Home to the Amazon rainforest, crashing waterfalls, gorgeous white-sand beaches, vibrant metropolises and a Wonder of the World, Brazil certainly lives up to its status as the fifth largest country in the world. Here’s our top things to do in Brazil and the experiences you shouldn’t miss.
1. Stand at the feet of Christ the Redeemer
Towering 2,310 feet above the city of Rio De Janeiro, on the summit of Mount Corcovado, the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue is a must-see for anyone visiting Brazil’s former capital.
Officially deemed as a New Wonder of the World, the statue was completed in 1931 (after taking nine years to build) and is the largest art deco statue in the world. After reaching the feet of the statue, spend some time soaking up the outstanding panoramic views over the city and beyond.
2. Take a cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain
A trip to Sugarloaf Mountain is definitely one of the top things to do in Brazil, with over 37 million visitors having taken the cable car there since it opened in 1912.
The picturesque peak rises almost 400m out of Rio’s harbour and offers amazing views from its summit. Take the glass cable-car to the first point at Urca Hill for spectacular views of the bay and its surrounding islands, before boarding second cable car to the top of Sugarloaf for an unforgettable 360-degree view of the entire city.
Don’t forget your camera!
3. Soak up the beauty of Iguazu Falls
Balanced across the border between Brazil and Argentina, together the jaw-dropping Igazu Falls make up the largest waterfall system in the world.
The falls are made up of 275 separate waterfalls, which at certain points, are 31m taller than Canada’s more famous Niagara Falls and twice as wide!
The colossal power of these thundering falls is truly a mesmerizing sight, and one of the best Brazil tourist attractions. You can even board a glass elevator, which will take you to a platform where you can get even closer to the exquisite views.
4. Spend a night in the Amazon
Undoubtedly one of Brazil’s top tourist attractions is the Amazon rainforest, 60% of which is located in Brazil.
For an unforgettable back-to-nature experience, you can spend a night in the heart of the forest. Eco lodges are becoming an incredibly popular way of immersing yourself in the rainforest’s fascinating biodiversity, discovering the flora and fauna that surround you.
Take nature hikes with local, experienced guides and learn about the wildlife and people that call the jungle home.
5. Get a taste of true Brazil in Salvador
Once the country’s capital, and a major player in the slave trade, the city of Salvador is now the beating cultural heart of Brazil and Afro-Brazilian culture.
A lively art scene thrives here, with the streets filled with dance and music all year round. Take a city tour and admire the 17th and 18th-century architecture, and don’t miss out on a visit to the Pelourinho neighborhood: Salvador’s historic heart where you’ll fall in love with the quaint cobblestone alleys, colourful buildings and baroque churches.
6) Relax on Guarajuba beach
Brazil has no shortage of beautiful beaches to sink your toes into, but one of the most beautiful can be found about 80km north from Salvador in the shape of Praia do Forte and Praia de Guarajuba.
Known for their clear waters and white sand, it’s here that you can visit the headquarters of the TAMAR Project, the national sea turtle preservation project and one of Brazil’s most successful ecological programmes.
7) Witness the ‘Meeting of the Waters’
The spectacle of the ‘Meeting of Waters’ is a point where the dark Rio Negro and the sandy-hued Amazon River meet, but miraculously do not merge.
A clear line separates the two rivers, something which has fascinated tourists for years. You can now take a boat trip to the point where the rivers meet, just off the banks of Manaus.
8) People-watch on lively Copacabana beach
One of Brazil’s most iconic beaches and attractions is the vibrant stretch of white sand along Copacabana beach in Rio De Janeiro.
Flanked by busy kiosks and swaying palm trees, Copacabana beach is a frenzy of activity. Sunbathers, beach vendors, sports enthusiasts all jostle for a spot on the sand, bringing an infectious energy to the shoreline complemented by a backing track of samba music.
