Are you planning a trip to Brazil? If you are, then it is natural that you would want to know what Brazil is famous for?
Surprisingly, not many are aware of anything more about Brazil, other than its iconic Redeemer Statue, and the legendary passion for Brazilian football.
What is Brazil famous for? Brazil is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. It has a large area and shares its borders with almost all other South American nations. It has many attractions besides Christ, the Redeemer monument. Its attractions include some of the most alluring beaches, a Carnival Festival, a vibrant culture, and much more!
Knowing some more details about it before planning the visit would ensure that you get an enriching experience and do not miss out on anything worthwhile.
Here is a comprehensive bucket list of the 23 most popular and fascinating things that Brazil is famous for.
The Statue of Christ the Redeemer
This is naturally one of the first things that would come to your mind when you think of Brazil. It lies atop Mount Corcovado in the erstwhile capital city of Rio de Janeiro.
Sculpted by Paul Landowski, a French national, and Heitor da Silva Costa, a Brazilian engineer during the period 1922 to 1931, it stands 30 meters tall on an 8-meter pedestal.
It is certainly an overwhelming sight with arms extended 28 meters wide, overlooking Rio de Janeiro across the Tijuca Forest National Park.
This is undoubtedly the topmost tourist destination in Brazil.
INFO: It is an icon of Christianity and is listed amongst the New 7 Wonders of the World.
The Amazon Forest
The Amazon tropical rainforest is the world’s largest reserve for biodiversity. It lies in northwestern Brazil and is home to a large collection of flora and fauna.
Its distinct physical features stretch right up to the neighboring South American countries like Venezuela, Peru, Colombia, and the others.
This entire region is a haven for you if you are a nature lover as it has numerous unexplored rivers meandering through large tracts of untouched vegetation.
They criss-cross with the mighty Amazon, and pass through numerous small towns like Belém and Manaus, sporting original medieval to 19th-century architecture.
This forest is home to almost 2.5 million recorded species of insects, thousands of plants, birds, and mammals’ species. Besides this, there are another few thousands of varieties of fish and aquatic plants and animals.
The Brazilian coffee
Brazilian coffee has its own unique taste and aroma. It has a natural climate that is ideal for coffee plantation.
This justifies the high amount of area being used for the production of coffee beans. Small wonder then, that Brazil is also the world’s largest producer and exporter of coffee.
The authentic homegrown Brazilian coffee has an unmistakable aroma. When brewed it has a pleasing texture with a distinct bittersweet taste tinged with nutty and chocolate flavor that you will love.
National Parks
Brazil is ecologically one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world. It has a huge landmass served by the Amazon basin and is home to an astounding diversity of plants and animals.
As a fallout of this, Brazil is full of National Parks and reserves that will provide you the most insightful experiences when you explore its intrinsic charm.
Brazil is home to an astounding 69 national parks. Here you will be able to explore the intimidating mountain ranges, impressive rock formations, incredible waterfalls and much more!
The Tijuca National Park has a record number of visitors and accounts for nearly 2 million tourists and nature enthusiasts every year.
The Iguaçu National Park comes a close second, with around 1.5 million visitors. But the smaller parks are no less exciting. They could offer you more of the untouched beauty of nature.
Among these, you must try visiting the Pantanal National Park, Chapada Diamantina, and Itatiaia National Park.
The Samba Dance
Samba is one of the most well-known and picturized songs in the world. Chances are that you have already seen it in some of the music videos as well as movies. It is a popular Brazilian dance that is accompanied by native Samba music, which is rhythmical, lively, and upbeat.
Lately, it has also won popularity amongst the other Latin American nations. It is a preferred genre in many music videos and is inspired by tribal music and rhythm. It is the most popular dance form and virtually all Brazilians identify with it.
When you are Brazil, do not miss out on any occasion where you can witness the graceful performance of the festive samba dancers.
The Brazilian Carnival
While making a list of what is Brazil famous for, you cannot overlook its most celebrated carnival festival. It is one of the most culturally important and well-known festivals in the world.
Here you will witness a variety of activities including the exciting Samba dance performances. The unimaginable assortment of food and beverages, lively events, colorful costumes, and the parade adds to the festive atmosphere.
The Brazilian Carnival began originally during the 1830s for celebrating Lent as part of the Portuguese tradition in the preparation of Easter. Gradually, it added local customs like street musicians and samba with the celebrations.
NOTE: These days, as many as 300-350 bands and over 100 parades become a part of Rio’s Carnival.
The annual Brazilian Carnival festival marks the beginning of Lent, the forty-day period before Easter and is a “must-see” for anyone visiting Brazil during that period.
Gorgeous Beaches and Coastlines
No itinerary listing things what is Brazil Famous for can ever be complete without a mention of its beautiful beaches and the coastline!
Brazil is a dream destination that you cannot ignore. Whether you are looking to relax at an exotic beach location, or wish to partake in some of the many water sports, Brazil is an all-inclusive destination.
The Brazilian coastline has no parallel when it comes to its extensive area. At 4,655 miles, it is one of the widest in the world.
You will find some of the most famous and gorgeous beaches in the world along its coast.
The beach culture is quite ingrained among the Brazilians who take pride in maintaining their heritage.
Here you are sure to find something that will interest you. For surfers, it is the Arpoador Beach in Rio, and if you are just fond of relaxing in the lap of nature, then you will find the Baia do Sancho in Fernando-de-Noronha to your liking.
Moreover, if you are a party animal then Copacabana Beach or the Ipanema Beach in Rio are renowned for partying and fun activities.
But again, with such a long coastline, do not restrict yourself to a few places only. There are hundreds of exotic beaches with their brand of uniqueness that will keep you enthralled!
Caipirinha
Caipirinha is a relatively unknown drink, highly popular among the Brazilians. This cocktail mix is made using the alcohol distilled from sugarcane juice. You can get it in almost all the restaurants and bars.
RECOMMENDATION: When in Brazil, it would be criminal to stick to your regular Mojitos or Margaritas. Try out this simple cocktail. You will find it refreshingly delicious.
The Iguazu Falls
Add a slice of freshness to your trip by visiting the famous Iguazu Falls. These are several waterfalls leading to the Iguazu River.
The Iguazu River forms the boundary between Argentina and Brazil and makes an amazing view.
What is striking about Iguazu falls is not just the breathtaking view they present, but the fact that they collectively form the largest group of waterfalls in the world. Its beauty is parallel to that of Niagara Falls and is one of the first choices of tourists from around the world.
The Passion for Brazilian Soccer/ Football
Brazil and Football are almost synonymous.
Brazilian football stars are famous the world over and it is the most widely played game in Brazil. So much so, that it defines the country’s national identity to a great extent. You would have come across their soccer-crazy fans during the important world cup fixtures.
Brazilians are emotionally attached to their football teams’ performance in the world arena. Not surprisingly, therefore, the Brazilian national soccer team holds the largest number of successes in the FIFA World Cup competitions.
Brazil is the only country to have played in all the World Cup competitions since its inception.
You would have heard the names like Pele, Neymar, Kaká, etc associated with excellence in football worldwide. They hold the pride of place in Brazilians’ hearts. You will see the fervor for the game of soccer right down to the street games.
Historical Sites
Brazil has a mix of vibrant culture and amazing heritage. Their traditions are deep-rooted and visible in every sphere of life. As you explore, you will find many exceptional historical sites that will leave you in awe.
These have a mix of Portuguese culture meshed up in time tested traditions.
There are more than 14 UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Sites and another 5 UNESCO World Heritage Natural Sites. These are the gems that you must-see in Brazil.
The Carioca Aqueduct or the Arcos da Lapa
The Carioca Aqueduct is a man-made marvel built in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil almost 3 centuries back to bring fresh water to the city from the Carioca River. Amazingly, it is still in use!
The Carioca Aqueduct is an inspiring example of colonial design and engineering.
The Montserrat Fort
This is an architectural marvel in the city of Salvador in Bahia state and displays the authentic 16th-century architecture.
It has a typical Italian fortress design and is a fine example of early military-style architecture in Brazil.
Shaped like an irregular polygon with circular turrets it had three cannons placed strategically. They covered the entire coast of Salvador from the invaders.
The Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim
This 18th century is in Bahia, atop a hill in Salvador.
Just a quick taxi drive from the heart of the district its famous for its colorful past and multi-faith gatherings With Plain exteriors and two towers that stand out against the horizon, it is a must-visit place for those interested in history as well as religion.
The interiors are well preserved. It literally glitters with gold and silver all-around and has elegantly painted ceilings.
Pantanal Conservation Area
The Pantanal Conservation Area is a cluster of four preserved areas and covers a cumulative area of 187,818 ha. It is one of the largest freshwater wetland ecosystems in the world with abundant vegetation and spectacular animal life.
You will see many scientific and environmental education research activities in this cluster of protected areas.
Furthermore, all the areas here are a part of the overall Biosphere Reserve. This National Park is also known as a Ramsar site.
Piranha Soup
Yes, you heard it right!
If you can, you must try out the famous Piranha soup, which is also an aphrodisiac and a popular food item in the Pantanal area.
The Piranha soup is a delicacy, especially devoured as an aphrodisiac.
TIP: If you want to just try out Piranha fish, then ask for it grilled and garnished with tomatoes and lime, served on a banana leaf.
Brasilia – The Capital City
If someone were to ask which is the capital city of Brazil, most people will say Rio de Janeiro.
Undoubtedly, it is the most popular Brazilian city because of the well-known tourist attractions such as the Christ the Redeemer statue, the Favelas, Copacabana, and of course the Carnival.
However, surprisingly it is not Rio de Janeiro but Brasília which has been the capital of Brazil since 1960. It is a planned city especially built as the capital. Before this transition, Brazil it was Salvador (from 1549–1763) and Rio de Janeiro (from 1763–1960) as its capital cities.
Whale Observation
The splendid availability of flora and fauna makes Brazil an incredible destination for nature observation. It has some great places where you can animals, reptiles, and birds in their native habitat.
You can also observe the most magnificent of all the mammals, whales when they arrive at the Brazilian coast to mate.
You can do this in many places. Some of them are – the Santa Catarina coastline.
NOTE: During the less warm months between June and November, you can go whale watching at Florianópolis.
The Serra da Bocaina Park
The famous Serra da Bocaina Park holds the reputation of being a great paradise with a varied landscape that ranges from mountains to beaches. It is spread over the two Brazilian States of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
The Ecotourism itinerary in this Park consists of many distinct natural attractions that are sure to give you a unique experience of nature at its prime.
You can access it through Paraty, the starting point in Rio de Janeiro.
Mato Grosso
If you’ve not planned a visit to Mato Grosso, then you ought to think twice. It deserves to be at the top of your list of sites to see in Brazil.
This Midwest state of Brazil offers natural beauty everywhere you look and gives Brazil its robust agricultural industry, which is the backbone of its economy.
It is also home to Pantanal, the world’s most magnificent ecosystems. You cannot miss watching this largest wetland in the world. With an abundance of natural splendor, Mato Grosso is bound to give you a fresh perspective on life.
Brazil Has the World’s Largest Population of Catholics
While the USA has the highest population of Christians worldwide, but when it comes to the Catholics, the world’s largest population lives in Brazil.
With its Catholic Church as the largest denomination in the country, almost 123 million Brazilians, i.e. roughly around 64.6% of the entire population, are Catholics.
Brazilian Cities
Next up is a list of some of Brazil’s most famous and beautiful cities. With so much to offer, its numerous towns and cities offer a huge assortment in terms of scenery, attractions, and culture. Here are some of the cities you should visit in Brazil:
- Rio de Janeiro: This is undoubtedly the Numero Uno city that overflows with all the things that you love. Rio has wonderful scenery, beaches, and a diversity of attractions, great shopping experience, night-life, and entertainment.
- São Paulo: This city offers the ultimate urban destination with huge skyscrapers replete with observation decks, parks, and museums. It also hosts the largest aquariums and zoos in Brazil.
- Recife: Where it comes to a relaxing vacation, Recife has an abundance of attractive laid back beaches and historic buildings that reflect the best of colonial architecture.
- Paraty: Surrounded by mountains and laced with a long coastline, along the Green Coast, Paraty is an ultimate experience in the lap of nature. The city’s traditional past is evident by its beautiful colonial architecture, complete with well-maintained cobblestone streets.
- Salvador: This port city on the northeast coast has a vibrant Afro-Brazilian culture and is famous for hosting the world’s largest Carnival.
The Brazilian Flag
Finally, you must know that the significance of the vibrant colors in the National Flag of Brazil.
The bright green represents the importance of its forests; the yellow signifies the mineral wealth, while the stars and the blue circle represents the evening’s sky at the time when Brazil proclaimed itself a republic.
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