Southeast Brazil attractions

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.

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.

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.

Developed in the late 1970s as an off-price alternative to the sky-high rents along Avenida Paulista, Avenida Berrini (pronounced be-HEE-nee) houses a growing number of shopping and entertainment areas, including American-style malls Shopping Morumbi and Shopping Market Place, as well as the D&D Decoration and Design Center.

One of several zoos in or near the Brazilian megalopolis of São Paulo, the Guarulhos Zoo (Zoológico de Guarulhos) offers a welcome dose of nature and wildlife amid the urban sprawl. Free for all to visit, this zoo and nature park focuses on Brazilian flora and fauna, and its conservation efforts help to protect native species.

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.

Set in a colonial farmhouse, Botucatu’s Coffee Museum showcases São Paulo state’s coffee trade from its 19th-century origins to its emergence as one of Brazil’s biggest exports. Exhibits include traditional machinery and original records, as well as various beans and brews, making this a must-see for any engineer or historian.

With more than 55 attractions—which include gravity-defying water slides, a water rollercoaster, and a 180° surf pool—it’s easy to see why Thermas dos Laranjais is Brazil’s most-visited water park. The family-friendly park has something to entertain all ages and draws huge crowds year-round.

The brainchild of founder Walter Miguel—who was inspired by his visit to Disney World Florida—Walter World is one of the largest theme parks in northern Brazil. With more than 20 rides and attractions, it’s a great choice for a family day out.

Bring your kids to Park do Gorilao to let off some steam at the complex that's part old-fashioned amusement park and part modern games complex. Located within the Novo Shopping Mall in Ribeirão Preto, the park has everything from roller coasters and arcade games to bowling lanes and a 7-D cinema.