This article describes seven amazing adventures in Brazil you shouldn’t miss. Brazil is a colossal country with plenty of activities and places to explore. One of the advantages of this country is the diverse ecosystem, which provides enough options to please different types of adventurers.
These places altogether represent Brazil’s richness and diversity well. Beyond the jungle, the wetlands of the Pantanal offer some of the most rewarding wildlife watching, while the views of the beaches in Itacare provide a scene that could agitate any soul to amazement.
The options for adventure are as endless as the country’s coastline. Whether it’s hiking the enormous Chapada Diamantina National Park, surfing the waves in Santa Catarina, or exploring the sand dunes of Lençóis Maranhenses, Brazil offers experiences for every taste and spirit.
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What do you mean by adventures?
Adventures in the context of this article are places or activities where you can experience something unique in Brazil. These places are also important because they help you feel the country’s culture.
One of the things that I love about Brazil is the fact you can find the right type of adventure for anyone. Whether you prefer to explore waves surfing or kitesurfing on the coast, or if you like to immerse yourself in the forest and watch birds and wildlife.
In recent years, the ecotourism scene in the country has grown a lot, and the government is creating programs to help boost this type of activity. The existing infrastructure was improved in many touristic areas, and new ones were developed in other areas in all five regions of the country.
Let’s dive into the best adventures in Brazil you shouldn’t miss.
Chapada Diamantina
Chapada Diamantina is one of the biggest adventures in Brazil. One can spend months exploring the dozens of hiking trails, waterfalls, and viewpoints in the national park.
The area has several villages and towns, including Lencois, Vale do Capao, and Mucuge, which are the most visited. Each town is special because it allows you to explore a unique part of the park. I wrote some articles about my hikes in Vale do Capao and Lencois, you can find these articles at the end of this section.
When I visited Diamantina, I chose to stay in Vale do Capao and Lencois. In Vale do Capao, I found several waterfalls to explore; some were easy enough to visit without a guide, and I had to hire a local guide for others.
Read about more activities in Chapada Diamantina:
Lencois Maranhenses
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park in Brazil is a top ecotourism destination, offering a unique and memorable hiking experience. Unlike typical hikes, this adventure takes you through stunning seaside dunes, where you can hike barefoot or in socks. Trekking tours range from 3 to 7 days, depending on your desired level of exploration and hiking pace.
Navigating the dunes requires a good sense of direction and an understanding of how the wind shapes the landscape. If it is your first time doing this type of trek, I recommend hiring a local guide so you can learn to read the terrain, identify the most accessible paths over the dunes, and find the firmest areas to step on.
If you are not into trekking tours, there are daily tours where you can visit the main natural lakes between the sand dunes. Even though it is a day tour, the ride with buggies is also an incredible adventure to experience.
Read about more activities in Lencois Maranhenses
Pedro II
Pedro II, a charming town in the state of Piauí, Brazil, is a hidden gem with potential for ecotourism and adventure opportunities. It is known as the “Opal Land” because of the unique Opal mines, which are not found anywhere else in the country.
Pedro II is located in a mountainous region, providing a cool and pleasant climate that is a refreshing contrast to the typically hot Brazilian northeast. The cool climate is why Pedro II is known as the “Switerzland of Piaui.”
For adventure in Brazil, Pedro II offers visitors a famous viewpoint called Gritador and several hiking trails that find waterfalls on the way. The Salto Liso and the Urubu-Rei are between them, Urubu-Rei is the highest waterfall in Piaui with 76 meters.
I had a great experience exploring the main waterfalls and the Gritador viewpoint with the guide Vinicius. He’s very knowledgeable and knows the area around Pedro II very well.
Pantanal
Ecotourism in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso, located in the Central-West region of Brazil, attracts tourists from all over Brazil and the world. There are over 175 rivers, 720 species of birds, 89 species of mammals, 230 species of fish, and numerous lagoons. All within an area spanning over 770 kilometers, the Pantanal is the most extensive floodplain on the planet.
The Pantanal is an excellent place for an adventure in Brazil because it showcases how nature can be preserved and remain intact despite human presence.
In the Pantanal, you can stay in farms, inns, or even on houseboats spread throughout the region, which are great places to spend a few days on vacation. There is always a natural and historical side for you to contemplate, especially if you stay on one of the beautiful farms.
To stay active, you can do a cycling tour with an MTB to explore the area; there is also the opportunity to spot animals in their natural habitat during the day or the evenings.
Mata Atlantica
The Atlantic Forest is a wonderful destination for a unique adventure in Brazil, offering an extraordinary mix of biodiversity, landscapes, and cultural history. Initially, the area occupied by forest covered 17 states in the country. Today, only 12,4% of the original area remains.
Extending along the Atlantic coast from the northeastern state of Rio Grande do Norte to the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, the forest contains various ecosystems, including tropical rainforests, mangroves, and high-altitude grasslands. Despite its proximity to urban centers, the Atlantic Forest remains a sanctuary for nature lovers seeking an immersive and adventurous experience.
The Atlantic Forest is also a paradise for outdoor activities. Its varied terrain offers fantastic hiking and trekking routes. You can explore the landscapes of the Serra do Mar mountain range, where trails lead to viewpoints and waterfalls. If you want more adrenaline, activities such as canyoning, zip-lining, and white-water rafting are also available.
Cultural experiences add another layer of uniqueness to adventures in the Atlantic Forest. The forest contains historical sites, colonial towns, and indigenous communities that offer a glimpse into Brazil’s rich cultural heritage.
You can explore the charming town of Paraty, with its cobblestone streets and well-preserved colonial architecture, or visit Ilha Grande, a tropical island where you can visit the Vila do Abraão village, a famous destination for ecotourism in Brazil.
Santa Catarina
The south is also a great place to have adventures in Brazil. Santa Catarina is one of the three states of the south region, and it offers plenty of activities like hiking, surfing, rafting, cycling, diving, and others. Among the places to visit, Ascurra, Porto Uniao, and Doctor Pedrinho are the most famous due to the wide range of waterfalls, hiking trails, and rafting opportunities.
For those into kitesurfing, Florianopolis, the capital of Santa Catarina, contains good spots. The best places for kitesurfing are Daniela Beach and Lagoa da Conceição. If you want to stay north of Florianopolis, Daniela Beach is an open sea spot near Jurere, one of the safest parts of the island. Conceicao is a lake in the middle of the island with calm waters and less crowded, which can be perfect for beginners.
Santa Catarina is also part of the TAMAR project that aims to preserve marine turtles in the country. The project is implemented in seven cities in Brazil, and Florianopolis is one of them. A visit to the project is a very informative tour of environmental education.
Itacare
Located on the coast of Bahia, Itacaré is a hidden gem for adventures in Brazil. The former fishing town offers many activities to keep you happily occupied. Top activities include surfing waves with warm waters, making it a surfer’s paradise without needing a wetsuit.
There are beaches for surfers of all levels, so even if you’re a beginner, Itacare is an excellent place to start your surfing career. Engenhoca is the perfect spot for beginners, and the Tiririca beach is more crowded, so it is recommended for those with more skills.
If you prefer to stay dry, hiking trails through the Atlantic Forest lead to hidden waterfalls and breathtaking viewpoints, rewarding your efforts with unforgettable views. One of the most famous hikes in the area is the Quatro Praias trail, a 7km hike along four beaches.
Conclusion
This article describes seven unique places in Brazil that offer unique adventures. The country is so big, and one could spend a lifetime exploring it. The task of summarizing all available options in one single article is challenging. This list was created based on my experience visiting and experiencing these places.
All of these places together represent the options for adventures in Brazil well and will teach you a lot about our culture and keep you active at the same time.
I hope you found this article informative and inspiring. If you’ve had the opportunity to visit any of these places, I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments. And if you’ve discovered another unique adventure in Brazil, please share it so we can all benefit from your insights.
See you all in the next article!!! Bye!!
