Brazil is the most popular tourist destination in South America. After 1995, the tourist industry was undertaken as an activity of key importance by the Brazilian Federal Government.

The National Policy of Tourism, implemented by Embratur (Brazilian Institute of Tourism) encourages the preservation of the country’s natural and cultural heritage.

Moreover, stimulating the tourist industry as an important source of employment and income which allows economic and social development is one of the policy’s main aims as well.

After 1999, the National Policy of Tourism was redirected and as a result the Programs and Actions of Embratur for the period between 2000 and 2003 were set up.

Each year, the World Tourism Organization (OMT) gathers information regarding the role that tourism plays in the economy of each region.

Brazil has remained as one of the leading destinations, and an increase in the number of foreign tourists visiting the area has occurred.

Not only is Brazil a truly beautiful place where warm hospitality is extended to visitors, but also there are a wide variety of attractions to enjoy here. Hence, Brazil holds a prominent place regarding tourist destinations in South America.

To start with, while areas of wild nature can still be found here, a bustling city life is one of the main features of this cosmopolitan place, together with the beaches with crystal clear water ideal to rest peacefully.

Moreover, Brazilian people have kept the local cultural traditions alive. The most famous and delicious seafood dishes are served here.

Finally, the local folklore including the most colorful and most fun Carnival in the world make the city even more inviting.

The Iguaçu river, a river with a life of its own, has its source in the Serra do Mar (Mountains by the Sea) in the south area of Brazil, forming the Iguaçu Falls a few kilometers upstream.

The Iguaçu River, a river with a life of its own, has its source in the Serra do Mar (Mountains by the Sea) in the south area of Brazil, forming the Iguaçu Falls a few kilometers upstream.

The waterfall system consists of two hundred and seventy five falls that make up a fantastic semi circle with a three kilometer diameter.

The Iguaçu River flows into the Parana River, about twenty three kilometers away from the falls.

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Brasilia is the country’s capital city and it is located 950 kilometers north east from Rio de Janeiro. The idea of building this city was to transfer the federal capital of Brazil from the coast to the interior of the country.

Lucio Costa was the main urban planner and Oscar Niemeyer was the chief architect of most public buildings. Roberto Burle Marx was the landscape designer.

The city’s pilot plan resembles the shape of an airplane facing the south east, although Lucio Costa’s original urban concept pointed to the shape of a cross.

Florianopolis, also known by the nickname Ilha da Magia (Island of Magic), is the capital city of Santa Catarina State in southern Brazil and one of the country’s most wealthy areas.

Owing to the great tourist facilities and the wide variety of beaches that can be found here, Florianopolis is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South America.

Blessed with outstanding natural beauty, the beaches and the sea are the chief attractions in this place.

While the beaches with calm warm waters prove ideal for children and adults, sports lovers, including surfers, can visit beaches with crystal clear waters where great waves roar.

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Porto Alegre is one of Brazil’s main cities, and the capital city of Rio Grande do Sul state.

This city is located in the junction of five rivers such as the Guaíba River (which is a lake in fact), a continuation of Jacuí River before it flows into the Lagoa dos Patos (Lagoon of the Ducks).

Porto Alegre is an important industrial centre in the south area of Brazil. Since it is located near Buenos Aires and Montevideo cities, Porto Alegre is placed at a strategic point within the MERCOSUR.  

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Rio de Janeiro is the capital city of the state bearing the same name. What is more, not only is Río de Janeiro one of Brazil’s most important and beautiful cities but also it is considered to be one of the loveliest places in South America and even in the world.

Nowadays, Rio is one of the world’s gamma class cities. It has a subtropical climate and the average temperature is about 19 º C and everyone who is born in this city will be nicknamed “carioca”.

According to the IBGE in the year 2005 there were 6,094,183 inhabitants in the city. Considering the Metropolitan Region, however, the number of inhabitants was as high as 11,351,937, covering a total surface of 4,659 km2.  

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Better known as “the city that never stops”, Sao Paulo is the capital city of Sao Paulo state in Brazil and is regarded as one of the country’s major commercial and industrial centres.

Sao Paulo capital city, located in the south east area of Brazil is considered to be the city with the largest dimensions in South America and even the largest one in the Southern hemisphere.

This city is regularly nicknamed “the Southern Hemisphere’s Manhattan” due to the substantial number of businesses that can be found here.

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Owing to the vast development that has taken place in Brazil regarding tourism, there are a wide range of options for hotels and accommodation available here. During the peak seasons, depending on the destinations, reservations in hotels must be made at least one month in advance.

It is possible to stay at huts, camping sites, hostels, resorts, centers, ranches, tourist farms, depending on the area of the country you decide to visit.