7 Main Tourist Attractions in Brazil
According to an analysis carried out by Booking, which verified more than 183 million guest reviews, Brazil has at least seven unmissable postcards. Among them are destinations with dunes, beaches, waterfalls, and even sanctuaries.
It is worth noting that the ranking highlights comments made by travelers from 2018 onwards. Furthermore, all itineraries were evaluated with an average score. That is, tourists would return to these destinations again. However, to be as accurate as possible, the analysis considered the places that were among the 100 most evaluated domestic destinations. So, in this article, we will share the seven main tourist attractions in Brazil to help you start planning your trip!
1. Iguaçu Falls, Foz do Iguaçu (PR)
Our first attraction in Brazil is the Iguaçu Falls, in Foz do Iguaçu, a city located in the State of Paraná. This is undoubtedly the most popular itinerary among tourists and one of the most famous places in Brazil.
The Iguaçu Falls comprise a group of at least 275 waterfalls on the Iguaçu River. These falls are located between the Iguaçu National Park in Paraná, Brazil, and the Iguazú National Park in Misiones, Argentina. In other words, if you want to take a trip with more than one destination, you can stop by on the other side of the border.
Back on Brazilian soil, the Iguaçu Falls are visited by more than a million tourists every year.
Of the 275 waterfalls, approximately 1,500 cubic meters of water flow per second. Furthermore, the region is beautiful all year round, and therefore, in addition to incredible landscapes, you have countless attractions to visit!
Among the itinerary options is starting the tour at the Visitor Reception Center in the Iguaçu National Park. At this location, you can purchase maps, book tours, and check the timetable for all attractions. Next, a good suggestion is to board a tourist bus.
This way, you will have a panoramic view of the region and all the fauna and flora that surround the space up to the fall.
I’m not going to dwell too much on the tours you can take in Foz do Iguaçu, as there are dozens of them. But you can visit the Iguaçu National Park, which covers almost 185 thousand hectares on the Brazilian side.
It also has an area for hiking and adventure activities such as rafting, rappelling, rock climbing, and boat trips amid the falls. On this side, it is also possible to go hiking and visit the Devil’s Throat, one of Brazil’s most popular attractions, where the largest and most voluminous waterfall in the region is located.
Also, visit Parque das Aves, which has 17 hectares of native forest. The park also houses nurseries of rare tropical birds such as parakeets, macaws, flamingos, and toucans. In addition, there is a butterfly garden, a hummingbird nursery, and a reptile sector with snakes and alligators.
Other tours include the Macuco Safari, which takes visitors to several waterfalls. Another option is trips to the Itaipu Plant, the largest generator of clean and renewable energy on the planet.
Visiting the Marco das Três Fronteiras, a point that unites Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay, is also a good alternative.
Also, there are Buddhist and Muslim temples, in addition to enjoying the local cuisine. And if you’re in the mood, you can have fun at night in Foz do Iguaçu, which is usually very lively!
2. Pontal do Atalaia, Arraial do Cabo (RJ)
Pontal do Atalaia, where you find paradise, better known as Arraial do Cabo, is about 165 kilometers from the city of Rio de Janeiro. Located in the Lakes region, Arraial do Cabo attracts attention with its crystal clear waters and paradisiacal beaches.
Among the main tourist attractions in Arraial do Cabo are Praia do Farol, Praia do Forno, and the beaches of Pontal do Atalaia.
Arraial do Cabo, with just over 30 thousand inhabitants, is a peaceful city with simple houses and happy people. In terms of beauty, Praia do Farol stands out as one of the most beautiful places in Brazil.
Throughout the area, you will find white, fine, and clean sand; blue, transparent, and calm water. That is, in addition to being suitable for bathing.
Furthermore, access to the beach is controlled by the Navy. So, to get to the beach, you have to take a boat.
The small beaches of Pontal do Atalaia, the second most popular postcard in Arraial do Cabo, can be reached by car. Note that there is only one beach, but when the tide goes out, several beaches form in Atalaia.
That said, be aware that to access the region, you need to go down the wooden stairs, which are great backdrops for photos. But then just enjoy blue waters and white sands.
Among other equally incredible beaches is Praia do Forno, which is close to the city center and can be walked to.
Praia Grande, the largest beach in Arraial do Cabo and a great spot for surfing and sunsets, also offers an extensive coastline, as well as clean, blue waters. There is also Praia dos Anjos, where the city’s three piers are located and where all boat trips depart from.
Therefore, be sure to read the article with the main tourist attractions in Rio de Janeiro later.
3. Sanctuary of N. Sra Aparecida, Aparecida (SP)
The National Sanctuary of Our Lady of Aparecida is probably one of the best tourist attractions in Brazil that I visited most in Sao Paulo. But I’ll make an addendum since, in my case, this has nothing to do with religion.
In other words, know that you can visit this destination without worrying if you are not Catholic or religious.
This Catholic temple is approximately 2h20 from Sao Paulo, in an inland city that gives the place its name.
In Aparecida, in addition to visiting the new Basilica, you can visit the old church, stroll around, and buy handicrafts at the regional fair. You can have lunch at a restaurant in the region, tour the Wax Museum, and cross the Passarela da Fe.
Riding the cable car, seeing the city from above, and walking to Morro do Cruzeiro, where you have a 180-degree view of the city, are some of the fun things to do in Brazil. Additionally, you can visit the Torre Basílica and Santa viewpoints. Anyway, the city has dozens of tours available.
In terms of curiosity, Aparecida receives more than 9 million visitors every year. However, the tour around the town is usually quick, and in one weekend, you can see the entire city.
In any case, be sure to visit the image of Our Lady, found in the 18th century and exposed to the public in one of the corridors of the Cathedral.
Speaking of which, the black Our Lady was found by fishermen Domingos Garcia, João Alves, and Filipe Pedroso on the Paraíba River in 1717.
According to one version of the story, they first found the body of the image and then the head. It was only at the beginning of the 20th century that the image received a golden crown and a blue cloak, given by Princess Isabel at the end of the 19th century.
Our Lady is such an important symbol for Brazil that years later, she became the country’s patron saint. And, on October 12th, it became Our Lady’s Day and a national holiday.
4. Rua das Pedras, Búzios (RJ)
After the beaches, Rua das Pedras is Brazil’s tourist attraction in Búzios, Rio de Janeiro.
If you want a good photo of this postcard, the best tip is to visit this destination outside of festive seasons, such as Carnival or long holidays.
That said, on this route, you will find countless shops, bars, restaurants, cafes, hotels, and travel agencies.
In other words, since Rua das Pedras is home to most of the trendiest establishments in Búzios, it is a mandatory meeting point for tourists.
Furthermore, Rua das Pedras is the starting point for boats and schooners that take travelers on trips along the city’s beaches.
The road connects to Orla Bardot, where it is possible to take one of the best walks in Búzios. In terms of curiosity, know that Rua das Pedras has a path of just 600 meters, where pedestrians can circulate calmly.
However, the road makes up several surrounding blocks, all of them with the same glamor and refinement as the city’s most famous street! Furthermore, in these blocks, you will find countless attractions where you can have fun. Among them are bars with live music, more shops and lots of lively people.
If your interest is shopping, you will find designer stores and brands such as Havaianas, Farm, Cavalera, Osklen, Chilli Beans, Lacoste, Cantão, and Salina.
The restaurants tend to please all palates, and in this region, you can find everything from vegetarian food and burgers to coconut water and açaí, crepes, and seafood.
5. Botanical Garden, Curitiba (PR)
Curitiba is a destination that offers thousands of enchanting tours. The tip in this region is to visit the Francisca Richbieter Botanical Garden, one of the best tourist attractions in Brazil.
Better known as the Curitiba Botanical Garden, the park is so beautiful that you can’t leave it out of your tourist itinerary in Curitiba.
Around the place, in addition to lots of greenery and incredible flora and fauna, you will find birds, butterflies, and peaceful landscapes. In fact, the Curitiba Botanical Garden, with its beautiful glass greenhouse, was inspired by the Crystal Palace in London.
The Jardim Botânico Park has an area of 245 thousand m².
The French-style gardens that surround the greenhouse are full of flowers and extensive and well-kept areas where you can have picnics, take photos, or just lie down on the lawn to rest.
By the way, this destination is one of the coolest tourist spots in Curitiba.
Furthermore, the entire grass is decorated with designs, and the walkways between the areas feature colorful flowers, old lampposts, and a water fountain.
Speaking of the greenhouse, it has an area of around 458 m².
Inside, it is possible to see plant species typical of tropical areas, birds, and blue butterflies, as well as enjoy the 360-degree view of the garden.
Still in Curitiba, you can discover other equally incredible postcards. Among them are Parque Tanguá, also with free entry, the Oscar Niemeyer Museum (MON), and Ópera de Arame.
The last two charge entry to see exhibitions or watch shows. But even outside, they are super pleasant settings to enjoy the time during a quick trip!
6. Lago Negro, Gramado (RS)
In Gramado, Rio Grande do Sul, you can visit Lago Negro, an artificial lake in the Planalto neighborhood.
This postcard is also free to visit and is open to the public 24 hours a day. In this space, it is possible to take a pedal boat ride, enjoy the view and landscape, and have a drink in a bar.
This is one of the best-known tourist attractions in Brazil and one of the most romantic places in Brazil for a trip for two. This is because the landscape is filled with deep, black, and calm waters, and the entire environment is surrounded by pine trees and flowers. Among the plants are hydrangeas and azaleas, as well as lots of greenery for walking, morning runs, or bike rides.
And if you prefer to visit Lago Negro in the afternoon, you can have picnics on the banks of this place.
There are several other tourist attractions in Gramado and Canela that are super cool and worth visiting. You can take walks along Rua Coberta, one of the most visited in the municipality, and catch a glimpse of the magnificent view of Belverde Vale do Quilombo.
If you prefer, you can rest at Praça Major Nicoletti or stroll along Lago Joaquina Rita Bier – another point of interest in Brazil. Additionally, visiting the Perfume and Harley Motor Show museums is another great option.
7. Sunset Dune, Jericoacoara (CE)
The last Brazilian attraction on this list is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Fortaleza. I’m talking about Jericoacoara, in Ceará, where you can find, among other postcards, the Duna do Pôr do Sol.
Before talking more about this incredible destination, it’s worth telling a little about the history of the village of Jericoacoara.
Considered a paradisiacal space, it is around 300 kilometers from Fortaleza and is part of the Rota das Emotions since it is generally part of an itinerary that includes, among other destinations, Piauí and Maranhão.
Therefore, in Jericoacoara, Duna do Pôr do Sol is one of the beach’s greatest attractions and is also considered an ecological sanctuary.
This is one of the beaches in Ceara that has a more natural style, where it is best to put your feet in the sand and enjoy life in peace.
In the region, you won’t find traffic, but know that this destination has been considered, since 2013, one of the most important places in Brazil. In other words, you will find many tourists in this place!
To enjoy the Dune Sunset, prepare for a kind of ceremony. At this special time, visitors often sit on the sand to glimpse the landscape and watch the sun dip into the sea.
After the show, everything goes back to normal, but if you want a different landscape from the one at the peak of the Dune, you can watch the show from the opposite side.
Among other attractions that you can check out in Jericoacoara are the beaches, lagoons, landscapes, and local cuisine.
Enjoy the Tourist Attractions in Brazil!
If you’ve come this far, you’ve seen that in Brazil, it’s possible to tour different environments and find itineraries that appeal to all types of travelers.
So, if you want something more elaborate, consider visiting Foz do Iguaçu, which is at the top of our list. But if you are looking for beaches, sun, and tranquility, be sure to visit Arraial do Cabo in Rio, as this destination is incredible. However, if you don’t want to leave São Paulo, stop by Aparecida.
