If you are a frequent traveler, you probably know how South American countries have recently become everyone’s favorite. And out of them, Brazil is easily the perfect place for people hoping to have it all during their trips.
There are all kinds of Brazil getaways! We have the best beaches along miles of the Atlantic Ocean, the continent’s major urban centers, and so many natural wonders are also inside the borders of Brazil.
Brazilโs getaways are evolving into immersive escapes, with travelers seeking off-grid retreats over crowded resorts. Think glamping sites near waterfalls or rustic cabins in the Pantanal, where wildlife spotting rivals beach vibes. Local hosts often weave in cultural extras, like cooking classes with regional recipes. These hideaways redefine relaxation with a Brazilian twist.
Also, if you want to learn more about traveling in Brazil, later you can read our guide here of places to visit in Brazil. Now, letโs get back into it.
Ok, so which Brazil getaway is the best place to start your very own tour of Brazil? It can get confusing planning anything in the largest country in South America, I know.
And that’s where this article comes in! Let’s go over my favorite Brazil Getaways. They’ve been split into regions so we can follow our route down to the Iguazu Falls.
Let’s begin!
Brazil Getaways: North
1. Manaus (Amazon)
Starting far away from Rio de Janeiro and Sรฃo Paulo, our first Brazil Getaway is in the Amazon Rainforest. Manaus, the capital city of the Amazon State, is the best place for nature lovers to start exploring this area.
Although there are many natural wonders around, I’d recommend you start with a quick guided visit to where Rio Solimรตes and Rio Negro meet. Seeing how both waters touch but don’t mix will take your breath away.
And even if your goal in coming here is to marvel at Amazonian exotic wildlife, you don’t have to give up on staying at a luxury hotel. There are options like the Uiara Amazon Resort or the Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge, both deep in the jungle.
But if you want to be amongst gorgeous colonial architecture then the Villa Amazรดnia Hotel is a great option.
2. Jalapรฃo (Tocantins)
While most travelers think that diving into warm waters means going to the coast of Brazil and hitting a Rio de Janeiro beach, Jalapรฃo is one of the often-forgotten Brazil getaways.
This is the best place for nature lovers who prefer to go chasing waterfalls! It’s a national park created to preserve an area of prairie in the Brazilian Midwest, thousands of square miles to let your spirit soar.
One important detail about coming to this area is that access can be difficult. Because Jalapรฃo is still being discovered, roads are only for the more experienced driver.
I recommend you hire a travel agency to arrange for trusted service providers, especially if you’re coming with a small group. It is better than scrambling upon arrival and risking getting scammed.
Brazil Getaways: Northeast
3. Fernando de Noronha (Pernambuco)
If you arrived at this article thinking about planning a perfect beach vacation, look no further than the Brazilian Northeast. But what about Rio de Janeiro?
While Rio is amazing, I do love my home, Fernando de Noronha is perfect for people looking for a balance of privacy and structure to enjoy their vacation. The archipelagos will have plenty of white-sand beaches to explore.
โBy coming here, you can always continue exploring this gorgeous part of Brazil with a short domestic flight to other staple destinations such as Porto de Galinhas.
It’s not hard to put together the perfect itinerary with proper planning, and there are plenty of great hotels in the area! Just check out some of our other articles for some places to book.
4. Lenรงรณis Maranhenses (Maranhรฃo)
Our second and last stop in the Northeast is the Lenรงรณis Maranhenses. The paradisiacal sight of lakes nestled between dunes usually happens both during and immediately after rainy seasons so it’s important to plan ahead! I’d say that the busier months are from April to August, lining up almost perfectly with summer in the northern hemisphere.
For travelers with a thirst for adventure, there are a few companies that offer guided tours to cross the park. The walking paths can take anything between three to five days but they give you a unique chance to appreciate all of the almost six hundred square miles of dunes. I hope you have the time to stop and appreciate the sunset because it is amazing!
Brazil Getaways: Midwest
5. Bonito (Mato Grosso do Sul)
There are some famous destinations in the Midwest, but true Brazil getaways need to be a little unknown as well, don’t you agree? Bonito, a town in Mato Grosso do Sul, is a perfect mix of everything you may be looking for. It has tons of sweet water beaches, plus waterfalls open for people to swim in. You can enjoy it all while staying in comfortable hotels.
A huge advantage to you is that even though Bonito has little over twenty thousand inhabitants, there is a domestic airport in town. Aeroporto Regional de Bonito (BYO) is about fifteen minutes by car away from downtown, meaning you can easily hop on a flight and continue your adventure elsewhere!
6. Pantanal (Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul)
Divided between Mato Grosso do Sul and Mato Grosso, exploring the Pantanal is a far cry from going to a major city like Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo. Don’t be discouraged, it can be a rewarding experience nonetheless! You will be amazed at how beautiful the wildlife is, so different from what you might’ve seen during ecotourism in the northern hemisphere.
My number one tip for traveling this region is to be careful with who you hire. Because you will need guides for most of the trails and tours, it increases your chances of being scammed. So what you should do is look for a hotel that offers this type of service in-house. Sure, it may end up a little more expensive than outside providers, but it will definitely be safer.
Brazil Getaways: Southeast
7. Rio de Janeiro (Rio de Janeiro)
Our first stop in the Southeast has to be Rio de Janeiro. Though both the state and the capital city share this name, we’re going to focus on the capital city Rio simply because there’s so much to be done here.
You can start at Ipanema or Copacabana Beach and afterward head to the Sugarloaf Mountain Cableway, take carts to the top for breathtaking views including the famous Christ Redeemer statue.
I work at an office in downtown Rio and yet I go into town every weekend for little touristic getaways. When you end up in town on Saturdays, I recommend you experience Brazilian culture at Feira do Lavradio.
This arts and crafts fair happens weekly in Downtown Rio, perfect for hunting down souvenirs for family back home. And when you get hungry, just duck into a restaurant for exquisite meals.
8. Sรฃo Paulo (Sรฃo Paulo)
Our other southeastern gem is without a doubt Sรฃo Paulo. Just as Rio de Janeiro, Sรฃo Paulo state and capital both share their name. No matter if you come for a couple of days or a week, there are plenty of things to do.
You can visit the recently reopened Ipiranga Museum to turn your vacation into a culture trip, or the MASP to see a famous painting of Jesus rolling his eyes.
โBut the best time to visit Avenida Paulista, one of our most iconic national spots, is on Sunday. With lanes closed for vehicle traffic, pedestrians can enjoy street fairs with traditional Brazilian foods. Just always pay attention to food safety, no one wants to have a trip ruined by food poisoning.
Brazil Getaways: South
9. Gramado (Rio Grande do Sul)
Reaching the second-to-last stop on our Brazil getaways, Gramado is known by travelers as a little slice of Europe deep into southern Brazil.
Besides being surrounded by the breathtaking natural beauty of the Serra Gaรบcha, this charming little town is a must-see destination for travelers with a penchant for local cuisine. Especially if they enjoy finer sweets, there are a few chocolate factories in town to visit.
Though it isn’t one of the biggest Brazilian cities, this place is perfect for people planning a family vacation. There are plenty of great resorts in town made to accommodate small groups.
My favorite thing about them is each of our Brazil holidays has themed decor and activities spread through hotels, that spill into streets for incredible memories.
10. Iguaรงu Falls
How would you like to visit a UNESCO World Heritage site? And on top of that go to Buenos Aires? In addition to visiting the Iguassu Falls, the town is in what we call the extreme Brazilian west meaning it shares borders with Argentina and Paraguay.
Can you imagine getting three South American countries out of a single trip?
It may sound impossible but you can find many travel packages that offer everything down to airport transfers. Trips like this require a lot of planning, so instead of winging it, consider reaching out to travel agencies for help. That way you will always be safe rather than sorry.
If you weren’t sure, now you know how South America goes beyond Machu Picchu. And Brazil is the same, our country is so much more than Rio de Janeiro. There are Brazil getaways for every traveler! Each destination can have different kinds of weather so I recommend looking up the forecast before packing your bags!
Just don’t forget to be smart too, pack all of your documents, and get travel insurance for every day you’re here, including travel days! This lets you think about more important things like your next adventure.
Everyone’s Brazil tours look different, let me know how yours go!
