Brazil stretches across nearly half of South America, packed with enough diversity to make your head spin. While Rio and São Paulo grab most of the headlines, the country’s real magic often happens in places where tourists rarely venture.
From pristine beaches that make the Caribbean look ordinary to rainforests that swallow entire states, Brazil rewards travelers who dare to stray from the beaten path. Here is a list of 20 incredible destinations that prove there’s so much more to this massive country than its famous poster cities.
Salvador
Salvador feels like stepping into a time machine that got stuck somewhere between colonial Portugal and modern Africa. The cobblestone streets of Pelourinho buzz with capoeira performances, while the smell of acarajé drifts from street vendors who’ve been perfecting their recipes for generations.
This coastal city in Bahia state serves as Brazil’s cultural heartbeat, where African traditions didn’t just survive—they thrived.
Florianópolis
This island city earned the nickname ‘Magic Island’ and lives up to every bit of the hype. Florianópolis combines 42 beaches with a nightlife scene that rivals any major city, all while maintaining a laid-back surfer vibe that makes you want to cancel your return flight.
The southern location means cooler temperatures year-round, perfect for those who love beach life without melting into a puddle.
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Foz do Iguaçu
Iguazu Falls makes Niagara look like a leaky faucet. The thunderous cascade of 275 individual waterfalls creates a natural spectacle so impressive that Eleanor Roosevelt reportedly said ‘Poor Niagara’ upon seeing it.
The surrounding national park on both the Brazilian and Argentine sides offers hiking trails that lead to viewpoints where you can feel the mist on your face from over a mile away.
Pantanal
Think of the Pantanal as nature’s greatest wildlife documentary, except you’re sitting in the front row. This massive wetland covers an area larger than England and serves as home to jaguars, giant otters, and over 650 bird species.
During flood season, the landscape transforms into an endless water world where caimans sunbathe on floating logs and capybaras wade through knee-deep grasslands.
Manaus
Manaus sits like a concrete island in the middle of the Amazon, where the muddy Rio Negro meets the sandy-colored Amazon River in a phenomenon called the ‘Meeting of Waters.’ The city serves as your gateway to jungle lodges, pink river dolphins, and indigenous communities that still live much like their ancestors did centuries ago.
Modern amenities blend awkwardly but charmingly with rainforest reality—you can catch an opera performance at the famous opera house, then wake up to howler monkeys the next morning.
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Ouro Preto
This UNESCO World Heritage Site looks like someone froze an 18th-century gold mining town in amber. Baroque churches are covered in real gold and lined with steep cobblestone streets that wind between colorful colonial houses.
The town’s elevation of 3,500 feet means cool mountain air and frequent afternoon mists that make the whole place feel mysteriously romantic.
Paraty
Paraty perfected the art of aging gracefully. This coastal colonial town banned cars from its historic center, leaving visitors to wander Portuguese stone streets lit by old-fashioned lanterns. The surrounding bay contains 65 islands perfect for day trips, while the nearby Atlantic Forest offers hiking trails that lead to hidden waterfalls and natural swimming pools.
Jericoacoara
‘Jeri’ started as a sleepy fishing village and somehow managed to become an international windsurfing destination without losing its soul. The sand dunes surrounding this beach town shift constantly, creating a landscape that changes daily like nature’s own sculpture garden.
Getting there requires a bumpy ride in a 4WD vehicle through sand that feels more like the Sahara than South America.
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Chapada Diamantina
This mountainous region in central Bahia hides some of Brazil’s most spectacular hiking. Table-top mountains called ‘chapadas’ rise from scrubland dotted with caves, underground rivers, and waterfalls that plunge into emerald pools.
The town of Lençóis serves as a base camp for adventures that range from easy walks to multi-day treks through landscapes that look more like Arizona than tropical Brazil.
Bonito
Bonito earned its name, which means ‘beautiful,’ and then spent decades proving it wasn’t just showing off. Crystal-clear rivers allow for snorkeling among tropical fish in water so transparent you’ll think you’re floating in air.
The surrounding area offers cave diving, rappelling down waterfalls, and wildlife watching in one of Brazil’s most environmentally conscious destinations.
Recife
Recife combines big-city energy with northeastern Brazilian warmth, earning the nickname ‘Venice of Brazil’ thanks to its numerous waterways and bridges. The historic Olinda district sits just north of the main city, where colorful colonial buildings tumble down hillsides toward the Atlantic.
During Carnival, Recife explodes into one of Brazil’s most authentic celebrations, where frevo music and giant puppet parades take over the streets.
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Olinda
This artistic hilltop town feels like someone scattered rainbow-colored houses across rolling hills overlooking the ocean. Narrow cobblestone alleys hide art studios, galleries, and restaurants serving regional specialties that haven’t changed much since colonial times.
The views from the historic churches stretch for miles along the coastline, especially magical during the golden hour when everything glows like a vintage postcard.
Brasília
Brazil’s purpose-built capital looks like the future as imagined in 1960, with sweeping modernist architecture that either fascinates or bewilders visitors. Oscar Niemeyer’s concrete curves and wide boulevards create a city unlike anywhere else on Earth.
The planned layout may feel slightly artificial, but the museums, cultural centers, and government buildings showcase Brazilian ambition on a massive scale.
Arraial do Cabo
Known as the ‘Brazilian Caribbean,’ Arraial do Cabo features beaches with sand so white and water so blue you’ll question whether someone enhanced the colors in post-production. The town sits on a peninsula where cold ocean currents create visibility so clear that diving feels like floating through liquid crystal.
Pontal do Ataláia beach consistently ranks among the world’s best, and after one look, you’ll understand why.
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Búzios
This sophisticated beach resort started gaining international attention when Brigitte Bardot visited in the 1960s and never really looked back. The peninsula contains over 20 beaches, each with its personality—from calm lagoons perfect for families to surf breaks that challenge experienced riders.
The main town, Armação, buzzes with upscale restaurants and boutiques that give the whole area a distinctly European feeling.
Porto de Galinhas
This beach town in Pernambuco state combines natural beauty with enough infrastructure to keep visitors comfortable without feeling overly developed. Natural tide pools form during low tide, creating perfect snorkeling spots where tropical fish swim in water warm enough for hours of exploration.
The name translates to ‘Port of Chickens,’ which sounds ridiculous until you learn it comes from colonial times when the word ‘chickens’ was code for enslaved people—a reminder that even paradise carries heavy history.
Lençóis Maranhenses
These massive dunes look like someone dropped the Sahara Desert next to a tropical coastline and forgot to pick it up. During the rainy season, fresh water collects between the dunes, creating thousands of temporary lagoons that turn the landscape into an otherworldly maze of white sand and turquoise pools.
The area covers 600 square miles of constantly shifting terrain that requires local guides to navigate safely.
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Fernando de Noronha
This volcanic archipelago sits 220 miles off Brazil’s northeastern coast, where strict environmental controls limit visitor numbers and preserve one of the Atlantic’s most pristine marine ecosystems. Dolphins play in the surf while sea turtles nest on beaches that often feel like private paradises.
The limited flights and accommodation mean this destination requires planning and deep pockets, but the payoff includes some of the world’s best diving and complete disconnection from the outside world.
Trancoso
Trancoso mastered the art of rustic luxury before it became trendy everywhere else. This former fishing village centers around a grass-covered square lined with colorful houses that now hide sophisticated restaurants and boutique hotels.
The beach stretches for miles in both directions from the clifftop town center, while coconut palms provide natural shade for long afternoons of doing absolutely nothing productive.
Campos do Jordão
This mountain resort town brings a slice of Switzerland to the Brazilian highlands, complete with chalets, cool weather, and enough chocolate shops to satisfy any sweet tooth. The elevation of 5,500 feet means temperatures that require sweaters, a shocking change from the rest of tropical Brazil.
During winter (June through August), the town hosts a classical music festival that draws performers and audiences from around the world.
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Beyond the Tourist Trail
These 20 destinations prove that Brazil’s diversity extends far beyond its famous cities, offering experiences that range from swimming with dolphins to hiking through moonlike landscapes. Each region maintains its own distinct culture, cuisine, and natural wonders that reward travelers willing to venture beyond the obvious choices.
The real Brazil reveals itself to those who take the time to explore beyond the postcards, where authentic experiences await around every corner.
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