The southern part of Brazil has long been a favorite vacation spot for people from Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. Now, people from all over the world are quickly making it their own favorite vacation spot. It’s easy to see why the area is becoming more popular. It has everything from beautiful beaches and waterfalls to historic sites and up-to-date museums. It’s also surprisingly easy to look around the fairly small area. Most places in Southern Brazil have a high standard of living, good facilities, and a well-developed hospitality industry. Most of the people who live there are of European descent. Southern Brazil is a great place to go on holiday because of its mild weather, delicious food, and wide range of fun things to do.
Top 10 Destinations in Southern Brazil
1. Balneario Camboriu
Balneário Camboriú is one of the most famous beach resorts in Southern Brazil. It is on the coast of Santa Catarina state, tucked between steep hills. The city has a long line of high-rise hotels, clubs, and bars that run along the whole length of the curved coast. It is often compared to Copacabana. Like Rio de Janeiro, Balneário Camboriú has a big figure of Christ on top of a hill with a view of the city. A group of restaurants, shops, and parks are grouped together around the base of the 10-story statue. While Balneário Camboriú is known for its lively nightlife, it also has family-friendly attractions like a zoo, aquarium, and botanical park.
2. Blumenau
Blumenau is in the state of Santa Catarina. It was mostly settled by Germans in the 1800s, and its old-world Bavarian feel is still its main draw. The city’s Oktoberfest is the biggest in Brazil, with street parties where people drink beer that is as big as Rio de Janeiro’s Carnaval. But Blumenau’s German-style food and buildings bring in tourists all year long. In the charming Vila Germanica historic area, there are many half-timbered buildings. Music is played by German bands, and restaurants serve everything from hot dogs to smoked pork chops and ham hocks.
3. Curitiba
Curitiba is the capital and biggest city of the state of Paraná. It is a good place to start for trips in the area and a city in and of itself that is worth seeing. Curitiba is seen as a model of environmental sustainability because it has a large public transportation system, areas just for pedestrians, and lots of green places. Historic buildings in Curitiba have been restored, such as the Old City Hall and the colonial houses in Largo da Ordem. There is a lot of natural beauty at the Botanical Garden. You can walk through the greenhouses that look like palaces, the French gardens that are like mazes, and the Botanical Museum.
4. Morretes
Morretes is in the state of Paraná, on the banks of the Rio Nhundiaquara. It gives tourists a beautiful view of life in colonial Southern Brazil. Many of the buildings that were made here in the 1700s are still mostly the same, especially along the cobblestone promenade that runs along the river. People come to the old town to eat at its restaurants and try the tasty meat stew called bar, which is cooked in a ceramic pot. A lot of people visit Morretes on their way to or from Curitiba, and the famous Paranagua-Curitiba Railway tour also goes through the town.
5. Aparados da Serra National Park
Brazil’s first national park was created to protect the beautiful valleys that run along the border between the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. It covers large areas of land. The park’s biggest draw is the beautiful Itaimbezinho. The edge of this canyon can be reached by a short walk from the tourist center. From there, you can see seasonal waterfalls falling into the deep valley below. During the dry season, brave explorers can hire a guide and walk along the river bed that runs through the base of the canyon for the whole day.
6. Porto Alegre
Porto Alegre is the main city of Rio Grande do Sul. It is built on the shores of the Guaiba estuary, which is where five rivers meet to form a huge freshwater lagoon. It is one of the wealthiest towns in Brazil and also has a lot of different kinds of culture. The Joaquim José Felizardo Museum has a huge collection of photos and archeological items that are worth seeing if you want to learn about the city’s history. The city has a lot of crime, which is a problem, and the center area is definitely sketchy, even during the day.
7. Foz do Iguacu
You can’t leave Southern Brazil without seeing the beautiful Iguacu Falls, which are where the borders of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay meet. The huge waterfall is only a short drive from Foz do Iguacu, which is the closest city. It has been called “Niagra on Viagra.” During different times of the year, between 275 and 350 falls crash over the steep rocks in a loud, roaring sound. Hiking trails give you a wide view of the falls and close-up views of the lush forest that the constant rainwater feeds. People who want a thrill can take a boat ride close to the base of some of the falls.
8. Florianopolis
In the 1700s, the Portuguese built Florianópolis as a port city. Today, the city is best known for the beautiful island of Santa Catarina that is inside its borders. This vacation island has more than 40 sandy beaches that make it a great place for water sports like surfing, scuba diving, parasailing, and sandboarding. The Lagoa da Conceicão is also a famous place to visit. It is connected to the ocean by a canal. The big saltwater lagoon is a beautiful place to take a stroll because it has such nice views. This high-class area also has the best restaurants, shops, and places to go out at night on the island.
9. Ilha do Mel
There are many beautiful beaches along the southern coast of Brazil, but Ilha do Mel has some of the cleanest sand in the country. The island off the coast of the state of Paraná has not been changed by modern development because it is a naturally protected zone. Ilha do Mel doesn’t let cars on it, but there are many footpaths and tracks that go all over the island. There are also limits on the number of people each day, so everyone can have a nice, quiet time. If you’re not lying on the beach, swimming, or surfing, you can explore the island’s beautiful lighthouse, cave, and 18th-century Portuguese fort.
10. Sao Miguel das Missoes
The small town of São Miguel das Missões is in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. It is home to what’s left of the mission with the same name that was built in the 1600s. Seven Jesuit missions were built on the land of the Guaranís in the 17th and 18th centuries to try to convert the locals to Christianity. These beautiful ruins are the best example of one of those missions still standing. Now that it is part of a historic park, São Miguel is loved for both the beauty of its settings and the elegant style of its buildings. At the nearby Mission Museum, statues found during archeological digs are on display. The museum was built by the famous Brasilia architect Lucío Costa.
