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About South Brazil

More information

See our destinations

Pantanal - Marsh Deer

Paraná - Iguazu Falls

Paraná - Train Journey

Paraná - Antonina

Florianópolis - Campeche Island

Santa Catarina - Serra Geral

Santa Catarina Coast- Whale Watching

South Brazil is home to many of Brazil’s top natural attractions, from the Southern Pantanal to the canyons of Rio Grande do Sul, from the Iguazu Falls to the World Biosphere Reserve of the Atlantic Rainforest. Despite these fantastic places, the region has, until recently, been overlooked by most visitors to Brazil. Here we give a few good reasons to visit.

MS - Mato Grosso do Sul

The Pantanal, the wetlands of mid-west Brazil, is the hotspot for wildlife watching in Brazil. Unlike the Amazon, with its dense forest, in the open savannah of the Pantanal this huge biodiversity can be easily spotted. A visit to this area should be in the itinerary of anyone with an interest in nature.

PR - Paraná

Parana State is best known for the magnificent Iguazu Falls. However, just a short flight away from the Falls, you can enjoy a spectacular train journey that links its pleasant capital Curitiba to the Lagamar, the largest remnants of Atlantic Rainforest in the country, making this region also an unmissable part of any Brazilian trip.

SC - Santa Catarina

One of the smallest States in Brazil, Santa Catarina has a huge natural and cultural diversity. Besides Florianopolis, don’t miss the stunning Serra Geral mountains, an ideal trekking and horse-riding destination, the whales and dolphins on the southern coast, surfing in Praia do Rosa and relaxing in some of the best beaches of Brazil.

RS - Rio Grande do Sul

The most southern State in Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul, is well-known for its gaucho culture, the pampas and the Jesuit Missions but it has more to offer. Porto Alegre, the capital of the State, is the entry point for the attractive wine region and also the best access to the dramatic canyons of the Aparados da Serra and Serra Geral National Parks.

Diversity in landscapes and culture

Culturally this region is also extremely diverse. Some people say that the South is much more “European” than Brazilian, but, although this influence is clear in certain areas, the region’s cultural diversity is striking.

There is the pantaneiro culture in Mato Grosso do Sul, heavily influenced by the Paraguayan culture, visible in their clothes and the cold Tereré drink, which is drank everywhere.

The caiçara culture (a mix of Portuguese, Indian and Afro-Americans) of the coast of Paraná, with its unique fandango and ancient fishing techniques.

Santa Catarina, besides the strong influence of the 19th Century immigrants (not only from Germany or Italy, but also Ukraine, Poland, Japan and Austria) has also remains of civilizations dating back 5,000 years and indigenous people, such as the Xokleng, that only lived in this State. The Azorean influence dominates the coast and as such is the most visible for most visitors. It is present in the peculiar accent of the local manezinhos (similar to 17th Portuguese, according to researchers), in its many folk festivals, architecture and especially in the cuisine.

Rio Grande do Sul, at the extreme south, on the other hand, has the Gaucho culture, being much closer to neighbouring Hispanic countries than to Portuguese Brazil.

Considering all this diversity in landscapes and culture, the South should be included on the itineraries of travellers looking for a more comprehensive look at Brazil.