Is Brazil Worth Visiting? 7 Reasons to Travel
Known for its festive atmosphere and diverse culture, Brazil has become one of those must-visit countries within Latin America.
This giant nation really does have it all. Here we can explore incredible beaches along the north-east coast, visit the otherworldly Amazon Jungle as well as enjoy the vibes in cities like Rio de Janeiro, Florianópolis and São Paulo.
In this article we’ll list some of the best reasons to visit Brazil, as well as cover any other important information you’ll need to know.
Is Brazil worth visiting?
Quick Answer: As we’ve already mentioned, Brazil is a hugely diverse country and we can easily find something for everyone here.
The culture here is among one of the biggest pulls, and for good reason too. Brazilians in general are a really friendly and open bunch, so you’ll always feel welcome wherever you end up visiting.
There are other ways to explore the diversity of the people here too, such as by heading on a memorable Favela tour as well as learning to dance Samba with locals in Bahía.
Brazil is also a geographical paradise for travelers. Over 55% of the entire Amazon Jungle is within this nation, and here we can spot Pink River Dolphins, Jaguars, Monkeys and also meet mysterious, indigenous tribes.
As well as that we can find giant canyons to hike such as that of Chapada Diamante, and also visit the incredible sand dunes of the Lençóis Maranhenses.
Where is Brazil?
Brazil covers the majority of South America, and therefore can really vary in different parts. Overall the climate remains hot in most areas though, given there is a lack of altitude here (especially when compared with Ecuador or Bolivia).
The best time to visit Brazil would be during the dry season, which runs from November until March. This is where rains are at their lowest, and also with more comfortable temperatures. Remember that certain periods can get super touristy (such as in December and around Carnival), so consider if this is the experience you want before booking!
Also keep in mind that prices can really vary between different regions. Be sure to learn more about how much backpacking Brazil costs.
Is Brazil Safe?
The next part of planning your trip to Brazil is getting up-to-date with the safety situation, and learning how to best prepare.
Brazil is generally safe if you follow our usual safety tips (which would be not wandering off into unknown areas – especially at dark – as well as leaving valuables at home).
However you’ll always need to be aware of who is around you here, and especially in the big cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Fortaleza. Poverty can be a big issue in these areas, which means there can be an increased risk of pickpocketing or muggings.
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7 Reasons to Visit Brazil
Are you still wondering if Brazil is really worth the visit? Here’s 7 awesome reasons why you should head to this memorable South American nation.
1. Visit the Iconic City of Rio de Janeiro
There’s really no other city like Rio, and here you can easily wind up staying for weeks (or even months) at a time!
There are numerous highlights to enjoy here, such as hiking up to Christ the Redeemer, taking the Cable Car to Sugarloaf Mountain as well as visiting the Maracanã Stadium.
Those who want to get the very most out of their time can head on this multi-stop tour, which visits 6 of Rio’s best highlights in just 1 day!
When deciding where to stay, we highly recommend either Copacabana or Ipanema, both of which have a lengthy beach as well as lots of facilities, restaurants and lively bars to enjoy. Just be cautious when heading out at night in Rio, and we’re sure you’ll end up overstaying during your visit to Rio too…
2. Get to Know Brazil’s Lost Cultures
Whilst much of a trip to Brazil is about ticking-off your bucket list items and making some crazy memories, there’s also a hidden side worth experiencing too.
And this is to get in touch with cultures that are far from the mainstream tourist path, that can give us a more intimate and holistic view of what Brazil really is.
One example is the Santo Daime religion, who believe in living a more wholesome lifestyle and are found throughout Brazil (although more around the states within the Amazon Jungle).
Those who are keen to experience new things such as taking ayahuasca will also be able to when visiting them, which are important parts of their way of living.
You’ll need to put a little more effort in to find them, which you can do by speaking to local tour guides or also asking George who visited one during his first trip to Brazil.
3. Explore the Incredible Amazon Rainforest
No trip to Brazil can really be complete without visiting the Amazon Jungle.
This incredibly biodiverse area is home to thousands of unique and exotic animal species, and there are many places in Brazil to launch-off on a tour from.
Manaus is one of the very best, and given its popularity is home to an abundance of different style tours. The advantage of visiting the Amazon from Manaus rather than say Belém or Iquitos (in Peru) is that everything is really close, so even a one day tour can be pretty memorable.
We highly recommend heading on this flexible rainforest tour, where you can choose a trip between 2-4 days. Here you will be able to spot Pink River Dolphins, see the joining of two major Amazon tributaries as well as other species such as Piranhas, Crocodiles and Monkeys.
4. Eat your way through Brazil’s Delicious Cuisine
One of the best things about traveling anywhere new (let alone just Brazil), is the fact that we can dive head-first into a variety of tasty dishes and local cuisine.
Brazil as a whole is a massive country, meaning we have lots of opportunities to try many different foods in various regions.
São Paulo is often considered the major food capital, so it’s best to start here where we can try dishes like Feijoada, Coxinhas as well as the Mortadella Sandwich.
When in Manaus (or any other city or town within the Amazon regions) it’s worth trying delicacies such as Pato No Tucupi, as well as various fruits such as Cupuaçu, Açai and Cocoa.
As always, be sure to follow our usual food safety tips, which include only eating in local food stalls that are busy or popular with locals.
5. Relax on Remote Beaches along Brazil’s Northern Coast
Visiting postcard-perfect beaches is usually on most peoples’ itineraries when visiting Brazil, and here we can find some of the best on the continent (I – George – personally thought Brazil’s beaches were some of the best and could rival those of Venezuela).
The northern regions of Brazil offer beaches which are more beautiful and less touristy than those in the south.
The state of Bahía is a must-visit, where we can head to a collection of stunning beaches in Itacaré, and also Morro de São Paulo (which is a short boat ride away from Salvador.
Those who want to go even more remote can head to beaches like Iracema and Praia do Futuro in Fortaleza, with the ultimate off-the-beaten-path destination being Jericoacoara in the north of Ceará.
6. Experience the Carnival Celebrations
Often regarded as the biggest festival on the planet, Carnival in Brazil is a giant annual gathering where millions upon millions of spectators come to join in the fun and games in various cities around the country.
The largest and most famous parade is held in Rio de Janeiro, however other cities such as Salvador and Recife also hold some pretty impressive events.
Carnival is celebrated every year, beginning on the Friday before Ash Wednesday (which means the dates often vary so it’s worth checking the exact dates before booking).
If you want to head to Brazil to experience Carnival, then be sure to book your flights and accommodation well in advance and expect hiked-up prices.
7. Visit the Thundering Waterfalls
Next up we head to the region of Paraná in Southern Brazil, which is home to one of the planet’s most impressive waterfalls.
Whilst standing at a non-impressive height of 195 m, what is most eye-opening here is the sheer width of the site. There are over 270 waterfalls side-by-side, forming a ring of waterfalls which all crash down into the river below.
Once you are in the nearby city of Foz do Iguaçu, we highly recommend joining this highly-rated tour which includes a thrilling boat trip as well as hotel pick-up and drop-off.
Iguaçu Waterfalls also shares a border with Argentina, so you could also visit Argentina’s share of the falls too with ease (it’s the same area however you will see them from above and also get to explore the surrounding national park).
Is Brazil worth visiting?
And that’s all for our guide on why you should visit Brazil.
Any trip to Brazil is going to be a highly memorable one, and we can bet that you’ll be coming back for more at some point!
As well as being able to enjoy a variety of lush landscapes and beautiful beaches, we can also experience a warm and memorable culture when traveling through Brazil.
Be sure to read our Backpacking Brazil Itinerary for more ideas on how to plan your own route around this giant nation.
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