There's something magical about Brazil that turns casual visitors into lifelong devotees. Maybe it's the infectious energy of the Brazilians, the staggering natural beauty, or the way every meal feels like a celebration. Whatever the secret ingredient, Brazil consistently ranks among travellers' most unforgettable experiences. Here's what makes this South American giant so special.
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1. Three of the Most Exciting Cities in South America
You may never find a balance of natural beauty and culture as perfect as Rio de Janeiro.
From above, its unique geography could have inspired the Brazilian flag, with powdery golden beaches holding back the crystal blue sea from its verdant mountains. Take in the views from Corcovado, home to the iconic Christ the Redeemer, or Sugarloaf, accessed via one of the world’s most famous cable cars. Watch the sunset over Morro Dois Irmãos, (literally "Two Brothers Hill"), after a day enjoying Ipanema Beach or hiking the trails of Tijuca National Park. Exploring Rio’s downtown immerses you in the city’s vibrant past as Brazil’s former capital, with gorgeous historic architecture sitting alongside futuristic visions like the Museum of Tomorrow and arty districts like Santa Teresa.
Bold, creative, and full of life, São Paulo charms visitors in its own unique way. Paulistas are too busy enjoying Brazil’s best restaurants, cultural, shopping and nightlife scenes to care. Explore Brazil’s urban behemoth, admiring skyscraper-high murals and tasting everything from a high-end degustation to top-notch street food. Cool off in cutting-edge museums and galleries covering everything from contemporary art to the Portuguese language, or escape the megacity in the green oasis that is Ibirapuera Park.
Salvador de Bahia, Brazil’s first capital, is a unique city defined by its African roots. The birthplace of countless Brazilian icons, if you want to experience Black Brazil, you’ll want at least a few days here. Feast on arguably Brazil’s best street food (don’t tell SP!). Trace the history of Carnival at Casa do Carnaval, then admire stunning views over Salvador from their rooftop. Explore Candomblé, a uniquely Brazilian blend of African and Catholic religious traditions, and of course, get your Instagram-worthy photos in Pelourinho, ideally on a tour that explores the neighbourhood’s rich history in detail.
2. Natural Wonders & Sustainable Safaris
Brazil’s natural wonders are another world entirely. Besides being the world’s widest system of waterfalls, Iguassu Falls also happens to offer a handy land crossing to neighbouring Argentina, and you’ll absolutely want to visit both sides for the full experience. Brazil has the better views, though, with a panorama of this incredible cascade system and the chance to see the famed Devil’s Throat waterfall from below.
Brazil holds about 60% of the Amazon Rainforest, which remains the most biodiverse region on Earth. Begin your travels in the city of Manaus, then join a sustainable eco-tour to see the Amazon in all its diversity, including the Meeting of Waters, where the dark and sandy branches of the river flow side by side without mixing.
The Pantanal rewards those who make the journey with the planet’s best chance of seeing a wild jaguar. Just don’t get so focused on the cats that you miss the thousands of other species that thrive in these wetlands, including marsh wolves, caimans, ocelots, and capybaras. In either the Pantanal or the Amazon, consider an eco-lodge stay for optimal luxury and sustainability.
If the beach is calling you more than the tropics, Lençóis Maranhenses is a great place to experience Northeastern Brazil away from resort cities like Fortaleza or Recife (though these are fun and breathtaking places to spend several days too). This surreal landscape of rolling dunes and blue lagoon waters looks at first glance like another planet, but it’s just one more surprise Brazil has up its sleeve for curious travellers.
To keep those amazing vistas and wildlife sightings forever, consider booking a photo safari. Many providers also team with local communities to encourage sustainable tourism and keep funds within the local economy, ensuring these natural wonders and the people that live alongside them thrive for years to come.
3. Brazil Welcomes You to Share Its Table
Brazilians are a gregarious, party-loving and diverse bunch, keen to make others feel welcome. If you’re invited to a barbecue at a Brazilian home, absolutely say yes, because it’s an experience like nothing you’ve had at home. Even without local connections, you’ll want to visit at least one “churrascaria” during your visit, where succulent cuts of meat are brought to your table until you can eat no more.
Don’t devote all your time to barbecue though. Explore the Afro-Brazilian cuisine of Salvador or even take a cooking class to learn the stories behind some of the country’s most unique and tasty dishes like feijoada, vatapá and moqueca. In São Paulo, dine at one of its many Michelin-starred restaurants or hit up the restaurants around Paulista Avenue or in the innovative Pinheiros district, savor tasty Japanese creations in Liberdade, the world’s largest Japanese community outside Japan. Things get decidedly more German in Southern Brazil, influencing its culture and cuisine (imagine telling your friends you went to Oktoberfest in Brazil). Of course, no beach visit is complete without a caipirinha, Brazil’s national drink made with mint, lime, sugar and cachaça liquor.
Defined by Diversity: Black & LGBTQ+ Brazil
Officially, Afro-Brazilians make up more than 10% of Brazil’s population, though more than 50% of the country claims some African ancestry. Many of Brazil’s most famous traditions, including samba, capoeira, the Candomblé religion, much of its food, and most importantly, Carnival, emerged from Afro-Brazilian culture. While São Paulo has the highest percentage of Afro-Brazilians in the country, the state of Bahia is the heart and soul of Black Brazil. Home to the second most celebrated Carnival after Rio, Salvador embodies this unique history and culture. Born of resistance, that culture has grown to define a nation.
What city do you think has the world’s biggest Pride parade? San Francisco? New York? London? Toronto? Berlin? Wrong! It’s São Paulo, which draws a whopping 3 million people to Paulista Avenue every year. Dedicated LGBTQ+ events also take place as part of Carnival in many cities, alongside a thriving LGBTQ+ community and nightlife. Gay marriage and gender-affirming care are legal, and with a rating of 75/100 according to Equaldex, Brazil ranks within the top 20 most LGBTQ+ friendly countries in the world.
Samba the Night (or Day) Away at Carnival!
Are you ready for the world’s biggest party? Perhaps not, but that’s part of the fun at Carnival! Don’t worry, the samba schools have spent an entire year preparing! For many Brazilians, this is the most magical night of the year, so they make it count. Score a coveted seat in Rio’s Sambadrome and watch the schools in the Grupo Especial reveal their creations, or arrive a week or two early and join in the fun, rehearsing with a celebrated school like Mangueira in the lead up to the big night.
But don’t take it for granted that Carnival only happens in Rio. Carnival celebrations whip up street parties across Brazil—many official, some less so—where locals dance, drink, enjoy entertainment, beat the heat with welcome water fights, and leave the cares of another year behind them. Some cities whose carnival celebrations are worth mentioning include Salvador, in the state of Bahia, and Recife and Olinda, in the state of Pernambuco.
The official New Year is quite the celebration in Brazil, too, particularly in Rio, as fireworks ignite the skies above Copacabana Beach. Remember, it’s summer here, so expect an all-night outdoor party as only Brazil can throw one.
Christian’s first globetrotting adventure saw him get lost exploring the streets of Saigon. Following his nose to Asia’s best coffee, two lifelong addictions were born. A freelance writer and novelist, Christian’s travels have since taken him around his native Australia, Asia, Europe, and much of North America. His favourite trips have been through Japan, Spain, and Brazil, though with a love of off-beat, artsy cities, he’ll seize any opportunity to return to Paris, New York, or Berlin.
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