Fodor's Rio de Janeiro & Sao Paulo (Travel Guide)
Written by locals, Fodor's Rio de Janeiro & Sao Paulo is the perfect guidebook for those...
Whether you go during Carnival or not, Brazil is always a party. You can tan and mingle with the locals on the country's seemingly endless beaches, from Rio's glamorous Copacabana to the unspoiled treasures along the northeastern shores. In the vast interior, outdoor adventures thrill: take a spray-soaked boat ride into Iguaçu's raging waterfalls or spot exotic wildlife in the Pantanal. On rugged treks through the Amazon rain forest or on shopping expeditions in São Paulo's chic boutiques, you will plunge into a vibrant mix of colors, rhythms, and cultures.
Fodor's Rio de Janeiro & Sao Paulo (Travel Guide)
Written by locals, Fodor's Rio de Janeiro & Sao Paulo is the perfect guidebook for those...
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Rio de Janeiro
Welcome to the Cidade Maravilhosa, or the Marvelous City, as Rio is known in Brazil. Synonymous with the girl from Ipanema, the dramatic views from...
São Paulo
A sprawling, high-rise megacity, São Paulo might not have Rio's beaches and sultry good looks, but for urban explorers, it's a thoroughly rewarding destination. Blessed...
The South
Too often overlooked by visitors to Brazil, the southern states of Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul are a delightful surprise. From pristine...
Salvador and the Bahia Coast
In "the land of happiness," as the state of Bahia is known, the sun shines almost every day. Its Atlantic Ocean shoreline runs for 900...
The Northeast
Like the whole of Brazil, the Northeast is a place of contrasts. Churches, villas, and fortresses in Recife, Natal, and Fortaleza tell the tale of...
Minas Gerais
Though it's far from the circuit of Brazil's most visited places, the state of Minas Gerais holds unforgettable historical, architectural, and ecological riches. Minas has...
The Amazon
Aerial photographs, films, and documentaries can give a sense of the Amazon's magnificence, but there is nothing like experiencing its majesty, and fragility, in person...
Brasilia and the West
Once a frontier region that was the preserve of gold explorers and colonial adventurers, the Center-West has been home to the country’s political nerve center...
Side Trips from Rio
Rio's frenetic pace can be as exhausting as it is exhilarating, so it's handy that the city is surrounded by idyllic beaches and peaceful historic...
Side Trips from São Paulo
São Paulo’s surroundings are perfect for all types of getaways with the peaks of the Serra da Mantiqueira inland and the area's finest beaches up...
Salvador
According to Salvador’s adopted son Jorge Amado, "In Salvador, magic becomes part of the everyday." From the shimmering golden light of sunset over the Baía...
Brasilia
The idea of moving Brazil's capital to the interior dates from the early days of the country's independence, but it wasn't until 1955 that the...
Belo Horizonte
The Cidade de Minas (city of Minas), now Belo Horizonte, was established in 1897, when Ouro Preto, because of its mountainous geography, could no longer...
Recife
This vibrant metropolis has a spirit that's halfway between that of the modern cities of Brazil's South and of the traditional northeastern centers. It offers...
Manaus
The capital of Amazonas State, Manaus is the Amazon's most popular tourist destination, largely because of the many jungle lodges in the surrounding area. The...
Porto Alegre
Porto Alegre's hallmark is the hospitality of its people, a trait that has been acknowledged over and over by visitors, earning it the nickname "Smile...
Fortaleza
Called the "City of Light," Fortaleza claims that the sun shines on it 2,800 hours a year. And it's a good thing, too, as the...
Ouro Preto
The former gold-rush capital is the best place to see the legendary sculptor Aleijadinho's artistry. Now a lively university town, it's been preserved as a...
Belem
The capital of Pará State, Belém is a river port of around 1.4 million people on the south bank of the Rio Guamá. The Portuguese...
Curitiba
Curitiba is on the Paraná Plateau, at an elevation of 2,800 feet. It owes its name to the Paraná pinecones, which were called kur-ity-ba by...
Florianopolis
The nickname "Magic Island" is an appropriate moniker for Florianópolis (officially called Ilha de Santa Catarina, but known to most as Florianópolis, or simply "Floripa")...
Buzios
Around two hours from Rio de Janeiro, Búzios is a string of beautiful beaches on an 8-km-long (5-mile-long) peninsula. It was the quintessential sleepy fishing...
Natal
Natal has been growing by leaps and bounds over the past decade. The capital of Rio Grande do Norte has become an important industrial center...
Paraty
This stunning colonial city—also spelled Parati—is one of South America's gems and a must-visit if you have a few days to spare during a visit...
Cuiaba
The northern gateway to the Pantanal wetlands, Cuiabá is also the southernmost gateway to the cerrado and the Amazon beyond. While you're waiting for a...
Ilhabela
Ilhabela is favored by those who like beach and water sports; indeed, many sailing competitions are held here as well as scuba diving. This is...
Campo Grande
Campo Grande is the gateway to the southern Pantanal and to the water sports–rich areas around Bonito. Nicknamed the Cidade Morena (Brunette City) because of...
Bonito
The hills around this small town of 15,000, whose name rightly means "beautiful," are on the southern edge of the Pantanal, not too far from...
The Marau Peninsula
In the native Indian Tupi Guarani language, Maraú means the "sun's light at daybreak," likely an homage to the dazzling light that governs the peninsula...
Campos do Jordão
In the Serra da Mantiqueira at an altitude of 5,525 feet, Campos do Jordão and its fresh mountain air are paulistanos’ favorite winter attractions. In...
Lençois
In a region of outstanding natural beauty, the small town of Lençóis was once known as the Diamond Capital thanks to the frenzy that took...
Tiradentes
Probably the best historic city to visit after Ouro Preto and Diamantina, Tiradentes was the birthplace of a martyr who gave the city its name...
Petropolis
The highway northeast of Rio de Janeiro rumbles past forests and waterfalls en route to a mountain town so refreshing and picturesque that Dom Pedro...
Ilha Grande
Ilha Grande, 90 minutes via ferry from Angra dos Reis, is one of the most popular island destinations in Brazil. It boasts 86 idyllic beaches...
Praia do Rosa
Once a simple fishing hamlet, Praia do Rosa is one of the most beautiful beaches in the South, with a winning combination of good surf...
Macapa
Macapá is on the north channel of the Amazon Delta and, like Belém, was built by the Portuguese as an outpost. Today it's the capital...
Olinda
The name of Pernambuco State's original capital means "beautiful," and this must have been what came to mind when the first Europeans stood atop the...
São Sebastião
São Sebastião stretches along 100 km (62 miles) of the North Shore. Its bays, islands, and beaches attract everyone from the youngsters who flock to...
Ilha do Marajo
With an area of roughly 49,600 square km (18,900 square miles), Ilha do Marajó is reputedly the world's largest river island. Its relatively unspoiled environment...
Embu
Founded in 1554, Embu, or Embu das Artes, is a tiny Portuguese colonial town of whitewashed houses, old churches, wood-carvers’ studios, and antiques shops. It...
Alter do Chão
Dubbed the "Carribean of the Amazon" because of its crystalline waters, white-sand beaches, and laid-back vibe, Alter do Chão is a relaxing place to spend...
Trancoso
One of Bahia's most picturesque beach towns, Trancoso was founded by Jesuit missionaries in 1586 and orginally named St. John Baptist of the Indians. Life...
Vale dos Vinhedos
The Serra Gaúcha—the mountainous region of Rio Grande do Sul—produces 90% of Brazilian wine. Grapevines grow throughout the hilly terrain, but the heart of the...
Balneario Camboriu
At a glance, the beachside city of Balneário Camboriú could be straight out of the Jetsons, with its futuristic skyline of tall, thin buildings (one...
Cabo Frio
Nicknamed the "Caribbean of Brazil" in honor of its translucent white sands and crystal clear warm waters, Arraial do Cabo is a favorite destination for...
Diamantina
Diamantina took its name from the diamonds that were extracted in great quantities here in the 18th century. Perhaps because of its remote setting in...
Gramado
No doubt it was Gramado's mild mountain climate that attracted German settlers to the area in the late 1800s. They left a legacy of German-style...
Jericoacoara
It could be the sand dunes, some more than 30 meters (100 feet) tall; it could be the expanse of ocean that puts no limits...
Boipeba
With few direct transport links, Boipeba’s pristine white sand, turquoise waters, and virgin forests have remained something of a Robinson Crusoe’s dream. Surrounded by the...
Praia da Pipa
Praia da Pipa was a small fishing village until it was "discovered" by surfers in the '70s. Word of its beauty spread, and it's now...
Parque Nacional Chapada dos Guimarães
The Chapada dos Guimarães is one of the best places to get a taste of the unique landscape of the cerrado, the endless Brazilian savanna...
Serra Negra
At 4,265 feet above sea level in the Serra da Mantiqueira, Serra Negra attracts hordes of paulistanos and cruising motorbike fans looking for a bucolic...
Fernando de Noronha
This stunning archipelago is widely recognized as one of Brazil's crown jewels. The 16 beaches are incomparably beautiful, and the brilliant turquoise waters make for...
Santos
The biggest city on the São Paulo coast, Santos is the home of the largest container port in South America. At the turn of the...
Alagoas
For a long time, Brazil’s smallest state was known for little else than sugar production and as the breeding ground (and favored retreat) of some...
Paranagua
Most of Brazil's coffee and soybeans are shipped out of Paranaguá, the nation's second-largest port, which also serves as chief port for landlocked Paraguay. Downtown...
Angra dos Reis
Angra dos Reis (Bay of Kings) has it all: colonial architecture, beautiful beaches, and clear green waters. Schooners, yachts, and fishing skiffs drift among the...
Porto Seguro
Not too long ago, Porto Seguro (Safe Harbor) was a serene fishing village. Now it’s one of the prime tourist destinations in the country for...
Praia do Forte
Praia do Forte was first settled in 1549 by Garcia D’Avila, a clerk for the Portuguese crown. For reasons lost in the mists of history...
Santana de Parnaiba
With more than 200 preserved houses from the 18th and 19th centuries, Santana de Parnaíba is considered the "Ouro Preto from São Paulo"—a town rich...
Santarem
Since its founding in 1661, Santarém has ridden the crest of many an economic wave. First wood, then rubber, and more recently minerals have lured...
Caxambu
A 19th-century town once frequented by Brazilian royalty, Caxambu remains a favorite getaway for wealthy and retired cariocas (residents of Rio). Although most people spend...
Blumenau
The cradle of the prosperous Vale do Itajaí region, Blumenau is a pleasant city of more than 300,000, with clean streets and friendly people. Its...
São Lourenço
This most modern of the mineral-spa towns is a good base from which to visit the other Circuito das Águas communities. From here taxis and...
Parque Nacional dos Aparados da Serra
Straddling the border between Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, the Parque Nacional dos Aparados da Serra and the Parque Nacional da Serra Geral...
Arraial d'Ajuda
This town was founded by Jesuits that arrived in 1549 with the Portuguese official Tomé de Souza, the first governor-general of Brazil. Its name is...
Ubatuba
Many of the more than 70 beaches around Ubatuba are more than beautiful enough to merit the long drive from São Paulo. Young people, surfers...
Águas de São Pedro
Although Águas de São Pedro is one of the smallest cities in Brazil, at a mere 3.9 square km (1.5 square miles), its sulfurous waters...
Torres
The beaches around the city of Torres are Rio Grande do Sul's most exciting. The sophistication of the seaside areas attracts international travelers, particularly Argentines...
Niteroi
Cariocas joke that the best thing about Niterói is the view—on a clear day you can see Rio de Janeiro with the Corcovado and Sugarloaf...
Parque Nacional Chapada Diamantina
The Chapada Diamantina (Diamond Highlands) in Central Bahia was once famous for its precious gems, but it’s now recognized as one of the country’s best...
Ilheus
In Brazil, Ilhéus (literally meaning "islanders") is synonymous with cocoa and Jorge Amado, one of Brazil’s best-known 20th-century writers. Amado spent his childhood here, and...
Mariana
The oldest city in Minas Gerais (founded in 1696) is also the birthplace of Aleijadinho's favorite painter, Manuel da Costa Ataíde. Its three principal churches...
Iguaçu Falls
The construction of the Itaipú Dam (now the world's second largest) in 1975 transformed Foz do Iguaçu into a bustling city with seven times more...
Cachoeira
This riverside colonial town dates from the 16th and 17th centuries, when sugarcane was the economy’s mainstay. It has been designated a national monument and...
São Tome das Letras
With its tales of flying saucers, its eerie stone houses that resemble architecture from outer space, and its 7,500 inhabitants who swear to years of...
Governador Celso Ramos
Just across the water from Florianópolis, this charming stretch of coastline is dotted with fishing villages still stuck in the past and quaint beaches, largely...
São Miguel das Missões
Of seven large missions in the area dating from the late 1600s to mid-1700s, São Miguel is the best preserved and the only one that...
Caruaru
Caruaru and its crafts center, Alto do Moura (6 km/4 miles south of Caruaru), became famous in the 1960s and '70s for clay figurines made...
Parque Nacional Serra do Cipo
...
Sabara
The grandeur of Sabará's baroque churches, their interiors rich with gold-leaf paneling, makes clear how enormously wealthy Minas Gerais was during the gold-rush days. This...
Salinopolis
Commonly known as Salinas, this old salt port on the Atlantic coast is loaded with beaches. It lies south of the mouth of the Amazon...
Miranda
This tiny settlement on the Miranda River grew into a city after the construction of the railway linking São Paulo to Corumbá and on to...
Porto Belo
The seafront town of Porto Belo lies at the base of a peninsula dotted with beaches, bays, and coves, and it has a great reputation...
Canela
Gramado's "smaller sister" is quieter and more low-profile. Brazilians immediately associate this city with the beautiful Caracol Waterfall, but it also has great shopping, for...
Ilha do Mosqueiro
Most Belém residents head for one of 18 beaches on Mosqueiro Island, along the Rio Pará. Mosqueiro is easily accessible by car or intermunicipal bus...
Parque Natural do Caraça
One of the most worthwhile parks to visit in Minas is the Parque Natural do Caraça. It includes more than 200 species of orchids and...
Morro de São Paulo
Eternally popular among travelers seeking fun in the sun, Morro de São Paulo is the largest village on the Ilha de Tinharé, where thick Atlantic...
Parque Nacional da Serra da Canastra
The mesmerizing waterfalls, lakes, and bouncing roads make Serra da Canastra a top spot for adventure seekers. The access to the park has been improved...
Praia do Espelho
One of the region's most idolized spots and a regular winner of Brazil’s best beach, Praia do Espelho is reached from Trancoso through fields of...
Praia Outeiro
...
Pocone
The hotels here are some of the closest to the Pantanal wetlands. There are many well-trained guides in town, who have lived here all their...
North Coast Beaches
To reach some of Bahia’s more pristine and less crowded beaches, head north of Salvador on the Estrada do Coco (Coconut Road), leaving the baroque...
Monte Alegre
Wedged on a hillside between fertile Amazon wetlands and cerrado (dry scrub forest), the Monte Alegre area has long been a preferred site for human...
Alto Paraiso de Goias
...
Brotas
...
Presidente Figueiredo
One of the Amazon's best-kept secrets is a two-hour drive north of Manaus. The town of Presidente Figueiredo (founded 1981) has dozens of waterfalls—up to...
Goias Velho
...
Vale Monumental do Ceara
...
Pirenopolis
...
Garopaba
...
Nova Friburgo
...
Rio de Janeiro
Welcome to the Cidade Maravilhosa, or the Marvelous City, as Rio is known in Brazil. Synonymous with the girl from Ipanema, the dramatic views from...
São Paulo
A sprawling, high-rise megacity, São Paulo might not have Rio's beaches and sultry good looks, but for urban explorers, it's a thoroughly rewarding destination. Blessed...
Salvador
According to Salvador’s adopted son Jorge Amado, "In Salvador, magic becomes part of the everyday." From the shimmering golden light of sunset over the Baía...
Brasilia
The idea of moving Brazil's capital to the interior dates from the early days of the country's independence, but it wasn't until 1955 that the...
Belo Horizonte
The Cidade de Minas (city of Minas), now Belo Horizonte, was established in 1897, when Ouro Preto, because of its mountainous geography, could no longer...
Recife
This vibrant metropolis has a spirit that's halfway between that of the modern cities of Brazil's South and of the traditional northeastern centers. It offers...
Manaus
The capital of Amazonas State, Manaus is the Amazon's most popular tourist destination, largely because of the many jungle lodges in the surrounding area. The...
Porto Alegre
Porto Alegre's hallmark is the hospitality of its people, a trait that has been acknowledged over and over by visitors, earning it the nickname "Smile...
Fortaleza
Called the "City of Light," Fortaleza claims that the sun shines on it 2,800 hours a year. And it's a good thing, too, as the...
Ouro Preto
The former gold-rush capital is the best place to see the legendary sculptor Aleijadinho's artistry. Now a lively university town, it's been preserved as a...
Belem
The capital of Pará State, Belém is a river port of around 1.4 million people on the south bank of the Rio Guamá. The Portuguese...
Curitiba
Curitiba is on the Paraná Plateau, at an elevation of 2,800 feet. It owes its name to the Paraná pinecones, which were called kur-ity-ba by...
Florianopolis
The nickname "Magic Island" is an appropriate moniker for Florianópolis (officially called Ilha de Santa Catarina, but known to most as Florianópolis, or simply "Floripa")...
Buzios
Around two hours from Rio de Janeiro, Búzios is a string of beautiful beaches on an 8-km-long (5-mile-long) peninsula. It was the quintessential sleepy fishing...
Natal
Natal has been growing by leaps and bounds over the past decade. The capital of Rio Grande do Norte has become an important industrial center...
Paraty
This stunning colonial city—also spelled Parati—is one of South America's gems and a must-visit if you have a few days to spare during a visit...
Ilhabela
Ilhabela is favored by those who like beach and water sports; indeed, many sailing competitions are held here as well as scuba diving. This is...
Cuiaba
The northern gateway to the Pantanal wetlands, Cuiabá is also the southernmost gateway to the cerrado and the Amazon beyond. While you're waiting for a...
Campo Grande
Campo Grande is the gateway to the southern Pantanal and to the water sports–rich areas around Bonito. Nicknamed the Cidade Morena (Brunette City) because of...
Tiradentes
Probably the best historic city to visit after Ouro Preto and Diamantina, Tiradentes was the birthplace of a martyr who gave the city its name...
Campos do Jordão
In the Serra da Mantiqueira at an altitude of 5,525 feet, Campos do Jordão and its fresh mountain air are paulistanos’ favorite winter attractions. In...
The Marau Peninsula
In the native Indian Tupi Guarani language, Maraú means the "sun's light at daybreak," likely an homage to the dazzling light that governs the peninsula...
Bonito
The hills around this small town of 15,000, whose name rightly means "beautiful," are on the southern edge of the Pantanal, not too far from...
Lençois
In a region of outstanding natural beauty, the small town of Lençóis was once known as the Diamond Capital thanks to the frenzy that took...
Petropolis
The highway northeast of Rio de Janeiro rumbles past forests and waterfalls en route to a mountain town so refreshing and picturesque that Dom Pedro...
Ilha Grande
Ilha Grande, 90 minutes via ferry from Angra dos Reis, is one of the most popular island destinations in Brazil. It boasts 86 idyllic beaches...
Praia do Rosa
Once a simple fishing hamlet, Praia do Rosa is one of the most beautiful beaches in the South, with a winning combination of good surf...
Macapa
Macapá is on the north channel of the Amazon Delta and, like Belém, was built by the Portuguese as an outpost. Today it's the capital...
Olinda
The name of Pernambuco State's original capital means "beautiful," and this must have been what came to mind when the first Europeans stood atop the...
São Sebastião
São Sebastião stretches along 100 km (62 miles) of the North Shore. Its bays, islands, and beaches attract everyone from the youngsters who flock to...
Ilha do Marajo
With an area of roughly 49,600 square km (18,900 square miles), Ilha do Marajó is reputedly the world's largest river island. Its relatively unspoiled environment...
Embu
Founded in 1554, Embu, or Embu das Artes, is a tiny Portuguese colonial town of whitewashed houses, old churches, wood-carvers’ studios, and antiques shops. It...
Alter do Chão
Dubbed the "Carribean of the Amazon" because of its crystalline waters, white-sand beaches, and laid-back vibe, Alter do Chão is a relaxing place to spend...
Trancoso
One of Bahia's most picturesque beach towns, Trancoso was founded by Jesuit missionaries in 1586 and orginally named St. John Baptist of the Indians. Life...
Cabo Frio
Nicknamed the "Caribbean of Brazil" in honor of its translucent white sands and crystal clear warm waters, Arraial do Cabo is a favorite destination for...
Vale dos Vinhedos
The Serra Gaúcha—the mountainous region of Rio Grande do Sul—produces 90% of Brazilian wine. Grapevines grow throughout the hilly terrain, but the heart of the...
Balneario Camboriu
At a glance, the beachside city of Balneário Camboriú could be straight out of the Jetsons, with its futuristic skyline of tall, thin buildings (one...
Jericoacoara
It could be the sand dunes, some more than 30 meters (100 feet) tall; it could be the expanse of ocean that puts no limits...
Diamantina
Diamantina took its name from the diamonds that were extracted in great quantities here in the 18th century. Perhaps because of its remote setting in...
Praia da Pipa
Praia da Pipa was a small fishing village until it was "discovered" by surfers in the '70s. Word of its beauty spread, and it's now...
Gramado
No doubt it was Gramado's mild mountain climate that attracted German settlers to the area in the late 1800s. They left a legacy of German-style...
Boipeba
With few direct transport links, Boipeba’s pristine white sand, turquoise waters, and virgin forests have remained something of a Robinson Crusoe’s dream. Surrounded by the...
Fernando de Noronha
This stunning archipelago is widely recognized as one of Brazil's crown jewels. The 16 beaches are incomparably beautiful, and the brilliant turquoise waters make for...
Serra Negra
At 4,265 feet above sea level in the Serra da Mantiqueira, Serra Negra attracts hordes of paulistanos and cruising motorbike fans looking for a bucolic...
Parque Nacional Chapada dos Guimarães
The Chapada dos Guimarães is one of the best places to get a taste of the unique landscape of the cerrado, the endless Brazilian savanna...
Santos
The biggest city on the São Paulo coast, Santos is the home of the largest container port in South America. At the turn of the...
Paranagua
Most of Brazil's coffee and soybeans are shipped out of Paranaguá, the nation's second-largest port, which also serves as chief port for landlocked Paraguay. Downtown...
Porto Seguro
Not too long ago, Porto Seguro (Safe Harbor) was a serene fishing village. Now it’s one of the prime tourist destinations in the country for...
Angra dos Reis
Angra dos Reis (Bay of Kings) has it all: colonial architecture, beautiful beaches, and clear green waters. Schooners, yachts, and fishing skiffs drift among the...
Santana de Parnaiba
With more than 200 preserved houses from the 18th and 19th centuries, Santana de Parnaíba is considered the "Ouro Preto from São Paulo"—a town rich...
Praia do Forte
Praia do Forte was first settled in 1549 by Garcia D’Avila, a clerk for the Portuguese crown. For reasons lost in the mists of history...
Santarem
Since its founding in 1661, Santarém has ridden the crest of many an economic wave. First wood, then rubber, and more recently minerals have lured...
Caxambu
A 19th-century town once frequented by Brazilian royalty, Caxambu remains a favorite getaway for wealthy and retired cariocas (residents of Rio). Although most people spend...
Blumenau
The cradle of the prosperous Vale do Itajaí region, Blumenau is a pleasant city of more than 300,000, with clean streets and friendly people. Its...
São Lourenço
This most modern of the mineral-spa towns is a good base from which to visit the other Circuito das Águas communities. From here taxis and...
Ubatuba
Many of the more than 70 beaches around Ubatuba are more than beautiful enough to merit the long drive from São Paulo. Young people, surfers...
Arraial d'Ajuda
This town was founded by Jesuits that arrived in 1549 with the Portuguese official Tomé de Souza, the first governor-general of Brazil. Its name is...
Mariana
The oldest city in Minas Gerais (founded in 1696) is also the birthplace of Aleijadinho's favorite painter, Manuel da Costa Ataíde. Its three principal churches...
Niteroi
Cariocas joke that the best thing about Niterói is the view—on a clear day you can see Rio de Janeiro with the Corcovado and Sugarloaf...
Iguaçu Falls
The construction of the Itaipú Dam (now the world's second largest) in 1975 transformed Foz do Iguaçu into a bustling city with seven times more...
Torres
The beaches around the city of Torres are Rio Grande do Sul's most exciting. The sophistication of the seaside areas attracts international travelers, particularly Argentines...
Ilheus
In Brazil, Ilhéus (literally meaning "islanders") is synonymous with cocoa and Jorge Amado, one of Brazil’s best-known 20th-century writers. Amado spent his childhood here, and...
Águas de São Pedro
Although Águas de São Pedro is one of the smallest cities in Brazil, at a mere 3.9 square km (1.5 square miles), its sulfurous waters...
Cachoeira
This riverside colonial town dates from the 16th and 17th centuries, when sugarcane was the economy’s mainstay. It has been designated a national monument and...
São Tome das Letras
With its tales of flying saucers, its eerie stone houses that resemble architecture from outer space, and its 7,500 inhabitants who swear to years of...
Governador Celso Ramos
Just across the water from Florianópolis, this charming stretch of coastline is dotted with fishing villages still stuck in the past and quaint beaches, largely...
São Miguel das Missões
Of seven large missions in the area dating from the late 1600s to mid-1700s, São Miguel is the best preserved and the only one that...
Miranda
This tiny settlement on the Miranda River grew into a city after the construction of the railway linking São Paulo to Corumbá and on to...
Porto Belo
The seafront town of Porto Belo lies at the base of a peninsula dotted with beaches, bays, and coves, and it has a great reputation...
Canela
Gramado's "smaller sister" is quieter and more low-profile. Brazilians immediately associate this city with the beautiful Caracol Waterfall, but it also has great shopping, for...
Sabara
The grandeur of Sabará's baroque churches, their interiors rich with gold-leaf paneling, makes clear how enormously wealthy Minas Gerais was during the gold-rush days. This...
Salinopolis
Commonly known as Salinas, this old salt port on the Atlantic coast is loaded with beaches. It lies south of the mouth of the Amazon...
Caruaru
Caruaru and its crafts center, Alto do Moura (6 km/4 miles south of Caruaru), became famous in the 1960s and '70s for clay figurines made...
Ilha do Mosqueiro
Most Belém residents head for one of 18 beaches on Mosqueiro Island, along the Rio Pará. Mosqueiro is easily accessible by car or intermunicipal bus...
Praia do Espelho
One of the region's most idolized spots and a regular winner of Brazil’s best beach, Praia do Espelho is reached from Trancoso through fields of...
Morro de São Paulo
Eternally popular among travelers seeking fun in the sun, Morro de São Paulo is the largest village on the Ilha de Tinharé, where thick Atlantic...
Monte Alegre
Wedged on a hillside between fertile Amazon wetlands and cerrado (dry scrub forest), the Monte Alegre area has long been a preferred site for human...
Praia Outeiro
...
Pocone
The hotels here are some of the closest to the Pantanal wetlands. There are many well-trained guides in town, who have lived here all their...
Presidente Figueiredo
One of the Amazon's best-kept secrets is a two-hour drive north of Manaus. The town of Presidente Figueiredo (founded 1981) has dozens of waterfalls—up to...
Alto Paraiso de Goias
...
Brotas
...
Goias Velho
...
Pirenopolis
...
Garopaba
...
Nova Friburgo
...
The South
Too often overlooked by visitors to Brazil, the southern states of Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul are a delightful surprise. From pristine...
Salvador and the Bahia Coast
In "the land of happiness," as the state of Bahia is known, the sun shines almost every day. Its Atlantic Ocean shoreline runs for 900...
The Northeast
Like the whole of Brazil, the Northeast is a place of contrasts. Churches, villas, and fortresses in Recife, Natal, and Fortaleza tell the tale of...
Minas Gerais
Though it's far from the circuit of Brazil's most visited places, the state of Minas Gerais holds unforgettable historical, architectural, and ecological riches. Minas has...
The Amazon
Aerial photographs, films, and documentaries can give a sense of the Amazon's magnificence, but there is nothing like experiencing its majesty, and fragility, in person...
Brasilia and the West
Once a frontier region that was the preserve of gold explorers and colonial adventurers, the Center-West has been home to the country’s political nerve center...
Side Trips from Rio
Rio's frenetic pace can be as exhausting as it is exhilarating, so it's handy that the city is surrounded by idyllic beaches and peaceful historic...
Side Trips from São Paulo
São Paulo’s surroundings are perfect for all types of getaways with the peaks of the Serra da Mantiqueira inland and the area's finest beaches up...
North Coast Beaches
To reach some of Bahia’s more pristine and less crowded beaches, head north of Salvador on the Estrada do Coco (Coconut Road), leaving the baroque...
Vale Monumental do Ceara
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Parque Nacional dos Aparados da Serra
Straddling the border between Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, the Parque Nacional dos Aparados da Serra and the Parque Nacional da Serra Geral...
Parque Nacional Chapada Diamantina
The Chapada Diamantina (Diamond Highlands) in Central Bahia was once famous for its precious gems, but it’s now recognized as one of the country’s best...
Parque Nacional Serra do Cipo
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Parque Natural do Caraça
One of the most worthwhile parks to visit in Minas is the Parque Natural do Caraça. It includes more than 200 species of orchids and...
Parque Nacional da Serra da Canastra
The mesmerizing waterfalls, lakes, and bouncing roads make Serra da Canastra a top spot for adventure seekers. The access to the park has been improved...
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Canastra National Park in Brazil
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Guidebooks
Guidebooks
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Shop NowFodor's Rio de Janeiro & Sao Paulo (Travel Guide)
Written by locals, Fodor's Rio de Janeiro & Sao Paulo is the perfect guidebook for those...
