The South

Introducing The South

Spectacular white-sand beaches, pristine subtropical islands and the thunderous roar of the Iguaçu waterfalls are a few of the attractions of Brazil’s affluent south. There’s also great whale-watching, surfing and a fascinating train journey over the mountains. While often given short shrift by first-time visitors, this region offers a radically different version of what it means to be Brazilian. Here gauchos still cling to the cowboy lifestyle on the wide plains bordering Argentina and Uruguay, and the influence from millions of German, Italian, Swiss and Eastern European settlers is evident in the Old World feel of inland and coastal villages (not to mention the blond hair and blue eyes).

The south comprises three states: Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. The climate is generally subtropical, but snow is not uncommon in the interior highlands in winter.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009