South Brazil Travel Guide By Persona

What was originally to be a 2 week trip to Brazil swiftly morphed into 3 months– right up until the legal limit. The vibrance of the country sucked me in, as did the abundance of lazy beach towns, breathtaking landscapes, and one of the biggest parties in the world, Carnival. 

Note: For those who aren’t familiar with Carnival, it is a huge celebration in Brazil prior to the Christian period of lent, filled with parades, costumes, samba dancing, live music; essentially a giant street party lasting weeks in some regions. 

I spent most of my time in the South of Brazil, visiting the states of Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul, therefore this guide will be based on those locations. Below is a map of Brazil with the states labeled; I visited the states within the red box.

Now onto the guide by persona. I have divided the destinations into 5 main categories: Thrill Seekers, Beach bums, Urban Explorers, Nature Lovers, and History Buffs. These categories aren't mutually exclusive, some cities naturally belong to more than one category. So, no surprise if you see a few places show up more than once. Vamos. 

Thrill seekers

If you love hiking, waterfalls, jungle treks, paragliding, surfing, or anything adrenaline-inducing, these are the spots for you.

• Paraty – Jungle treks, kayaking, waterfalls, natural waterslides, snorkeling

• Florianópolis – Surfing, sandboarding, trekking trails

• Ubatuba – Surfing hotspot with over 100 beaches

• Ilha Grande – Rainforest trails, remote beaches, diving locations

• Ilhabela – Waterfalls, off-roading, kite surfing

• Rio de Janeiro  –  Favela tours, Samba dancing, Surfing, Hiking

Beach bums

If you just want to chill, sunbathe, sip caipirinhas, and hear the waves.

• Búzios – Glamorous beach town with boutique shops and bars

• Ilhabela – Gorgeous beaches, charming vibe

• Praia do Rosa – Relaxed surfer village with stunning coastal views

• Ubatuba – Laid-back beach culture

• Ilha Grande – Car-free island perfect for hammock days and boat tours

• Florianópolis – Laid-back beaches mixed with party spots

Urban Explorers

Loves big cities, nightlife, arts, restaurants, and people-watching.

• Rio de Janeiro – Beach-city energy, nightlife, iconic landmarks

• São Paulo – Art, gastronomy, culture capital

• Curitiba – Urban parks, museums, thrifting, colonial & modern architecture

Nature Lovers

Prioritizes admiring the natural marvels and off-grid landscapes.

• Ilha Grande – Lush forests, wildlife, and secluded beaches

• Foz do Iguaçu – One of the world’s largest waterfall systems

• Ubatuba / Itamambuca beach – Rainforest meets ocean, eco-preserved beaches

• Ilhabela – Rainforest and waterfalls

• Paraty – Surrounded by national parks and bay islands

History Buffs

Enjoys museums, colonial towns, architecture, historic tours, and traditional food.

• Paraty – Preserved colonial town with cobblestone streets

• Curitiba – Known for urban planning, museums, and architectural gems

• São Paulo – Rich in cultural centers, museums, and historic neighborhoods

• Rio de Janeiro  – Christ the Redeemer, museums, historic city tour

• Porto Alegre – Cultural heritage and Gaucho traditions

• Búzios – Colonial architecture mixed with its fishing village roots

I hope you enjoyed this brief breakdown of my South Brazil recommendations. I fell in love with this country and highly recommend a visit. The landscapes are gorgeous, but the lovely people I met along the way are what made this place truly one of a kind.

Thank you for reading!