Brazil is a magnificent country for many reasons. Its Carnaval celebrations are known the world over, and its powdery white beaches are the stuff of legend. Throughout the country, you can dance to live music in Rio or rave with the DJs in Sao Pãulo. There is no correct way to enjoy the wonders that Brazil offers because it has something for everyone. If you’re not the kind of person who enjoys the loud festivals and celebrations, step outside the booming urban centers and take in all the Brazil’s landscape provides.
Brazil’s environments are incredibly diverse and boast an impressive collection of animal and plant species. You’ll find adventures that can fit any budget, whether they’re as simple as watching rare creatures or as grand as surfing massive waves. When you’re done hiking through Brazil’s many national parks or tired of dancing the night away, relax with your toes in the sand and an agua de coco in hand.
01 Roaring Cascades of the Devil's Throat
Brazil is a beautiful continent with natural wonders that will take your breath away. If you want to see something truly incredible, simply head to Foz do Iguaçu along the border of Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentine. When you arrive, you’ll find hundreds of misty, roaring cascades crashing down into the water below. Of particular note is the Devil’s Throat, a 262-foot waterfall where visitors can stand on a wooden platform and observe the majesty of the falls.
02 An Ethereal Blue Cave
In 1924, some of the indigenous Terena people discovered a massive cave structure that no modern humans had ever seen. Not only is this cave a part of one of the largest flood cavities on Earth, but it is also one of our planet’s most beautiful structures. This cave, the Gruta Do Lago Azul, contains a shimmering pool of serene, blue water. As if its beauty wasn’t enough, the cave also contains fossils and remains from ancient creatures like saber-tooth tigers and giant sloths.
03 Majestic Dunes
Many people envision Brazil as a country full of rainforests and lush green landscapes. While this is partially true, Brazil is incredibly environmentally diverse, with much more than just green forests. Lying just a short drive from Natal is the ever-changing yet always dazzling Genipabu dunes. Comfortable winds blow in from the nearby coastline, providing a great environment for an array of unique activities like camel treks, buggy rides, and sledding down the dunes.
04 More Than Street Art
There are many reasons why you should spend some time in Rio, but there’s more to this lively city than perfect beaches and mouth-watering food. After a short walk along Rio’s waterfront, you’ll find the largest street art mural in the world. For the 2016 Olympics, world-famous artist Eduardo Kobra created this masterpiece to honor the people from the five continents that each Olympic ring represents. The mural itself is full of bright colors, bold lines, and incredible realism.
05 Batman Alley
If you’re a fan of street art, there’s no better place for you to visit than São Paulo’s Batman Alley. Around 40 years ago, an artist left a rendition of Batman on the walls of a local alley. Over time, more artists began adding to the piece with cubist and psychedelic images. Eventually, three alleys became an open-air gallery of eclectic street art. Each wall exists in a state of constant flux as new pieces cover old ones, giving you something new to see with every visit.
06 Visit Another World
If you want an opportunity for unique photos, look no further than the bizarre landscape of the Vale da Lua. Over thousands of years, the mighty Rio São Miguel has used its sand and water to carve into the surrounding grey, rocky landscape. This has created a place that is unlike anything else on the planet. The winding pits and tunnels of the Vale da Lua look more like the set for a sci-fi movie than a naturally-created wonder.
07 A Legendary Paradise
A boat ride off of Brazil’s northeast coast can take you to the paradise that is Fernando de Noronha. This volcanic archipelago is world-famous for its isolated beaches, crystal-like waters, and diverse ecosystems. The area is also home to a protected national marine park where you can see a wide variety of sharks, dolphins, rays, and tropical fish. Its rugged, green coastline and its alluring blue water make it a picturesque way to enjoy the wonders of sea-life.
08 The Beach from Ipanema
Immortalized forever in the song, “Girl from Ipanema,” this area is one of the most legendary beaches in the world. Because the beach is so large, different posts mark off sections of the beach where different subcultures gather. In one post, you could find artists relaxing in the sun, or you might discover athletes playing volleyball, soccer, or frescobol. Regardless of which spot you choose, you’re sure to enjoy beautiful sands and wild waves.
09 City Within a City
Some people refer to Pelourinho as a “city within a city” because of its fusion of different cultures. Cobblestone streets wind through buildings with pastel colors and a range of restaurants, bars, and cafes. Almost any photo of this section of Salvador looks more like a set from a Wes Anderson movie than a living, breathing neighborhood. The vibrant buildings and varying architecture celebrate a convergence of African, European, and indigenous cultures.
10 Surfing Those River Rapids
There are a lot of places in the world where you can go surfing, but what if there was a place that was a little bit more wild? Instead of surfing on familiar blue waves, imagine surfing for miles along the largest river in the world, the Pororoca. This river has waves that reach up to 13 feet and travel as far as 500 miles inland. This incredible experience provides endless fun as the current longest ride lasted 37 minutes and stretched almost eight miles.
11 Encounter Rare Animals
Brazil is a fantastic place to visit if you’re a fan of the planet’s natural beauty and its many creatures. Serra da Canastra is a legendary national park that stretches over 72,000 acres of Cerrado savanna. Over 350 species of animals live within the park, including the wonderful and endangered giant anteater. You can even see other endangered creatures such as the pampas deer, maned wolves, giant armadillos, and so much more.
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