The CIGS Zoo is run by the Brazilian Army and serves as a safe haven for animals rescued from traffickers and hunters. The site houses a variety of animals that have been rescued (or displaced from their natural habitats due to development), including jaguars, monkeys, tapirs, sloths, and many species of birds and Amazonian fish.
Against a backdrop of the Mantiqueira Mountains, the gardens of the Jardim dos Pinhais Ecco Parque offer a tranquil retreat and are ideal for strolling and picnicking. Explore gardens with themes ranging from the zen-like Japanese garden to the palm-shaded tropical one and Renaissance-inspired Italian garden.
The golden sands of Caixa d’Aco Beach are located in Porto Belo in Brazil’s Santa Catarina state. Though small, this beach is a favorite spot for travelers and locals. Travelers can wander along the pristine, if rustic, beach on foot and enjoy a taste of paradise or catch stunning sunsets while swimming or kayaking on calm waters.
One of Recife’s most unique cultural attractions is found in an unexpected location. Housed in an 1850s former prison along the Capibaribe riverfront, the House of Culture (Casa da Cultura de Pernambuco) is a lively art and handicrafts market, where local artisans, musicians, and street food vendors gather to sell their goods and celebrate Recife’s rich cultural heritage.
One of Rio de Janeiro’s top viewpoints, the Pedra do Telégrafo offers beautiful vistas overlooking the coast and prime selfie backdrops, thanks to an optical effect that makes visitors look like they’re hanging off the edge of a cliff. Located in western Rio’s Pedra Branca State Park (Parque Estadual da Pedra Branca), it’s an excellent nature escape.
Parque Nacional do Iguaçu has many highlights, but the Devil's Throat (Garganta del Diablo) section of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Iguacu Falls is a top contender. It's one of South America’s most spectacular natural sights and a compelling reason to visit the park and Foz do Iguacu. Walk to the falls via the 0.7-mile (1.2-kilometer) Trilha das Cataratas (Waterfall Trail).
The Blue Lagoon (Lagoa Azul) is one of the most popular beauty spots on Ihla Grande. Even though it's not technically a proper lagoon, the body of water is so-called for its calm and shallow cerulean waters, which are perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
Considered one of the most beautiful libraries in the world—and home to some 350,000 volumes, the largest collection of Portuguese–language works outside of Portugal—Rio de Janeiro’s Royal Portuguese Reading Room (Real Gabinete Português de Leitura) is an architectural and intellectual wonder. Located in the city’s Centro neighborhood and open to all, it’s well worth venturing in to discover.
Brazil’s second-largest arena—Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã stadium takes the top spot—is the place to go for sporting events and musical performances in the capital. The Arena BRB Mané Garrincha has hosted games from the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Rio Olympics, as well as concerts by world-renowned artists, from Beyoncé to Bruno Mars.
The colorful, diagonally striped houses of the Santa Marta Favela cascade down the steep hillsides above Botafogo in Rio de Janeiro, housing a community of residents living in a challenging socioeconomic environment. Courtesy of Dutch artists Dre Urhahn and Jeroen Koolhaas’ Favela Painting Foundation, the artwork is meant to draw attention to populations that are traditionally excluded or overlooked, including that in Santa Marta.
Among the many attention-grabbing buildings of the Esplanada dos Ministérios, Itamaraty Palace (Palácio do Itamaraty) stands out with its dramatic series of concrete arches, which tower over a reflecting pool dotted with floating gardens. Aptly nicknamed the “Palace of the Arches,” it’s home to the Foreign Ministry and is part of Brasilia’s Federal District.
Brasilia’s grand monumental boulevard is the centerpiece of architect Oscar Niemeyer’s modernist cityscape and a highlight of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed city. At the eastern end of the Monumental Axis, the Esplanada dos Ministérios features a series of manicured lawns flanked by 17 homogenous buildings, the sites of Brazil’s federal ministries.
Brazil’s National Congress (Congresso Nacional) building looks more like a futuristic space center than a government building. Part of architect Oscar Niemeyer’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed design, the Brasilia landmark features a central 28-story twin tower—the city’s highest building—flanked by a pair of convex and concave domes, which house the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, respectively.
Home to more than 2,000 animals including rare and endangered species, São Paulo Zoo (Zoológico de São Paulo is the largest zoo in Brazil. Observe a variety of mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, and invertebrates, including white Bengal tigers, rhinos, tamarins, and the Lear’s macaw.
The Cathedral of Brasilia (Catedral Metropolitana Nossa Senhora Aparecida) is the modernist masterpiece of Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer—the mind behind much of Brasilia’s pioneering cityscape. Consecrated in 1970, the Catholic cathedral is a visual feast, with its curved white pillars and shimmering fiberglass panels rising like a futuristic crown over Brazil's capital.
Perched on the edge of Copacabana Beach, the World War I–era Copacabana Fort provides a glimpse into Brazil's military past. Guests can see Krupp cannons, the Army History Museum, and centuries-old artillery displays. With its panoramic views and immersive exhibits, this often-overlooked attraction helps tell the story of the region.
So-called because of the unknown depths it reaches, Brazil’s Lagoa Misteriosa (Mysterious Lagoon) is one of Bonito’s most impressive natural wonders. The lagoon shimmers in various shades of blue due to the presence of rocks and sediment containing lime, while its crystalline waters offers visibility of up to 131 feet (40 meters).
One of Rio de Janeiro’s most popular markets, the Ipanema Farmers Market draws locals and visitors alike every Friday morning. Just a few blocks from the beach, with vendors specializing in fresh fruits and vegetables (as well as fish, meat, flowers, and other items), it’s a great place to browse, sample, and purchase snacks or ingredients.
One of Latin America’s largest Ferris wheels, the Yup Star Ferris Wheel boasts views of the intersection of the Brazilian, Argentinian, and Paraguayan borders; it’s one of the few places on the continent where you can see three countries from a single vantage point. Plus, air-conditioned carriages provide respite from the tropical and humid climate of Foz do Iguacu.
Nicknamed the Marvelous City, Rio de Janeiro is a glittering, vibrant, and sexy city that's six million inhabitants strong. Its combination of dramatic landmarks, iconic urban beaches, and friendly people have made it one of the world’s most popular cities and a frequent port of call for cruises along the South American coast.
With its long arc of fine golden sand lapped by the waves of the Atlantic Ocean, Lopes Mendes Beach (Praia Lopes Mendes) is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil. Fringed with thick vegetation including almond and palm trees, a visit to Lopes Mendes Beach can feel like an escape into untouched nature.
Nicknamed “Joaca” by locals, Joaquina Beach is one of Florianopolis’ surfing hot spots. It's famous for its superior swell, and has played host to international surfing competitions. But while you might not be able to spend much time in the water without a board, the beach’s golden sands and gorgeous natural surroundings ensure it's still a lovely spot to spend the day.
Centro Historico de Florianopolis is the cultural heart of both Florianopolis and the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. Here, colonial architecture sits among leafy plazas and churches housing sacred art. It’s also home to the Santa Catarina Historical Museum in a grand former palace and Florianópolis Public Market, where you can pick up artisan souvenirs and sample Brazilian street food.
One of Bonito’s most unique attractions, Anhumas Abyss is a spectacular underground water world where you can go snorkeling and diving in a crystalline lake filled with giant stalactites and stalagmites. Not for the faint of heart, the only catch is that you have to rappel in—and out—via a narrow crack in the earth's surface.
The source of the Iguaçu Falls—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of South America’s top natural attractions—the Iguaçu River crosses part of Brazil and Argentina. The section of the river rushing from the falls is powerful enough to harness hydroelectric energy, through the Itaipu Dam, and parts of it are also navigable in different types of boats. You can explore it on a trip departing from Foz do Iguaçu in Brazil.
Located at the mouth of the Ipojuca River, Muro Alto Beach is named for the natural barrier reef—the muro alto (high wall)—that separates the beach from the ocean. With its white sands and calm, crystal-clear waters, it’s one of Porto de Galinhas’ most popular swimming beaches and a favorite among local families.
An important part of Foz do Iguaçu’s diverse cultural heritage, the white Mosque of Omar Ibn Al-Khattab is a brilliant example of Islamic architecture. Plus, it boasts the accolade of being the second-largest mosque in Latin America. A huge dome is flanked by two towering minarets, and inside the mosque, there are information exhibits about Islamic culture and history.
After the beaches, Rua das Pedras is the principal attraction in Búzios. The 1,970-foot (600-meter) street may be small but it’s packed full of great stores from local businesses and international brands. There are also restaurants, bars, and cafés that offer inviting spots to while away a few hours.
With a prime position on São Paulo’s cultural corridor of Avenida Paulista, Itaú Cultural is one of the city’s most distinctive venues and exhibition spaces. Established more than 35 years ago—and dedicated to collecting, exhibiting, and supporting Brazilian artistic expression—the multi-part space comprises galleries, a theater, and a library and hosts events from exhibitions to performances and screenings.
Travelers to Búzios rate Joao Fernandes Beach (Praia de João Fernandes) as one of the seaside resort’s very best beaches. Though small, Joao Fernandes lures beachgoers with its golden-hued sands and crystal-clear waters, which are typically safe for swimmers of all ages and provide ideal conditions for snorkelers and scuba divers.
