Must-see attractions in Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
This was the epicenter of the 2016 Summer Olympics and the Paralympic Games. Sadly, the facilities now sit largely abandoned and are not open to the…
Rio de Janeiro
If work on this new museum is ever complete, Copacabana will finally have an outstanding rainy-day attraction. The building, designed by celebrated New…
Brazil
Inaugurated in 2008, this cultural center 5km southeast of Tambaú was designed by famed Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer and is more interesting for its…
Rio de Janeiro
The first residents on this historic site were Carmelite fathers who built a convent here in 1590. It later came under the property of the Portuguese…
Rio de Janeiro
Covering over 12 hectares, the zoo at Quinta da Boa Vista has a wide variety of reptiles, mammals and birds, mostly indigenous to Brazil. Special…
Recife
A small state-run museum dedicated to Luiz Gonzaga, the father of baião, a traditional music from the sertão (the interior of the Northeast). It has been…
Rio de Janeiro
Located north of Centro, near the port, Samba City is actually made up of 14 large buildings where the top Rio schools assemble their Carnaval floats. It…
Rio de Janeiro
Sweeping views of Enseada de Botafogo, Pão de Açúcar and Corcovado await visitors who make the journey up Pasmado. It’s best reached in early morning or…
Rio de Janeiro
Housed in a century-old building, this modest museum is dedicated to the memory of Brazil’s greatest classical composer and founder of the Brazilian…
Rio Grande do Sul
This small, modern-day church across the street from the ruins at São Nicolau is a far cry from the religious epicenter that once stood on this site, but…
Curitiba
Inside the neoclassical headquarters of the Federal University of Paraná, the university's museum features rotating exhibitions along with a small and…
Rio de Janeiro
In a historic building overlooking Praça Tiradentes, this multifloor cultural space showcases a changing array of exhibitions relating to design, urbanism…
Santa Catarina
This 1890 Fachwerk home in Timbó chronicles the history of immigration in the area. Guided visits give context but only in Portuguese, unfortunately. It…
The Amazon
This sad little museum includes stuffed and pickled animals, random photographs and a handful of indigenous artifacts. Too bad they don't focus on the one…
Museu a Céu Aberto da Tartaruga Marinha
Fernando de Noronha
Based at the Centro de Visitantes in Vila do Boldró, this open-air museum has displays on sea turtles by the Projeto Tamar (Tamar Project; www.tamar.org…
São Paulo
Next to Igreja de São Francisco de Assis is the prestigious College of Law. Founded in 1827, it is considered to be Brazil’s oldest institution of higher…
Rio de Janeiro
The Ponte Rio-Niterói (Ponte Presidente Costa e Silva) offers spectacular views of Baía de Guanabara. The bridge is 15.5km long, 60m high and 26.6m wide,…
Brasília
Above the bust of Juscelino Kubitschek on the Praça dos Três Poderes is this mausoleum-like rectangular exhibition hall, only of interest if you read…
Instituto Antônio Carlos Jobim
Gávea, Jardim Botânico & Lagoa
Bossa nova legend Tom Jobim was a big admirer of the botanical gardens. This Jardim Botânico was created as a memorial to him in 2008. A small museum…
Flamengo & Around
The state governor's residence (closed to the public) is in Parque Guinle. The palace overlooks the west side of the park and is partially hidden by a…
Rio de Janeiro
This striking theater, designed by famed architect Oscar Niemeyer, lies just a short distance from the ferry terminal in Niterói. It hosts a line-up of…
Igreja de São Francisco de Paula
Minas Gerais
This 19th-century church, the last to be constructed during Ouro Preto's colonial period, serves as a convenient landmark, perched high on the hillside…
São Luís
The Palácio de la Ravardière dates back to 1689 and is now the Prefeitura (City Hall). A bust of São Luís’ French founder, Daniel de la Touche, stands…
Santa Catarina
Awash in red granite and stained glass, Blumenau's main cathedral is massive and not much of a looker, save its cedar entryway carvings and 45m tri-bell…
Pernambuco
Igreja da Misericórdia and the adjacent former hospital buildling stand on the site of a larger church built in 1630 that was burnt to the ground by the…
Paraná
The 18th-century Igreja de São Benedito was built specifically for the town’s slaves in honor of Benedict the Moor, the patron saint of slaves.
Gávea, Jardim Botânico & Lagoa
Situated just outside the entrance to the Jardim Botânico, the Museu do Meio Ambiente houses temporary exhibits with an environmental focus.
The Amazon
Porto Velho's unremarkable main cathedral is rather lacking in upkeep but otherwise dominates downtown Porto Velho's skyline.
Igreja São Francisco das Chagas
Paraná
The 18th-century Igreja São Francisco das Chagas was built in the baroque style specifically for the town’s slaves.
Porto Alegre
On the northern side of Praça da Matriz, you'll find the sculpted facade of the Biblioteca Público, dating to 1912.
Centro & the Mainland
The best-preserved colonial church, Igreja de NS do Rosário, sits picturesquely atop the steps at Rua Trajano.
Ipanema & Leblon
In front of Rua Farme de Amoedo on Ipanema Beach is Praia Farme, the stomping ground for gay society in Rio.
Rio de Janeiro State
Dominating Teresópolis' central square, this Gothic-style stone church is a convenient downtown landmark.
Santa Catarina
The Mausoléu Dr Blumenau is the final resting place of Dr Blumenau himself, founder of the city.
Santa Catarina
The small Museu da Cerveja is dedicated to the city's long history of beer brewing.
Recife
Hosts changing exhibitions and films but the quality of offerings is inconsistent.
