The Best Things to Do in Brazil

As far as travel destinations go, Brazil is blessed. The country is graced with diverse landscapes from the cascading torrents of Iguaçu Falls and the mesmerizing, lagoon-pocked sand dunes of Lençóis Maranhenses to world-famous, sugar-fine beaches. But it’s more than just a look-and-see destination. Brazil intrigues with its Indigenous cultures and colonial history. It tantalizes with fusion gastronomy that invites native ingredients to mingle with African and European influences, all on a single plate. It wows with an art scene that uses cityscapes as a canvas and cradles biodiversity in places that are both obvious (the Amazon) and lesser-known (the Cerrado and the Fernando de Noronha archipelago). A live-out-loud society, travelers are swept away by Brazilian reverie upon arrival and vibrant culture that can be experienced with all five senses.  

With a little bit of everything on offer, and spanning a lot of ground, travelers can sometimes feel a little lost when starting to plan Brazil travel. We asked Extraordinary Journeys South America destination experts to weigh in, highlighting 16 of the best things to do in Brazil. Use this list to hone in on the experiences that set your curiosity aflame. With no shortage of inspiration, the pressing question will no longer be, “What to do in Brazil?”, but rather, “How much can I do in a single trip?”  

Things to Do in Brazil

Stalk Jaguars On a Pantanal Safari
Eat, Drink, Art in São Paulo
Boat Right Up to Iguaçu Falls
People-Watch on Ipanema Beach
Shop for Upscale Beachwear in Buzios
Step Back in Time in Colonial-Era Towns
Track Maned Wolves on the Cerrado Savannah
Sip Literary, Seaside Cocktails in Paraty
Samba in Salvador
Venture Deep into the Amazon
Go Barefoot in Trancoso
Learn the Brazilian Martial Art of Capoeira
Visit Lençóis Maranhenses’s Dune Lagoons
Swim the Underground Lakes of Chapada Diamantina National Park
Experience the Magic of a Pantanal Sunset
Meet Christ the Redeemer

Stalk Jaguars On a Pantanal Safari

Home to the largest concentration of jaguars in the world, the Pantanal is one of the best places to spot these incredible big cats in the wild. Setting out in 4×4 vehicles or on speed boats, jaguar safaris delve deep into this vast, 42-million-acre wetland in search of elusive felines. Sightings are reliable; we won’t say guaranteed—but almost. Solitary predators, spying a jaguar is a total thrill. Watch as they deftly weave through the grasslands, stalk and ambush prey, or snooze in a tree during the heat of the day.  

Eat, Drink, Art in São Paulo

One of Brazil’s epicenters of art, design, and architecture, São Paulo is home to some of Latin America’s finest institutions, like the São Paulo Art Museum and the Oscar Niemeyer-designed Museum of Modern Art. After working up an appetite strolling through vast collections and galleries, discover why São Paulo is also one of Brazil’s top foodie cities thanks to its diverse diaspora populations. Tuck into Japanese, Italian, pan-African, and Arabian cuisine, as well as plenty of homegrown Brazilian eats like coxinha, feijoada stew, and Bauru sandwiches. 

Boat Right Up to Iguaçu Falls

Relish the excitement of cruising right up to the foot of the mighty Iguaçu Falls on an adventurous boat ride, which takes you within feet of the torrential cascades. Navigating upstream along the Iguaçu River past forested banks, emerge in the heart of the Devil’s Throat Canyon, with 200-foot-high waterfalls surrounding you on all sides. Thanks to the refreshing spray, it’s also a great way to cool off from the heat and humidity of the jungle. 

People-Watch on Ipanema Beach

See The Girl From Ipanema go walking—in real life—on the same Rio de Janeiro beach that inspired the hit Bossa Nova song. (You’ll instantly recognize the tune, even if you didn’t know it by name). One of the most famous stretches of shoreline, not just in Brazil but in the world, Ipanema Beach is the “it” spot for people-watching. Lay back on a parasol-shaded lounger and watch as sun-tanned locals saunter by, vendors hawk everything from bikinis to beer, and surfers paddle out to catch an aquamarine wave. Linger for sunset and you’ll bear witness to the most sublime, pastel-painted skies that case Dois Irmãos’s twins peaks in silhouette.  

Shop for Upscale Beachwear in Buzios

With 4,600 miles of coastline, Brazil is a bona fide beach country—so don’t resign your vacation wardrobe to an afterthought. Dress the part, blending in by standing out alongside other fashion-forward beachgoers. Buzios, Brazil’s version of the French Riveria, is a destination for fashionable travelers and its beachfront boutiques are stocked with bikinis, swimsuits, kaftans, sunglasses, and sun hats. Peruse both local designers and international labels, then step out onto the coastal catwalk.  

Step Back in Time in Brazil’s Colonial-Era Towns

Brimming with baroque churches, cobblestone streets, handsome plazas, and white-washed facades, Paratay and Ouro Preto owe their colonial charms to their gold rush-era histories. Largely unchanged for centuries, a visit to either UNESCO-designated town feels like stepping back in time. Relax into their pedestrian friendly centers, let history grip your fascination, and imbibe the romantic aura that dusk brings.  

Track Maned Wolves on the Cerrado Savannah

Pantanal jaguars might be scene-stealers, but did you know Brazil is home to South America’s largest canine? Roaming the grasslands and woods of the Cerrado savannah, the threatened maned wolf is a rare and truly once-in-a-lifetime sighting, best glimpsed in the pre-dawn and evening hours. Even if you don’t catch sight of this elusive, long-legged canine, you’ll still get to marvel at the natural splendor of this rugged savannah on game drives—hopefully spotting other native wildlife such as giant anteaters and armadillo. 

Sip Literary Cocktails in Seaside Paraty

A heady mix of cachaça (distilled sugarcane), sugar, lime, and ice, the caipirinha is Brazil’s national cocktail and you’ll sip plenty of them during your visit. But when you’re thirsting for something different, head to Paraty, located on Brazil’s Green Coast. Snag a seat at one of the quaint bars set within the UNESCO-designated, cobblestone city center and order a Jorge Amado. Named for Brazil’s most famous writer, this twist on the caipirinha is the town’s signature cocktail, made instead with clove-and-cinnamon-infused cachaça liquor, passionfruit, lime, and sugar. Since the unique infused cachaça is only made locally, you won’t find this cocktail elsewhere in Brazil—so raise a glass. If you do so during Paraty’s annual literary festival (November), it’s all the sweeter.  

Samba in Salvador

What better place to learn the samba—Brazil’s lively national dance that’s as famous for its embellished costumes as its infectious energy—than in Bahia, the region where it was born? As the veil of night falls in Salvador’s historic city center, music spills out of bars, clubs, and dance halls where Bahians and visitors sway, sashay, and dance. Sometimes, impromptu parties even pop up right in the street, consuming entire cobblestone avenues and squares, transforming them into thrumming dance floors chorused by musical performances. Lose yourself in the rhythm and reverie.  

Venture Deep into the Amazon

Few places on Earth capture the collective imagination like the Amazon rainforest. Although Indigenous peoples have lived here since time untold, and settlers have set out to conquer the wilderness for centuries, this vast ecosystem still feels utterly wild with parts entirely undiscovered yet. Set out along labyrinth waterways, ascend a tower to survey the canopy, or follow forested trails to ignite a sense of intrepid, child-like wonder. One of the most biodiverse regions on the planet, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife sightings like camouflaged jaguars or multi-colored macaws flocking to clay licks. In a wilderness so dense and wild, you’ll be awe-struck, humbled by nature’s abundance and interconnectedness, and by the communities who thrive here.  

Go Barefoot in Trancoso

Unspoiled nature, feel-good vibes, and a free-spirited art scene come together in Trancoso, a laidback town on the Bahia coast. Sitting on a remote stretch of shoreline with postcard-perfect beaches and lush, tropical greenery, a thriving community of creatives makes Trancoso their hideaway. Transplanted international designers, local artisans, and other mavericks have transformed this town from a quiet fishing village into an artsy enclave by the sea. Pop into art galleries and ateliers to fill your suitcase with macrame souvenirs and leather goods, dine on ocean-pulled seafood served on al fresco patios, and hang out in boutique, design-driven hotels.  

Learn the Brazilian Martial Art of Capoeira

Along with samba, another of Salvador’s most famous cultural practices is capoeira. Replete with spins, leaps, kicks, and flowing movements, learn the ways of this mesmerizing martial art by taking a class or workshop. Along with being taught basic moves and getting to spar with partners, you’ll also learn more about capoeira’s rich history as a form of resistance for Afro-Brazilians.  

Visit Lençóis Maranhenses’s Dune Lagoons

Brazil is a year-round destination, but you may want to plan your trip between June and September to experience a spellbinding natural phenomenon. During the wet season, the valleys and troughs of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park’s coastal dunes are flooded with seasonal rains. The pools form crystal-clear lagoons that stretch across the landscape, as far as the eye can see. Sandboard down the sandy slopes into the warm water, go for a swim, and explore the area on a quad bike. For the best views, trek up the spine of a dune. Better yet, take a scenic flight for a bird’s eye view.  

Swim the Underground Lakes of Chapada Diamantina National Park

A true diamond in the rough, Chapada Diamantina National Park in northeastern Brazil takes some effort to reach but is well worth the effort. Hidden deep inside Bahia’s mountainous interior, this lesser-visited park is a treasure trove of wild landscapes, from forest-fringed plateaus to underground caverns carved out by rivers. Add contrast to your day by hiking to cliff-edge viewpoints in the morning and then venturing subterranean into cave networks during the afternoon, where you can swim in flooded caverns. If you prefer to swim in daylight, there are plenty of inviting swimming holes and rivers aboveground for cooling off. 

Experience the Magic of a Pantanal Sunset

With its endless expanses of lake-dotted grasslands, shimmering wetlands, and emerald-green forests, the Pantanal creates memorable sunsets that will live long in your memory well after you’ve returned home. Take pause as the sun sinks into the horizon, turning the entire sky and watery tableau ablaze with oranges, pinks, and purples. In true Brazilian safari fashion, head out at sunset and watch Mother Nature put on her breathtaking end-of-day show while sipping a cold Brahma beer and keeping your eyes peeled for the wildlife that starting to rouse.  

Meet Christ the Redeemer

Standing 125 feet tall, the towering statue of Christ the Redeemer is one of Rio’s most iconic landmarks. Although you can see this sky-high monument from the city below, nothing compares to making the trip up Corcovado Mountain to crane your neck back in total awe. After hiking, driving, or riding the historic rack railway to the summit, take in the sweeping, panoramic views of Rio de Janeiro, Copacabana Beach, and Guanabara Bay. It’s the perfect place to toast to another verve-filled day on holiday.  

Explore Brazil on a Map