Brazil is the largest country in South America and the fifth largest nation in the world. It forms an enormous triangle on the eastern side of the continent with a 7,400km coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. It has borders with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador.
The Brazilian landscape is very varied. It is most well known for its dense forests, including the Amazon, the world’s largest rain forest, in the north. But there are also dry grasslands (called pampas), rugged hills, pine forests, sprawling wetlands, immense plateaus (areas of level high ground) and a long coastal plain.
Being home to the Amazon Rainforest, many other such natural wonders, cultural attractions and historical remnants makes Brazil a fascinating tourist destination and home. As the Host Country for the 2016 Summer Olympics, it is guaranteed and influx of travelers and football fans from around the world.
The Brazilian landscape is very varied. It is most well known for its dense forests, including the Amazon, the world’s largest rain forest, in the north. But there are also dry grasslands (called pampas), rugged hills, pine forests, sprawling wetlands, immense plateaus (areas of level high ground) and a long coastal plain.
Places To Visit In Brazil
1. Rio De Jeneiro
There is no destination on earth more animated and exciting than Rio De Janeiro. Located in southeastern Brazil, Rio de Janeiro is the most visited city of South America due to its famous mountains, landmarks, beaches and Carnival festival. Rio de Janeiro is situated on one of the world’s largest harbors surrounded by natural attractions that include the Sugarloaf and Corcovado mountains and famous beaches like Copacabana and Ipanema. The city’s iconic landmark is the enormous Christ the Redeemer statue sitting atop Corcovado mountain. Carnival celebrations here are among the largest in the world, with vibrant parades, costumes, dancing, music, fireworks and street parties.
2. Salvador
Located in the state of Bahia, Salvador has a phenomenal energy that’s notable even for Brazil. Most known for being Portugal’s New World capital, it maintains a great deal of its colonial architecture and you’ll find the historic centre of the town in the Pelourinho neighbourhood. Here you’ll find large squares with small cobblestone alleys leading away, multi-coloured buildings, and churches like São Francisco with gilt woodwork and other baroque features. There’s an amazing arts movement here. You’ll find Olodum drummers on the streets, along with Capoeira martial artists, and crazy festivals happening everywhere you look. The culture here is decidedly Afro-Brazilian and you’ll see that in the incredible food, religious ceremonies and rituals, and dance.
3. Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná
At the very tip of Brazil lies the widest waterfall range in perhaps all the world. It touches the borders of three countries: Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. You might [must] want to check it out, just saying [no, you need to].
4. Florianopolis, Santa Catarina
The city of Florianopolis has been dubbed “the best place to live in Brazil” by Brazilian magazine Veja, so it’s only natural that tourists would want to see what all the fuss is about. The coastal proximity and abundance of beaches (42 if you’re counting) are a major draw for visitors and the area is also known as one of Brazil’s surfing capitals. Those looking for more than beaches will enjoy the city’s mix of modern mega-city with 16th century colonial architecture and historic fortresses.
5. Manaus
The capital of the Amazonas state in northwestern Brazil, Manaus is an important tourist destination because it serves as a gateway to the Amazon rainforest. As a result of the region’s flourishing rubber industry during the early 20th century, Manaus today is one of Brazil’s largest cities, featuring distinguished landmarks like the Amazonas Opera House, and the Rio Negro Palace. Another significant sight is the Meeting of the Waters, which is a natural phenomenon where the two rivers of Negro and Solimões run side by side for more than three miles without fully mixing.
6. Sao Paulo State
Another in the long list of incredible things about Brazil is São Paulo state. It offers some of the best of the best that the country has to offer. São Paulo city is the current Boom Town – everything here is growing: commerce, industry, culture, finance, and, of course, tourism. But you can also leave the city for a bit and head to Serra da Mantiqueira. Use this stunning mountain range, with its 2500m peaks, as your cosy mountain getaway. There’s also Ilhabela, to be used as your posh island escape. Or try Iporanga in the midst of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. You’ll also find great beaches with the rainforest as their backdrop – try the lovely Ubatuba for a relaxing few days.
7. Recife
Nicknamed the “Venice of Brazil” because of its numerous waterways and bridges, Recife is the capital of the Pernambuco state and one of the largest and most important cities on Brazil’s northeastern coast. Situated amid tropical forests with many islands and rivers, Recife is a popular tourist destination because of its historic old town, beaches and vibrant culture. Recife was a Dutch colony during the 17th century, and nowhere is this more evident than the historic district where many colonial buildings still remain. The beaches here are considered some of the best in Brazil. Lined with hotels, restaurants and bars, Boa Viagem is the most popular beach with its pristine white sands, clear water and coral reef.
8. Brasilia
Built in the 1960’s, Brazil’s capital is a thoroughly planned and intricately organized city. Brasilia’s landmark infrastructure is laid out in the form of an airplane. Each section of the plane is a different district like residential, government, finance, culture, and commerce. The architecture here attracts tourists and professional architects alike. Be sure to check out the Three Powers Square. Here you’ll find the Supreme Court, Congress, and the Presidential Palace.
9. Parati
A paradise of tropical forests, waterfalls, emerald sea and coastal mountains, Parati is a popular tourist attraction located along Brazil’s Green Coast in the Rio de Janeiro state. Also spelled Paraty, this beautiful city is a former Portuguese colony established on the shores of the Bay of Ilha Grande. The heart of Parati is its historic center with cobbled streets and multicolored colonial houses, many of which now serve as bed-and-breakfast accommodations called pousadas. One of the most popular attractions are the colonial defense forts that still boast original walls and cannons.
10. Fortaleza
Another of Brazil’s big cities is Fortaleza. It’s best known for an energetic cultural scenes, great beaches, and even greater shopping. If you’re going for the beaches, check out Meireles, Mucuripe, Iracema, and everyone’s favourite, Praia do Futuro. Spend your mornings strolling through Centro, the oldest part of the city, and then spending your evenings in Praira de Iracema, a neighbourhood densely packed with hotels, restaurants, and nightlife. Once you’ve had your fill of Fortaleza beaches, use it as starting point to discover the quaint fishing villages and rolling dune beaches of the Ceará coast.
Some Interesting Facts About Brazil
- The name of the country comes from the name of the tree called ‘BrazilWood’
- In Portuguese, it is called Brasil and the language is called Brazil
- The conventional long form of Brazil is Federative Republic of Brazil.
- Brasilia is the capital city of Brazil.
- It has an estimated area of 8,514,877 sq km and a coastline of 7,491 Km.
- The Christ Redeemer located in Rio De Janeiro is located in Brazil which is one of the new seven wonders of the world.
The best approach is to decide what type of holiday you want – beach, nature, hiking, birdwatching, history, city, watersports – and then make a plan. If you want a beach break, a week might suffice; to see a couple of places you’ll need at least 10 days. There’s a difference, too, between the beaches of Fortaleza, where you’ll see more Brazilians, and Florianópolis, where you might encounter hordes of Argentine holidaymakers.
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