The Top 6 Destinations To Visit in Brazil

Brazil has recently come to light as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. When you compare the country to its Latin American counterparts, Brazil comes second only to the Dominican Republic regarding revenues. Even then, the difference isn’t too high.

Reports keep rolling in every day that speaks of the success of the pro-tourism policies introduced by the government. Currently, the Brazilian state has spent much on improving tourism infrastructure. Brazil has transformed into a central tourism hub that is expected to continue growing for the foreseeable future.

Brazil's rich culture and history make it an immense joy to visit. It’s home to the Amazon forest, has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and there’s a lot to be said about the cuisine and the nightlife in the country. Each city in the country has something unique to offer visitors, the most notable of these are listed below.

#6 SÃO PAULO, SÃO PAULO

São Paulo has traditionally been one of the more popular places to visit in Brazil. Owing to its easy accessibility and the high levels of urbanization, it’s often set apart from other major cities throughout the entire South American continent. The city is also the center of most of Brazil's commercial and cultural activities.

Some popular destinations to visit in São Paulo include the São Paulo Cathedral, Museu do Futebol, Museu de Arte de São Paulo, Ibirapuera Park and many others. If you’re a first-timer coming to Brazil, São Paulo is one of the best destinations anyone can go to.

Estaiada Bridge in São Paulo, Brazil

#5 BRASÍLIA, FEDERAL DISTRICT

Brasília is the capital of Brazil, chosen for its central location to replace Rio De Janeiro as the seat of the government. Because it’s the country's capital, Brasília is much more developed than many other regions in the country. It combines the Brazilian culture with modern innovation, which is an absolute delight to witness.

The city is the center of the country's most advanced and sophisticated architecture. People visit Brasília just to check out the advanced techniques employed in the city's construction. The notable destinations in the city include:

1. The Square of the Three Powers,
2. The Catedral Metropolitana Nossa Senhora Aparecida
3. The Palacio Itamaraty
4. The Museum of Indigenous People
5. The Sanctuary of Dom Bosco
6. The Television Tower

This isn’t even the complete list of places that people flock to. There are plenty of other locations throughout the city that you can visit, each with its own history and unique architectural expression.

Brasilia TV Tower - Brasilia, Distrito Federal

#4 PARATY, RIO DE JANEIRO

Paraty is one of the most fascinating places to visit throughout Brazil, owing mainly to the sheer versatility of the tourist attractions in the city. It’s a mixture of natural beauty and urban landscapes and offers visitors a little bit of everything. The Brazilian government has gone out of its way to maintain the natural landscapes surrounding the city, which only adds to its beauty.

The city is also on the Brazilian coastline following the shores of the beach of Cão Morto. Interestingly, the surrounding geography also has hillsides that people can hike around, like the Saco do Mamanguá. Additionally, there are plenty of mangrove forests and opportunities to go around boating on the surrounding beaches.

Trindade Beach, Paraty, Rio de Janeiro

#3 RIO DE JANEIRO, RIO DE JANEIRO

Rio de Janeiro is the most popular city in Brazil, known worldwide as the main Brazilian city, often mistaken as the capital, “Girl from Impanema” a song used in many movies to this day, how can we forget “Rock in Rio” massive music event, and where the 2014 FIFA world cup was held. A lot of money was spent on Rio during the world cup, and these funds transformed the city to make it a thriving tourism hub for visitors from around the world.

Known for its iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, Rio de Janeiro is a city that combines the natural beauty of its mountains and beaches with the vibrant culture of its streets. Explore the historic churches, marvel at the breathtaking views from Sugarloaf Mountain, and enjoy the lively atmosphere at the beachside bars and hotels.

Among the other places I’ve listed, Rio has to be one of the best, offering the most entertainment and cultural value. There's something for everyone in Rio with monuments like Christ the Redeemer and places like the Sugar Loaf, the Copacabana Beach and Ipanema beach. Interestingly enough, Rio is also the one city where the state’s spent a lot of money on eco-preservation, setting up botanical gardens that give you a taste of the natural beauty in Brazil without leaving the city.

The city’s also well-developed and widely recognized as one of the major commercial centers in the country. Rio de Janeiro is the place to visit if you want to live comfortably with all the amenities of a modern-day city.

Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro

#2 FORTALEZA, CEARÁ

This city is the prized gem of all tourism coming through Brazil. Fortaleza is built along 30 kilometres, almost 19 miles, of beaches offering a vigorous nightlife and some of the most beautiful coastal views you’ve ever seen. There are ten different beaches on the coastline of Fortaleza, mixed with Aquatic parks and world-class eateries.

Many public and private investments have been diverted to the city over the past few years, making Fortaleza a tourist hub worldwide. Many European and American airlines have also decided to fly to the city, which is adding to the hype surrounding this region.

While central Fortaleza is already a reasonably well-developed region, the city’s slowly expanding along the coast as people buy beach villas. Compared to property in other areas of Brazil, the estates along the coast of Fortaleza are highly prized amongst investors since these areas are still relatively unexplored. I’m working with one of these developers, selling fully-furnished, luxury turnkey beach villas for as low as $107,000 USD.

Related content: The Basics Of How To Get A Second Passport Or A Second Residency

Boats in Fortaleza Beach, Ceará, Brasil

#1 FLORIANÓPOLIS, SANTA CATARINA

Florianópolis is the safest capital of Brazil on the island state of Santa Catarina. It is prized both by Brazilians and foreigners alike. It has over 40 beaches to visit. You must visit Joaquina Beach, it has sand dunes where people practice sandboarding, and it is well known for its awesome waves for surfing.

I recently started helping people invest in Florianópolis in the real estate market, which is also my favourite city in Brazil. So I may be a little biased here, but Floripa, as natives call it, is a city that I can’t just describe in a small 3 paragraph post. It has way too much to offer. You need to visit there to understand all Floripa has for you, its infrastructures, a mix of old and new in The Public Market.

Thinking of the city itself caused me almost to forget to mention the nightlife. It is filled with nightclubs, restaurants and things to keep your party going from night to morning. There’s absolutely no way anyone visiting Floripa wouldn’t have something to do. It's a tourist and living paradise.

Florianópolis, Santa Catarina

other places to visit in brazil

Brazil is a country of immense variety, boasting natural wonders, historic towns, and vibrant cities that cater to tourists from all corners of the globe. Here are other destinations that should be on your must-visit list when planning a trip to this South American gem.

Iguaçu Falls: Located on the border with Argentina, Iguaçu Falls is one of the world's most awe-inspiring waterfalls. Witness the power and grandeur of these cascading waters as they plunge into the rivers below. The surrounding national park offers trails and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Pantanal: The world's largest tropical wetland area, the Pantanal is a paradise for nature enthusiasts. Explore its vast landscapes, filled with diverse wildlife, including jaguars and capybaras. Stay in rustic lodges and immerse yourself in the unique ecosystem of swamps, rivers, and lakes.

Recife: This historic coastal town is known for its charming streets and colorful buildings. Explore the historic churches and visit the museums to learn about Brazil's rich history. The city's lively atmosphere, beautiful beaches, and vibrant food scene make it a fantastic destination.

Salvador: The capital of the state of Bahia, Salvador is a city deeply rooted in Afro-Brazilian culture. Its historic center, Pelourinho, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with cobblestone streets, colonial buildings, and lively squares. Experience the unique blend of African and Brazilian traditions through music, dance, and food.

Manaus: Nestled in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, Manaus is a gateway to the wonders of this vast ecosystem. Take a boat tour on the Amazon River, visit the famous Opera House, and explore the nearby rivers and lakes that showcase the Amazon's incredible biodiversity.

Conclusion

Brazil has a place for every style. It's a developing country to visit with many mixes of nature and modern that causes you to wonder how Brazilians did this mix so well. There are places like Brazilia for the architecture lover, Fortaleza for beach lovers, and Rio for those that like beaches but prefer a bigger city setting. Then we have my dear Floripa, which has a bit of everything Brazil has to offer. If any of these places attract you, you should contact us so we can start planning your permanent residency or investments.