Brazil attractions

Mangue Seco is a stunning coastal village on the Atlantic Ocean near Salvador, Brazil. Known for its untouched natural beauty, this hidden gem offers visitors a serene escape from the city. Pristine sand dunes, turquoise waters, and towering palm trees enhance the destination’s allure.

Of Brazil’s many beaches, Cacimbinhas (Praia das Cacimbinhas) is a quieter one—accessible by walking down a long staircase—and a popular spot for windsports such as kitesurfing and paragliding. On the northeastern coast, near Natal, the beach is framed by tall cliffs, which overlook a sprawling shoreline, turquoise waters, and sand dunes.

The Rio Negro (Black River) is not only the largest tributary of the great Amazon River, it’s also the largest blackwater river in the world. Its color—a hue akin to a strong tea—comes from high concentrations of humic acid. Despite that, the river supports more than 700 kinds of fish, making it a rich resource for the Indigenous communities who have lived along its banks for centuries.

There's no shortage of beautiful beaches in Brazil, but Fora Beach (Praia de Fora) ranks among the best. One of six gorgeous stretches of sand connected by trails in the small fishing village of Trinidade outside Paraty, Fora is the ideal spot to sunbathe, swim, and while away the day.

Just outside Bonito, the Rio Sucuri is a freshwater paradise where crystal clear turquoise-tinged waters teeming with fish and vibrant underwater gardens meet an emerald jungle filled with monkeys, sloths, and brightly colored macaws. Tours on the river involve a boat trip upriver before snorkeling, floating, or boating back to base.

Spanning 345 acres (140 hectares), Inhotim (Inhotim Institute) is an open-air contemporary art museum and one of the highlights of Brazil’s Minas Gerais state. Almost 2,000 modern works are scattered throughout the sprawling botanical garden, home to thousands of flora species from every continent in the world.

Nestled in the heart of Sao Paulo, Allianz Parque (Palestra Italia Arena) is a vibrant stadium for entertainment and sports enthusiasts. As one of Brazil’s largest and most modern multipurpose spaces, it’s home to thrilling football matches, concerts by global artists, and many events; this iconic venue guarantees excitement for all.

One of the largest flooded caves on the planet, Blue Lake Grotto—or Gruta do Lago Azul—is named for the way sunlight reflects on the water, turning it bright blue. Only discovered by humans in 1924, the cave was previously home to prehistoric megafauna—including saber-tooth tigers and giant sloths—with ancient bones found in the depths.

São Paulo’s preeminent museum of religious artworks and artifacts, the São Paulo Museum of Sacred Art (Museu de Arte Sacra) is home to a collection of primarily 16th–18th-century paintings, sculptures, altars, and more. It’s housed in the 18th-century Luz Monastery, one of the city’s best-preserved historic landmarks.

Escape the tropical sunshine of northern Brazil and plunge into the icy climate of Captain Frosty World (Parque Tematico Mundo Gelado)—an ice museum and bar where everything is sculpted from ice. Here, temperatures plummet as low as -4ºF (-20ºC) in order to prevent ice sculptures of world-famous landmarks from melting.

The Natal Metropolitan Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana de Natal) boasts a modern trapezoidal shape and unusual use of windows and light. It's the antithesis to traditional cathedral design and an architectural landmark in Natal’s historic center. Three interlocking crosses sit outside its entrance, welcoming worshippers and visitors.

A fantastical land of animatronic dinosaurs, indigenous villages, and magical forests await you at Florybal Magic Park Land (Parque Terra Magica Florybal). A fun family day out, especially for those with younger kids, the theme park offers amusement rides, play areas, a 7D cinema, and live shows.

The Indian Museum in Manaus is a fascinating and comprehensive collection of artefacts and exhibits dedicated to the indigenous people of the Amazon. Run by an order of nuns known as the Salesian Sisters, the museum is committed to travelling to gather more information and, where possible, to speak with indigenous people and learn about their crafts and cultures.

This museum run by a congregation of Salesian nuns boasts a nice collection of artifacts showcasing the history, heritage, and culture of the region’s indigenous populations. Items on display include pottery, weapons, tools, ritual masks, clothing, and musical instruments from the tribes of the upper Amazon.

The former palace and city hall of Curitiba, the Palace of Liberty (Paço da Liberdade), is today a cultural center with public exhibition spaces and the fashionable Café do Paço. The building, which lies on a public square in the center of Curitiba, is also home to a bookstore, library, screening room, and classrooms.

Located just outside of Sao Paulo in the city of Embu Das Artes, the Jesuit Sacred Art Museum takes you on a journey into Brazil's religious and cultural heritage. The museum’s collection gives you a glimpse into the intersection of Jesuit spirituality, artistic expression, and the centuries-long history of Brazil.

The Brazilian state of Ceara is famous for its long coastline and numerous beaches. In the city of Fortaleza, Meireles Beach is one of the busiest stretches of the coast, packed with the highest concentration of hotels, barracas (beer stalls, and seaside restaurants serving up traditional Brazilian food and drink.

Deep in the heart of Brazil roars the Boca da Onca. Translated to “mouth of the jaguar,” this beautiful, ferocious natural waterfall is a true hidden gem, with cascading water falling 515 feet (156 meters) over a rocky cliff face into a crystal clear pool. Trek to the falls on forest trails and take a swim—a unique experience for any explorer.

A theme park devoted to all things steam-powered, Mundo a Vapor is a unique attraction that’s suitable for the whole family. It’s home to a miniature steam railway, a steam-powered sawmill, and a hydroelectric plant.

With its vast, deserted beaches, towering sand dunes, and pellucid waters, Brazil’s Costa Branca, or White Coast, is one of the country’s most enchanting regions, and its best-kept secret is Galinhos, a fishing village frozen in time and hidden from the tourist crowds along a natural sandbar.

Sunset Square (Praça Por do Sol) is officially named Praça Coronel Custódio Fernandes Pinheiro, but visit in the early evening and you’ll soon see why it earned its nickname: This small, sloped public green space in São Paulo’s Alto de Pinheiros neighborhood is perfectly aligned to watch the sun set between the city’s many skyscrapers.

Climbing the forested slopes of Tijuca National Park, the Corcovado Train (Trem do Corcovado) is the most scenic way to reach Rio’s mountaintop Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) statue. Electric-powered and almost a century old, the train is an important part of the city’s heritage and affords spectacular views of the world’s largest urban forest.

Lush, verdant forests, stunning ocean views, and some 25 miles (40 km of white sand beaches await on tropical Itaparica Island. The island offers a more rural escape, where tiny villages, scenic waterfronts, and old school churches take the place of colorful beach umbrellas, pushy vendors, and tourist-filled stretches of sand.

One of Rio de Janeiro’s oldest landmarks, the São João Fort (Fortaleza de São João) dates back to 1565. Established by Estácio de Sá—who was also the founder of Rio de Janeiro—the fort is one of several that protected the city for centuries. It is still an active military site today and offers dramatic views of the water.

If the string of shallow coral reefs that grace Natal’s sandy coastline could be called a necklace, then Maracajaú Reef is its biggest, most beautiful jewel. This reef formation full of coral, iridescent fish, and other marine life covers over 3.5 acres (1.4 hectares and is about 4 miles (7 kilometers offshore from Maracajaú Beach.

Vila Velha State Park is a natural wonder nestled in the heart of Brazil. It boasts sandstone formations resembling ancient sculptures carved by nature's hand. Outdoor adventurers and amateur geologists alike come to explore the park’s mesmerizing landscapes, which tell a story dating back millions of years.

Home to more than 100 rides and attractions, Beto Carrero World is the ultimate destination for thrill seekers of all ages—it also boasts the accolade of the largest theme park in Latin America. There are high-octane roller coasters, log flumes, bumper cars, a 4D theater, and much more spread across a whopping 150,000,000 square feet (14,000,000 square meters) of Atlantic rainforest.

Whether you want to soar over the treetops on a zipline, ride a rollercoaster, or hurtle downhill on an alpine sleigh, Alpen Park offers plenty of ways to get your adrenaline fix. The small amusement park makes a fun destination for families and boasts a picturesque location overlooking forested hills.

Each Sunday, General Osório Square in Ipanema transforms into one of Rio de Janeiro’s most popular open-air markets, the Ipanema Hippie Fair (Feira Hippie de Ipanema). The market, which has been running since 1968, comprises hundreds of vendors and is one of the best places in town to find souvenirs and gifts.

Embu das Artes—also known as Embu—is a small, colonial town in São Paulo State, which was founded as a Jesuit settlement in 1554. Renowned for its heritage architecture, the town is also a thriving arts center, home to art galleries, artists’ studios, antique stores, and an ever-popular weekend arts and crafts fair.