Hello travelers! I’m sure that at least once in your life you have asked yourself some of these questions: after all, what is the most interesting thing about Brazil? Why do so many people say that Brazil is an exotic country and different from so many others? Well, Brazil is a really intriguing country full of nuances.
First of all, I’m going to say something that may be obvious to some (after all, you just need to search for a map of Brazil on the web and realize this) but that I’m sure many people don’t know: Brazil is a very large country, very large indeed and therefore very diverse, with an infinity of cultures, landscapes and attractions.
In terms of territorial extension, Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world and the largest tropical country on the globe. Well, then starting from this information I will explain a little bit about each region of Brazil.
North of Brazil: The Amazonian paradise
The northern region of Brazil has seven states (Tocantins, Pará, Amapá, Roraima, Amazonas, Acre, and Rondônia) and each one of them has a peculiar beauty and attractions. It is worth saying that this is the largest region in the Brazilian territory and just so you have an idea, because of its size it even has a different time zone from the rest of the country.
Perhaps the most famous destination in the northern region is the Amazon Rainforest, which is located in the state of Amazonas. Although it is a very popular destination, I have to say that the northern region has several other unmissable attractions, especially for those who enjoy adventure tourism. You can explore trails, boat trips, river beaches, climb mountains, take a delicious waterfall shower, not to mention trying typical dishes that you will not find in other regions of the country. If you enjoy nature and a bit of adventure, the North region should definitely not be left out of your travel itinerary.
Northeast: Sun, Beach and Axé
The beaches of the Northeast are definitely one of the favorite destinations in our country, and here I am not talking only about foreigners, but also about Brazilians. I myself, who live in the southeast, always want to get away and get to know some state in this region that I don’t know yet. The northeast region has nine states and each one of them with a unique beauty and culture. Certainly the most famous state is Bahia, first place when we think of carnival and the axé beat (a very popular musical style always accompanied by choreographies and a lot of rhythm).
Speaking of beaches, the northeastern sea is warm and clear, and this region has sun practically all year round. The northeastern cuisine is also something very special as it was influenced by the mixture of indigenous, African and European peoples. This certainly made all the difference. So, if you like to try new dishes full of flavor and a lot of history, the northeastern cuisine will not disappoint you.
Midwest: from the modern capital of Brazil to the Pantanal
The Midwest region is definitely one of the least explored regions by Brazilian tourism. I say this because it is very little known by foreigners and also does not receive much publicity in government tourism campaigns. It is a pity because this region of the country has options for all tastes. The Midwest region has 4 states: Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, Goiás and the Federal District. For those who enjoy ecotourism, the Pantanal is a unique destination with its exuberant nature and a very diverse fauna, I am sure that there you will see some animals that you have never seen in your life. This region is characterized by vast flooded plains and is the perfect place to observe alligators, capybaras and an infinity of different birds. It is in this same Brazilian region that we also have the capital of the country, Brasília. With a modern architecture and a good network of hotels you can visit some government buildings and end the day in one of the several parks in the city.
Southeast: Rio or São Paulo?
The Southeast region is for those who want to experience a little bit of everything. Neither Rio, nor São Paulo or better, both and a little bit more. I am biased to speak because I live in Minas Gerais and I love my state. Anyway, what you need to know is that this region has 4 states: Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo. Each one of these states has its own beauty and attractions. If I could, I could write an entire blog dedicated to each one of them and I certainly would not be able to exhaust the information. If you like beaches and taking highly instagrammable photos visiting world famous spots, your place is Rio. If in your itinerary you are looking for a metropolis, with great restaurants, museums and many attractions, the capital São Paulo may be your choice. Minas Gerais does not have beaches, but we have beautiful waterfalls, many historic cities and an incomparable gastronomy, just talking about it makes my mouth water. And Espírito Santo also has beautiful beaches and a lot of nature. The good thing about the Southeast region is that the distance between the states that compose it is not very big, so you can visit more than one place without major problems.
South: Europe in Brazil
The southern region is considered by us Brazilians from other regions as the “Europe” in Brazil. This is because this region suffered a strong European influence during the period of its formation, receiving many immigrants, and this had a strong impact on its culture. The architecture of the region is quite different from the rest of the country and even the climate is much colder. If you want to experience great wines and enjoy an alternative Brazil with beautiful mountain landscapes, don’t leave the southern region out of your itinerary.
So, did you get to feel the diversity of this huge country? Each region has its own essence, its own history and its own beauties. No matter if you are a nature lover, an urban explorer or a local culture enthusiast, I truly believe that Brazil has places that appeal to all travelers. I hope you enjoyed it and thank you for being here. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask and I will be happy to help. See you soon!