For those who haven't been to Brazil yet, the only lingering question is, why not? Brazil is the largest country in South America and the third largest in the Americas. It is home to plenty of nature and is known to be the most biodiverse nation in the entire world. With so much to see and do, for those travelers who haven't been to this fascinating country yet, let 2023 be the year to finally tick that bucket list. Here are 10 reasons to visit Brazil in 2023.
10 It's Home To One Of South America's Best Cities
Latin American cities are colorful, vibrant, and musical, with an energetic atmosphere. Brazil's most popular city for tourists, Rio de Janeiro, is not lacking any of these factors and, in fact, is amplified. Rio is extremely colorful, filled with parks, street art, fine-dining restaurants, and street carts to get a quick fix of Brazilian cuisine, with vastly different neighborhoods and some seriously friendly people. Rio can be seen in just a few short days or in a week, but either way, travelers will never get bored when exploring this fantastic city.
9 ...And To Some Of South America's Best Nature
As aforementioned above, Brazil is the most biodiverse nation in the entire world. It is home to the infamous Amazon Rainforest, which is home to 427 mammal species, 1,300 bird species, 378 species of reptiles, and more than 400 species of amphibians, over 10,000 species of beetles, to name a few. Brazil is also home to amazing beaches, waterfalls, and some stunning South American sunsets.
8 There's A New Wonder Of The World There
The list of world wonders was updated in 2010, and is formally known as The New 7 Wonders of The World. This list includes the Taj Mahal in India, The Great Wall of China, The Colosseum in Rome, Petra in Jordan, Machu Picchu in Peru, Chichen Itza in Mexico, and last, but certainly not least, Christ the Redeemer in Brazil. Christ the Redeemer is a large statue of Jesus Christ perched high above the city of Rio de Janeiro. It is certainly a sight to behold, and there's even a church inside the statue from the backside of it. Enjoy the views of a new world wonder while sipping on a caipirinha from the bar at the top.
7 ...And Two New Wonders Of Nature
Not only is Brazil home to a new wonder of the world, but it's also home to not one but two new wonders of nature. The list includes Table Mountain in South Africa, Jeju Island in South Korea, Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River in The Philippines, Komodo Island in Indonesia, and the Brazilian contenders: The Amazon and Iguazu Falls. Fly into Foz do Iguaçu for Iguazu Falls and Manaus for the Amazon for the nearest hubs of transportation.
6 The Fruit Is Some Of The Best In The World
Anyone who has been to Brazil can confirm it's difficult to eat fruit elsewhere in the world after leaving. The fruit in Brazil, much like the cuisine itself, is unlike anywhere else in the world. The bananas are uniquely tart and extra sweet, the passion fruits (maracuja) are a perfect and much healthier replacement for candy, and açai, which is native to Brazil, is ever-abundant. It should be a requirement for all travelers to eat an açai bowl at least once a day when visiting Brazil because not only are they incredible, but they're typically as low as $1-2. When in Northern Brazil, açai is used in savory dishes.
5 The Beaches Are Incredible
Looking for some fun in the sun? Brazil is home to 2,095 beaches with over a 4500-mile coastline. While Copacabana and Ipanema Beaches in Rio de Janeiro are amongst some of the world's famous, Brazil is home to many under-the-radar beaches as well. Beach life in Brazil is full of life and energy: find vendors selling anything from fresh fruit to umbrellas to keychains to liquor when on a Brazillian beach.
4 It's Affordable
While affordability depends on a variety of factors, Brazil likely falls into the "affordability" category for many travelers. Average meals fall well below $10 for hearty portions of classic Brazilian cuisine such as feijoda, grilled filet mignon, farofa, and fresh seafood. 3-course Michelin-star meals won't necessarily break the bank the way they would in a city like Paris.
Adventures like taking a helicopter ride over Rio de Janeiro's epic coastlines, paired with killer views of Christ the Redeemer, run around $130 a person (in retrospect, helicopter rides in hot spots like New Zealand start around $300, and NYC helicopters typically start around $209). Budget hotel rooms can run as low as $20/night, and there's a great selection of hostels.
It's safe to say for travelers who are on a tight budget and are looking for a proper adventure, Brazil is a great option.
3 The Weather Is Typically Great
Brazil's summer is the northern hemisphere's winter, making December-March high-season in this South American nation. However, even in May, June, July, and August, Brazil's temperatures are still fairly moderate and never quite get "cold." In Rio de Janeiro, temperatures typically only drop to the low 70s, even in "low season," meaning travelers can plan a trip to escape the crowds (because there are fewer places busier on planet earth than Brazil in January!) and still enjoy proper sunshine.
2 It's Huge, Giving Plenty Of Room To Explore
Brazil cannot be narrowed down to just one geographical climate because it spans over many. As aforementioned, Brazil is home to vibrant cities like Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia, lush nature like the Amazon Rainforest and Foz do Iguaçu, and to indigenous people and a wide variety of animal life in Belém. Therefore, if and when planning a trip to Brazil, it's wise to pick at minimum two destinations to see get the different vibes of a country as diverse as this one.
1 The Celebration Of Carnival
Celebrated on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, Brazil's Carnival is a vibrant celebration in honor of the beginning of Catholic Lent. It's best known for its colorful costumes, samba dancing, live music, and public street parties. Though Carnival is celebrated all over South America and The Caribbean, Brazil is notoriously one of the best places to celebrate it. Plan a trip to Brazil during this time for a truly unique experience that can only be had once a year. 2023's Carnival will occur February 17-25.