Welcome to my Brazil adventure guide – the most beautiful destinations for adventure-lovers. Brazil is an absolutely incredible place to visit! With continental dimensions – it has a rich culture, delicious gastronomy and diverse natural beauty.
There are 27 states and more than 5,500 cities that offer wonderful wealth. We have huge waterfalls, gigantic rivers, paradisiacal beaches, incredible islands, and majestic mountains, all in the same country. It’s a destination for many types of tourism, from luxury to adventure.
I was born in Brasilia (the capital of Brazil) and have always been passionate about travel and nature. After seven years working in the public sector, I decided to create a space where I could share travel and wellness tips.
So I created the Leve na Viagem blog and after three years I resigned to live as a professional traveler. My passion for the diversity of the world and for nature moves me.
My Personal Favourite Destinations in Brazil
I travel all over the world, but I have a loving preference for Brazil. It’s very difficult to say which is my favorite adventure destination here, because the diversity is so great that there would be a referral for each type of trip.
Chapada dos Veadeiros is an ecotourism destination that moves me a lot, as I grew up going camping there. Lençóis Maranhenses is a unique place in the world that I had the pleasure of crossing in three days of trekking, passing through a large part of the National Park.
Monte Roraima is a mountain offering one of the most beautiful treks in South America. It’s 85% in Venezuela, 10% in Guyana and 5% in Brazil. The entry, even, is through Brazil. The 8-day trek I did there was undoubtedly one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had. I’ve even done it twice now and I definitely recommend it for this Brazil adventure guide.
10 Best Places to Visit in Brazil for Adventure Lovers
1. Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
Lençóis Maranhenses is that famous place in Brazil that you’ve probably seen on Instagram where thousands of lagoons sit amongst a massive expanse of sand dunes. The National Park is located on the coast in a remote part of Maranhão state in the north of Brazil.
The best time to experience Lençóis Maranhenses is from May – September when rain filters through the sand dunes forming thousands of crystal-clear pools and lakes. I would say it’s one of the most beautiful places to visit not only in Brazil but the entire world!
For adventure-lovers, there are heaps of awesome things to do here. You can go dune bashing in a jeep or quad bike with experienced guides, fly over the National Park in a plane or helicopter and stop for a swim in one of the many pools and lakes. This has to be the number one adventure for any Brazil guide!
2. Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park
As mentioned before, Chapada dos Veadeiros is a place that has a special place in my heart as I grew up camping there. It’s located next to my hometown of Brasilia too. So if you’re planning to visit the capital of Brazil, it makes for a great addition to this region.
The drive from Brasilia to Chapada dos Veadeiros takes about three hours. A day trip here is definitely a viable option. Adventurers can explore many beautiful waterfalls and hiking trails. My advice is to wake up early, put on some decent hiking shoes and pack your bag with lunch and snacks. It will be a great day of adventure!
3. Aparados da Serra National Park
Aparados da Serra National Park sits on the border between Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. This vast landscape is blessed with a series of spectacular canyons where the pasturelands open up and drop to depths of 720 metres. The canyons are breathtaking!
I recommend visiting the Cânion do Itaimbezinho – a narrow canyon that is 5800 metres long with two majestic waterfalls that flow down into the earth. There’s fantastic hiking at Aparados da Serra with three main trails to choose from.
One trail runs for 2 kilometres to an observation point, another goes for 3 kilometres and passes the Véu de Noiva waterfall, and the final (more difficult) option is Trilha do Rio do Boi which runs along the base of the canyon for 7 kilometres. This last option is best done with an experienced guide and can’t be done during the rainy season due to flooding.
4. Ilha do Marajó
Ilha do Marajó is a beautiful river island in the State of Pará. It’s located in the estuary where the Amazon flows into the Atlantic Ocean and is rich in wildlife, mangrove forests, fazenda farms, laid-back towns and beautiful beaches. The best beaches here are Praia do Pinheiro, Praia do Pesqueiro and Praia Grande de Salvaterra.
Some of the wildlife is absolutely incredible, especially in the Pantanal area during the rainy season when the lakes form an ecological sanctuary. Visitors can see butterflies, birds, fish, alligators, sloths and many buffaloes. Buffaloes are certainly the symbol of the island.
For the more adventurous types, you can go trekking in the jungle, horseback riding on the farms, cycle on the beaches and surf on the pororoca. There’s so many awesome things to do on Ilha do Marajó and it should definitely be included in every Brazil adventure guide!
5. Petrópolis x Teresópolis Crossing
The Petrópolis x Teresópolis Crossing is located within the Serra dos Órgãos National Park and is considered to be the most beautiful trek in Brazil. It takes you into the depths of the Atlantic Forest and between the mountain towns of Petrópolis, Guapimirim and Teresópolis.
The landscapes and views on this long-distance hike are out-of-this-world! Discover the beauty of places like Castelos do Açu, Pedra do Sino, Dedo de Deus and Nariz do Frade e Garrafão. Most tours and expeditions to the Petrópolis x Teresópolis Crossing take three days, so factor that in if you want to include this hike on your Brazil itinerary.
6. Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro (Cidade Maravilhosa) is one of the most beautiful places in Brazil. The beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana, the beautiful lush mountains such as Sugar Loaf, the Christ the Redeemer statue, the bohemian Lapa neighborhood – all add to the city’s appeal.
But there’s more to Rio than its conventional attractions. You can go hang gliding over the city, rock-climbing at Morro da Urca or Pão de Açúcar, and hiking to Pedra da Gávea. There’s an adventure for every type of traveler and every level of fitness.
7. Fernando de Noronha
The archipelago of Fernando de Noronha is an absolute paradise, comprised of 21 magnificent islands and islets. Both of Brazil’s Atlantic islands – Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves – were declared by UNESCO to be Natural World Heritage Sites.
The number of visitors is limited because officials want to preserve the untouched beauty of this destination. You have to pay an environmental preservation fee to visit the island. The combination of crystal clear waters, beautiful golden sand beaches and untouched marine life make it one of the most beautiful islands in the world.
Places like Praia dos Porcos, Praia dos Leões and Baía do Sancho will take your breath away. Plus it’s one of the best places in Brazil for diving, home to many corals, dolphins, fish, turtles and sharks which you can see up close due to the clear and warm waters.
8. The Brazilian Amazon
The Brazilian Amazon was named in Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Best Regions for the Best in Travel 2020. The best adventures here are sustainable travel options which support local communities, help to combat climate change and which help sustain one of the most important environments on earth: The Amazon Rainforest.
Manaus is one of the largest cities in the Amazon with 2 million inhabitants and is a great option for first-timers. The city is worth spending a little time in before you embark on your Amazonian adventure. Manaus offers the quickest and easiest route to the Amazon, so there are plenty of tour operators there who can take you on day trips and multi-day cruises.
9. Ilhabela
Ilhabela is an archipelago located off the southeast coast of Brazil. It’s the largest sea island in Brazil at 340km² and is blessed with around 150 km of coastline. The main island is Ilha de São Sebastião, known for its beautiful beaches such as Castelhanos, Curral and Jabaquara.
The State Park preserves around 85% of the archipelago’s territory which ensures the permanent protection of this jewel of Brazil. Ilhabela has over 400 waterfalls to discover, 70 kilometres of virgin cliffs to explore on diving adventures and many, many beautiful beaches. Sailing is a popular activity on the island archipelago too.
10. Chapada Diamantina National Park
Chapada Diamantina National Park, also known as the Brazilian Grand Canyon, is a nature reserve located in Northeast Brazil in the State of Bahia. It translates to mean the “Diamond Highlands” and you’ll see why when you visit this beautiful destination.
The National Park contains part of the Espinhaco Mountain range which starts in the state of Minas Gerais in the south. Although, the mountain range is more like a high plateau with a range of flat-top rock mountains and lush green valleys. The trekking and hikes here are world-class – whether you want to go for a long day walk or up to four days hiking.
Brazil Adventure Guide: 30-Day Itinerary
Brazil needs many days, even months, to be able to explore the minimum of each region. I would recommend a 30-day tour through the Amazon, Chapada Diamantina in Bahia, Arraial do Cabo in Rio de Janeiro, Chapada dos Veadeiros in Goiás and Aparados da Serra in Santa Catarina.
Thus, you get to experience each of the five regions of Brazil and meet the different people across the country. The Brazilian people are very welcoming, and undoubtedly one of the nicest people in the world. We always have a smile on our face, we love hugs and we are very helpful. The Brazilian people are diverse and warm-hearted.
Brazil Adventure Guide: Tips for your Visit
There is much more to Brazil than what is shown in world newspapers. We may have political and financial crises from time to time, but we have a very happy and receptive people.
Brazil has indescribable natural beauty, an unparalleled gastronomic diversity, cosmopolitan cities with a lot of entertainment and a diverse cultural life. Visit the country with love and respect! For sure, you will be provided with a beautiful experience everywhere you go.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my Brazil adventure guide. Obrigada!