Travel tips - Popular Brazil attractions
Cities
Brazil has many exciting cities, ranging from pretty colonial towns and coastal hideouts to hectic, lively metropolises; these are a few of the more prominent travel destinations:
- Brasília - The capital of Brazil, and an architectural spectacle. Noteworthy buildings include a basket-shaped Cathedral, the beautiful Arches Palace (seat of the Ministry of Justice) and others.
- Belém - The second largest city in the Amazon region. Religious festivals (Cirio de Nazare), traditional market (Ver-o-Peso).
- Curitiba - The capital of the state of Paraná is known for its innovative urban solutions, it still keeps its traditional spirit and features of the european immigrants, mostly from Italy, Germany and slavic countries.
- Florianópolis - The major city in Brazil located in an island in the Atlantic Ocean, with lakes, lagoons, amazing nature and more than 40 clean, beautiful and full of nature beaches.
- Recife - A major city in the Northeast region, originally settled by Dutch colonizers. Nicknamed "The Brazilian Venice", it is built on several islands linked by many bridges. Rich in history, art and folklore. Do not miss neighboring Olinda and Porto de Galinhas. The city is also a gateway to the amazing archipelago of Fernando de Noronha.
- Rio de Janeiro - World famous, beautiful city that welcomes visitors with that big statue of an open-armed Jesus atop Corcovado Hill.
- Salvador - The first capital of Brazil is home to a unique blend of indigenous, African and European cultures. Its Carnival fun is famous, and the influence of African culture and religion is remarkable.
- São Paulo - Brazil's largest, richest and most cosmopolitan city, where you can find traces of most major cultures of Earth, including Italian, Japanese, German, Russian, Jamaican, Greek and Arab.
Other cities also attract a good deal of travellers:
- Belo Horizonte -- Capital of Minas Gerais, is a convenient starting point to explore the state's colonial past.
- Buzios -- Trendy seaside town with 25 beaches. 192 Km north of Rio.
- Campo Grande -- Very green and many parks.
- Campos do Jordão -- An european-style city, in the state of São Paulo. It's famous by the fresh climate and the Winter Classical Music Festival.
- Corumbá -- "Capital" of Pantanal.
- Cuiabá -- The major gateway to Pantanal, near several beautiful places like: Chapada dos Guimarães with it's water fall "Véu de noiva", Curvelandia's caves and rivers, fishing in Barão de Melgaço.
- Gramado -- A very beautiful german-like city in the highlands of Rio Grande do Sul, known for its wonderful "Natal Luz" (The Christmas-Light), the most impressive Christmas festival of the Latin America. It's also known for the Film Festival.
- Fortaleza -- A good base for exploring the beaches of the northeastern coast, including Jericoacoara.
- João Pessoa -- The easternmost Brazilian city, where the sun rises first. Nicknamed "Jardim das Acácias" (Acacia Garden), rather unexplored, with a warm climate, good-hearted people and beautiful beaches.
- Maceió -- One of the many northeastern coastal cities, with Caribbean-blue beaches.
- Manaus -- The capital of the Amazonas State. The best place to go to visit the Amazon Forest. Also features the Army Zoo, where wild fierce animals are kept (for soldier training purposes, but open to public visit), and the unique indian-influenced cuisine.
- Natal -- Sunny beaches and dunes. Has the reputation of being the sunniest Brazilian city.
- Olinda -- A colonial town, popular for its culture and arts scene and a Carnival that rivals those of Rio and Salvador. Listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO due to its XVI and XVII-century buildings.
- Ouro Preto -- Another colonial town, with the largest sample of the baroque art in Latin America. It was once the financial center of Brazil, during the gold rush. The entire city is part of the World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
- Penedo -- A small town in the state of Rio de Janeiro, near the border with São Paulo. The city was settled by finns and both languages - finnish and portuguese - are spoken in this city.
- Porto Alegre -- An urban destination in Brazil's southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul. Has a very active nightlife.
- São Luís -- Founded by the French in the 17th century and soon taken over by Portuguese forces after a quick Dutch occupation, São Luis is a fascinating town that managed to preserve its Portuguese influenced colonial buildings and is also known for its rich popular culture. The island also share cultural similarities with Jamaica and is known as the Brazilian reggae capital.
- Vitória -- Midway between Rio and Salvador, it is a beautiful city between the mountains and the ocean.
- Taquarussu -- Located in the hills near Palmas (Tocantins) it's famous for its waterfalls.
Other destinations
- Parque Nacional Chapada dos Veadeiros – Cerrado (tropical savanna) wildlife and stunning waterfalls.
- Iguaçu Falls - The world-famous waterfalls.
- Itatiaia National Park - The first Brazilian Nacional Park, located on the Itatiaia Massif between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.
- Minas Gerais - A rugged inland state rich in colonial history, including the historical mining towns such as Ouro Preto, Mariana, Congonhas do Campo.
- Pantanal - The world's largest wetland hosts lots of eco-tourism and vast biodiversity, including crocodiles and piranhas.