South Brazil attractions

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Santa Claus might be far from his traditional home in the North Pole, but there’s no shortage of Christmas spirit in the Brazilian mountain resort of Gramado. Fashioned like a Bavarian village with half-timbered chalets and (artificial) snow-covered streets, Santa's Village (Aldeia do Papai Noel) is the only one of its kind in South America.

From Ferrari sports cars and classic Cadillacs to vintage motors that date back to 1929, Canela Automobile Museum (Museu do Automóvel de Canela) has a collection of cars and memorabilia that’s sure to impress any motor enthusiast.

The Dreamland Wax Museum (aka Dreamland Foz), the largest of its kind in Brazil, houses more than 70 life-size wax figures. Get up close and personal with representations of Pope John Paul II, Madonna, Charlie Chaplin, Neymar Jr., Whoopi Goldberg, and many more.

Surrounded by the bustling city of Curitiba and set deep in Zaninelli Park sits Free University of the Environment (UNILIVRE), a higher learning institution that offers courses related to the environment and a sustainable world. The school is often visited and admired on walking tours. Located in what was once an old granite quarry, the area that houses Unilivre has been totally reforested with native vegetation. Strolling along the park’s many paths, visitors will observe various types of native and regional birds that share the area with students. With a main building that has a 49‐foot‐tall (15‐meter‐tall) wooden tower, the structure’s architecture blends well with the surrounding nature. The huge spiraling stairs that lead to the tower wrap around the entire building and provide views overlooking the natural landscape. There is also an open‐air auditorium on campus and a 24‐foot‐deep (8‐meter‐deep) lake, home to swans, ducks and various types of fish.

Hollywood Dream Cars museum, in Gramado, Brazil, offers visitors the chance to step back in time. This unique and quirky attraction explores the golden age of both the automobile and the movie industry by showcasing vintage cars in a setting that evokes the glamour of the first half of the 20th century.

Admire vintage and classic motorcycles in a relaxed atmosphere at Harley Motor Show. Not a typical museum, this attraction is a themed restaurant and bar for motorcycle enthusiasts or anyone looking for a novel dining experience.

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).

Curitiba’s oldest park, Passeio Público, opened in 1886 and boasts abundant forested space along with many species of native vegetation. The location is considered an ecological sanctuary, housing a lake with islands, a cave, a suspension bridge, and a floating stage. Locals and visitors alike visit this public park to rent bikes and paddle boats and enjoy the natural beauty of Brazil.

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 “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.

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.

Once the largest bridge in South America, Hercilio Luz Bridge (Ponte Hercilio Luz) is a major landmark of Florianopolis and the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. Connecting the island to the mainland, it offers panoramic views of the turquoise ocean, and you can cross it on foot, by bike, or in a vehicle.

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.

Located on the eastern side of Brazil’s Santa Catarina Island, Projeto Tamar Florianópolis is conservation center dedicated to protecting the region’s different species of sea turtles from the destructive effects of commercial fishing. Guided tours show visitors how the project protects sea turtles in Brazil.

Home to more than 100 animals from 70 different species, Brusque Zoo Botanical Park (Parque Zoobotanico de Brusque) is a family-friendly attraction that gives you the chance to spot a number of endangered species, many of which have been rescued from illegal trafficking or mistreatment.

Situated on Santa Catarina Island, just outside the Brazilian city of Florianópolis, Aqua Show Park offers an entertaining day out for all ages. The outdoor water park complex covers 7.4 acres (30,000 square meters), is surrounded by native forest, and offers a variety of pools, rides, and games.

Stretching for 2 miles (3.2 kilometers), Armacao Beach (Praia da Armacao) is a beautiful stretch of sand in southern Florianopolis. While the water here can feel a little cooler than other more tropical beaches, the sand is a bright white and the ocean has a distinctly turquoise hue, making it a dream for photographers.

Famous for its fluted roof and ultra-modern architecture, Catedral Diocesana Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe is one of Foz do Iguacu’s most prominent attractions. Dedicated to the Virgin of Guadeloupe, the patron saint of Latin America, the religious building is a marvel to behold and offers panoramic views from its hilltop perch at the city’s highest point.

A wide stretch of sand near the northern tip of Florianopolis, Praia do Santinho is famous for its surfing swell and the natural attractions that surround it. While the waves are better suited to boards than bodies, the beach is surrounded by sand dunes and hiking trails that lead to viewpoints and lagoons.

Nestled among the lush greenery of Florianopolis’ northeasterly tip, Mocambique Beach (Praia do Moçambique, also called Mozambique Beach) is a pristine stretch of sand that’s part of Rio Vermelho State Park, which showcases the biodiversity of Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. Because it’s only accessible by 4-wheel drive, the beach sees far fewer crowds than other parts of Floripa.

While the mustard-yellow exterior of the 17th-century Catedral Metropolitana de Florianopolis is an attraction in itself, the religious structure is known for its collection of sacred art inside, too. One of its most famous pieces is the Flight of Egypt sculpture by Tyrolean artist Demetz Groeden, a hand-carved depiction of Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus.

Located in the mountain resort of Gramado—a German settlement famous for its Bavarian architecture—World of Chocolate (Mundo de Chocolate) showcases more than 200 sculptures made entirely from chocolate. You’ll see replicas of the Eiffel Tower and the Leaning Tower of Pisa and enjoy samples of the building material as you go.

Whether you want to get your adrenaline pumping on a high-speed water slide, cool off beneath an artificial waterfall, or fly through the air on a giant swing, Cascaneia Water Park (Parque Aquático Cascanéia)—Catarina’s largest water park—has something to suit the whole family.