Vacation Destinations in Brazil

Brazil is the giant of South America and impresses not only with its size: Overwhelming culture in its metropolises, breathtaking landscapes, and dreamlike beaches like those in paradise - Brazil could hardly be more diverse. Let yourself be enchanted by the charm of the country. I will show you the most beautiful vacation destinations in Brazil.

Brazil is a country that definitely belongs on every bucket list. With 8.5 million square kilometers to explore, it offers so much to discover, so many facets, culturally rich metropolises, and absolutely fascinating nature. While only the city of Rio de Janeiro has been checked off by many, I guarantee that as the fifth largest country on earth, you can find many more highlights in Brazil that are hardly explored touristically. Come with me to the many vacation destinations in the land of contrasts.

São Paulo | Rio de Janeiro

Salvador | Recife

Foz do Iguaçu| Manaus

Jericoacoara | Fernando de Noronha

Sunshine, spirit, and soccer - that's Brazil. The vast country in South America attracts with world metropolises like São Paulo - the tenth largest city in the world - and the charming coastal city of Rio de Janeiro. Discover which highlights you must not miss and what other cities in Brazil will delight you with culture and charm, now.

Guru Tip: Did you know that you can book unique tours and activities with locals through Airbnb? I've already found some offers for Brazil:

São Paulo will blow you away! Even when approaching the world metropolis, your jaw drops as you try to glimpse the city limits behind the gigantic, never-ending skyscrapers. The city is pure fascination and is home to 21 million people. The rich culture from around the world has come together in this region, making it an absolutely unique place. The metropolis of São Paulo is a good starting point to get to know Brazil. On the one hand, flights here are among the cheapest, and on the other, the city has an incredible amount to offer to quench your thirst for sights and excitement.

In contrast to Rio, São Paulo is often overlooked as a highlight of Brazil. Unjustly, because even though the city is more known for its economy than for beach and relaxed lifestyle, it offers so much culture and diversity like hardly any other city in Brazil.

The streets of São Paulo are quite crowded, so it takes some time to get to the center. Once you've made it, I recommend strolling down the bustling Rua 25 de Março - you couldn't get to know the metropolis better. At the Mercado Municipal, you can explore the world of South American fruits, admire the Catedral da Sé, the central point of the city, and discover the vibrant activity on the famous Avenida Paulista. Beco do Batman is a popular area in western São Paulo, where you can admire colorful, truly impressive street art. One masterpiece follows another. If you're looking for some peace in the urban jungle, flee to Parque do Ibirapuera. Here you can walk, jog, skateboard, or simply relax in the sun and enjoy the view of the skyline.

Samba, sun, and zest for life - that's what probably comes to mind when you think of Rio de Janeiro, right? The coastal city on the South Atlantic symbolizes pure life and is probably what Brazil represents for most people. Although the country has so much more to offer, as you will find out, I can only agree with you: Rio is an absolute must-see and offers so many highlights that you could probably spend a whole month there to discover everything. If you can't make it to Rio de Janeiro for Carnival, don't be disappointed; the life here pulses 365 days a year. The joy of life of the Brazilians is simply contagious, music rhymes echo from every corner, and you see them shaking their hips to samba.

If you truly want to experience Rio, you should plan at least a week to cover all the hotspots. And there are plenty of them: Discover the picturesque artist quarter of Santa Teresa, the colorful walls, and the famous Escadaria Selarón, enjoy the view over the entire city from the Christ the Redeemer statue Cristo Redentor on Corcovado, and sunbathe on Copacabana beach.

Experience Brazilians in their passion - soccer.

More impressive street art awaits you at Porto Maravilha. There you'll find fascinating graffiti created for the Olympics, now the largest street art artwork in the world. Stroll along the palm-lined coast to the famous Sugarloaf Mountain and experience Brazilians indulging in their passion on Rio's beaches: soccer. Ah, I could go on for hours. For more on what you can experience, I have summarized it in my article about Rio de Janeiro.

In the Northeast of Brazil, in Salvador, you are in the global capital of street carnival and the capital of the state of Bahia. If you've been in Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo before, you will feel like you're in a completely different country, as Salvador has little in common with the two cities in southern Brazil. With 2.6 million inhabitants, it is Brazil's third largest city after the aforementioned metropolises, but it still offers much heritage and culture.

When you arrive in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed part of the old town, Pelourinho, you will notice: the city is colorful in every sense - colorful houses adorned with vibrant flowers and plants, shops decorated with colors, and dancing and singing people everywhere. In the opulent colonial-era churches, Brazilians sing with all their soul, celebrating the holy mass and life itself. Salvador is just so alive, and you'll immediately want to partake in it.

Guru Tip:

With English, you won't get far in Salvador and generally in Northeast Brazil. Spanish can help, but they primarily speak Portuguese here. If you're not fluent in the language, just use your hands and feet.

Make sure to stroll through one of the many street markets, where you can buy handmade jewelry, paintings, and many other exciting items, and get to know the culture of Salvador's inhabitants. The famous Elevador Lacerda takes you from the upper to the lower district by the water. Also head to Barra, the southwestern tip of Salvador. The view of the deep blue shimmering sea, especially from the lighthouse Farol da Barra, is simply breathtaking. If you are looking for more beach vibes, you can reach Praia do Forte, a tourist destination north of the city limits, in about 90 minutes.

On the easternmost coastline of Brazil lies the city of Recife, with 1.5 million inhabitants in the state of Pernambuco. Recife translates to 'reef' and is directly related to the city's local rock formations. Recife itself is very untouristed. I have also been there and can only highly recommend coming, because how else can you get to know a culture? At Praça do Marco Zero, you may still meet one or two travelers, but if you head into the city center and stroll through the markets, you are pretty sure to be the only tourist. I found this experience absolutely fascinating. I also found out how warm-hearted the people of Pernambuco are and how they try to assist visitors with all their might, even despite language barriers and make their cute town appealing.

You must not miss a trip to the colonial town of Olinda, which is about 20 minutes away by bus. Why, you ask? If you speak some Portuguese, you might have already figured it out: Ó linda means 'Oh, how beautiful!' - and that's exactly what Olinda is - stunning! Much like in Salvador, the houses are lined up in vibrant colors, but the town has its own unique charm. The townscape appears very original, with colonial-style houses that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Each house is adorned with plants and flowers, the alleys are quaint with cobblestones. You'll notice there are incredibly many churches here. I was particularly impressed by the Benedictine monastery Mosteiro de São Bento. You can definitely tell how much love went into the details here, even hundreds of years ago. Be sure to take a look inside.

Due to the presence of sharks, caution is advised at the beaches in Recife!

Since it is hot all year round in Recife with temperatures around 30°C, the nearby beaches are significant hotspots. But be cautious! While the beaches Praia de Olinda and Praia de Boa Viagem entice with shimmering waters and gentle waves, swimming is only allowed in small, marked sections due to the high shark population. You'll be better off at the beautiful beach in Porto de Galinhas located 60 km south of Recife. The natural pools with crystal-clear water and the snow-white sandy beaches will make you feel like you're in paradise.

Brazil doesn't just offer world metropolises, large cities, and places. Quite the opposite: 60% of the Amazon rainforest is located in Brazil and occupies half of the country's area. Brazil's nature is not only spectacular but also incredibly diverse: From roaring waterfalls, tropical rainforests, dry sand areas, to exotic dream beaches, Brazil will surprise you with wonderful landscapes.

The town of Foz do Iguaçu is located in southern Brazil in the state of Paraná, at the border with Argentina and Paraguay. However, it primarily serves as a starting point for an internationally renowned highlight: the Iguazu Falls, the Cataratas do Iguaçu. Not for nothing are they considered to be among the most spectacular waterfalls in the world, as the sight is truly unique and fascinating. Stretching almost three kilometers are 20 large and 255 small waterfalls, plunging from heights of up to 82 meters in this tri-border region of South America. It's no wonder this natural spectacle was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

For a fair price, you will be driven by shuttle in the national park to the first viewpoint. From there you can also easily stroll along the waterfalls and through the forests, while being entertained by the South American coatis that run around quite unashamedly among tourists. Once you reach the rear section of the falls, you can walk out over a platform slightly over the falls to get completely soaked by the upper waterfalls. It's worth it, I tell you, because the view you get when you're standing among the many waterfalls is simply phenomenal. If all that isn't enough, you can also check out the Argentine side of the Cataratas do Iguaçu. I can also recommend the bird park Parque das Aves opposite the entrance on the Brazilian side, where you can discover various South American bird species and exotic plants across 16 hectares.

The city of Manaus is located on the Rio Negro, which flows into the Amazon here. This makes it the perfect starting point for your exploration of the Amazon area. The world's largest river meanders over almost 7,000 kilometers across South America, from the Peruvian Andes to the Atlantic on the northeastern Brazilian coast. The journey to Manaus is only possible by plane, as the city lies in the middle of the state of Amazonas, which consists of water and rainforest, and shares the same name as the gigantic river. The biggest shock awaits you probably right after leaving the plane: You will be greeted by temperatures of up to 104°F and 90% humidity. But the sight of the nature will compensate for the slight discomfort. I promise!

Guru Tip:

Prepare well for your journey into the rainforest. Without a guide, the risk of getting lost is enormous! Be cautious of poisonous animals and find out about necessary protective measures against diseases such as malaria or dengue fever.

It is best to book a tour with a reputable provider, as you should not explore the Amazon basin on your own. Long walks and boat rides on the Amazon will take you deep into the wilderness of the rainforest. And it is truly absolutely impressive what you can discover here. The rainforest is full of life: over 1,500 different species of fish inhabit the river system, including dangerous types like the vampire fish and piranhas, and caimans and poison dart frogs also call the Amazon rainforest home. You see: a trip through the jungle is not without its dangers, but truly impressive.

In the north of the massive country of Brazil, you will find the small town of Jericoacoara, about 186 miles west of the million city of Fortaleza. Here you won't find wet rainforest or plunging waterfalls like those of Iguazu. Instead, you will find sand... lots of sand. Jericoacoara is located in the midst of a fascinating dune area, declared a national park, which is interspersed with freshwater lakes. Jeri, as the town is lovingly called, is an oasis on the Brazilian North Coast and a paradise for wind and kite surfers.

Just a few years ago, Jericoacoara was still a sleepy fishing village.

Do you enjoy relaxation combined with sports and fun, preferably without much tourism, and with lots of sunshine? No problem, head to Jericoacoara! Here, the world is still in order, everything runs a little slower, the streets are made of sand, and life is easy and very much in hippie style. Not long ago, this charming place was still an isolated fishing village, without electricity or access to the outside world through phones or television. Today, only a few travelers stray into the paradise to enjoy surfing, buggy tours, or riding through the dune landscapes, and experience the closeness to the local culture. Lying in the sun with cows and donkeys, swimming in the azure-clear sea, and spending the evening together at sunset on Duna Por do Sol. What a day!

The enchanting archipelago of Fernando de Noronha lies 350 kilometers east of the Brazilian mainland, well hidden in the Atlantic. In fact, this idyllic patch of earth is not only a well-preserved and protected UNESCO World Heritage site but also the secret favorite vacation destination of many Brazilians. On 21 different islands, you'll find numerous exotic and sometimes rare plant species, as well as a fascinating wildlife consisting of rare birds, reptiles, and dolphins. Especially for divers and snorkelers, it is a true underwater paradise: exotic, colorful fish, sea turtles, and dolphins feel particularly at home far from the mainland.

The paradise attracts not only animals - the breathtaking marine world and the dreamy beaches also draw travelers who lose their hearts here and never want to return. I can understand it because I was simply fascinated by how wonderfully charming Fernando de Noronha is. Waking up to the sun in the morning and starting the day on the beach, a little dive in the morning and a bowl of fresh Brazilian fruits as a snack, then taking an afternoon nap at the bay while turning the first impressions into dreams - enchanting, I say. The beach Baia do Sancho on Fernando de Noronha is even ranked number one on the list of the most beautiful beaches in the world! So, who isn't tempted for a vacation in paradise?

I get real butterflies in my stomach when I think back to my time in Brazil. The country has so much charm, with its unique and vibrant culture, wonderfully idyllic places, phenomenal nature, and gigantic metropolises. I am simply enchanted. Are you too? Then quickly book your vacation and head off to the land of samba, joy of life, and culture.