Tourist Places to Visit in Brazil

Search for elusive wildlife in virgin forests and waterways in the Amazon, Pantanal or Iguazu, lose yourself in cobblestone laneways in towns of yesteryear and shake to the samba rhythms at fabulous restaurants and bars in the cities. You could also find your own paradise along the 8,000 kilometres of coastline - Brazil’s beauty and vibrancy are hard to match.

 

Known for its mind-boggling biodiversity, a rich kaleidoscopic culture, photographic landscapes, and a never-ending vivacity, the tourist places in Brazil underline why this country is among the most fascinating places on the planet. From its tropical islands rich in corals, rumbling waterfalls and deep ravines, to the primordial colonial ruins of its yesteryear; here are the places to visit in Brazil that you shouldn’t miss out on:

1. Aparados da Serra National Park

Aparados da Serra, one of Brazil’s first national parks, was created to protect Itaimbezinho which is one of the most impressive canyons in Brazil. It is also considered as one of Brazil’s top tourist places. Fringed with subtropical forest, the narrow canyon features sheer parallel escarpments with a depth of almost 720 meters (2360 feet). Two waterfalls cascade into a stone plunge pool that spills over into the Rio do Boi, which winds its narrow way along the canyon bottom. A steep rocky path leads to a river from the canyon rim; do bear in mind that this is a tough, hair-raising walk that shouldn’t be undertaken lightly.

2. Cathedral of Brasilia

When does a Roman Catholic cathedral not look like a cathedral? It is when the cathedral is designed by a key figure like Oscar Niemeyer. The Cathedral of Brasília is unique among cathedrals and is one of the best places to see in Brazil. It is composed of 16 concrete columns, each weighing 90 tons, which resemble an Indian teepee more than a church. Completed in 1970, statues of the Four Evangelists designed by Dante Croce grace the front. From its sheer sight, you would come to agree that there is nothing very traditional about this innovative church.

3. Pelourinho

Pelourinho is the historic centre of Salvador which was the first colonial capital of Brazil, and one of the oldest cities in the Americas that was established in 1549. The Pelourinho, which translates as “pillory” is where slaves were punished. This old town is filled with graceful, colourfully painted pastel buildings, music and dancing in the streets. It’s a good place to buy local crafts as well as enjoy a traditional prawn dish. Brazil tour packages for groups and family.

4. Ilha Grande

Ilha Grande or “Big Island” is a beautiful island off Rio de Janeiro that is largely undeveloped. It was first a leper colony and then was home to a maximum security prison that closed in 1994. Consequently, beautiful tropical beaches and virgin Atlantic rainforest changed the visual purview on Ilha Grande. Vila do Abraão, the largest city on the island has only 1,900 people. Another key thing to note is that motorized vehicles are banned from the island.

5. Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park

Chapada dos Veadeiros is a national park in Goias state about 240 km (150 miles) from Brasilia. Many travellers believe that their visit here was the highlight of their Brazilian trip. With cascading waterfalls, lush greenery, wildlife and hiking trails, the national park is easily one of the best places to visit in Brazil. Some of the hiking trails, however, are quite demanding and need hikers to be in good physical condition.

6. Jericoacoara

Jericoacoara, more commonly known as Jeri, may be hard to reach as you’ll have to bounce your way over dirt roads, but the trip to reach this unspoiled beach town is well worth it. Hammocks over the water, white sand beaches, sandy roads that usually don‘t allow motor vehicles all combine to make Jeri a charming place to just chill out. One of the best places in Brazil, you can watch stunning sunsets from atop the Por do Sol dune here.

7. Curitiba-Paranagua Train Ride

The Curitiba-Paranagua Train Ride, officially known as the Serra Verde Express, is considered one of the most scenic train rides in Brazil. It cuts through the Atlantic rainforest, going through 14 tunnels and crossing 30 bridges on its 84 km (52-mile) route between modern Curitiba and historic Paranagua in Parana state. The ride is active for six days a week, ending in Morretes, only to continue to coastal Paranagua on Sundays. If you have made a list of things to do in Brazil, this should be on top priority.

 

Travellers who enjoy strolling around on foot will appreciate Paraty as vehicles aren’t allowed in the historic town centre. With colourful buildings and pristine beaches, Paraty is considered one of Brazil’s historic gems. Located 200 km (125 miles) south of Rio, horseback riding through the rainforest that ends at the sea is the area’s top attraction. Centuries ago, this 16^th-century colonial town was a major exporter of gold to Europe. Make sure you add it to your itinerary of tourist places to visit in Brazil.

8. Copacabana

Located in Rio, Copacabana is one of the world’s most well-known beaches and a standout among tourist places in Brazil. It is approximately two miles long and lined with hotels and expensive homes, though there are modest residences as well scattered in between. A beautiful boardwalk with a black-and-white checked pattern of Portuguese stone flanks the sand. This is a very vibrant neighbourhood that is home to Rio’s famous New Year’s celebration and several interesting attractions, including the Copacabana Fort which was constructed in 1914, and the glamorous Hotel Copacabana Palace.

9. Ouro Preto

Ouro Preto meaning “black gold” is one of Brazil’s best-preserved colonial towns; it was founded at the end of the 17th century. It quickly became the epicentre of a new gold rush in the state of Minas Gerais. Ouro Preto contains well-preserved Portuguese colonial architecture and demands the modern buildings to adhere to the historical standards maintained by the city. It is one of Brazil’s best places to visit to experience the rich culture of the place. You can find 18^th and 19^th-century churches decorated with gold and the sculptured works of Aleijadinho. This makes the city one of the most popular tourist places in Brazil.

10. Teatro Amazonas

Teatro Amazonas (Amazon Theatre) is an opera house located in Manaus. Its specialty is that it was built during the heyday of rubber trade using materials from all over the world; with furniture from Paris, marble from Italy, and steel from England. The dome on the outside of the building was covered with 36,000 decorated ceramic tiles painted in the colours of the Brazilian national flag, all of which makes it one of the most recognizable places in Brazil.

11. Bonito

For eco-tourists, Bonito is the jumping off point for some of the most unique natural attractions in Brazil. Some of them include stunning waterfalls and caves. However, its most popular draw is its extremely clear waterways, where you can swim along with the fish. For those who are adventurous, there is the Abismo Anhumas where visitors can rappel to the bottom of a cavern and walk among stalagmites and other cave formations. You can also choose to snorkel or dive in the cavern’s waters which contain even more of the otherworldly formations.

 

12. Salvador Beaches

Salvador, the capital of the state of Bahia, is an attractive colonial town with a vibrant musical scene and loads of exceptional beaches all around. One of the best places to visit in Brazil, you can find a variety of beaches that range from calm inlets ideal for swimming, diving and sailing and open sea inlets with strong waves which are most popular with surfers. There are also beaches surrounded by reefs, forming natural pools of stone that are well-suited for children.

13. Rio Carnival

The biggest and the most famous carnival is undoubtedly the carnival held in Rio de Janeiro. The Rio Carnival attracts over two million people per day on the streets and almost half a million foreigners during the 4 days of celebration. The Carnival is absolutely all over the place; from the streets and squares to bars, clubs and all other venues in Rio, making it one of the best places in Brazil to be at during this time. The celebration is concluded in the spectacular Rio Samba Parade at the Sambadrome. Book you Rio Carnival tour packages here.

14. Amazon River

Among the top places to see in Brazil, the Amazon River is the second longest river in the world at approximately 6,400 km (4,000 miles) and the largest river by volume. With over 3,000 recognized species of fish, new species still being discovered and the Amazon Basin covering the half of the planet’s remaining rainforests; you can find a tenth of the world’s estimated 10 million living species in the wide Amazon rainforest.

15. Iguaçu Falls

Iguaçu Falls is one of the great natural wonders of the world and is situated on the border between Brazil and Argentina. Among the most recommended tourist places in Brazil, the waterfall system consists of 275 falls along the Iguazu River out of which the most impressive is the Devil’s Throat, a U-shaped waterfall with a height of 82 metres (269 feet). You can reach the falls from the cities Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil and Puerto Iguazú in Argentina. You can also reach there from Ciudad del Este in Paraguay.

16. Christ the Redeemer

Christ the Redeemer is the world-famous statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro. It is located at the peak of 700-meter high (2,300 feet) Corcovado Mountain which provides a sweeping panorama from the interior of Guanabara Bay to the north and Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas to the south. The statue stands at 39.6 meters (130 feet) tall and including its pedestal which is 9.5 meters (31 feet). Christ the Redeemer has become an icon of Rio and is one of Brazil’s top tourist places.

 

Whether it is the idyllic beach holidays, jungle explorations or a bunch of world-class art museums that you are looking for, Brazil will surprise you in ways more than one. And of course, how can one not address the pulsing rhythms of Rio's Carnival! It is one of those places that you must plan a trip to at least once in your lifetime.