Brazil attractions

Recanto Ecológico Rio da Prata is a protected reserve located among the lush forests of Jardim, an area so-named for the Portuguese word for garden. The family-run ranch offers eco-friendly snorkeling in the crystalline river, as well as sightseeing options that increase your chances of spotting rare wildlife.

At the northern tip of Tinharé Island, idyllic Morro de São Paulo is reachable only by boat or plane. Flanked by sandy shores and coconut palms, the car-free island town is a thriving resort, with jungle hikes, festive nightlife, and some of Bahia’s most gorgeous beaches.

The third largest cathedral in Brazil took 40 years to build—construction began on the Gothic-Roman structure in 1939 and continued until late 1979. Designed by French architect George Mounier and said to be inspired by Germany’s Cologne Cathedral, the Metropolitan Cathedral remains one of Fortaleza’s most distinctive landmarks.

Secluded and somewhat difficult to reach, Sono Beach attracts adventurous types with spectacular views and golden sands backed by a lush wall of rainforest and nearby waterfalls. The beach is home to a small fishing community and little else, making this an ideal spot to escape the crowds of Paraty’s historic city center.

This rugged trail in the hills of Minas Gerais once served as a train route for mining supplies, the African slave trade, and gold. Once the gold dried up, the trail fell out of use. Today, the Gold Path has become a popular destination for travelers looking to explore scenic mountains, thick forests, and a bit of Paraty history.

The Abilio Barreto Historical Museum brings visitors back to the founding days of Belo Horizonte and through hundreds of years of history. Curated by local journalist Abilio Barreto, the museum’s collection is housed in a restored colonial farmhouse typical of the first settlers. The semi-open-air museum is a reminder of Belo Horizonte’s rural roots set amid the modern metropolis.

Natal is known for its spectacular beaches and Barra do Canhaú is no exception. Its clear waters and white sands are backed by palm trees and mangroves, as saltwater meets freshwater at the mouth of the Curimatau River. Canhaú, the small fishing village near the beach of the same name, has retained many of its original charms.

One of Curitiba’s most recognizable landmarks is the Oscar Niemeyer Museum (Museu Oscar Niemeyer), built by and for the famous architect. It highlights his modern designs that are prominent in many of his buildings around Brazil. The museum’s rotating exhibits showcase both national and international artists from the 20th and 21st centuries.

This large pool of fresh water is a spot to refresh from the sun, wind, sand, and adventure of Brazil's Natal beaches. Though nearly 16 feet (5 meters) deep at its center, it's shallow at the edges, making it a popular spot for swimmers. Its clear waters also make it a favorite spot to kayak, paddleboard, and fish.

A cultural park and interactive museum, Parque Epopéia Italiana follows the story of Lázaro and Rosa—an Italian couple that immigrated to Brazil in the early 20th century—through audio-visual displays that offer insight into the difficulties faced by Brazil’s early immigrants.

With its castle-inspired buildings among swathes of Atlantic forest reserve, the Ricardo Brennand Institute is a museum like no other. The brainchild of Brazilian collector Ricardo Brennand, the complex comprises a history museum, armory, art gallery, library, and sculpture garden featuring art and artifacts from Europe, Asia, and South America.

Known for its shifting sands and freshwater lagoons, the beach village of Genipabu attracts travelers who come for adventure on the rolling dunes. The winds shifting across the sand means that the landscape of Genipabu is always changing. The sands pile up into dunes that rise and fall, creating ridges and mounds across the shores and eventually plunging into the sea.

Travelers who make the journey to Trindade Beach (Praia da Trindade) are rewarded with one of the best stretches of sand on Brazil’s Costa Verde. This popular beach boasts an island vibe, complete with beach bars blaring reggae tunes while serving up fresh seafood and cachaça-fueled cocktails.

Like many northeastern Brazilian cities, Fortaleza is famous for its handicrafts, particularly its embroidered white lace textiles. One of the best places in the city to pick up locally made souvenirs is Mercado Central. The 3-floor market houses dozens of shops selling woven hammocks, clay sculptures, and other hand-crafted items.

Set in a mansion in the upscale neighborhood of Vitória, the Carlos Costa Pinto Museum (Museu Carlos Costa Pinto) illuminates the luxurious, decadent lifestyle of Salvador da Bahia’s sugarcane aristocracy. Exhibits focus on the history of colonial and imperial Bahio from the 17th to 19th century, with permanent installations and a rotating selection of cultural activities.

Brazil’s tranquil Jacumã Beach (Praia de Jacumã) is surrounded by reefs that break up the waves, creating a peaceful environment and a cove that's ideal for swimming. The white sand beach is lined with tall, shady palm trees. Located in the small fishing village of Jacumã, it is a relatively secluded beach with few tourists or beachgoers.

Formerly the main post office in downtown Rio de Janeiro, the Centro Cultural Correios has been transformed into a museum and cultural center, preserving the beautiful, detailed structure, built in 1922. Today, the Centro Cultural Correios is administered by the Brazilian postal service and attracts visitors for it’s varied art exhibitions, antique stamp fairs, special performances, and not to mention the attractive architecture. Original wooden floors, spiral staircases, and an antique elevator are among the architectural highlights. Diverse exhibitions rotate in and out of the Centro Cultural Correios, including modern art and sculpture, world-famous paintings, ancient artifacts, and exhibits that delve into Brazilian history. On the ground floor, there’s a 200-person theater that hosts plays, recitals and other performances throughout the year. Outside the center is a spacious courtyard with a reflecting pool and outdoor stage, for open-air concerts and events.

Cantareira State Park—one of the world’s largest urban parks, which preserves the region’s Atlantic Forest—is located north of São Paulo, and is an inviting day-trip destination for those seeking time in the great outdoors. One highlight is Pedra Grande (Big Rock), a granite lookout point that stands over 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) tall.

A lush enclave amid the vast Adolpho Ducke Forest Reserve, the Manaus Botanical Gardens (MUSA - Museu da Amazonia) offer you the chance to experience the wonders of the Amazon without straying too far from the city.

Situated in a sleek, chic modernist house in Santa Teresa, Rio’s bohemian quarter, the Chacara do Ceu Museum houses part of the vast art collection of the late Brazilian industrialist and aesthete, Raymundo Ottoni de Castro Maya. Over the course of his 74-year lifespan, Castro Maya amassed over 22,000 works of art, a large portion of which is displayed here.

Like every paradise for bargain hunters, the Saara Shopping District is a maze where you can find anything and everything, be it t-shirts with witty print, colorful accessories, soccer jerseys, or iconic Havaianas flip flops. Since the diverse market is often overlooked by tourists, prices are reasonable and bargains can still be found.

Set amid the vast Quinta da Boa Vista Park and surrounded by lush native fauna, RioZoo is Brazil’s oldest zoo. Over 1,300 species of animals are represented, among them Bengal tigers, lions, hippos, wolves, and crocodiles, along with a number of Amazonian creatures such as sloths, toucans, and anacondas.

Fortaleza Beach Park is a hugely popular entertainment and leisure complex on the northeastern coast of Brazil. Every year, more than 700,000 people visit the tropical playground’s resort, hotels, restaurants, shops, sailing raft museum, water park—one of the largest in South America—and beach.

Boasting the title of Latin America’s largest aquarium, Sao Paulo Aquarium is home to more than 3,000 creatures. Immerse yourself in different sections of the aquarium—which include fresh water, Antarctica, and the ocean—to discover exhibits that span 300 species of marine life and other mammals.

With more than 85 sculptures scattered around its hilltop park, the Felicia Leirner Museum (Museu Felicia Leirner) is an enchanting space where art meets nature. The open-air gallery is the life’s work of Polish sculptor Felicia Leirner and is also home to the Claudio Santoro Auditorium.

The colonial mansion that houses the Paraty House of Culture (Casa da Cultura) dates to the mid-eighteenth century. Halls are lined with artifacts from an extensive permanent collection that includes historic photographs, video interviews with famous locals, and carpets made from flower petals—once used in the Corpus Christi festival.

Ponta Negra, one of Natal’s most popular and accessible beaches, stretches for 1.8 miles (3 kilometers) along the shore. The lively south end of the beach is lined with restaurants, bars, hotels, and pousadas (or inns), while the northern end features a pedestrian-only boardwalk and a few resorts, lending it a more low-key vibe.

The First Church of Our Lady of the Remedies, in the heart of Paraty, is the largest and most popular in town. Travelers flock to this impressive example of colonial architecture that stretches over an entire block and that was built on donated land. The bell towers and temple remain incomplete, but the facade is beautiful nevertheless.

One of Curitiba’s most important historical and religious landmarks, Curitiba Cathedral (Catedral Basílica Menor de Nossa Senhora de la Luz) was inaugurated in 1893, although a church has stood on site since the 17th century. The architecturally impressive Catholic church boasts neo-Gothic architecture and stained-glass windows.

In the heart of Curitiba, Tiradentes Square (Praça Tiradentes) is one of the city's major hubs. Both the Metropolitan Cathedral and Basilica Minor of Our Lady of Light and a "ground zero" monument mark the spot as the very heart of the city.