Regions & Cities
From North to South, Brazil boasts a wide variety of landscapes and cities, making the country a unique mosaic of sights.
The South of the country, with its European influence, has some snow in the winter and great beaches to enjoy in the summer. The region also has the best wineries in the country and is the second largest economy in Brazil.
The Southeast region is best represented by São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, which are the main business hubs in the country and have the largest economies. Rio and São Paulo are also very lively cities, with lots of businesses, culture, nightlife, etc. The Central-West region is home to the country’s main agricultural activities and has two great attractions: Brasília (the modern capital city designed by the architect Oscar Niemeyer) and Pantanal, one of richest ecosystems in the world.
White-sand beaches and warm waters are some of the main attractions in the Northeast region. This part of the country has many great cities with rich cultures and strong economies too. Salvador, Recife, and São Luís do Maranhão are only a few examples and each of them has its own charm. The Amazon Forest is in the heart of the North region and needs no introduction. The North is also the largest region in Brazil and, in addition to the Amazon Forest, is home to some very important cities, such as Manaus.
São Paulo is all superlatives. Enormous, with more than 20 million inhabitants, the city has innumerable art-house cinemas, first-rate museums, cultural centers, and experimental theaters. São Paulo has so many bistros and great restaurants that it’s considered one of the world’s main gourmet experiences.
The city’s nightlife is vibrant, nonstop, round-the-clock – a close cousin of New York.
The city is Brazil’s financial center and many of major companies have their headquarters there.
There's no other place like Rio, or “Cidade Maravilhosa” (“Wonderful City”). Rio is a combination of many things: metropolitan life, golden-sand beaches, amazing mountain surroundings, music, people, nightlife and entertainment. The city also has great schools and universities. Rio’s architecture tells some of the Brazilian history, with some of the most important monuments and historical museums.
RIO DE JANEIRO
SÃO PAULO
FLORIANÓPOLIS/SC
The island has many beautiful beaches, from calm, crowded bays in the north, to wild, cliff-hugging beaches in the south. The protected Atlantic Forest is seen from everywhere, while the dunes near Praia da Joaquina create a lunar landscape right next to the lovely Lagoa da Conceição, where you can hear many different languages in the streets. The city has a vibrant night and cultural life and has been increasingly establishing itself as the country’s technology hub.
CURITIBA/PR
With an efficient public transport system, innovative architecture, and outstanding urban parks, Curitiba offers a good urban lifestyle. The city's European atmosphere and excellent restaurants make it a great destination.
Curitiba also has a busy student life, with many schools and universities.
São Luís has a calm and colonial feeling. Located on an island between a river and the sea, it’s the only city in Brazil that was settled by French. Close by lies the wild beauty of Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses. The music scene is quite singular and is responsible for the city’s nickname of Brazilian Jamaica.
SÃO LUÍS/MA
Salvador da Bahia is a lively city of unadorned beauty that only a few cities can match. Salvador is the country’s Afro-Brazilian city. History is everywhere, as the city is filled with churches and houses from the colonial era. At night, capoeira circles form on plazas and squares, while the scent of acarajé (bean and shrimp fritters) and the sea breeze fill the air, offering a unique experience.
SALVADOR/BA
CULTURE & FOOD
What a melting pot! The Brazilian culture is one of the world’s most varied and diverse - a result of the European colonization, the migration from Africa in the times of slavery, and the continuous migration after World War 2, when many Europeans came to Brazil once again. The Japanese and the Middle Easterns are also part of the Brazilian society. All of them have influenced the local culture with their ancient customs.
This influence has also made Brazil a unique place to taste every flavor, from all around the globe. From a delicious meat “churrasco” in the South, to the most delicious seafood, Italian pizzerias, Arabic restaurants, Portuguese cuisine, classical French bistros, fresh Thai meals, beautiful sushi, German typical dishes and so on. You will surely find something to suit your taste.
Brazil’s music, art, rituals, lifestyles, and religions of all kinds make diversity a major part of the country’s daily life. Tolerance and respect are characteristic of the country and its population.
Weather
The seasons in Brazil are the opposite of those in the Northern hemisphere.
In Brazil, it's summer from December to March. During New Year's and Carnival (usually in February), when the country is on the spotlight, the prices are higher.
Winter goes from June to August. During this time, the South region is colder and the Northeast has milder temperatures, but more rainy days.