Brazil is a main tourist destination in South America with 6.36 million visitors annually, offers a combination of leisure and recreation, including sun and beach as well as historic and cultural tourism. Find the best time & the most popular tourist destinations to visit in Brazil.
Top 10 Best Places to Visit in Brazil
#1. Rio de Janeiro
It is hard to find a place which is as diverse as Rio. The city abounds in beautiful beaches, robust nightlife, and crazy football fandom. The city is surrounded by lush green mountains. The coast extends for miles.
The beaches are extremely popular among the people of Rio. Visiting them is one of the best things to do in Brazil. For the locals, beaches are homes away from home. There are a number of activities that you can do on the beaches in Rio. You can do biking, hang gliding, sailing, rock climbing etc. The beaches have a number of small islands nearby. So, it is very convenient to go sailing to one of them and return the same day.
One of the best things about the city is that you will find music everywhere. The most favorite of the crowd is the Africa-influenced samba music. Just listening to them can transport you to an entirely different world. You can also explore the nightlife of Rio in Lapa.
#2. Salvador
Visiting Brazil and didn’t give a thought to Salvador? Not such a great idea. Salvador is one of the most beautiful places in Brazil. The city is highly recognized for its energy. The colonial architecture along with sumptuous food make it an ideal city to visit.
The city is known for being the New World capital of Portugal. Beautiful and historic churches line Salvador. The multi-colored buildings, colosseums and cobblestone alleys make it a highly aesthetic and explore-worthy city.
The best of Olodum drummers and Capoeira martial artists can be found here. The city is also known for its rich cultural heritage. Festivals are celebrated with a lot of gusto. The city gives impetus to rituals and religious ceremonies. You can witness the roots of Brazil in this city.
#3. São Paulo
It is one of the best cities to visit in Brazil. It is the current boom city of Brazil as everything here is burgeoning. Tourism, commerce, finance, and industry – all are seeing an upward trend.
There are a number of incredible things that you can do here. You can travel to Serra da Mantiqueira. It is a stunning mountain range and has high peaks. It can be one of your favorite cozy mountain getaways while on a vacation in Brazil. You can also go to on an island retreat to Ilhabela. If you want to explore lush green Brazilian Atlantic forest, you can go to Iporanga. You can go for a quiet beach retreat to Ubatuba. Sao Polo is a hot spot for varied nature lovers.
Deep inside the city, the vibe is more like that of New York. The city abounds in upscale bars and posh restaurants. Sao Polo is one of the poshest and most sophisticated cities of Brazil.
#4. Brasilia
It is one of the finest Brazil destinations. Brasilia is the capital of Brazil and was built in the 1960s. It Is intricately organized and well-planned by the best of the architects. The landmark infrastructure of the city is developed in the form of a huge airplane. Different sections of the plane form different sectors like culture, finance, commerce, government, and residence.
The city is known for its unique architecture and attracts professional architects and tourists alike. You can view the Presidential Palace, Congress and Supreme Court from outside as well. Don’t miss out Three Powers Square. It is one of the most famous landmarks in Brazil.
#5. Fortaleza
This is the power city and one of the best places to go in Brazil. Fortaleza is known for its shopping, vibrant culture and beautiful beaches. Some of the best beaches in the city are Iracema, Meireles, and Mucuripe. Praia do Futuro is the most favorite beach of the locals.
The oldest part of the city is called Centro and is ideal for spending your mornings in. Praira de Iracema is ideal for having a lovely evening. You can explore best restaurants, hotels, and nightlife in this area. If you want to explore the rustic charm of the city you can go to see small fishing villages. You can see witness the co-existence of posh urban life and rustic charm in this city which makes it a lot more majestic.
#6. Paraty
If you crave greenery, Paraty is one of the best Brazil attractions for you. The city bursts with tropical forests, huge coastal mountains, waterfalls and emerald green seas. The city was once a huge Portugal colony.
It is one among the 10 best places to visit in Brazil and you will definitely have fun time to explore it. The buildings are multi-colored and built in colonial style. Many houses are developed in bed and breakfast style. These kinds of houses are called ‘pousadas’ by the locals. The city gives off an ancient vibe.
The colonial forts of Paraty are the highlights of the city. Some of them still have their original cannons in place.
#7. Recife
The city is called the ‘Venice of Brazil’ and abounds in bridges, waterways, islets, peninsulas and tropical rainforests. There is a huge network of islands and rivers which can be explored. The city is rich in culture as well as beaches. Boa Viagem is the most popular beach in the city and is a must-visit. Its beauty lies in its coral reefs and white sand. If you have hydrophilia, Recife is the right place for you.
#8. Olinda
This city is located just six km away from Recife. The town is well-surrounded by lush green trees. It homes a number of restaurants, museums, and churches.
This town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The charm of the city lies in its aesthetically-painted houses, monasteries, ancient architecture and convents. If you are a pensive traveler who wants to know the roots of places, unravel mysteries and hear stories from the locals then Olinda is the right place for you. The city is a colony of small artists and hence the creative quotient here is high. You can always witness African music and dance during the daytime.
#9. Manaus
It is one of the most trending Brazil vacation spots. The city is considered as the gateway to the massive Amazon rainforest. The town stands on the Negro river. It has some of the most iconic Brazilian landmarks like Amazonas Opera House and Rio Negro Palace.
You can always discover nature at the meeting of the waters. It is a 3-mile stretch where the Negro river and Solimoes run parallel to each other. Both these rivers converge and form the mighty Amazon which is regarded as the lifeline of Brazil. You can also visit the small museum which is located just outside the city.
#10. Iguazu Falls
Thinking about where to go in Brazil for quality adventures then Iguazu falls are your best bet. Visiting them is one of the most fun things to do in Brazil. The falls are a natural wonder and run for 2.7 km along the Argentinian border.
The combination of exotic wildlife, breathtaking waterfall and lush green forests make it a highly scenic spot for the tourists. You can visit Iguacu city as your base camp and then enjoy your journey to the Devil’s Throat. You might even consider hiring a zodiac (tourist boat) for your convenience. This place is for wild adventure lovers and not for faint hearted peeps!
Best time to visit Brazil
April to June is the ideal time to visit the country. August to October is also a favorable duration. Remaining months present very hot and tiring weather for travel and exploration.