I’m Kayla Sox. I spent six weeks rolling a sandy suitcase across Brazil (I laid out the full itinerary and extra lessons in this extended write-up). I ate too many cheese breads. I got soaked by a waterfall on purpose. And yes, I kept my phone tucked away when streets felt busy. If you’re mapping out your own adventure, Lonely Planet’s Brazil guide breaks the country down region by region and can help you sketch the perfect route. Here’s what stuck with me, city by city—good and bad.
If you want to dive into even more stories and insights about Brazilian life, browse Brazzil Magazine—it became my go-to reading on overnight buses.
Rio de Janeiro: Big, loud, and a little magic
I watched the sun drop behind Two Brothers Hill from Ipanema. People clapped. A guy next to me sold cold coconut water from a cooler. I took the cable car up Sugarloaf and felt the wind slap my cheeks. Christ the Redeemer? It was crowded by 9 a.m., but the view still hit me in the chest.
- What I loved: Beach days at Posto 9, a Flamengo game at Maracanã, and açaí bowls that tasted like cold jam.
- What bugged me: Pickpockets near the sand after dark. I used Uber at night and kept my bag across my chest.
Would I go again? Yep. I’d bring sunscreen and a small crossbody bag. That city runs on rhythm and sweat.
Flyers, by the way, can get my candid impressions of both Galeão (GIG) and Santos Dumont (SDU) in this concise airport guide.
São Paulo: Big brain, big bites
People say Sampa is gray. And it is. But it feeds you well. I spent an hour staring at art at MASP, then ate a giant mortadella sandwich at the Mercado. I walked Beco do Batman and snapped photos of bold street art. At night, Vila Madalena thumped. It felt like ten parties at once.
- What I loved: Food from everywhere. Pizza that made me quiet. Coffee that woke my bones.
- What bugged me: Traffic that ate my patience. I used the metro when I could.
It’s not “cute.” It’s a brainy beast. If you like museums and food, it’s your place.
Salvador: Drums, sun, and soul
In Pelourinho on a Tuesday night, drums shook my chest. The old square glowed. I ate acarajé from a street stand, and the spice made me tear up a bit. Beaches up by Stella Maris felt calm, even sweet. But the heat? It pressed down like a warm hand.
- What I loved: Live music, bright houses, and the sway of capoeira circles.
- What bugged me: Hills and cobbles in the old town. I wore sneakers and watched my step.
Be kind and curious here. The culture is deep. Listen more than you talk.
Florianópolis: Surf, shrimp, and soft sunsets
Floripa felt like a summer day stretched out. I tried to surf at Praia Mole. The board won. Later, I ate sequência de camarão in Santo Antônio de Lisboa, and the table filled with plates—shrimp every way. At Campeche, the water went clear green, like a glass bottle.
- What I loved: Beaches for every mood. Quiet bays. Wild dunes.
- What bugged me: You need a car or lots of patience with buses. Mosquito spray helped me stay sane.
It’s easy on the eyes and easy on the mind. Heads-up to the clothing-optional crowd: Brazil hosts a handful of relaxed naturist beaches, and I shared thoughts on a few favorites here.
Curiosity about body confidence doesn’t always stay at the shoreline—some creators have taken the same free-spirited attitude to live-streaming platforms. You can peek at that phenomenon in this rundown of streamers who pushed boundaries on camera over on Twitch nudes, where you’ll find context on the viral moments, platform rules, and what the buzz says about modern digital culture.
Foz do Iguaçu: Water that roars
I wore a poncho that made me look silly. I did not care. The falls blasted my face with mist, and a rainbow slid across the spray like a toy. The catwalks shake a bit, and you feel small—in a good way. I took the boat ride, and we screamed and laughed like kids.
- What I loved: Trails on the Brazil side felt smooth and clean. The views were straight-on and grand.
- What bugged me: Midday crowds. I went early and breathed easier.
Bring dry socks. Thank me later.
Ouro Preto: Old stones, gold stories
The town looked like a painting—white walls, dark wood, church towers. I walked up a hill and had to stop to catch my breath. The cobbles are steep and slick when wet. Inside the baroque churches, the gold shone soft. I toured a small gold mine and held a hard hat in sweaty hands.
- What I loved: History you can touch. Strong coffee in tiny cups.
- What bugged me: Those hills. My calves whined for a day.
Wear sturdy shoes. Take it slow. It rewards you.
Brasília: Space-age lines and big sky
I came for the shapes. Niemeyer’s buildings curve and swoop like white birds. The plan of the city makes sense on a map, but not always on foot. I stood in the Cathedral and watched light spill through blue glass. It felt cool and calm.
- What I loved: Clean lines, wide roads, big views.
- What bugged me: Not walkable. I used cars for almost everything.
If you love design, you’ll grin. If you want street life, you may not.
Recife and Olinda: Color, rhythm, and cake
I learned a little frevo step and almost fell over. Olinda’s hills are bright with art, and the views roll out to the sea. I ate bolo de rolo—thin cake with guava—and saved a slice in my bag like a secret. Recife has sharp energy and strong beats.
- What I loved: Carnival vibes year-round. Big puppets, fast music, friendly shouts.
- What bugged me: Sharks at Boa Viagem mean you stay out of deep water. I stuck to the sand and pools.
Pack light clothes. The sun works hard here.
Manaus: Gateway to green
The opera house in Manaus looked like a pink jewel. I sat inside and just stared at the ceiling. Then I took a boat to see the Meeting of the Waters—two rivers side by side that wouldn’t mix. The jungle tour felt real and raw. Humid air. A frog the size of my thumb. A guide who knew every sound.
- What I loved: Fresh fish, river breezes, night boat rides under stars.
- What bugged me: Heat and bugs. Long sleeves helped. So did a hat.
Book a trusted guide. Respect the forest. It’s not a theme park.
Paraty: Slow streets and blue bays
Paraty’s cobbles are uneven, and the tide slips into the lanes. It’s charming, like a storybook. I took a wooden boat to tiny islands. We jumped into clear water and ate grilled fish on deck. At night, I sipped a lime caipirinha and watched kids play tag in the square.
- What I loved: Peace, boats, and white houses with bright doors.
- What bugged me: Those cobbles again. Cute, but ankle-tricky.
Bring flat sandals with grip. You’ll thank your feet.
Quick tips I learned the hard way
- I used Uber and 99 at night. Easy and felt safe.
- I kept cash small and paid by card a lot. PIX is common, but my foreign card worked fine.
- Simple Portuguese helped: “Por favor,” “obrigada,” “uma água, por favor.”
- Sunscreen, hat, and a light rain jacket saved me from both sun and spray.
- I stayed alert with my phone. I enjoyed the view with my eyes first.
On a stateside layover I realized that solo travel can feel lighter when you have vetted company for an evening out—platforms like Eros Minneapolis Escorts connect you with verified companions, complete with detailed profiles and reviews, so you can explore a new city’s nightlife confidently and safely.
For deeper practical advice on everything from visas to weather, National Geographic’s essential Brazil travel guide is another solid resource.
So, which city wins?
That’s the trick. They don’t play the same game.
- For beaches and buzz: Rio.
- For food and art: São Paulo.
- For culture and drums: Salvador.
- For chill surf days: Florianópolis.
- For pure wonder: Foz do Iguaçu.
- For history and hills: Ouro Preto.
- For design nerd joy: Brasília.
- For