Southern & Central Brazil

★★★ Cataratas do Iguaçu — The Largest Waterfalls in the World

The Iguazú Falls are a natural wonder that exceeds all expectations. 275 individual waterfalls stretch over nearly 3 kilometers at the border between Brazil and Argentina. The falls plunge up to 82 meters, and the mist rises like a cloud over the jungle. The word "Iguazú" comes from the Guaraní language and means "Great Water" — an understatement of epic proportions.

Brazilian Side

The Brazilian side offers the grand panorama: A 1.2 km long walkway runs along the falls and culminates in a platform right at the Garganta do Diabo (Devil's Throat) — the mightiest of the 275 falls, where 14 individual falls thunder into a 150-meter wide, 700-meter long gorge. The mist drenches everything and everyone. Absolutely overwhelming.

Parque Nacional do Iguaçu (Brazilian side). Daily 9:00–17:00. Entry: 80 BRL (€13) for foreigners. Park buses to the waterfall included. Duration: 3–4 hours. Rain gear unnecessary — you'll get wet anyway.

Argentine Side

The Argentine side (Parque Nacional Iguazú) offers a more intense experience: Walk over and beside the falls on walkways and bridges. The upper circuit (Circuito Superior) offers views from above, while the lower circuit (Circuito Inferior) leads right into the roar. The highlight: The 1.1 km walkway to the Garganta del Diablo from above — you stand right at the edge where the river plunges into the abyss.

From Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil) by bus or Uber across the border (passport required!). Entry: approx. 16,000 ARS (price fluctuates). Plan: at least half a day, better a whole day.

Other Activities

• Macuco Safari: Ride a rubber boat directly into the mist of the falls — the ultimate adrenaline experience. You'll get COMPLETELY soaked. 350 BRL (€58).
• Parque das Aves (Bird Park): Right next to the waterfall entrance. Huge walk-in aviaries with toucans, macaws, flamingos, and rare Brazilian birds. Excellent conservation project. 75 BRL (€12).
• Itaipu Dam: The second-largest hydroelectric power plant in the world (only surpassed by China's Three Gorges Dam). Impressive technical tour, free of charge.

★★★ Florianópolis — Brazil's Beach Capital

“Floripa", as everyone calls it, is an island city in the state of Santa Catarina and Brazil's most popular beach destination for locals. The island has over 42 beaches — from calm lagoons to surf waves, from lively party beaches to secluded coves accessible only by hiking.

The Best Beaches

• Praia Mole: The surf and alternative beach. Young people, surfers, LGBTQ+ scene. Good waves, bars behind the dunes.
• Joaquina: THE surf beach of Florianópolis. Big waves, sandboarding on the dunes. International surf competitions.
• Lagoinha do Leste: Accessible only by a 2-hour hike — one of Brazil's wildest and most beautiful beaches. No electricity, no infrastructure, pure nature.
• Praia dos Ingleses: Family-friendly, warm, shallow water. The most popular beach for Brazilian families in summer.
• Campeche: Wide sandy beach with a view of Ilha do Campeche — a small island with crystal-clear water for snorkeling (boat trip, 30 min.).

More Than Just Beaches

• Lagoa da Conceição: The central lagoon of the island with bars, restaurants, and kitesurfing. In the evening, the nightlife district with Brazilian live music.
• Santo Antônio de Lisboa: Charming fishing village with Azorean architecture, excellent seafood restaurants, and sunset over the bay.
• Barra da Lagoa: Relaxed fishing and surfing village with one of Brazil's best beach restaurants.

Floripa has its own airport (FLN) with flights from São Paulo (1.5h), Rio (1.5h), and Porto Alegre (1h). Car rental recommended — the island is large and difficult to explore without a car. Best travel time: Dec–Mar (Brazilian summer, 25–35°C).

★★ Curitiba — Brazil's Eco Model City

Curitiba, the capital of the state of Paraná, is considered Brazil's most livable and innovative city. Famous for its revolutionary bus system (BRT, copied worldwide), its parks, and its sustainable urban planning. For travelers, Curitiba is primarily a stopover on the way to the Iguazú Falls — but the city deserves 1–2 days.

• Jardim Botânico: The iconic Art Nouveau-style greenhouse is Curitiba's postcard motif. Surrounding it is a beautiful botanical garden with French flower beds.
• Museu Oscar Niemeyer: The "Eye Museum" — a characteristic building by the famous Brazilian architect, shaped like a giant eye. Changing art exhibitions.
• Serra do Mar: The dramatic railway line Curitiba–Morretes (Serra Verde Express) runs through the Atlantic rainforest chain — 110 km, 900 meters in altitude, tunnels, and bridges over deep gorges. One of Brazil's most spectacular train rides.

★★★ Bonito — Snorkeling in the Natural Aquarium

Bonito in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul is Brazil's capital of ecotourism — and a natural wonder like no other. The rivers here are so crystal clear that you can see the fish 30–50 meters away. The reason: The limestone in the region naturally filters the water, making it crystal clear.

Top Experiences

• Rio da Prata: The ultimate Bonito experience. Snorkeling in a crystal-clear river, surrounded by hundreds of tropical fish (Dourados, Pacus, Curimbatás) that come so close you could touch them. Drift in the water for 2–3 hours — like in a natural aquarium. From 350 BRL (€58).
• Gruta do Lago Azul: A huge limestone cave with a deep blue underground lake. In December/January, sunlight streams through the entrance, illuminating the water in an unreal blue. From 80 BRL (€13).
• Rio Sucuri: Even clearer than the Rio da Prata — visibility up to 50 meters. Shorter snorkeling route, but even more impressive. From 300 BRL (€50).
• Abismo Anhumas: Rappel 72 meters deep into a cave, then dive or snorkel in an underground lake with stalactites and stalagmites. A unique experience for adventurers. From 1,000 BRL (€165). Prior training session required.
• Boca da Onça: The highest waterfall in the state (156 m) amidst rainforest. Hike to 8 waterfalls with natural pools for swimming.

Practical Information

Bonito operates on a voucher system: All excursions must be booked through local agencies in Bonito (not directly at the attractions). Visitor numbers are strictly limited — this protects nature and guarantees a peaceful experience. In high season (Dec–Feb, Jul), book tours at least 2 weeks in advance!

Getting there: Fly to Campo Grande (CG) or Bonito (direct from São Paulo/Campinas with Azul). Bus Campo Grande → Bonito: 5h, 100 BRL. Accommodations: Pousadas from 150 BRL/night. Plan for 3–4 days.

★★★ Pantanal — The Largest Wetland on Earth

The Pantanal is the largest tropical wetland on Earth — 150,000 km² (almost half the size of Germany!), spread across the states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul. While the Amazon has the highest biodiversity, the Pantanal has the highest wildlife density — here you actually see the animals, as the open landscape makes sightings much easier than in the dense rainforest.

What You Can See

• Jaguars: The Pantanal (especially the region around Porto Jofre) has the highest jaguar density in the world. From July to October, the big cats patrol the riverbanks — with an experienced guide and boat, the sighting probability is over 90%!
• Hyacinth Macaws: The largest parrots in the world (up to 1 meter long!) with bright cobalt blue. The Pantanal hosts the largest population.
• Caimans: Thousands of Yacaré caimans bask on the banks — sometimes so densely packed that you don't know where to step.
• Giant Otters: Watch family groups up to 1.8 meters long fishing. Loud, playful, fascinating.
• Capybaras: The largest rodents in the world (up to 65 kg!) are ubiquitous in the Pantanal — peaceful and photogenic.
• Toucans, Jabirus, Macaws: The birdlife is overwhelming — over 650 species, including the Jabiru stork (Brazil's largest bird).
• Anacondas: The Yellow Anaconda (up to 4 m) is more common than in the Amazon. Sightings are possible, especially in the dry season.

Access to the Pantanal

The Transpantaneira — a 145 km long, unpaved dirt road from Poconé to Porto Jofre — is the backbone of the northern Pantanal. 122 wooden bridges, caimans and birds on either side. The drive itself is a safari!

Fazendas & Lodges

The accommodations in the Pantanal are fazendas (ranches) and lodges, offering multi-day packages with activities: horseback riding, canoe tours, night safaris, bird watching. Prices: from 500 BRL/night (€80, all-inclusive) in simple fazendas to 2,500 BRL (€400) in premium lodges.