Visit Brazil Best things to do and see

Brazil is the size of a continent – and has the diversity to prove it, from the vibrant Rio de Janeiro to the banks of the Amazon River. Fun and excitement await at this destination where awe-inspiring nature and fast-paced megalopolises promise the trip of a lifetime!

Tranquil beaches, luxuriant forests and sublime landscapes

From the world-famous beaches at Copacabana to the golden sands of the Fernando de Noronha archipelago, each stretch of the Brazilian shore comes with a healthy serving of translucent waters and mesmerizing landscapes. Although there is far more to Brazil then spectacular beaches. Away from the shores, the Amazonian Forest, the planet’s green lung, is a sanctuary for an incredibly rich variety of flora and fauna. There’s a lot to see and do there, too: from hiking and mountain-biking to boating and exploring this extraordinarily unique ecosystem, including the Iguaçu Falls, at the border with Argentina. The biggest country in South America harbours a host of further national treasures: the Pantanal, a region of prairies and tropical wetlands; Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, home to sublime mobile dunes and lagoons; and the Costa Verde, the wild coast trimmed with glorious beaches and backed by luxuriant tropical forest.

Festive cities full of culture

Brazilian cities are a hotbed of creativity. Rio de Janeiro, the home of carnival, also boasts iconic sites among which the statue of Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain that face each other towering above the city. São Paulo, the biggest metropolitan area in the country, is a cultural centre, too. Salvador de Bahia, the country’s former capital, is a fusion of African and Portuguese influences in its historic centre inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the precipitous slopes of Vila Rica, Ouro Preto is a charming colonial town famed for its striking architecture including squares and fountains. Finish off your trip in Olinda, an old Portuguese colonial town clinging to the cliff over the Atlantic Ocean, its steep streets lined with colourful buildings and baroque churches.