In recent years, Brazil has become a sought-after tourist destination for its cultural richness, dreamy landscapes, paradisiacal beaches, and overall great atmosphere. Everyone should take a trip to Brazil at least once in their lifetime. It is a real pleasure to travel in this country that offers so many exciting experiences and film-like sights. Many of its cities have the distinction of being World Heritage Sites, such as Ouro Preto or Olinda, and for nature lovers, Brazil has many national parks that do not disappoint.
Brazil is a big country and seeing it all is quite difficult. However, if we organise our trip well, we can cover quite a few cities and points of interest as we tell you below. And if we miss anything, we’ve got an excuse to come back.
Cities that are essential on your trip to Brazil
There are plenty of worthwhile cities in Brazil. However, due to the size of the country, it is very difficult to visit them all. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the most interesting cities to visit on your trip to Brazil.
1. São Paolo
São Paulo is Brazil’s largest city, and its economic capital. Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it in São Paulo. The best restaurants, nightlife and a great cultural offer. At the disposal of tourists, the city has more than seventy theatres. The Museu de Arte de São Paulo (MASP) and Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo are the must-sees. For football fans, there’s also a football-themed museum.
São Paulo is also a city of contrasts. In some areas you can see devastating poverty, while other neighbourhoods stand out for their modern architecture and lines of skyscrapers.
2. Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is undoubtedly Brazil’s most famous city. When we think of this city, the first thing that comes to mind is Christ the Redeemer atop the Corcovado Mountain in the Tijuca National Park. However, there is much more to see. In the Tijuca National Park, for example, you can hike among toucans and monkeys.
If you’re looking for peace and quiet, the beaches, including Ipanema and Copacabana, are the perfect place to enjoy the weather and the views. We also recommend getting lost in the city and looking for the Selaron staircase.
Everybody who visits the city highlights the good atmosphere that radiates from its streets, the samba and the partying in general. If you have the chance, you can’t miss the Rio de Janeiro carnival, which takes place every year, forty days before Easter as we tell you in this post: Things to do and see on your travel to Rio de Janeiro.
3. Brasilia
The most interesting thing about Brasília is its origins. The city, now a world heritage site, was built in less than five years to be the country’s capital. It’s home to many modernist-style buildings with whitewashed finishes designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer, which house the main tourist attractions. Did you know that, from the sky, Brasília is shaped like an aeroplane?
Regular travel itineraries to Brazil do not usually include Brasília. It is only recommended to visit if there is a stopover. However, the city also has a lot to offer, such as the TV Tower, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Brasília or the Square of the Three Powers as we tell you in Things to do and see on your travel to Brasilia.
4. Fortaleza
Fortaleza is located in the northeast of Brazil and is famous for its beaches and nightlife. It’s also the birthplace of “forro”, a style of folk music and dance that will liven up your holiday. Fortaleza is one of the largest cities in the country, but it doesn’t have many tourist attractions. So it’s recommended that you only go for a couple of days to enjoy the beach and the festive atmosphere.
5. Porto Alegre
Porto Alegre is one of the most populated cities in Brazil and with the best quality of life. The cultural offer is immense and there are several parks that you can’t miss. The main tourist attractions are the Botanical Garden, Farroupilha Park, the Central Public Market, the Art Museum of Rio Grande do Sul and Rua Da Praia. Find out more about Porto Alegre in the post Things to do and see in Porto Alegre Brazil.
Organise your travel itinerary with Passporter easy and functional. Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers and choose the places that interest you the most, adding them to the route map.
6. Salvador de Bahia
In Salvador de Bahia, you can’t miss the colonial old town, which has been named a World Heritage Site for its colourful architecture and unique beauty. Other points of interest in the city include the Mercado Modelo, the Lake of the Gods and the beaches.
If you want to know what places to visit in this city, you can read our post: Things to do in Salvador de Bahia Brazil.
7. Ouro Preto
Ouro Preto means “black gold” because this city, which became the capital of the country, was an important place for the search of gold. The city, located on the side of a mountain, is quite small, and its interest lies in the old town, which is of colonial origin. Ouro Preto is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in the country and one that you definitely have to include on your travel route to Brazil.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What are the best beaches in Brazil?
Brazil has the 15th longest national coastline in the world, and boasts more than 7,000 km of beaches with different types of landscapes. Some are surrounded by dunes, others by wild forests, and others are surrounded by coral reefs for snorkelling. Read on for all the details of these paradisiacal enclaves.
1. Jericoacoara
The small town of Jericoacoara, isolated by the dunes of the Jericoacoara National Park, surprises the tourist with the most spectacular beaches in Brazil. It is the perfect place to disconnect from the world and see the most beautiful sunsets. There are no cars as the streets are not asphalted, and there is no street lighting. The shops in the area illuminate the streets at night with candles and dim lights. If you want to know more about Things to do and see in Jericoacoara Brazil
2. Florianópolis
Unlike the previous one, this beach is characterised by its green and wild landscapes. It’s the perfect place for water sports and the nightlife is very pleasant. It is also worth visiting the coastal villages that protect the beach.
3. Lopes Mendes
Lopes Mendes beach is located on Ilha Grande and is considered the most beautiful beach in Brazil. White sand, nature, and lots of marine life. If you visit the beach, you can book snorkelling and diving excursions. You won’t be disappointed. Ilha Grande is definitely a must on any trip to Brazil, as we tell you about it in this post: Things to do in Ilha Grande Brazil.
Other destinations that are a must on your trip to Brazil
We’ve seen the country’s cities and best beaches, now it’s time to take a look at the main national parks and natural attractions.
1. Iguazú Falls
Located in the Iguazu National Park, these 82 m-high falls are already visible from the plane. They can be accessed from both Brazil and Argentina, and offer enough activities to spend a couple of days surrounded by nature. The entrance fee is 71.4 Brazilian reais, 11.55 for children.
Among the various activities offered by the park, you can choose between visiting the falls in a helicopter for around €100 per person, or taking a ride in a 4×4 while the park’s flora and fauna are explained to you. There are also night boat trips on full moon days, but these must be booked in advance. And if you can’t stand the heat any longer, we recommend you go under the San Martín waterfall, where you’re sure to get wet. The waterfalls will not leave you indifferent, and are definitely a must-see on your trip to Brazil.
2. Gran Pantanal
Located between Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay is the Gran Pantanal, which with an extension of 220,000 km is the largest wetland in the world. The most characteristic of this place is the great biodiversity it contains, with more than 3,000 species of plants and 1,000 species of animals. For this reason, it is also known as Noah’s Ark and has the distinction of World Heritage Site. We tell you more about Things to do on your travel to Pantanal Brazil.
3. National Park of Lençóis Maranhenses
The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is made up of 155,000 hectares of white sand dunes and crystal-clear lagoons. This desert, however, surprises by its great biodiversity and tourist offer. Nearby villages such as the village Atins or São Luís offer accommodation for tourists and visits to the most beautiful places, such as the boat trip down the Preguiças River. The beaches are also worthy of admiration and invite you to relax and disconnect from the world amidst endless dunes.
4. Manaus
For nature lovers, Manaus is paradise. From this hidden village in the middle of the Amazon, all the excursions to enjoy the surrounding flora and fauna are organised. The town itself is also attractive, and its architecture in the middle of nature is very striking. From there you can book excursions to see the meeting of the waters of the Rio Negro and Rio Solimoes, see the pink dolphins of the Amazon, visit indigenous villages or hike through the jungle.
Which are the best carnivals in Brazil?
You’ve probably already heard of Brazil’s world-famous carnivals. But which is the best city to see them? Carnivals take place 40 days before Easter, usually starting at the end of February and lasting four days. They are a spectacle of colour, costumes, music and lots of dancing. The samba is non-stop, and you’ll find it hard not to move every joint in your body to the rhythm of the music.
Most Brazilian cities have their own carnival, but the most impressive is in Rio de Janeiro. Other cities such as Sao Paolo, Recife, Salvador de Bahia also have very special carnivals. No matter which city you’re in, you’re sure to have the time of your life!
What to see in Brazil in 3 weeks
Brazil is a huge country, so it’s recommended that you spend at least three weeks to cover as much territory as possible and enjoy your stay. It’s also worth bearing in mind that if you want to see the main sights, you’ll need to take several planes.
To begin your trip to Brazil, it’s usual to fly to Rio de Janeiro, where you’ll need to spend at least a couple of days. In that area you can visit Ilha Grande, São Paulo and Paraty. Porto Alegre is a bit further south, but we can always arrange a quick visit. From there, you can choose to fly north or to Iguazu Falls.
At the falls it’s recommended to spend at least a couple of days, and from there you have no choice but to take another plane north. The next stop is Manaus, in the heart of the Amazon, where you can spend two to four days hiking.
From Manaus, we fly to São Luís, capital of the Lençóis Maranhenses national park, where Jericoacoara and Fortaleza are also located. On the way back to Rio de Janeiro, stop in Salvador da Bahia, which is on the west coast.
Travel tips before travelling to Brazil
- Have your hotel reservation or the address you’ll be staying at handy, they’ll ask you at the airport.
- Carry cash, not all shops have credit card facilities.
- Brazil’s currency is the Brazilian Real.
- Bring your money in advance, currency exchanges at airports are very expensive.
- Make your reservations in advance if you’re travelling to see Carnivals.
- Buy travel insurance to cover possible medical expenses, which is a requirement for entry into the country due to Covid-19.
- Do not carry valuable belongings, such as jewellery or your mobile phone, and avoid secluded places where there is a risk of mugging.
- Beware of unlabelled goods at street stalls.
- Be careful with your personal effects, especially in the more touristy areas. As in most cities, there is a risk of pickpocketing.
- In winter, temperatures do not go above 26 degrees Celsius, but the best months for travel are June to September.
- In Brazil the plugs are N-type, the common voltage is 127/220 V and the frequency is 60 Hz.
How to organise your trip to Brazil
Register or download the App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own travel itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
- Add the stops that interest you most, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map.
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you according to your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the modifications you need, and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you have visited on your trip to Brazil to the app.
If you have doubts on how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about travelling to Brazil
No visa is required. As a Spanish citizen, you can stay in the country for up to 90 days. What they will ask for at the airport is a passport, accommodation papers, return tickets, and at least 170 reais.
It is not mandatory to get vaccinated before going to Brazil, but it is recommended to get vaccinated for yellow fever, dengue, hepatitis A and B.
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