From the sun-drenched beaches of Rio de Janeiro to remote wilderness areas in the Amazon rainforest and Pantanal wetlands, you’ll be amazed by the natural wonders on show in Brazil. Explore wildlife-rich national parks, dress up for feather-strewn festivals or simply kick back with a caipirinha, the national cocktail of Brazil.
Things to do in Brazil
Framed by towering mountains, Rio de Janeiro is nothing short of cinematic. Christ the Redeemer watches over the metropolis from atop the 710-metre-high Corcovado. Ride the narrow-gauge train to the summit or tackle the rainforest-covered hiking trail. Cool off at iconic Copacabana Beach. Watch sun-bronzed locals play beach soccer and check out the colourful LGBTQ+ scene in front of the landmark Copacabana Palace Hotel.
Visit Parque Nacional da Tijuca and explore one of the last-remaining pockets of the Atlantic rainforest. Well-marked trails wind through the park and take you to tumbling waterfalls and hidden caves. Look for monkeys and iguanas perched in the trees. Wear good hiking shoes if you plan to summit the 1,012-metre-high Pico da Tijuca.
Find adventure around every corner in Brazil. Kayak through the Amazon rainforest, scale rock walls in Serra do Cipó National Park and learn to surf in Florianopolis. Riverboat cruises are the best way to explore The Pantanal. It’s one of the largest tropical wetland zones in the world and a sanctuary for jaguars and cobalt-blue hyacinth macaws.
From Festival de Cachaça in Paraty to Carnaval, there’s always something to celebrate in Brazil. Knock back beers at the enormous Oktoberfest party in Blumenau and catch the colourful “Semana Santa” Easter celebrations in Ouro Preto. Throughout the year, you can learn to samba in Rio, join a drum circle in Salvador and chill out to reggae beats in Sao Luis.
The sheer size and power of Cataratas do Iguaçu will take your breath away. The Waterfall Trail skirts the riverbank and takes you to the famous Devil's Throat cascade. Continue along the trail to the base of Salto Floriano. Walk out onto the viewing platform to get closer to the thundering falls.
Getting around Brazil
Domestic flights are a good way to cover long distances. Buses are a good overland option and connect major towns and cities across Brazil, while riverboats and overnight ferries are a novel option. Use taxis or rideshare services to get around cities like Rio and São Paulo.