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| Best of Brazil |
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A short list of Brazil‘s most popular spots with photo, short text, links and hotel suggestions.
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| Rio Guide |
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Click on the image above to get Fodor‘s Brazil Guidebook for only $9.00
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Regions
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Brazil is divided into five main geographical regions as follows:
THE SOUTH
The Southern region of Brazil, which includes the states of Parana, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, is a world apart from the rest of Brazil in terms of culture, geography and climate. Blond hair, blue eyes and thick accents are common place among the region's population of 23 million, made up of a mix of German, Italian, Swiss and Eastern European descendants who settled in the region in the latter half of the 19th century. The regions subtropical climate is much cooler than the rest of Brazil with occasional flurries of snow and frost not uncommon during the winter months of June through September. The region's economy, which was once driven by a strong cattle industry, is now dominated by soy production, especially in the state of Parana. The South is Brazil's second most developed region, after the Southeast, and contains many cities, such as Curitiba, which are models in urban planning.
Highlights
Iguacu Falls - one of the largest and most beautiful waterfalls in the world
Oktoberfest - held in October ever year in Blumenau, Santa Catarina
Picturesque cities of Pomerode, Gramado and Canela with their distinctive Bavarian feel
Train ride from Curitiba to Paranagua port
Island of Ilha do Mel
The ruins at the Sao Miguel mission and around Santo Angelos
Beaches of Florianopolis, especially Bombinhas for diving and Joaquina for surfing
Itajai Valley in Santa Catarina
THE SOUTHEAST
The Southeast region of Brazil, which includes the states of Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais and Espirito Santo, is the country's urban face and economic powerhouse with around 45% of the population and 60% of the country's industry.
The region includes the sprawling metropolis of Sao Paulo, one of the world largest cities with a strong influence from the many European, Japanese and Arabian immigrants, as well as the "Wonderful City" of Rio de Janeiro with its beautiful beaches, modern buildings and invading mountains.
Highlights
Rio de Janeiro's Carnival, Sugar Loaf Mountain, beaches and buzzing nightlife
Rio‘s Maracana football stadium, among the world's largest
The sparsely populated island of Ilha Grande for diving and hiking
The colonial town of Parati and boat trip around the many surrounding islands
Historical cities of Ouro Preto, Mariana, Tiradentes etc. in Minas Gerais
Beaches at Angra dos Reis, Buzios, Cabo Frio north of Rio de Janeiro
The mountainous region around Rio, including the imperial cities of Petropolis, Teresopolis and Friburgo
Medicinal waters and old mines with precious and semi-precious stones at Caxambu, Araxa and Sao Lourenco
Historical towns of Vila Velha and Anchieta in Espirito Santo
Sao Paulo's northern beaches of Ubatuba, Maracias and Camburi
The Ilhabela island off Sao Sebastiao
Spectacular fireworks displays on New Year's Eve in Copacabana beach
THE CENTER WEST
The Center West region, which includes the states of Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Goias and the Federal District, is the country's most sparsely populated region, with only 6% of the population, while including around 19% of the land area.
The area was, until the 1940's, the last great unexplored area on earth, and is current a strong contrast between old world and new. The region's main attraction is the Pantanal ecological sanctuary, formed millions of years ago when a huge inland sea dried up, and which today serves as a wildlife paradise for a large variety of bird and animal life. In sharp contrast is the country's capital and planned city of Brasilia, with modern avant garde architecture designed by Oscar Niemeyer and inaugurated in 1960. Among the most impressive buildings are the Alvorada Palace, the Metropolitan Cathedral and the National Congress. The region also includes the picturesque national parks of Chapada dos Guimaraes and Chapada dos Veadeiros, with exuberant scenic views providing spectacular photo opportunities.
Highlights
Trip through the Pantanal
Religious sects around Brasilia
Train ride from Corumba to Campo Grande across the Pantanal
Piranha fishing in the Pantanal
The Caldos Novas water resort with revitalizing hot springs
The Araguaia river for freshwater fishing
THE NORTHEAST
The Northeast region, which includes nine different states, has over 45 million inhabitants and includes some of Brazil's most spectacular beaches as well as a rich African heritage of food, religion and dance. The states making up the region include Bahia, Sergipe, Alagoas, Pernambuco, Paraiba, Rio Grande do Norte, Ceara, Piaui and Maranhao. The region is blessed with year-round sunny weather, but the dry and hot conditions have also paid their toll on the region's economy, leaving vast areas unproductive and adding to the region's problems of poverty, unemployment, poor sanitation and illiteracy. Even the region's once strong cocoa production has been ravaged in recent years by the Witches Broom disease, which has led to mass migration to the south and central west regions.
Highlights
African heritage and culture - music, dance, religion, cuisine and festivals
Carnival in Salvador
Chapada Diamantina backland with its beautiful landscape
Colonial river towns along the Rio Sao Francisco
Dune buggy rides on Natal's beaches
Canoa Quebrada beaches in Ceara
Genipabu sand dunes in Rio Grande do Norte
Ponta do Seixas and Cabo Branco in Paraiba
The archipelago of Fernando do Noronha
Pratagy in Alagoas
Atalaia in Sergipe
Porto Seguro in Bahia
Serra da Capivara National Park in Raimundo Nonato, Piaui state
THE NORTH
The Northern region of Brazil includes the seven states of Para, Amapa, Tocantins, Amazonas, Roraima, Rondonia and Acre, covering almost half of Brazil's territory. The region is ideal for eco-adverturers, who can experience the wonders of the Amazon rainforest, the world's largest biological reserve, containing one third of the earth's species. The rivers of the Amazon basin stretch over 80,000 kilometers and contains one fifth of the world's fresh water reserves, while the river's basin is the world's largest in terms of drainage area, covering 6 million square meters. An estimated 12 billion liters of fresh water flows down the river every minute, enough to supply New York city for 60 years.
Highlights
The village of Alter do Chao with its crystal clear waters and beautiful beaches
The island of Ilha do Marajo with its buffalo and wildlife
A jungle trip outside Manaus
The meeting of the Atlantic tide and the Amazon river at Marajo
The Bananal Island, in Tocantins, the world's largest river island
The Renaissance style Amazonas theater, built in the 20th century
The Boi Bumba June folk festival in Parintins
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| Fodor´s |
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Click on the image above to get Fodor‘s Brazil Guidebook for only $14.00
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| Short Trips |
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Looking to get out of Sao Paulo for the weekend. Check out our suggestions for short trips from Sao Paulo and leave the smog and stress behind.
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