Brazil is a country of astonishing diversity — not just samba, soccer, and caipirinhas, but ecosystems, cultures, and landscapes that rank among the most unique on Earth. From UNESCO World Heritage sites to hidden gems, this list features the best places to visit in Brazil. Here’s a guide to the top 10 destinations that should be on your Brazil travel list.
1. Lençóis Maranhenses – A Desert with Lagoons
📍 Maranhão, Northeast Brazil Imagine a desert where crystal-clear lagoons appear between sand dunes every rainy season. That’s Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, a surreal mosaic of water and sand, best visited between June and September when lagoons are full. 👉 Learn more via ICMBio ([Link Externo: https://www.icmbio.gov.br/portal/unidadesdeconservacao/biomas-brasileiros/caatinga/parques/708-parna-lencois-maranhenses] – Resolve Outbound Link) – Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade.
2. Fernando de Noronha – Brazil’s Marine Paradise
📍 Pernambuco (off the coast) This volcanic archipelago is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a global model for marine conservation. Noronha is home to dolphins, sea turtles, and some of the clearest waters on Earth, making it a diver’s dream. 👉 Protected by Projeto Tamar, which safeguards sea turtles across Brazil.
3. Rio de Janeiro – The Postcard City
📍 Southeast Brazil From Christ the Redeemer to Sugarloaf Mountain, Rio blends iconic cityscapes with natural wonders. The Tijuca Forest, the world’s largest urban rainforest, offers waterfalls and wildlife just minutes from downtown. 👉 See UNESCO’s profile: Rio de Janeiro: Carioca Landscapes.
4. Iguaçu Falls – One of the World’s Greatest Waterfalls
📍 Paraná, South Brazil With 275 cascades, Iguaçu National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and part of the world’s largest waterfall system, straddling Brazil and Argentina. The roar of the Devil’s Throat waterfall is unforgettable. 👉 More info at Iguaçu National Park – ICMBio.
5. Chapada Diamantina – Waterfalls & Caves
📍 Bahia Known for underground rivers, glowing caves like Poço Encantado, and dramatic waterfalls such as Cachoeira da Fumaça, Chapada Diamantina is a paradise for hikers and nature photographers. 👉 Managed by ICMBio – Chapada Diamantina National Park.
6. São Paulo – Brazil’s Cultural & Culinary Capital
📍 Southeast Brazil With 12 million people, São Paulo is Latin America’s creative hub. Highlights include: MASP (Museu de Arte de São Paulo) – iconic modern art museum.
Pinacoteca de São Paulo – Brazil’s oldest art museum.
The Municipal Market (Mercadão) – perfect for food lovers.
👉 Official page: MASP
7. Jericoacoara – Wind & Sun in the Northeast
📍 Ceará Known simply as “Jeri”, this barefoot beach town is a kite- and windsurfing paradise. Expect stunning dunes, natural lagoons, and the famous Pedra Furada rock arch. Sunsets here are legendary. 👉 Recognized as part of the APA de Jericoacoara.
8. Ouro Preto – Colonial Elegance & Baroque Art
📍 Minas Gerais A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ouro Preto is a baroque jewel of cobblestone streets, gold-laced churches, and colonial architecture. It was once the heart of Brazil’s 18th-century gold rush. 👉 Learn more: UNESCO Ouro Preto.
9. Chapada dos Veadeiros – Crystals, Canyons & Waterfalls
📍 Goiás This mystical region is known for its crystalline quartz, deep canyons, and waterfalls like Cachoeira Santa Bárbara. Many visitors also come for the area’s reputation as a spiritual energy center. 👉 Info at ICMBio – Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park.
10. Pantanal – Brazil’s Best-Kept Secret
📍 Mato Grosso & Mato Grosso do Sul The Pantanal, the world’s largest tropical wetland, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best places to visit in Brazil for wildlife photography. Unlike the dense Amazon, the Pantanal’s open landscapes make it easy to spot: Jaguars (highest density worldwide).
Giant otters, capybaras, and caimans.
Over 650 bird species, including the hyacinth macaw and jabiru stork.
👉 Learn more at UNESCO Pantanal ([Link Externo: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/99]) and Jaguar Identification Project. For a deeper dive into Pantanal safaris, see our feature: Why the Northern Pantanal (Not the Amazon) Is the Ultimate Place to See Wildlife. ([Link Interno] – Resolve Internal Link)
