Brazil

Key facts

• Region: South America — Sovereign states
• Capital: Brasília
• Currency: Brazilian real (BRL)
• Languages: Portuguese
• Main airport: GRU — São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport, serving São Paulo
• Best time to visit: Varies by region: Rio and the south are best December to March, the Amazon from May to October, and the Pantanal from July to October

Overview

Brazil is the largest country in South America by both area and population, and it holds a large share of the continent's Amazon rainforest and coastline. It is Portuguese-speaking, which distinguishes it from the Spanish-speaking republics around it, and its culture blends indigenous, African, European and Japanese influences. Its tropical north, Atlantic cities and southern wine regions offer very different trips within one country.

Airports

São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) is the country's busiest international hub. Galeão-Antônio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG) serves Rio de Janeiro, while Congonhas (CGH) is São Paulo's central domestic airport. Brasília International Airport (BSB) serves the capital, and Tancredo Neves International Airport (CNF) serves Belo Horizonte. Other international gateways include Recife (REC), Salvador (SSA), Fortaleza (FOR), Porto Alegre (POA) and Manaus (MAO).

Main cities

Rio de Janeiro is the country's most famous city, framed by mountains and beaches. São Paulo is the largest city in the Southern Hemisphere and the centre for food, art and nightlife. Salvador in Bahia is the heart of Afro-Brazilian culture, and Belo Horizonte is the base for the colonial towns of Minas Gerais. Manaus is the main city of the Amazon, and Porto Alegre anchors the south.

Places to go

Rio's Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado and Sugarloaf Mountain are the classic viewpoints, with Copacabana and Ipanema below. Iguaçu Falls in the south is one of the world's great waterfall systems. In the Amazon, Manaus offers the meeting of the waters and river lodges, while the Pantanal in Mato Grosso is the best place in South America to see wildlife. The colonial towns of Ouro Preto and Tiradentes lie in Minas Gerais, and the Lençóis Maranhenses dunes and Fernando de Noronha island are standout coastal destinations.

Getting there

Cheapest cached round-trip fare into Brazil, refreshed every 6 hours:

Where to stay

Practical information

Frequently asked