Brazil: What Are the Main Attractions in Brazil?

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Brazil is the biggest country in the continent of South America and covers about half of the entire continent. The country majorly lies near to the equator and the tropics and a significant portion of the country is covered in the Amazon Rainforest- as a result of this amazing confluence, there are many exotic species of flora and fauna to look for throughout Brazil. The coastline of Brazil extends for 7,400 km along the Atlantic Ocean and the interiors are laden with all kinds of mineral resources. In fact, most churches in Portugal have all kinds of artifacts made from gold found in Brazil, which was a colony of Portugal up to 1822. The influence of Portugal is even prevalent amidst the culture and architecture of Brazil.

​There are so many amazing things to do and see in Brazil. The Carnival at Rio de Janeiro is insanely famous throughout the world and people from all corners come to watch it. Brazil’s museums also have a rich collection of artworks that brings tourists and art enthusiasts from everywhere around the world. Here are some of the most amazing things you could be doing in Brazil if you are planning a trip to the country.

Rio de Janeiro

Once the capital city of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro could be one of the liveliest cities that you will ever see. Picturesque locations, amazing locals, market places to shop for souvenirs, restaurants, and cafes to try out local cuisines, Rio has it all! There are various activities that you could take part in while you are walking through Rio de Janeiro. Some of the most promising activities in the city would be a visit to the statue of Christ the Redeemer, a visit to Sugar Loaf, walking through the Copacabana beaches, and taking part in the Rio carnival.

Let’s talk about the gigantic, 30-meter-tall statue of Cristo Redentor, more commonly known as Christ the Redeemer, with outstretched arms spanning over 28 meters. The statue was erected in 1931 and looks over Rio de Janeiro from a height of 709 meters within the Tijuca National Park. At the base of the statue, there is a chapel which has seen many weddings. You can get to the statue by taking a 3. Km long railway ride. There are train stops on the way which will take you through an exciting exploration of the Tijuca National Park which holds many streams, waterfalls, birds, and animals.

The round peak of Sugar Loaf, towering at 394 meters, is another landmark feature of Brazil. You could take cable cars from Morro da Urca to the peak of Sugar Loaf from where you will get stunning views of Rio de Janeiro and the harbor.

Moving over from these amazing features, you have to go to the most fashionable area in Brazil- the Avenida Nossa Senhora de Copacabana. This beach is separated from the erst of Brazil via a broad promenade crafted from black and white mosaic, looking very much like the streets of Lisbon in Portugal. The beach is just like any other beach filled with all kinds of people who have come to have a great time.

Last but not least, if you can, you should never miss the carnival in Rio. The color, sounds, exuberance, and action in Rio's pre-Lenten Carnaval are unmatched by anything anywhere else in the world. It is in fact carefully staged and is one of the most exciting and joyous things you will ever see.

Iguaçu Falls

One of the most breathtaking sites in Brazil is to watch the Iguaçu River thunder down into a gorge through a semicircle comprised of 247 waterfalls. The remarkable site also happens to be the point of intersection of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. Since the river constricts to about 1/4th of its regular width just before the waterfall begins, the water gushes down with even more force! The waterfalls are gigantic and are in fact so widely spread that you cannot see the entire panorama from any point. Some of the waterfalls in the semicircle extend to a height of above 100 meters. Many catwalks had been designed throughout the region that gets you different angles into the waterfall. There is even a tower in the area which gives you a significant look into the magnificence of the waterfall.

You will get one of the best panoramic views of the waterfall from the Brazilian side. One of the catwalks on the Brazilian side takes you to Garganta do Diablo, one of the largest amongst the waterfalls. However, catwalks along the waterfall will even take you to the Argentinian side allowing you to gather even more perspectives into the waterfall. These waterfalls are protected by UNESCO and comprise the Iguaçu National Park. The subtropical rainforests in the region abound in all kinds of exotic species and are home to above 1,000 different species of birds and animals.

Ipanema

The white sandy beaches of Copacabana are a wonderful sight and merge onwards into the beaches of Ipanema. The setup is also similar to that found in Copacabana and you will find all kinds of restaurants and cafes, art galleries, local shops, and so on.

The beaches of Leblon are farther along- you have to cross the Jardim de Alá Canal and you will be welcomed by beaches where the population and crowd are much less. This makes the Leblon beaches a terrific place to spend some time with your family. An antique market is set up every Sunday in Praça de Quentaland and is a lovely site to browse through Brazilian craftwork. The Feira de Artesanato de Ipanema is another exciting feature in this region where you will find a plethora of displays of art, handcrafts, music, and local cuisine.

While you are taking a dip in the clear ocean waters you should be very careful. The waves at both Ipanema and Leblon could get very strong and you should not be swimming anywhere where you see no one. If you are seeking adventure and are looking forward to experiencing surfing, then you should go to the stretch situated between Copacabana and Ipanema.

Amazon Rain Forests

The Amazon Rain Forests are the densest forests on earth- it is so dense that much of it is yet unexplored. The dark waters of Rio Negro meet the muddy waters from Rio Solimões about 20km southeast of Manaus and travel side by side for 6 km. at the Encontro das Aguas, the two rivers merge, and this is where the Amazon River and the Amazon rainforests start! Some of the boat trips in this area would take you to the heart of the rain forests!

The Anavilhanas Islands on Rio Negro offers you a full depth of the Amazonian ecosystem since it forms an archipelago with its system of streams, lakes, and partially submerged forests.

There are many different species of animals found in these rainforests. It is also believed that there exist species in the forest that have not yet been discovered. Some of the most common animals and birds sighted in the region are parrots, toucans. Monkeys, sloths, and turtles. The Janauari ecological Park is also near Manaus and covers 688 hectares of land, featuring different kinds of ecosystems. You’d also find certain gigantic water lilies in this region which is native to the Amazons and not found anywhere else on earth.

Modernist Architecture in Brasília

Brasília is one of the most modern cities in Brazil- it was built in just 3 years in 1960 to replace the then capital, Rio de Janeiro. Oscar Niemeyer has had a hand in planning this city along with Lúcio Costa and it is one of the few cities in the world that is built on a single architectural concept. This city was innovatively designed and the mix of a residential building with business complexes is absent. The governmental section of the city has some of the finer architectural highlights and is one of the main attractions. The Praça dos Tràs Poderes which comprises the presidential palace, the supreme court, the Historical Museum, and two congress buildings, and the Panteão da Liberdade are two of the most striking features built by Oscar Niemeyer.

Other notable landmark works from the architect is the Catedral Metropolitana Nossa Senhora Aparecida with curved columns supporting a glass roof and the Palácio dos Arcos. You could also visit the Memorial dos Povos Indígenas, which is designed just like a traditional, round, Yąnomamö house. The Monumento JK by Niemeyer which is a memorial to the founder of Brasília President Juscelino Kubitschek is considered to be one of his greatest works. The city has even been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.