The top travel destinations in Brazil

TL;DR:

Brazil fits every style, from city breaks to deep nature.
Start with Rio, Iguaçu Falls, the Amazon, and Salvador.
Add Lençóis Maranhenses and Jericoacoara for dunes and lagoons.
Pantanal and Bonito deliver easy wildlife and clear rivers.
Check fees for Fernando de Noronha and protect fragile sites.

Brazil is huge, varied, and easy to love. This guide rounds up the best places to visit, what each is best for, and simple planning tips. It works for first timers and repeat travelers.

Quick planner table

Place	Best for	Ideal trip length	Good season guide
Rio de Janeiro	Beaches, views, culture	3–5 days	Year round
Iguaçu Falls	Bucket list waterfall	2–3 days	All year, cooler in Apr–Sep
Amazon (Manaus)	Jungle lodges, river trips	3–6 days	Dry months are easier
Pantanal	Wildlife you can actually see	3–5 days	Dry season is best
Salvador & Bahia coast	Afro-Brazilian culture, music	3–5 days	Year round
Lençóis Maranhenses	Dunes and blue lagoons	2–4 days	Post-rains for full lagoons
Jericoacoara	Wind sports, sunsets on dunes	2–4 days	Dry months for wind
Paraty & Green Coast	Colonial town, islands	2–4 days	Year round
Ouro Preto & Minas towns	Baroque art, hills	2–3 days	Apr–Sep is mild
Florianópolis	Surf, lagoons, shellfish	3–5 days	Nov–Mar for beach time
Bonito	Crystal rivers, caves	2–4 days	Dry months for clarity
Fernando de Noronha	Pristine islands, turtles	3–5 days	Year round, book ahead
Chapada Diamantina	Waterfalls, plateaus	3–5 days	Dry months for hiking
São Paulo	Food, art, nightlife	2–4 days	Year round
Brasília	Modernist architecture	1–2 days	Dry months for blue skies

Use this table to sketch your route. Mix cities and nature for balance.

Rio de Janeiro

Rio blends mountains, rainforest, and ocean in one city. Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf frame the skyline. The city’s dramatic “Carioca landscapes” are a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape, which recognizes the unique setting that shapes daily life.

Base yourself in Ipanema or Leblon for beach days and walkable food options. Hike in Tijuca National Park in the morning, then watch the sunset from Arpoador. The official Visit Brasil guide is a handy primer for neighborhoods and highlights.

Iguaçu Falls

On the Brazil and Argentina border, Iguaçu is one of the world’s great waterfall systems. Walk the catwalks on the Brazil side for big views, then cross to Argentina for up-close spray. The falls sit inside Iguaçu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site that protects Atlantic Forest wildlife.

Tip: Plan two days to see both sides without rushing.

The Amazon from Manaus

Manaus is the easy gateway to river cruises and jungle lodges. Classic trips include a boat to the Meeting of Waters and night wildlife spotting. Choose a lodge on a black-water tributary for fewer bugs and clearer canoeing. Visit Brasil maintains practical entry points and regional ideas.

Pantanal

If you want reliable wildlife sightings, pick the Pantanal. This vast wetland has open habitats that make animals easier to spot than in dense rainforest. Boat the rivers for caiman and giant otters. Look for jaguars with a licensed guide in peak viewing periods during the dry season. For first steps and sample routes, Lonely Planet’s Brazil overview is a solid base.

Salvador and the Bahian coast

Salvador’s Pelourinho mixes pastel houses, church art, drums, and street food. Evenings bring live music and capoeira circles. Add time on nearby beaches, or bus it down the Discovery Coast for palm-lined bays. Visit Brasil covers festivals and coastal spurs from the city.

Lençóis Maranhenses

White dunes and rain-fed blue lagoons make Lençóis one of Brazil’s most surreal landscapes. Go by 4×4 or on foot between lagoons, and swim where permitted. In July 2024, UNESCO inscribed the park on the World Heritage list for its unique dune-lagoon system and conservation value.

Base yourself in Barreirinhas, Santo Amaro, or Atins. Plan with local guides and respect marked routes to protect the fragile crust.

Jericoacoara

“Jeri” is a dune-wrapped beach town with steady winds, lagoons, and sunsets from the main dune. It sits within Jericoacoara National Park, managed for conservation and visitor access. Expect sandy streets, wind sports by day, and forró at night.

Paraty and the Green Coast

Paraty’s car-free historic center has cobbles, whitewashed walls, and mountain backdrops. Sail a schooner to quiet islands. Add Trindade’s beaches or a day hike in Serra da Bocaina. It fits neatly between Rio and São Paulo.

Ouro Preto and the towns of Minas Gerais

Ouro Preto anchors a chain of mining towns with ornate churches and hillside views. Combine with Tiradentes and Mariana for a deeper look at baroque art. The route pairs well with Belo Horizonte’s food scene. Lonely Planet’s selection includes these historic stops for good reason.

Florianópolis

“Floripa” blends city life with a ring of beaches. Surf Joaquina, kayak Lagoa da Conceição, then eat fresh oysters in Ribeirão da Ilha. Rent a car to reach trailheads and varied bays.

Bonito

Bonito is Brazil’s freshwater star. Float over limestone-filtered rivers full of fish, then tour caves like Gruta do Lago Azul with licensed guides. Book limited daily slots well in advance.

Fernando de Noronha

Noronha is Brazil’s showcase archipelago. Expect high water clarity, sea turtles, and strict visitor rules that protect reefs and wildlife. Access to parts of the Marine National Park requires a ticket, and the island charges an environmental preservation fee. Buy permits online and carry your receipt on arrival.

Noronha is expensive and capacity is capped, so plan early and keep to marked paths.

Chapada Diamantina

This park in Bahia offers mesas, caves, and long trails. Base in Lençóis town for day hikes, or arrange multiday treks with a guide. Dry months give safer river levels and clearer views.

São Paulo

São Paulo is an art and food capital. Spend a weekend with MASP, Japanese-Brazilian bites, and a Sunday cycle along Paulista. It pairs well with Paraty or Ilhabela for a city-plus-beach combo.

Brasília

The capital is a living museum of modernism. Walk the Monumental Axis, visit the Cathedral and Palácio da Alvorada, and tour Niemeyer’s curves with a guide. Clear dry-season skies make the lines pop.

Sample 10-day first trip

Days 1–4: Rio for beaches, Tijuca hikes, and views.
Days 5–6: Fly to Iguaçu, see both sides of the falls.
Days 7–10: Amazon lodge from Manaus for wildlife and river life.

Smart planning tips

Distances are big. Combine nearby states to save time.
In nature areas, the dry season brings easier travel and clearer trails.
Buy national park or island permits online where offered. Carry IDs and receipts.
Choose licensed guides for river, cave, and dune trips.
Pack reef-safe sunscreen and respect boardwalks to protect fragile spots.

Why it matters

Brazil rewards good planning. Picking the right regions and seasons turns a good trip into a great one. It also helps local communities and reduces strain on parks and reefs.

Sources:

Visit Brasil, Brazil’s official tourism site, overview of destinations, https://visitbrasil.com/en/, accessed 2025-09-15.
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Iguaçu National Park listing, https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/355/, accessed 2025-09-15.
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Lençóis Maranhenses National Park listing, https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1611/, accessed 2025-09-15.
Government of Brazil, “UNESCO declares Lençóis Maranhenses National Park a World Heritage Site,” https://www.gov.br/secom/en/latest-news/2024/07/unesco-declares-lencois-maranhenses-national-park-a-world-heritage-site, published 2024-07-29.
ICMBio, Fernando de Noronha Marine National Park tickets and guidance, https://www.parnanoronha.com.br/en/visitante, accessed 2025-09-15.
Lonely Planet, “10 best places to visit in Brazil,” https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/best-places-to-visit-in-brazil, accessed 2025-09-15.