Brazil Travel Guide: Top Places to Visit, Best Things to Do, and Local Tips

Stay connected with Airtel’s international roaming plans as you explore Brazil’s top places to visit, best things to do, and local tips, ensuring smooth communication while discovering the country’s rich culture, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant cities.

With dazzling beaches, lush rainforests, vibrant cities, and an infectious rhythm of life, Brazil beckons travellers from across the globe. Over 6.5 million tourists visited Brazil in 2019, drawn to its natural beauty, rich culture, and warm hospitality. From admiring the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio to exploring the waterfalls of Iguaçu, Brazil’s tourist attractions offer a treasure trove of experiences. Let’s dive into the best places to visit in Brazil, the top things to do in Rio de Janeiro and beyond, and insider tips to make the most of your trip.

Rio de Janeiro: Beaches, Samba, and Iconic Landmarks

No list of places to visit in Brazil is complete without Rio de Janeiro. This vibrant city pulses with energy, from its golden beaches to its samba-fueled nights. Here are the top things to do in Rio de Janeiro:

• Visit Christ the Redeemer: This 98-foot-tall statue atop Corcovado mountain is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Take the cog train up for panoramic views of Rio’s beaches, mountains, and favelas. This activity certainly tops the list of things to do in Rio de Janeiro.

• Relax on Copacabana and Ipanema Beaches: Soak up the sun, play beach volleyball, or sip a caipirinha at these world-famous stretches of sand.

• Ride the Cable Car to Sugarloaf Mountain: For stunning views of Guanabara Bay and the city, hop on the glass-walled cable car to the top of this 1,299-foot granite peak.

• Attend Carnival: Rio’s annual Carnival is the world’s biggest party, with dazzling samba parades, street parties, and costumes. It usually takes place in February or early March.

Iguaçu Falls: A Natural Wonder on the Brazil-Argentina Border

Straddling the border between Brazil and Argentina, Iguaçu Falls is one of the world’s largest waterfall systems and Brazil’s tourist attraction. This UNESCO World Heritage Site comprises 275 individual drops, with the tallest Devil’s Throat towering at 262 feet. Here are some ways to experience this natural wonder:

• Take a helicopter ride over the falls for a bird’s-eye view

• Go on a boat tour to feel the spray of the cascades up close

• Hike the trails in Iguaçu National Park to spot wildlife like coatis and toucans

• Visit both sides: the Brazilian side offers panoramic vistas, while the Argentinian side has more hiking trails

Amazon Rainforest: Explore the Lungs of the Earth

Covering over 2.1 million square miles, the Amazon is the world’s largest tropical rainforest, home to 10% of all known species. Ecotourism in the Amazon helps protect this vital ecosystem. Some top things to see in Brazil’s Amazon include:

• Stay in a jungle lodge and take guided hikes to learn about the rainforest’s flora and fauna

• Cruise down the Amazon River on a boat tour, watching for pink river dolphins

• Visit Manaus, a city in the heart of the Amazon, to see the Meeting of Waters, where the dark Rio Negro and the sandy-coloured Rio Solimões flow side by side

Insider Tip: The dry season (July to December) is the best time to visit the Amazon, with less rainfall and lower water levels that attract animals to the riverbanks.

Salvador: Afro-Brazilian Culture and Colonial Architecture

The capital of Bahia State, Salvador, was a major port during the Atlantic slave trade. Today, it’s the heart of Afro-Brazilian culture, with a vibrant music and food scene. Key experiences in this Brazil tourist attraction include:

• Exploring the colourful colonial buildings of Pelourinho, the historic city centre

• Taking a percussion or capoeira class

• Savouring Bahian specialities like moqueca (seafood stew) and acarajé (bean fritters)

• Watching a candomblé ceremony, a religious tradition combining African and Catholic elements

Brasília: A Modernist Architectural Marvel

Brazil’s futuristic capital city was designed by Oscar Niemeyer in the 1950s. Its striking modernist buildings include:

• Cathedral of Brasília: 16 curved concrete columns reaching up to the heavens

• Palácio do Planalto: The President’s office, with its iconic ramps and floating columns

• National Congress building: A giant bowl-shaped structure flanked by two towers

São Paulo: Art, Food, and Urban Adventures

São Paulo is Brazil’s largest city, a sprawling metropolis of over 12 million people. This Brazil tourist attraction offers:

• World-class museums like the São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP) and the Pinacoteca

• A booming food scene, with 52 Michelin-starred restaurants

• Ibirapuera Park, an urban oasis with museums, bike paths, and events

• Vibrant nightlife, from underground clubs to rooftop bars

Pantanal: The World’s Largest Tropical Wetland

For wildlife lovers, the Pantanal is one of the best places to visit in Brazil. This 75,000 square mile wetland is home to over 1000 bird species and 300 mammalian species, including:

• Jaguars, the largest cat in the Americas

• Giant anteaters, with their elongated snouts and bushy tails

• Capybaras, the world’s largest rodents

• Hyacinth macaws, with their striking blue plumage

The best way to explore is on a guided safari, staying in eco-lodges and cruising down the rivers in search of wildlife.

Insider Tip: Visit during the dry season (April to October) for the best chances of spotting jaguars and other wildlife congregating around dwindling water sources.

Stay Connected in Brazil with Airtel’s Postpaid International Roaming Plans

From the bustling streets of Rio to the serene wetlands of the Pantanal, Brazil offers a kaleidoscope of experiences. With this guide to the best places to visit in Brazil and the top things to see in Brazil, you’re ready to samba your way through this captivating country.

Having reliable internet access can make navigating this vast country much easier, whether you’re booking tours, translating Portuguese, or staying in touch with home. Consider getting an eSim Brazil tourist data plan from a provider like Airtel’s Postpaid International Roaming Plans. You can stay connected and make the most of your Brazil tourist attractions experience.