Famous for its dancing, festivals, football, and the iconic Rio Carnival, Brazil is a bucket list destination for many. After spending months exploring this vibrant country, here are my favorite places I’d love to share with you…
1. Rio de Janeiro
This city is famous for its world-famous carnival, stunning skyline and the lush green surrounding mountains where Christ the Redeemer peaks down on everyone!
Whilst here I recommend taking a tour of the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, Sugarloaf Mountain, the attractive Historic Center, the lively Lapa neighborhood and the interesting favelas.
Don’t forget to sample the nightlife in Lapa, a neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro with bars and clubs catering to all tastes.
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My favorite highlights…
- Trying feijoada (black bean stew).
- Going on a tour of Rio’s vibrant favelas (otherwise known as the informal settlements).
- Seeing an incredible Brazilian Samba and Folklore Show at Ginga Tropical.
2. Lençóis National Park, Maranhão
Lençóis – located in the North of Brazil – provides a view that made my jaw drop! The national park is a “desert” unlike any other and it’s surreally beautiful spot.
Rain collects in the alleys between the dunes, resulting in what could have been a desert: an area where the dunes are varied and turquoise lagoons are as far as the eye can see.
The lagoons are home to many different species of fish, and one species stays dormant in the moist areas of the sand during the dry season, only to surface when the lagoons once again emerge.
The striking contrast between the bright white dunes there and clear, turquoise lagoons was seriously stunning!
3. Porto de Galinhas, Pernambuco
Situated 70 kilometers south of Recife, the town was an isolated fisherman village until the 1990s. Now, it is accessible to anyone who wants to relax and enjoy the amazing beaches the town offers.
I highly recommend going snorkelling here as a couple hundred meters out in the sea is a reef home to a stunning selection of colorful fish. When the tide is low, natural pools are created on the beaches behind the reef so make sure you take time to explore these as well.
Other activities here include include water sports, trekking and capoeira!
4. Salvador, Bahia
Salvador is the first colonial capital of Brazil and one of the oldest cities in North and South America. Known as the country’s capital of happiness, it offers numerous outdoor parties, and the city’s street carnival is the largest in the world.
It has a gorgeous location by the sea, a rich music and architectural cultural scene and an attractive historic area filled with colorful colonial houses and winding cobblestone streets. I recommend taking a few days to explore the city if you can spare it.
5. Chapada Diamantina, Bahia
The gorgeous National Park Chapada Diamantina takes its name from the region’s cliffs and the diamonds that were once found there.
It’s an unspoilt place with huge canyons, gushing waterfalls, natural swimming pools, interesting caves, varied hiking trails (some of which are challenging so be warned!) and stunning views of the landscapes if you traverse the cliffs.
6. Jericoacoara, Ceara
This is a remote little beach town in the Ceara state. I traveled here by bus from Fortaleza to Jijoca, I have to admit it wasn’t an easy journey, but it was worth it! Thankfully this paradise-like town has not yet been destroyed by tourism and I just loved it.
The laid-back streets of sand, the beautiful beach, the kite-surfing, the breathtaking sunset views from the dunes, the Capoeira at the beach, the amazingly vast and starry night sky, and the hammocks in the lagoon, which are just a beach buggy ride away, are just some of the reasons why Jericoacoara is one of the country’s hidden treasures.
7. Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul
Located mostly in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul, this is actually the world’s largest wetland!
The bird and wildlife spotting opportunities here are immense and thankfully the open marshes make it very easy to spot the animals who are thriving in this peaceful habitat.
The wetland offers beautiful landscapes and the chance to see various birds and other animals. You’ll also see reptiles and jaguars in their natural habitat.
8. Fernando de Noronha, Pernambuco
This was a seriously wow-inducing beach up there as being one of the most stunning in the country. Located off the coast of Pernambuco and listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s a paradise on earth for anyone interested in diving, snorkelling and animal life.
It’s filled with light golden sands, turquoise clear waters and surrounded by coral reefs and stunning cliffs. The marine and wildlife here is incredibly diverse.
I was lucky enough to see stingrays, sharks, colorful fishes, dolphins and super-cute sea turtles.
9. Iguazú Falls, Paraná
I personally thought this famous UNESCO World Heritage Site lived up to its hype. It’s a jaw-dropping place, consisting of over 270 waterfalls all of varying sizes to create something truly special.
Surrounded by stunning rainforests I loved hearing the thunderous sounds of the crashing waterfalls mixed in with the birds calling from their nearby home! Don’t forgot to bring your camera!
10. Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro
One thing you will never be short of in this country is stunning paradise-esque beaches. Ilha Grande is an island located in the sea outside the state of Rio de Janeiro, where you will find tropical beaches that will tempt you to purchase your pousada and enjoy the tranquil island lifestyle for the rest of your days.
Previously a prison island, it offers good snorkeling conditions and opportunities to see coral, tropical fish, whales, and penguins.
The island, which has no roads or motorized vehicles, provides hiking trails to different beaches and villages. On the island, you are likely to spot both monkeys and hummingbirds.
11. Paraty, Rio de Janeiro
First settled in 1667, this gorgeous coastal town has a long history with well-preserved colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, magnificent forests, impressive waterfalls and gorgeous sandy beaches.
There is a lot to do and even more to look at when you visit Paraty, and even though it is compact enough to be enjoyed on foot there’s still plenty to see and do here.
I highly recommend checking out the craft markets, the live music bars (I saw samba and bossa nova shows) the delicious local cuisine
My personal highlights…
- Trying cachaça, a traditional Brazilian spirit which can be found in all the bars here.
- Catching a concert at Casa da Cultura.
- Taking a boat to the stunning hidden gem of Praia do Sono.
12. Maragogi, Alagoas
Maragogi sits in the northwestern section of Brazil and offers many beaches and living tropical reefs. You can go snorkelling or scuba diving or enjoy the sights that give the place some ambience.
Maragogi is filled with natural beauty and offers plenty of activities, too. You can enjoy sea cliffs that seem to reach the sky and take a boat ride to get up close and personal with the coral reefs. Whatever you do there, it’s a tough place to forget!
13. Florianópolis, Santa Catarina
In southern Brazil, Florianópolis has 60 beaches and is noted for its surfing opportunities. Its economy is based mainly on tourism and information technology, so tourists can find much to do there.
Radical sports and nature offer some of the best tourist opportunities, such as mountain climbing, hang-gliding, rowing, and paragliding.
It is connected to the continent by three bridges, one famous but now-closed Hercilio Luz Bridge.
14. IlhaBela, São Paulo
Also known as Beautiful Island, translated to in Portuguese, IlhaBela has a population of roughly 32,000 and offers attractions such as 360 waterfalls, numerous forests, hiking trails of all difficulty levels, and, of course, beaches.
There are 41 beaches on the main island, so whether you want to swim, sunbathe, or watch dolphins and whales, you’ll never run out of things to do.
With beautiful waters and even more beautiful skies, I thought this place was a jewel!
15. The Amazon Rainforest
Although Brazil is known for its beautiful beaches and outstanding landmarks, the Amazon rainforest is another famous place to visit. The Amazon is the largest rainforest in the world.
The forest covers 60% of Brazilian territory, 13% of Peruvian land, and 10% of Colombian soil. The remaining 17% is distributed between French Guiana, Suriname, Guyana, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Bolivia.
There are so many things to explore in this giant jungle, and one of them is to spot pink dolphins or go bird watching, as the forest is home to over 800 bird species. The best time to visit is during the low-water season, from July until December.
16. Búzios, Rio de Janeiro
A resort town with roughly 34,000 residents, Búzios is the place to go when you want calmness, serenity, and a break from the hustle and bustle of a tourist’s life.
Many of the people who live there are fishermen, and it offers all sorts of water activities, including swimming and surfing.
This town offers a little bit of everything, including shopping, restaurants, bars and lounges, art museums, and just about anything else you need to make your vacation unforgettable.
17. Trancoso, Bahia
Trancoso has two things going for it: lots of beaches and an advanced way of reducing their carbon footprint.
There are many festivals to enjoy throughout the year, but its main attractions are the beaches surrounding the area, each seemingly more gorgeous than the previous one.
With white sand, reefs, and water that always seems to be at the perfect temperature, this is the ideal place to be when lots of time in the water and sun is what you’re looking for.
