Out of the Beaten Tracks places to visit in Brazil
Explore Brazil's hidden gems, from Jalapão's wilds to Atins' serene shores.
Beyond Rio and São Paulo
Northern Marvels
Tucked away from the hustle and bustle, Manaus serves as the gateway to jungle adventures, while the Meeting of the Waters, where the Rio Negro and Solimões rivers converge, is a spectacle not to be missed. Ditch the crowds and find solace in the north.
Southern Serenity
Seek out Santa Catarina for its lesser-known beaches, or experience Rio Grande do Sul. Here, you can sip chardonnay in the silence of vineyards that haven’t made it onto the average tourist’s radar.
Central Mysteries
The heart of Brazil beats with untold stories in places like Chapada dos Veadeiros in Goiás, where waterfalls cascade into pristine pools that haven’t been Instagrammed to death—yet.
The North’s Untouched Paradise
Amazonian Escapes
Deep in the Amazon Rainforest, eco-lodges like Cristalino Lodge offer a luxurious reprieve amidst the chirps and chatters of biodiversity gone wild. It’s like the Garden of Eden, only with Wi-Fi.
Roraima’s Rugged Terrain
The Mount Roraima trek isn’t for the faint of heart—or calf muscles. But those who endure are rewarded with views that make you question whether you’ve teleported to another planet.
The River Islands of Anavilhanas
Anavilhanas Archipelago is a maze of river islands, where pink dolphins perform ballet and piranhas mind their own business (usually).
The Northeast’s Cultural Havens
Jericoacoara’s Dunes and Beaches
Jericoacoara is a hidden village where streets are made of sand, and hammocks in the water are a legitimate thing. It’s lazy living at its finest.
Pernambuco’s Historic Olinda
Olinda is a carnival of color, where historic charm hasn’t been bulldozed for a Starbucks. Its cobblestone streets whisper tales of artists and revolutionaries.
Maranhão’s Lençóis Maranhenses
Lençóis Maranhenses looks like somebody dumped a Sahara-sized sandbox next to the ocean. Sand dunes and seasonal rainwater lagoons create a landscape that laughs in the face of monotony.
The West-Central Wonders
The Pantanal’s Wild Wetlands
The Pantanal is where wildlife comes to strut its stuff. It’s like the Amazon’s less flashy sibling, but with more jaguars per square meter than anywhere else on earth.
Goiás’s Chapada dos Veadeiros
Chapada dos Veadeiros is nature’s playground, with hiking trails leading to waterfalls that haven’t been tagged in every second person’s road trip album.
Mato Grosso’s Bom Jardim
Bom Jardim is a snorkeler’s dream, where crystal-clear rivers offer visibility that’ll make your local swimming pool weep in shame.
The South’s Hidden Retreats
Santa Catarina’s Guarda do Embaú
Guarda do Embaú is a surfer’s secret haven, where the waves are righteous, and the beach bars are bereft of souvenir shops.
Rio Grande do Sul’s Vineyards
Rio Grande do Sul is wine country without the snobbery. Vineyards here welcome you with a glass in one hand and a slice of chimichurri-laden steak in the other.
Paraná’s Ilha do Mel
Ilha do Mel whispers tranquility. Cars are a no-no, and the only traffic jam you’ll encounter is a congregation of friendly capybaras.
The Southeast’s Overlooked Spots
Minas Gerais’s Historical Towns
Travel back in time through Minas Gerais’s historical towns such as Tiradentes and Diamantina, where gold rush glory days still echo through the baroque architecture.
Espírito Santo’s Coastal Charm
Espírito Santo boasts beaches that could give the Caribbean a run for its money, especially when paired with a seafood moqueca that’ll make your taste buds weep with joy.
São Paulo’s Ilhabela
Ilhabela is a tropical idyll where the jungle meets the sea. It’s perfect for those who can’t decide if they want to be a beach bum or a jungle explorer.
Adventure and Ecotourism
Aparados da Serra National Park
Aparados da Serra National Park is where canyons yawn wide, begging hikers to tread lightly along their edges.
The Caves of Petar
At Petar State Park, spelunk into caves where the only thing between you and the center of the earth is a hardhat and a sense of daring.
Jalapão State Park
Jalapão State Park is a tapestry of golden dunes, waterfalls, and clear rivers that haven’t been hashtagged to oblivion.
Cultural and Historical Intrigue
Paraty’s Colonial Legacy
Paraty is a cocktail of history and cachaça, where the colonial past is preserved in more than just the bottom of a glass.
Ouro Preto’s Baroque Architecture
Ouro Preto offers a baroque feast for the eyes, with churches that make you ponder the opulence of yesteryear.
The Quilombo of Palmares
The ruins of Palmares stand as a testament to resistance, a place where escaped slaves founded their own free society, thumbing their noses at colonial oppressors.
Tips for Off-the-Beaten-Track Travel
Best Time to Visit
Avoid rainy seasons when even the most intrepid 4×4 becomes a submarine. Dry season is your friend, but remember, even paradise gets crowded during holidays.
Essential Travel Tips
Learn some Portuguese phrases; it’s the key that unlocks the hearts of locals. Pack light, but not too light—mosquitoes have no respect for minimalism.
Sustainable Tourism Practices
Leave only footprints in these unspoiled spots. Embrace eco-lodges, patronize local artisans, and remember that while selfies are cool, preserving these places is cooler.
Embrace Brazil’s lesser-known nooks, crannies, and vast open spaces. The country’s true magic lies beyond the postcard-perfect images, waiting for those willing to explore its quieter, wilder, and profoundly more fascinating paths.