Why visit
Brazil is Rio's beaches and Carnival, the Amazon, Iguazu Falls, Salvador's Afro-Brazilian culture, Chapada Diamantina's canyons, and football everywhere. Distances are continental; pick three regions.
Country - South America
Brazil
beachnaturefoodcitycultureadventure
How to use this result
Use it as a country shortlist
Brazil works best as a first-pass travel idea. Start with the region, season, and themes on this page, then compare flights, entry rules, safety guidance, and local transport before treating it as a real option.
Compare the capital and side trips
Use Brasília as the administrative starting point, then check whether the strongest trip idea is actually the capital, a coastal area, a nature route, or another city in Brazil.
At a glance
Location
-10.0°, -55.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
8,515,767 km²
3,287,955 mi²
Country population
216.4 million
25/km²
Subregion
South America
Currency
Brazilian real (R$)
BRL
Dial
+55
Language
Portuguese
Demonym
Brazilian
Internet
.br
UN
Member state
ISO code
BR / BRA
Where in the world
-10.0° - -55.0°
Brazil
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Brazil shares a border with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador.
- The Amazon rainforest produces ~6% of the world's oxygen: and 60% of the Amazon is in Brazil.
- Sao Paulo has the largest Japanese community outside Japan.
- Brazilians speak Portuguese, not Spanish: it is the largest Portuguese-speaking country by ~20× (Portugal itself has ~10M people).
Bordering Brazil
Traveler notes
- Visa-free for many Western passports since 2024. Check current rules
- Rio + Iguazu + Salvador is the two-week highlight route
- Carnival moves with Easter; usually February
Plan checks
- Start research with the capital Brasília, then compare two or three other regions.
- Check passport validity, visa rules, health requirements, and travel insurance for current conditions.
- Verify swim safety, ocean conditions, and water-quality reports by month.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
Signature travel cities in Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
Rio is Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado, Sugarloaf cable car, Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, Santa Teresa's hillside streets, and Lapa's nightlife.
Salvador
Salvador is Brazil's Afro-Brazilian heart. Pelourinho's colorful colonial core (UNESCO), capoeira and samba reggae, and Bahian food like moqueca and acarajé.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Brazil
What is the capital of Brazil?
Brasília is the capital of Brazil.
What currency does Brazil use?
Brazil uses the Brazilian real (R$), ISO code BRL.
What languages are spoken in Brazil?
The primary language is Portuguese.
Is Brazil landlocked?
No, Brazil has a coastline.
What countries border Brazil?
Brazil borders Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela.
What is the international calling code for Brazil?
The calling code is +55.
When is the best time to visit Brazil?
Dec–Mar (coast), May–Oct (Amazon). Check current weather and local events before booking.
Other South America destinations
Cusco
Cusco is the former Inca capital at 3,400 m. San Blas artisan district, Sacsayhuamán ruins above the city, Sacred Valley below, and the gateway to Machu Picchu.
Arequipa
Arequipa is the White City carved from volcanic stone, Santa Catalina Monastery (a city within a city), and the Colca Canyon condor viewpoints two hours out.
Rio de Janeiro
Rio is Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado, Sugarloaf cable car, Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, Santa Teresa's hillside streets, and Lapa's nightlife.
La Paz
La Paz is Bolivia's seat of government at 3,640 m, where the Mi Teleférico cable-car network doubles as public transit and sightseeing. Witches' Market stalls, cholita wrestling, and Valle de la Luna sit inside city limits.
Salvador
Salvador is Brazil's Afro-Brazilian heart. Pelourinho's colorful colonial core (UNESCO), capoeira and samba reggae, and Bahian food like moqueca and acarajé.
Iguazu Falls
Iguazu Falls span the Argentina-Brazil border. 275 individual falls, the Devil's Throat at 80 m, catwalks from both sides, and jungle you can stay inside.