must add Fernando de Noronha to your itinerary. This incredibly beautiful volcanic archipelago is about 350 km off the northeast coast, and it’s a protected marine park.
While you’re here, don’t miss some of the best snorkelling and scuba diving in Brazil. You’ll be able to see turtles, rays, and a myriad of tropical fish. Once you’re back on land, relax on an untouched beach and make the most of your very own desert island for the day!
Now that you know about the 6 most popular tourist attractions in Brazil…
We’re sure that now you can’t wait to book your trip to Brazil. Remember though, it’s a massive country and it can be quite tricky to get around. Especially if you don’t speak Portuguese. If you’d like a bit of assistance in planning your trip to Brazil, check out Discover Brazil. They can offer custom tour packages to all of the destinations above and much more of this beautiful country!