Brazil tourist attractions: what to see in Brazil

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Brazil is one of the most interesting and varied destinations in Latin America. For this reason, Brazil’s tourist attractions are many and varied. There are those related to the natural beauty of the country, such as the Amazon rainforest, the Iguazú waterfalls (Cataratas do Iguaçu), the floodplains of the Pantanal, or the island of Fernando de Noronha.

Brazil also has beautiful colonial historic cities and towns such as Salvador, Olinda, Ouro Preto, São Cristóvão, São Luis do Maranhão, Diamantina. Among the most popular tourist destinations we find modern cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Fortaleza, Recife, São Paulo and Brasilia.

THE UNESCO SITES OF BRAZIL

Brazil has numerous sites declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, of these some sites are part of the natural heritage, while other sites are part of the cultural heritage. There are many historical centers of Brazilian cities on the UNESCO list. Among these we find the historic center of Salvador de Bahia (1985), the historic center of São Luís do Maranhão (1997) and the historic center of the city of Diamantina (1999). Finally the historic center of the city of Goiás (2001) and the center historical city of Olinda (1982). Then the historical city of Ouro Preto (1980) and the São Francisco square in the city of São Cristóvão which was the old capital of the state of Sergipe del Rey (2010). Modern Brasilia (1987) and Rio de Janeiro (2012 and 2017) are also included in the UNESCO list.

Among the artistic heritage there are also the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Congonhas (1985), the Serra da Capivara national park with its prehistoric cave paintings (1991). The Jesuit Missions of Guaranì, of these 4 are located in Argentina (San Ignacio Mini, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa Maria Mayor), while the ruins of São Miguel das Missoes are in Brazil (1983).

Among the natural sites we find the island of Fernando de Noronha and the Atolli das Rocas (2001), the Central Amazon (2000), the reserves of the Atlantic Forest of the South-East (1999), the reserves of the Chapada dos Veadeiros and the Emas National Park (2001), the Iguaçu Falls National Park (1986), the Pantanal area (2000) and the Atlantic Forest reserves of the Costa delle Discovery (1999).

The only mixed natural and cultural site is the colonial historic center of Paraty and Ilha Grande south of Rio de Janeiro (2019).

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS OF BRAZIL: NATURE

FERNANDO DE NORONHA

Tropical island located in the Atlantic Ocean over 500 km north-east of the city of Recife. Much of the island is protected as a National Marine Park. The island is famous for its beautiful beaches and unspoiled nature, dolphins, sea turtles, fish and numerous bird species can be observed. In 2001 Fernando de Noronha was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fernando de Noronha —>

IGUAZÚ (IGUAÇU) FALLS

The Iguazú falls (Cataratas do Iguaçu) are counted among the most spectacular waterfalls in the world, a real natural wonder. The waterfalls are located along the border between Brazil and Argentina and consist of about 275 waterfalls, up to 82 meters high, which develop along a 2.7 km front. Since 1986, UNESCO has included them among the World Heritage Sites. Iguazú Falls —>

PANTANAL

Pantanal area is a region of steppe savannahs, forests and swampy areas that extends for 250 thousand km² in the Brazilian states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, and in part of Bolivia and Paraguay. This region of Brazil has a large variety of wildlife, here you can observe capybara, jaguars, cougars, toucans, snakes, and alligators. Pantanal is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

: Praia Cacimba do Padre, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil. Author Marco Ramerini

: Iguazu Falls, Brazil-Argentina. Author Marco Ramerini.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS OF BRAZIL: CITIES

RIO DE JANEIRO

The second Brazilian metropolis after São Paulo, the capital of Brazil from 1763 until the founding of Brasilia in 1960. Famous for the beauty of the landscape in which it is located, the city of Rio de Janeiro is the main tourist destination in Brazil and the whole of Latin America. Rio de Janeiro —>

SALVADOR

Salvador (Bahia) the first capital of Brazil is the country’s richest city in history. Its historic center which includes the areas of Pelourinho, Sé and Pilar was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. Salvador —>

OLINDA

Olinda, a jewel of colonial architecture from the north-east, the city is located a few kilometers from Recife, and has one of the best preserved historic centers in Brazil. Since 1982 it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Olinda —>

: Salvador de Bahía, Bahía, Brazil. Author Marco Ramerini

: Sugarloaf (Pão de Açúcar), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Author Marco Ramerini

: A street of Olinda, Brazil. Author and Copyright Marco Ramerini

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS OF BRAZIL: LESS KNOWN

CHAPADA DIAMANTINA

In the interior of the state of Bahia, 500 km west of Salvador. La Chapada Diamantina is a small natural Eden made of caves, waterfalls, swamps, mountains and small towns built by diamond seekers. Chapada Diamantina —>

LENÇÓIS MARANHENSES

The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park is a spectacular desert area of the state of Maranhão. Formed by white sand dunes up to 40 meters high and small freshwater lagoons.