The Best Places to Visit in Brazil

The Amazon is one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, and around 60% of it is within Brazil’s borders. Exploring the Brazilian Amazon could mean cruising the river on a luxury yacht, learning about Indigenous traditions in local communities or spotting one-of-a-kind species like jaguars, giant otters and pink river dolphins.

Need to know: The best time to visit Brazil’s Amazon region is June–October, when the weather is drier and humidity is relatively low.

Búzios is located on a peninsula a few hours east of Rio. One of the most sought-after travel destinations in Brazil, it’s a place where 23 idyllic coves meet timeless glamour. The area’s natural beauty is complemented by world-class dining and shopping, plus exquisite boutique hotels like Insólito and Casas Brancas.

Need to know: Búzios is less than three hours by car from Rio de Janeiro, making it a fantastic place to spend a few days outside the city.

If you’re hoping to get off the beaten path, Chapada Diamantina is the place for you. This stunning national park is in the state of Bahia about a six-hour drive inland from Salvador, and is full of mountains, canyons, waterfalls and hiking trails. Its name refers to its distinctive plateaus (chapadas) and its history of diamond (diamante) mining.

Need to know: The gateway to the national park is Lençóis, a lovely little town with cobblestone streets, historic buildings and charming hotels like Canto das Águas.

Fernando de Noronha is part of the Nordeste (Northeast) region: an oft-overlooked yet excellent area for luxury travel in Brazil. Located a couple hundred miles off the coast, this volcanic archipelago is a picture-perfect paradise of golden beaches, glassy waters and world-class dive sites home to all manner of marine wildlife.

Need to know: Fernando de Noronha can easily be combined with mainland destinations like Recife, Jericoacoara and Lençóis Maranhenses National Park.

Set at the southern end of Brazil, Florianópolis is a coastal city encompassing the idyllic island of Santa Catarina. It’s a fantastic destination for adventurous travellers who want to surf, kayak, sandboard or hike, as well as those in search of warm waters and sunny stretches of sand; the city has 42 different beaches.

Need to know: Summer (December–March) is the best time to visit Florianópolis for ideal beach weather, though spring and autumn are less crowded.

Ibitipoca is a brilliantly biodiverse destination in the state of Minas Gerais. Here you can see all sorts of thriving flora and fauna, thanks in large part to the impressive wildlife conservation efforts occurring in and around Ibitipoca State Park. Embark on a guided expedition to spot monkeys, toucans, pumas and much more.

Need to know: We can organise a day trip from Rio to Ibitipoca, but if you want to stay overnight we highly recommend Ibiti Project, which is part of our Positive Impact Collection.

Of all the top places to visit in Brazil, Iguaçu Falls might be the most awe-inspiring. This natural wonder sits on the border of Brazil and Argentina in the state of Paraná. You can witness the mighty power of its 275 different waterfalls on walks through the rainforest and thrilling boat trips that take you right up to their base.

Need to know: The nearest town is Foz do Iguaçu, bordering both Argentina and Paraguay. On this side of the falls, our favourite place to stay is Hotel das Cataratas.

Far from the buzzing crowds of big cities, Picinguaba promises both privacy and authenticity. This small fishing town is set on the Costa Verde south of Rio and less than an hour from Paraty. Stay at the serene Pousada Picinguaba for stunning sea views and a long list of activities, from fishing to forest hikes.

Need to know: Picinguaba means ‘fish shelter’ in Tupí-Guaraní, indicating just how integral fishing is to the town’s identity.

Rio de Janeiro is home to iconic landmarks like Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, the beautiful beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana and the world-famous celebration of Carnival (one of the best festivals in Latin America). This dynamic city is an essential stop on any tour of Brazil – and among the best Latin American destinations for winter sun.

Need to know: In Rio you can enjoy one of the incredible experiences in our Positive Impact Collection: an intimate cultural exchange over lunch at Refettorio Gastromotiva.

Salvador is a destination unlike any other. The state capital of Bahia boasts half a century of history and is the heart of Afro-Brazilian culture. Here you can experience traditional art forms like capoeira and samba, taste regional delicacies like acarajé and moqueca and learn about the city’s complex colonial past.

Need to know: The best time to visit Salvador is during the dry season from September to February.

Brazil’s largest city and cultural capital, São Paulo is a vibrant metropolis full of emblematic architecture. The city’s thriving art, music and culinary scenes mean there’s always something new to do or see, from street art tours and museum exhibitions to underground bars and Michelin-starred cuisine.

Need to know: We believe the best way to experience São Paulo is alongside a paulistano; we’ll connect you with expert guides who know the city as only a local can.

With the highest concentration of wildlife in all of South America, the Pantanal is an animal lover’s dream come true. This enormous nature reserve is also the world’s largest tropical wetland. It’s home to jaguars, capybaras, giant anteaters, hyacinth macaws, maned wolves, giant river otters, tapirs, caimans and hundreds of other species.

Need to know: If you’re headed to the Pantanal and wondering what to bring, check out our tips on what to pack for a trip to Brazil.

Located on the coast of Bahia several hours south of Salvador, Trancoso is a secluded beach town known for its soft white sand and quaint quadrado: the village square, surrounded by brightly painted buildings and a whitewashed colonial church. It’s here that you’ll find Trancoso’s best restaurants, boutiques and luxury hotels like Uxua.

Need to know: Trancoso’s tropical climate makes it a year-round destination, but the high season (December–March) can be particularly fun — if more crowded — thanks to several local festivals.