15 tourist places to see in Brazil
Discover the magic of one of the most beautiful countries in the world
Brazil is a country in South America that has beautiful beaches, cosmopolitan cities, large nature reserves, and the happiest people in the world.
Among the things to see in Brazil, there are impressive architectural monuments, exuberant natural landscapes, idyllic towns by the sea, along with the most famous and colorful carnival on the planet.
To know the places in this beautiful Latin American country, join us in the top 15 tourist places to visit in Brazil.
The top 15 places to visit, in the largest country in South America
1. Brasília
Brasilia is the capital of Brazil, and one of the youngest cities in the world ; its foundation was in 1960, built under the parameters of a planned city.
The city map has a shape similar to a bird or an airplane, however, residents of the Brazilian capital say that it is a butterfly.
This city stands out for its beautiful architecture, and for being the place where the political power of Brazil is based.
Some of the places to see in Brasilia are:
The Monumental Cathedral of Brasilia, with its iconic design depicting Christ's crown of thorns.
The National Museum, considered the symbol of Brasilia.
The Plaza de los Tres Poderes, where the Congress, the Senate and the government house are located.
The Brasilia National Park, for its green landscapes and the very crowded artificial pools, created from water wells.
2. Sao Paulo
Some streets in São Paulo are reminiscent of the great world cities, and it is not for less, since it is the most populous city in Brazil and one of the main urban centers in South America.
Its beautiful buildings with avant-garde architecture and its long avenues are some of its great attractions.
Among the streets of this city, there is a jewel called: Parque da Ibirapuera, nicknamed by many as the South American Central Park.
It is the green lung of São Paulo, with its 158 hectares and three artificial lakes, which give a peculiar touch to the views of this park.
Paulista Avenue is another of the places to visit in the city; since it is the most important road artery, with cultural buildings, excellent restaurants, many shops and places to see.
Other important sites are the Teatro Municipal de Sao Paulo, inspired by Italian opera houses, and the Catedral da Sé, where you will find one of the largest organs in South America.
3. Rio de Janeiro
One of the main cities to see in Brazil is the beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro, the happiest city in the country, and where its main symbols are found.
The city of Rio de Janeiro has a balance between architectural beauty and precious natural places, being one of the best places to go on vacation in Brazil.
The beauty of its iconic Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, Corcovado and Christ the Redeemer, are some of the main tourist centers that attract millions of tourists every year.
Rio de Janeiro is the city of carnival, a festival that attracts people from all over the world between the last days of February or the first days of March, as it is one of the best parties in the world.
4. Christ the Redeemer
There are elements that evoke Brazil, soccer, carnival, the Amazon jungle and Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro.
This imposing 38-meter-high sculpture stands on Mount Corcovado, from where you can get beautiful views of the city and the Atlantic Ocean.
To get to Christ the Redeemer, you must reach the Tijuca National Park, and climb the 220 steps, which will serve as a guide to the vicinity of the monument.
5. Copacabana and Ipanema Beaches
The two most emblematic beaches in Brazil are located in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Copacabana and Ipanema, which are very close to each other, being separated by the Arpoador stone.
On these beaches you will find numerous places to have fun, along with the presence of nature that surrounds the coast; seeing from Copacabana the Sugarloaf Mountain, and from Ipanema the Morro Dois Irmaos.
Both beaches are beautiful, but in Copacabana the sea is stronger; On the other hand, the sunsets in Ipanema are one of the things you cannot miss in Brazil.
6. Sugar Loaf
Another of the icons of Rio de Janeiro is the Sugar Loaf peak, a monolithic granite mountain without any vegetation, which is unique among all the mountains and hills in the city.
From the top of the Sugar Loaf, beautiful views of the city of Rio de Janeiro and Guanabara Bay will be seen.
To reach its top, you can walk or take the cable car, which is another of the tourist attractions in this area.
7. Iguazu National Park
If you are wondering where to go on vacation to Brazil, the Iguazú National Park is one of the best tourist destinations in South America.
The beauty of this natural park has made it be recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site; In addition to this, it is a protected natural area, since it has several types of jungles inside.
In this natural park, the Iguazú Falls are the most important site, considering this paradise of nature as one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
Visiting the Iguazú Falls is one of the main places to see in Brazil, and an experience that we should all live, at least once in a lifetime.
8. Lencois Maranhense National Park
Lencois Maranhense is one of the most beautiful places in Brazil and in the world, with a landscape that evokes the great deserts of Arabia, but with the possibility of seeing paradisiacal lagoons.
The scenario that extends over more than 150 thousand hectares, creates different images on the dune floor, due to the conjunction of sand and wind, showing undulating forms, or different linear formations.
The desert effect is obtained thanks to the fact that the Parnaíba and Preguicas rivers push the sand from the Atlantic Ocean, remaining in the region that is part of the national park.
The dunes of Lencois Maranhense are one of the essential visits in Brazil.
9. Paraty
This colonial city of Brazil was one of the main ports, from where the gold came out between the 16th and 19th centuries; Being today, a beautiful tourist enclave that combines history and natural beauty.
Its historic center with its cobbled streets will make you feel like you are traveling back in time.
In Paraty you cannot miss the Church of Santa Rita, standing out for the beauty that the building acquires, being located on the seashore, making this image one of the most beautiful postcards in Brazil.
The natural beauties of Paraty are the other part of its tourist proposal, the most outstanding being:
Playa Vermelha, considered by many visitors to be the best beach in the area.
Trindade beach, where you will enjoy an unmissable natural pool.
Pontal Beach, for its exuberant crystalline waters.
10. The jungle and the Amazon River
The Amazon rainforest is one of the most important points in the world.
It is considered the vegetable lung of the planet, thanks to its varied biodiversity, with an abundant fauna and flora, which provides a good part of the necessary oxygen, to produce the development of life on earth.
Although it is true that there are parts of the Amazon that can be walked, to access them you must enter by sea, that is, using the boats or ferries that cross the Amazon River.
These boats can be taken in cities, such as Manaus or Belem.
This way of traveling along the river is one of the most emblematic in the country; And if you are someone who likes adventures, the Amazon is, without a doubt, one of the places to visit in Brazil.
Just over 60% of the Amazon rainforest belongs to Brazil, extending through the north of the country.
11. Porto de Galinhas
If Copacabana and Ipanema are the most iconic beaches in Brazil, the beaches of Porto de Galinhas are considered the most beautiful in the entire country.
It is another of the places to go on vacation to Brazil, with its white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, palm trees and an incredibly spectacular environment.
Porto de Galinhas has more than 32 kilometers of coastline, with places that evoke Caribbean beaches, quiet family beaches, and spaces for water sports such as surfing.
On each of its beaches you will find restaurants, hotels, bars and places to spend time with friends or family.
Porto de Galinhas, is one of the best beaches to see in Brazil.
12. Salvador de Bahia
Today, Salvador de Bahia is a beautiful modern city that combines the grandeur of the present with the beauty of its colonial past; also possessing several of the most visited beaches in Brazil.
This city was the capital of Brazil in colonial times ; for this reason, you will find good walks through its historic center.
Some of the main visits due to the beauty of the buildings are the churches of San Francisco and Nuestra Señora del Rosario.
The beaches of Salvador de Bahía are another essential visit in this city, highlighting the following:
Praia do Porto da Barra, for its turquoise waters with its impressive architectural landscape in the background.
Flamengo Beach, with its dunes, rocks and palm trees, which give it a secluded atmosphere despite its popularity.
Boipeda Island, thanks to the beauty of its crystal clear waters and white sands, creating a beach paradise in Brazil.
13. Arraial do Cabo
The incredible beaches of Arraial do Cabo, are named "the Caribbean of Brazil", due to its clear sands, crystal clear waters and movie landscapes.
Thanks to the attractiveness of the coast, diving is an important activity, along with whale watching, having the option to choose between various tours and tourist offers to carry out these activities.
Without a doubt, Arraial do Cabo is one of the best places to see in Brazil.
14. Florianopolis
Florianópolis or Floripa as the locals call it, is a beautiful city that includes a part of the continent and an island, where you can visit up to a hundred different beaches.
In this city not only water sports are performed, but there is also space for sandboarding, thanks to the dunes of Laguna da Conceicao, a saltwater lagoon.
Another large lagoon that can be visited is Lagoa do Peri, a tourist spot, which is a freshwater lagoon.
15. Rio de Janeiro Carnival
The most magical days in Brazil are during the carnival, the most famous and visited in the world, and an emblematic celebration of the country.
For four consecutive days, the streets of Rio de Janeiro are filled with party, hubbub, beauty and parade, as the country's samba schools compete to win the best show.
One of the main locations to enjoy the carnival is the Rio de Janeiro Sambadrome, where the samba school parades take place.
How to travel safely in Brazil?
Many countries in the world suffer from crime problems due to social differences, and even more so when it comes to a tourist country.
However, Brazil is a safe country to travel to.
To opt for greater security, you could take out travel insurance for Brazil, which covers accidents, theft, or any medical emergency that may arise.
Similarly, if you want to know how to travel safely through this beautiful country, you can take into account the following tips:
Do not flaunt jewelry or expensive phones.
Don't carry too much cash.
Avoid getting drunk alone, or walking drunk at night.
Avoid favelas and dark streets.
These have been some of the most emblematic places to see in Brazil, so you can plan your next trip through this South American country.