Southeast Brazil attractions

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.

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.

Comprised of upscale commercial and residential high rises, Sao Paolo’s Itaim Bibi district boasts a mix of high-end restaurants and shops to satisfy the after-work cravings of the thousands of Paulistas that work in the area.

Situated in a vast but lovely neoclassical structure dating back to 1933, the Mercado Municipal de Sao Paulo—known colloquially as the Mercadão—houses hundreds of stalls selling fresh fish, exotic fruits, and every other edible delectable you can imagine.

Inspired by the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue that stands watch over Rio de Janeiro, Serra Negra’s own Christ the Redeemer statue sits atop the Pico de Fonseca hill, affording views over the city below.

In the heart of Rio de Janeiro, at the foothills of Corcovado, lies Paineiras Road (Estrada das Paineiras), a vital 3-mile (4.8-kilometer) pathway to the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. Whether by foot, bike, or car, travelers ascending this winding road through the Tijuca National Park yields rewarding panoramic vistas of the city below.

The most recent addition to the gigantic São Paulo Zoo—Brazil’s largest—offers animal lovers a safari-inspired experience right in the heart of the city. More than 380 animals roam through the different habitat zones, with animals ranging from tigers to monkeys.

Teleférico Serra Negra is an open-air chairlift that takes you to the summit of Pico do Fonesca de Serra Negra peak. The single-seat chairs take you 4,600 feet (1,400 meters) to the statue of Christ the Redeemer and offer panoramic views of Serra Negra along the way.

Itaipu Beach (Praia de Itaipu) was once a paradise for travelers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Rio de Janeiro. Unfortunately, pollution has made swimming conditions less than ideal and now the sandy strips of coast, although still picturesque, are often crowded. However, on a quiet day, Itaipu Beach still epitomizes the beauty of Brazilian beach life.

There's rarely snow in Brazil, but you can still ski or snowboard the dry slopes at São Roque’s Ski Mountain Park, set in the hills overlooking the wild landscapes of the Atlantic Forest. With two dry slopes made of polyethylene mats, plus an ice skating rink, ropes course, and archery, it’s an ideal destination for a family day out.

Just 30 minutes from downtown Sao Paulo, Wet 'n’ Wild is one of Brazil’s largest water parks. With more than 25 slides, pools, and activities, the park has plenty to appeal to kids and adults; attractions range from super-fast water slides to a lazy-river cruise.

Designed by French landscaper Auguste Glazio in 1808, Quinta da Boa Vista Park is one of Rio’s largest urban parks. Once the imperial gardens of São Cristóvão Palace, it’s now home to the National Museum of Brazil (housed in the former palace) and RioZoo. Visit to walk its palm-lined paths and check out the boating lake.

Within the city limits of Rio de Janeiro, Marapendi Natural Park offers 380 acres (155 hectares) of peaceful escape from the bustling city. Its lush landscapes, diverse wildlife, and well-preserved ecosystems make it a guaranteed hit for anyone looking to connect with the natural beauty of Brazil.

Founded by a group of oceanographers in 1994, Ubatuba Aquarium is hailed as one of the best in Brazil. The aquarium features 20 different enclosures—including the largest saltwater tank in Brazil—that house everything from crabs and octopuses to sharks and Magellianic penguins, which are native to Patagonia.

Hailed as one of the most important museums in São Paulo, the Museum of Image and Sound (Museu da Imagem e do Som, or MIS) exhibits more than 200,000 audio-visual works, including photographs, films, and posters that relate to art, cinema, theater, and music.

Home to heated and freshwater pools fed by natural springs, Thermas Hot World is one of the most popular resorts along Brazil’s Circuito das Águasa, a series of towns renowned for their mineral-enriched waters. Half spa, half water park, the complex offers everything from super-fast water slides to relaxing hot tubs.

Zooparque Itatiba in São Paulo is the largest private zoo in Brazil. More than 1,200 animals of 180 different species live in spacious enclosures designed to recreate their natural habitats. Zooparque Itatiba introduces you to the world’s varied ecosystems and emphasizes the importance of preserving fauna and flora.

Home to some 3,000 marine creatures and 170 different species—including penguins, fur seals, sharks, and stingrays—the beachside Acqua Mundo Aquarium offers an introduction to Brazil’s underwater wonders. Visit to observe fish and marine life in a variety of habitats.

A cultural legacy from one of Brazil’s elite families, the Moreira Salles Institute(Instituto Moreira Salles) is a modernist mansion set in the jungle, the former home of the Moreira Salles family. It has been transformed into a museum and educational space, celebrating Brazilian culture and arts. The Institute focuses on four artistic areas: photography, music, literature and iconography. The main focus is on photography, with rotating exhibits featuring the works of top visual artists from Brazil and worldwide. Exhibits range from old, historic photos, to contemporary photo-essays to abstract photography. They also scheduled screenings of films and documentaries from around the world. The structure is a perfect example of 1950s modernism in South America, with an angular design and some geometric patterns. Semi-open air rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows incorporate the natural beauty of the property, set on the border of the Tijuca National Forest. In the surrounding garden, tall trees tower up toward the sky and paths weave among the tropical, green garden. Streams, fountains, and a pond surrounded by a modern mosaic design also add to the property’s serene, modern design.

Dating back to the 17th century, Fazenda Bananal (formerly known as Fazenda Murycana or Murycana Farm) is a restored colonial-era farm that now functions as a nature reserve and historic site. Visitors can explore the farm’s 180 hectares (445 acres) of lush grounds, learn about its sustainable practices, and dine on farm-to-table food in the restaurant.

The lush and diverse Atlantic Forest (Mata Atlantica) stretches along the Atlantic coast of Brazil from the state of Rio Grande do Norte in the northeast to Rio Grande do Sul and into Paraguay and Argentina. As one of the world's top global biodiversity hot spots, it’s a haven for nature enthusiasts in Brazil seeking an eco-adventure.

A beachfront public park located between Copacabana Fort (Forte de Copacabana) and Arpoador Rock (Pedra do Arpoador), Parque Garota de Ipanema takes its name from the bossa nova hit “Garota de Ipanema” (“The Girl From Ipanema”). It’s a tranquil green space with features including a skate park and playground, as well as scenic viewpoints overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Set on 3 acres (1.2 hectares) of lush gardens in Campos do Jordão, Enchanted Forest Park is a fantasyland for young children, inspired by classic fairy-tales. Kids explore the gardens, step inside a giant doll-house, visit miniature houses belonging to well-known children's story characters, and let their imaginations run wild.

Set amid the lush greenery of the Atlantic Forest, the leisure complex of Magic City has attractions that range from daring water slides and amusement rides to palm-fringed swimming pools. Within day trip distance of Sao Paulo, Magic City is suitable for kids of all ages and has an on-site hotel.

Museu de Cera de Petrópolis (Petropolis Wax Museum) showcases wax replicas of Brazilian and global celebrities, historical figures, and fictional characters. The figures displayed in the museum—which is the only one of its kind in the state of Rio de Janeiro—exhibit a high standard of realism.

As the centrepiece of the Felicia Leirnar sculpture park, Claudio Santoro Auditorium serves as both an architectural landmark and a concert venue. Named after Manaus-born musician Claudio Franco de Sá Santoro, it’s the main stage of the Campos do Jordão International Festival, one of the largest classical music events in Latin America.

Cidade da Criança (Children's City) amusement park is an ideal choice for visitors with active children. Located in the center of São Bernardo do Campo—in the metropolitan region of São Paulo—it was the first theme park to open in both Brazil and Latin America.

The gateway through which immigrants historically entered São Paulo, the central Bom Retiro neighborhood today represents the city at its most eclectic. Originally home to Jewish and Arabic communities—and now boasting a vibrant Koreatown—the area is a great place for cultural (and culinary) discovery. It’s also home to several major museums, cultural venues, historic buildings, green spaces, and shopping streets.

Nestled in the heart of São Paulo, Estação Pinacoteca (Pina Estação) stands as a testament to the city's vibrant art scene, showcasing a diverse collection of contemporary Brazilian art. Housed in a historic train station, this cultural gem seamlessly blends the old and the new.