Best 5 Places to Visit in Brazil 2025

Brazil isn’t just beaches and carnival, though those are pretty awesome too. It’s got this crazy mix of everything – cities that never sleep, waterfalls that’ll make you cry, and rainforests where you’ll spot animals you’ve only seen on National Geographic.

So I was chatting with my friend Lisa last week about her Brazil trip plans, and she was totally overwhelmed. “Where do I even start?” she asked. I get it – Brazil is HUGE.

If you’re looking for the best places to visit in Brazil, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve been there three times (yeah, I’m slightly obsessed), and I’m gonna break down the top 5 spots that won’t disappoint.

Why Brazil Hits Different

Look, I’ve been to 23 countries, and Brazil just… it’s special. Here’s why:

• Size matters – We’re talking 17 UNESCO sites and 4,000+ miles of coastline
• Something for everyone – Beach bum? Adventure seeker? Culture nerd? Check, check, check
• It’s not scary – Yeah, people worry about safety, but millions visit every year just fine

The key is picking the right spots. And that’s what we’re doing today.

1. Rio de Janeiro in Brazil

Everyone knows about Rio. But here’s what nobody tells you.

The Must-Sees (And How Not to Mess Them Up)

Christ the Redeemer Go early. Like, really early. I made the mistake of going at 2 PM once – couldn’t even get a decent photo with all the crowds. The train costs around $25, but honestly? Worth every real.

Sugarloaf Mountain The cable car ride is fun if you’re not afraid of heights. My buddy Jake nearly had a panic attack, so maybe skip if you’re not great with that stuff. Sunset views are insane though.

The Beaches This is what Rio does best:

• Copacabana – Famous, touristy, but still amazing
• Ipanema – More chill, better for actually relaxing
• Both are free (obviously) and perfect for people watching

When to Go & What to Spend

My advice? April to June is the sweet spot. Still warm, way less chaotic.

Money-saving trick: Eat at local churrascos instead of tourist restaurants, and use public transport. The metro actually works pretty well.

Local secret: Santa Teresa neighborhood. It’s where Rio locals actually hang out. Cobblestone streets, cool art galleries, and bars that don’t charge tourist prices.

2. São Paulo in Brazil

Okay, São Paulo won’t win any beauty contests. But man, this city has soul.

What Makes SP Worth It

The food scene here is absolutely bonkers. I’m talking:

• Best pizza outside of Italy (fight me)
• Amazing Japanese-Brazilian fusion
• Street food that’ll ruin other cities for you
• Museums that rival anything in Europe

Getting around: The metro is your best friend. Clean, safe, cheap ($3 for a day pass). Stay in Jardins or Vila Madalena if you want to be where the action is.

SP Quick Hits

Must-visit spots:

• Museum of Art – World class stuff
• Vila Madalena – Street art everywhere
• Mercado Municipal – Tourist trap but the mortadella sandwich is legendary

Budget: Plan on $60-90 per day. Food is cheap, but good hotels aren’t.

3. Amazon Rainforest in Brazil

This one’s gonna sound cheesy, but the Amazon literally changed how I see the world.

The Real Deal

Most people fly into Manaus. From there, you’ve got options:

Budget tours ($50-80/day):

• Day trips to see pink dolphins (they’re real!)
• Basic jungle walks
• Local community visits

Mid-range ($150-200/day):

• 2-3 day river cruises
• Better food and guides
• More wildlife spotting

Luxury ($300+/day):

• Eco-lodges with actual beds
• Professional naturalist guides
• Gourmet meals in the middle of nowhere

Amazon Survival Guide

When to go: June to November (dry season, fewer mosquitoes)

What to pack:

• DEET bug spray (seriously, bring lots)
• Waterproof everything
• Decent hiking boots
• Light, long-sleeved shirts

Budget tip: Consider flying into Leticia, Colombia instead of Manaus. Often cheaper flights, and you technically visit three countries.

4. Salvador in Brazil 

Salvador is where you’ll understand Brazil’s African heritage. It’s beautiful and complicated and totally fascinating.

Old Town Magic

Pelourinho (the historic center) is UNESCO protected for good reason. Those colorful buildings tell Brazil’s whole story – the good and the ugly parts.

What you can’t miss:

• Live capoeira performances (it’s like martial arts meets dancing)
• Street vendors selling acarajé (fried bean cakes with shrimp – sounds weird, tastes amazing)
• Music everywhere – samba, forró, axé spilling out of every bar

Beach Life

The beaches around Salvador are gorgeous and way less touristy than Rio:

• Stella Maris – Popular with locals
• Flamengo Beach – Great for sunset
• Both have actual good, cheap food

Random fact: Salvador’s Carnival is actually bigger than Rio’s. Just saying.

5. Iguazu Falls in Brazil

These waterfalls are… I don’t even have words. You just have to see them.

Two Countries, One Experience

Here’s the deal – Iguazu is on the Brazil-Argentina border. You want to see both sides:

My recommendation: Two days minimum. Stay on the Argentina side – Puerto Iguazu is way more charming than Foz do Iguaçu.

Making It Count

Best times:

• Early morning (8 AM) – fewer crowds, better light
• Avoid rainy season (Dec-Feb) unless you like getting soaked

Splurge opportunity: Helicopter tours cost $150-200 but the perspective from above is completely different. If it’s in your budget, do it.

Wildlife bonus: Coatis everywhere (they look like raccoons and will steal your lunch), plus toucans if you’re lucky.

Brazil Trip Together

The Boring But Important Stuff

Visa: Most people need one. Apply online, costs about $40, lasts 90 days.

Money: Brazilian Real (BRL). Credit cards work in cities, bring cash for everything else.

Language: Portuguese, not Spanish. Learn “obrigado/obrigada” (thanks), “por favor” (please), and “desculpa” (sorry). Most people don’t speak English but they’re super patient.

Safety Real Talk

Brazil gets a bad reputation, but honestly? Common sense goes a long way:

• Don’t flash expensive stuff
• Keep your phone put away when not using it
• Stick to well-lit areas at night
• Trust your gut

Health stuff: No special shots required, but yellow fever vaccine is smart for Amazon visits. Get travel insurance – Brazil’s private hospitals are expensive.

Getting Around

For long distances: Fly. GOL and LATAM are the main airlines.

Shorter trips: Buses are actually comfortable and way cheaper. Overnight buses have seats that recline almost flat.

Conclusion – Adventure in Brazil

Look, you could spend months in Brazil and still not see everything. That’s not the point.

Pick 2-3 of these places max for your first trip. Really experience them instead of rushing around checking boxes.

Brazil has this way of getting under your skin. The people are incredibly warm, the food is incredible, and the natural beauty is just… yeah. It changes you a bit.

What to do right now: Pick the one destination that made you go “whoa” while reading this. Start looking at flights. Sometimes the best trips start with just booking that first ticket.

Which one are you most excited about? Seriously, I want to know – drop me a line about your Brazil plans!