15 Must-Do Activities in Brazil for an Unforgettable Experience

Whether you prefer wilderness or dense cities, the call of frogs in the rainforest or the beat of samba drums, Brazil presents experiences tailored for every traveler. The nation’s reputation as a natural paradise is unequivocal. While superlatives may fall short, this expansive country boasts the largest rainforest, the most extensive wetlands, and a plethora of known species of plants, freshwater fish, and mammals compared to any other nation globally.

Brazil is a tapestry of indigenous and immigrant cultures, each with distinct languages, cuisines, and musical traditions. Savor Afro-Brazilian heritage by indulging in acarajé in Salvador, engaging in samba in Rio de Janeiro, or moving to the rhythms of frevo in Olinda during Carnaval. Equally, the Amazon hosts some of the grandest celebrations in Brazil. After all these adventures, Brazil’s tropical islands provide an ideal setting for relaxation.

Prepare your curated list of essential activities with this guide to Brazil’s premier experiences.

1. Admire the view in Rio de Janeiro

Beaches, architecture, museums, waterfalls, nightlife… there are countless compelling reasons to visit Rio de Janeiro. However, a quintessential experience in this city involves ascending to higher elevations for breathtaking views. From vantage points, Rio’s dramatic landscape unfolds in its entirety – forested mountains cascading into the sea with urban developments nestled in between.

Tourists converge at two of the city’s most renowned landmarks, the 710m-high (2329ft-high) Christ the Redeemer statue and Pão de Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain), both providing magnificent 360-degree panoramas. To bypass the crowds, indulging in a helicopter tour is a worthwhile investment.

A rewarding vista awaits those who hike in the Tijuca National Park, particularly from the breathtaking heights of Pico da Tijuca and Pedra da Gávea.

2. Relax on a tropical island

Brazil features an abundance of coastlines, yet the selection process can be simplified by retreating to one of its idyllic tropical islands.

Ilha Grande

, situated south of Rio de Janeiro on the Costa Verde, enjoys warm waters and sandy beaches surrounded by the lush Mata Atlântica forest. Ilhabela offers a blend of fine dining for São Paulo weekenders alongside hiking trails and guesthouses nestled in the dense jungle.

Ilha do Mel, located in southern Brazil near Paranaguá, presents a more secluded atmosphere, featuring limited accommodation options, a

lighthouse

, a fort, and caves worth exploring. The Bahian coastline guarantees ample sunshine, while Boipeba offers over 20km (12 miles) of palm-fringed beaches with an enchanting castaway ambiance.

3. Spot whales in Praia do Rosa

Once a tranquil fishing village, Praia do Rosa has evolved into a premier surfing destination, replete with charming accommodations nestled on the hillside above the bay. During

the winter months

(June to November), surfers share the waves with another seasonally migratory visitor: southern right whale calves.

Historically, whales were hunted in these waters as early as the 1700s and were considered extinct by the 1970s. Despite efforts to repopulate, these majestic creatures remain endangered. The whales migrate here annually from Patagonia to breed, and a marine reserve extending 130km (80 miles) along the coast has been established to safeguard their wellbeing.

Planning tip:

Swimming in the ocean this far south during winter is not recommended; however, the beach remains a picturesque destination for windy walks and whale spotting throughout the year. Boat tours are also available for a closer encounter with these magnificent creatures.

4. Soak up the energy at a soccer game

It is impossible to overlook when a major soccer match is occurring in Brazil, as televisions in numerous bars broadcast the events, and jubilant cheers resonate through neighborhoods following goals. Engage in this exhilarating atmosphere by attending a live match, where the fervent supporters often rival the game itself in terms of entertainment.

The legendary

Maracanã stadium

in Rio de Janeiro is iconic – it hosted the 2014 FIFA World Cup final between Germany and Argentina, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2016 Summer Olympics.

SR Flamengo

stands as the largest club in Rio, attracting passionate crowds during matches against local rivals.

In São Paulo,

SE Palmeiras

and

Corinthians

each boast modern stadiums, with the latter renowned for its enthusiastic fanbase. The Pacaembu Stadium is an art deco gem, although it now hosts fewer games. The

soccer museum

located beneath the stadium honors Brazil’s most cherished passion.

5. Watch birds in the Atlantic Forest

Bird-watching aficionados should venture to some of the most breathtaking hidden gems within the Mata Atlântica (Atlantic Forest). As one of Brazil’s six biomes, the Atlantic Forest serves as a prime location for birdwatching, harboring nearly 900 species of birds, a quarter of which are endemic, including three-toed jacamars and vividly colored green-headed tanagers.

You may traverse Atlantic Forest ecosystems in numerous national and state parks, as well as countless private nature reserves. Established in 1937 as Brazil’s inaugural national park,

Itatiaia

is a birdwatcher’s paradise. Further south, particularly amidst the mangroves and salt marshes of Superagui National Park and the Sebui private nature reserve, one can observe other Atlantic Forest species such as scarlet ibises and red-tailed Amazon parrots filling the twilight skies as they return to roost.

6. Get soaked on a speed boat under Iguaçu Falls

The thunderous sound of 396,000 gallons (1.5 million liters) of water cascading over the edge of

Iguaçu Falls

each second provides an exhilarating and visceral experience. A multitude of activities centered around the falls will keep visitors captivated for days, ranging from hiking and cycling in the adjoining national park to birdwatching at the

Parque das Aves

bird and wildlife sanctuary.

Anticipate getting wet at some point during your visit, so why not embrace the deluge in the most high-octane fashion with a speedboat ride directly beneath the falls? Turbo-dinghies equipped with 500 horsepower outboard motors zoom alongside the falls, where the cacophony ensures that your screams remain unheard.

Planning tip:

The nearby

Itaipú Dam

– the world’s second-largest – is also worth visiting and is accessible from either Brazil or

Paraguay

.

7. Dance during Carnaval

For an exhilarating day of vibrant festivities, don a grand costume and join a samba school to parade at the

Sambódromo

during

Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro

. This event, broadcast live on national television, attracts thousands of spectators filling the stands, creating an intense competition that samba schools passionately prepare for throughout the year.

However, Carnaval is not exclusively found in Rio. Each region of Brazil celebrates differently, with one of the most traditional festivities occurring in the coastal city of Olinda. Instead of samba, the harmonious sounds of

frevo

,

maracatu

, and

afoxé

echo through the streets of this charming town. Local bands, featuring percussion and brass, captivate large crowds of enthusiastic participants trying to keep pace.

Planning tip:

Tickets for the Sambódromo can be purchased via the

official website

, offering options for

arquibancadas

(bleachers) or

camarotes

(boxes). However, these tickets rapidly sell out. Resale sites may have availability, but expect prices to exceed US$100.

8. See street art in São Paulo

Navigating São Paulo, characterized by a labyrinth of overpasses, underpasses, cracked sidewalks, and steep inclines, can be considered an adventurous endeavor. However, the reward lies in discovering an array of stunning murals and graffiti adorning the city’s expansive concrete landscape.

The vibrant

Beco do Batman

(Batman’s Alley) ranks as a premier destination for street art, attracting numerous visitors. In Centro, artist Felipe Yung’s extensive 10,000 sq m (107,639 sq ft) Aquarium decorates the facades of 15 buildings. The Minhoçã – officially known as Via Elevada Presidente João Goulart – spans 3.5km (2.2 miles) and is closed to traffic during evenings and weekends, offering an ideal promenade to appreciate the works of artists like Speto, Zezão, and Mag Magrela.

Cambuci, located in the southeast of the city, served as the childhood home of the world-famous duo OsGemeos and is the optimal site to experience their art beyond the museums. Further north, the

Museu Aberto de Arte Urbana

(Open Museum of Urban Art) showcases contributions from numerous creators on the massive columns supporting a metro line.

9. Contemplate the origins of life at Serra da Capivara

The culmination of a lifelong passion for Brazilian archaeologist Niède Guidon has led to the opening of the

Museu da Natureza

(Museum of Nature) in late 2018. This spiral-shaped structure at the perimeter of the

Serra da Capivara National Park

delves into the history of humanity and other species from their earliest known existence.

Noteworthy exhibits include saber-toothed cat teeth and a giant sloth Eremotherium model measuring 6m (20ft) in length, with fossils discovered in the park. The Serra da Capivara region is home to an astonishing 300 archaeological sites where fossils, ceramics, bones, and tens of thousands of cave art examples – recognized as the largest collection globally – have been unearthed over the years. These findings imply that human habitation in this area dates back as far as 50,000 years, challenging conventional theories regarding human settlement in the Americas.

Planning tip:

An airport opened near Serra da Capivara in 2015, facilitating commercial flights from Petrolina and Recife; however, most visitors prefer to drive or take a bus from Petrolina or Teresina.

10. Understand Afro-Brazilian culture in Salvador

Chilies, coconut, coriander, dried shrimp, and dendê palm oil comprise some of the core ingredients of Bahian cuisine, which presents some of Brazil’s most flavorful dishes, reflecting the strong African influences in the city of

Salvador

.

A traditional street food

is

acarajé

, deep-fried balls of black-eyed pea paste filled with a dried shrimp stew and various condiments. This dish is traditionally prepared by Baianos, descendants of the first Africans in Brazil, earning protected cultural heritage status in 2005.

Acarajé

is just one among several Baiano dishes associated with the worship of

orixás

, deities of Yoruba origin.

Planning tip:

Salvador represents the prime location in Brazil to immerse oneself in Afro-Brazilian culture and religion. The

Caminho dos Orixás – Oxum

is a tour around the city’s landmarks organized by agencies specializing in Afro-Brazilian culture.

Viare Travel

similarly arranges tours centered on Afro-Brazilian heritage.

11. Float down the river in Bonito

An ecotourism hub positioned near

the Pantanal wetlands

, Bonito serves as a vast aquarium and a sanctuary for nature enthusiasts. The crystal-clear waters flow through a limestone foundation, which acts as a natural filter, promoting remarkable underwater visibility. As you float down the Rio da Prata, you may encounter a myriad of captivating fish. Alternatively, rafting on the Rio Formoso presents another opportunity to observe fish and birds while traversing the rapids.

12. Party on at festivals in the Amazon

While the Amazon is predominantly recognized for its vast trees, it is also home to over 30 million inhabitants who engage in remarkable festivities (they are Brazilian as well, after all). Bumba Meu Boi, a folk festival celebrated each June in Parintins, tells the story of the death and resurrection of an ox through music, fireworks, dancing, and elaborate costumes.

The most significant Amazonian festival is Círio de Nazaré, a Catholic observance attracting over a million participants each October. Devout individuals parade through the streets of

Belém

, located at the mouth of the Amazon River, exuding cathartic energy. Approximately 966km (600 miles) upriver, the town of Maués hosts a festival every December to celebrate the guaraná fruit’s harvest, where locals dance on the shores of the Maués-Açu River until the early morning hours.

13. Visit a

cachaça

distillery

Known colloquially as

pinga

(among other names),

cachaça

is an exclusively Brazilian distilled sugarcane spirit, varying from tasteless ‘rocket fuel’ to refined, aged varieties. Furthermore, it constitutes the primary ingredient in the unofficial national cocktail, the caipirinha. Bars can provide a basic introduction to the pleasures of

cachaça

but visiting a distillery offers a far richer experience.

Minas Gerais

is the principal

cachaça

-producing region in Brazil, hosting the oldest operating distillery, Engenho Boa Vista, which has a remarkable history of over 260 years. The Maria Izabel distillery, which overlooks the sea, should be included in any visit to

Paraty

. Moreover, Rio Encantos organizes a

cachaça

tour in Rio that incorporates a visit to the city’s historical center, concluding with a tasting of various cachaça.

Planning tip:

The

Mapa da Cachaça

website serves as an excellent resource for mapping distilleries throughout the country.

14. Track jaguars in the Pantanal

As the largest feline in the Americas, the jaguar is a rare and elusive species. These remarkable big cats traverse extensive areas across Brazil. Despite the prohibition on game hunting enacted in 1967, jaguars continue to be threatened by poaching. Furthermore, habitat degradation, compounded by recent fires and the expansion of livestock farming, has contributed to a diminished population, placing the species at risk of extinction.

One of the prime locations for encountering jaguars is the

Pantanal

, the world’s largest wetland. The conservation NGO

Onçafari

was established in 2011 to support jaguar protection efforts through research and ecotourism. The organization conducts jaguar safaris from its base at the

Caiman Lodge

, situated within a private nature preserve.

Planning tip:

Numerous local tour operators offer jaguar safaris, and the deeper you venture into the wetlands, the greater your chances of spotting one. Optimal sightings generally occur in the dry season (April to September).

15. Kitesurf off Brazil’s northeast coast

Brazil is home to some of the world’s most esteemed kitesurfing champions, a fitting distinction given its extensive windswept Atlantic coastline. The state of

Ceará

in northeastern Brazil boasts exceptional kitesurfing destinations, including

Cumbuco

, a favored site among top athletes, as well as the coastal hubs of Icapuí and Préa.

Slightly further north in the Piauí region, Barra Grande is gaining recognition as a burgeoning kitesurfing locale. Additionally, in Maranhão, the lagoons at Atins provide excellent winds devoid of waves, while conveniently located near the desert-like

Lençóis Maranhenses National Park

.