Discover
the best things to do in Brazil with this curated bucket list of
iconic landmarks, cultural highlights, and hidden gems - from Rio’s
world-famous beaches to the wild heart of the Amazon.
Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro
Standing high above Rio on Mount Corcovado, Christ the Redeemer is Brazil’s most iconic symbol - a 30-metre-tall statue of Jesus with outstretched arms overlooking the city and Guanabara Bay. The train ride through lush Tijuca Forest builds anticipation, and the panoramic summit views are nothing short of divine.
Iguaçu Falls, Paraná
Thundering across the border with Argentina, Iguaçu Falls is an awe-inspiring display of raw power and beauty. Over 275 individual cascades plunge into a misty gorge surrounded by dense rainforest alive with toucans and butterflies. The Devil’s Throat walkway delivers a heart-pounding encounter with nature at its most dramatic.
Amazon Rainforest, Manaus Region
The vast Amazon is a living, breathing wilderness where every sound and shadow tells a story. Cruising along its inky rivers reveals pink dolphins, exotic birdlife, and ancient trees towering over tranquil lagoons. Staying in an eco-lodge allows immersive exploration while supporting indigenous communities and conservation.
Pelourinho, Salvador da Bahia
This colourful colonial district bursts with Afro-Brazilian rhythm, samba beats, and vibrant architecture. Cobbled lanes are lined with pastel façades, churches, and music spilling from doorways. By day, it’s a living museum; by night, it transforms into an open-air carnival of food, drums, and capoeira performances.
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Maranhão
A surreal expanse of white dunes dotted with turquoise lagoons, Lençóis Maranhenses feels like a mirage come to life. The wind-sculpted sand and crystal-clear pools form an ever-changing landscape perfect for swimming and photography. Its remote serenity makes it one of Brazil’s most magical natural wonders.
Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio de Janeiro
Rising 396 metres above the city, Sugarloaf’s glass cable car ride offers breathtaking views of Copacabana Beach, Guanabara Bay, and Christ the Redeemer in the distance. Watching the sunset from the summit as Rio’s lights flicker to life is one of the most unforgettable moments in South America.
Pantanal Wetlands, Mato Grosso do Sul
The Pantanal is Brazil’s premier wildlife destination - a sprawling mosaic of lagoons, forests, and grasslands teeming with life. Spot jaguars, caimans, and giant otters from a riverboat, or ride horseback through flooded plains. It’s a photographer’s dream and a naturalist’s paradise rolled into one.
Join Rio Carnival
Carnival in Rio is a euphoric explosion of music, dance, and color that captures Brazil’s infectious energy. From samba parades in the Sambadrome to street blocos alive with costumes and drums, the atmosphere is electric and unforgettable. Joining locals in celebration offers a rare glimpse into the nation’s joyful soul.
Learn Capoeira in Bahia
Capoeira blends martial arts, acrobatics, and dance into a hypnotic cultural performance born from Afro-Brazilian resistance. In Salvador, classes and street rodas let you experience its graceful yet powerful moves firsthand, often accompanied by berimbau music. It’s rhythm, culture, and history combined.
Stay with a Local Amazon Tribe Visiting a remote indigenous village offers perspective beyond tourism - it’s a chance to learn about traditional fishing, forest medicine, and sustainable living. Sharing stories around a fire or joining a community meal offers a connection to one of Earth’s oldest ways of life.
Dance the Forró in Pernambuco
Forró is the heartbeat of northeastern Brazil - an energetic couples dance filled with joy. In Recife or Olinda, locals crowd rustic dance halls to move to the accordion-driven rhythm. Even if you’re a beginner, locals will eagerly guide your steps until you find your groove.
Cook Bahian Moqueca
Learn to prepare Bahia’s iconic seafood stew - a fragrant mix of coconut milk, palm oil, peppers, and fresh fish simmered to perfection. Cooking classes often include visits to local markets, offering insight into regional flavours influenced by African and Portuguese roots.
Chapada Diamantina National Park, Bahia
This rugged mountain park is home to towering cliffs, hidden caves, and crystal waterfalls like Cachoeira da Fumaça. Hiking trails reveal emerald valleys and views that seem endless. It’s an adventurer’s paradise far from Brazil’s crowded coasts.
Ilha do Marajó, Pará
A vast island where freshwater buffalo roam and rivers meet the sea, Marajó is an untouched gem at the mouth of the Amazon. Its mangroves, beaches, and rural villages reveal Brazil’s quieter rhythms, where life moves to the sound of water and wind.
Jericoacoara, Ceará
Once a hidden fishing village, “Jeri” is a laid-back beach paradise of rolling dunes, lagoons, and nightly sunset rituals. Off-road buggy rides and kitesurfing by day give way to samba and caipirinhas under starry skies.
Alter do Chão, Pará
Known as the “Caribbean of the Amazon,” this riverside town offers white-sand beaches and emerald waters surrounded by jungle. Riverboats drift between islands while hammocks sway under palm trees - it’s pure serenity with a tropical twist.
Vale do Catimbau, Pernambuco
Brazil’s second-largest archaeological site boasts ancient rock paintings, dramatic canyons, and sandstone formations sculpted by time. It remains largely undiscovered, preserving its mystic charm.
Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro State
This car-free island of rainforest trails and secluded beaches is paradise for nature lovers. Snorkel in turquoise coves, hike to Pico do Papagaio, or simply relax on Lopes Mendes beach, one of Brazil’s most beautiful.
Visit the Museum of Tomorrow, Rio de Janeiro
This futuristic building by architect Santiago Calatrava explores science, sustainability, and humanity’s future through interactive exhibits. Its solar-powered design mirrors Rio’s commitment to innovation and climate awareness.
Participate in São João Festival, Northeast Brazil
This June festival rivals Carnival in energy, with bonfires, square dances, and fireworks celebrating rural life. Towns like Caruaru and Campina Grande burst with colour, food stalls, and music through the night.
Spot Pink River Dolphins, Amazon Basin
Known locally as boto, these mystical creatures are central to Amazonian folklore. River tours near Novo Airão let visitors watch them play in the wild - or even feed them from floating platforms.
Explore the Ghost Town of Fordlândia, Pará
Built by Henry Ford in the 1920s as a failed rubber utopia, Fordlândia is now an eerie monument to ambition and decay. Overgrown mansions and rusting factories sit silently among jungle vines.
Rio de Janeiro
• Relax on Copacabana Beach and soak up the carioca lifestyle.
Insider Tip: Visit early morning when locals jog and vendors set up.
• Explore the Tijuca National Park trails for jungle within the city.
Best Way: Book a guided hike to Pico da Tijuca for panoramic views.
• Experience Rio nightlife in Lapa’s samba clubs.
Good to Know: Fridays are busiest - arrive early for the best tables.
São Paulo
• Visit the São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP) for modern masterpieces.
Insider Tip: Go on Tuesday when entry is free.
• Wander through the Mercado Municipal for local flavours and snacks.
Best Way: Try the mortadella sandwich - it’s a city icon.
• Stroll Avenida Paulista for culture, cafés, and city views.
Good to Know: Sundays are car-free, ideal for pedestrians.
Florianópolis (Santa Catarina)
• Surf or sunbathe on Praia Mole or Joaquina Beach.
Insider Tip: Morning swells are best for surfers.
• Explore Lagoa da Conceição for water sports and dining.
Best Way: Rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard at sunset.
• Visit local oyster farms for fresh seafood experiences.
Good to Know: December to March is peak oyster season.
• Hike in Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park - dramatic waterfalls, quartz cliffs, and glowing night skies await.
Tip: Go with a guide for hidden trails and safety.
• Dive off Fernando de Noronha - crystal waters and sea turtles make it a diver’s dream.
Good to Know: Permits are limited - book early.
• Raft the Rio Jacaré-Pepira in Brotas - Brazil’s adventure capital offers Class III rapids and zip-lines.
Tip: Best from November to March when river levels rise.
• Cycle around Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas in Rio - a peaceful circuit framed by mountains.
Good to Know: Bike rentals available along the lakeside paths.
• Join a Samba Workshop in Rio - learn the moves that fuel Carnival’s energy.
Tip: Combine it with a visit to a samba school rehearsal.
• Taste Feijoada, Brazil’s national dish - slow-cooked black beans with pork and rice.
Good to Know: Traditionally served on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
• Explore São Paulo’s Street Art Scene - from Batman Alley to sprawling murals.
Tip: Take a guided tour for insight into local artists.
• Attend a Bossa Nova night in Ipanema - smooth rhythms where the genre was born.
Good to Know: Venues fill fast on weekends, reserve in advance.