Alter do Chão

Brazil features natural areas and local sites beyond major cities. The landscape spans from waterfalls and caves to coastal regions and mountains. National parks contain sand formations, lagoons, and coral reefs. Cultural places include traditional villages and historical sites.

Northern Brazil holds a range of natural areas and historical sites away from the usual tourist paths. The region stretches from the Amazon basin to the wide plateaus of the Cerrado, offering waterfalls, clear springs, sand dunes, canyons, and caves. Protected areas such as Jalapão State Park and Anavilhanas National Park shelter rare animals and native plants. Rivers wind through dense forests, and in some springs, mineral-rich water pushes swimmers to the surface. The landscape shifts between tropical rainforest, open grasslands, and rock formations shaped over thousands of years. Notable places include the golden sand dunes of Jalapão, the tall waterfalls of Cachoeira da Velha and Cachoeira do Lajeado, and the natural pools known as fervedouros, where visitors can float effortlessly. Pedra Furada, a natural stone arch, and Canyon Encantado show the geological variety of the region. Ilha do Bananal, one of the largest river islands in the world, sits in the Araguaia River and provides habitat for many bird species. Further north, the Amazon rainforest spreads out with its branching rivers and islands. The colonial Fort Príncipe da Beira, built in the 18th century, recalls early European settlement. In Natividade, the small church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário stands as a modest example of colonial architecture. These places combine nature and history, inviting travelers to discover a less familiar side of Brazil.

Brazil's coastline stretches over 4,600 miles (7,400 kilometers), connecting tropical forests, sandbars, and several climate zones. In Rio de Janeiro, Copacabana and Ipanema draw visitors with their urban energy, while Fernando de Noronha offers bays shaped by marine life and volcanic rock. Further north, palm trees and dunes define the scenery in Ceará, where Jericoacoara is known for kitesurfing. Bahia holds Praia do Espelho and Taipus de Fora, where coral reefs and tidal pools give snorkelers refuge. Santa Catarina and São Paulo combine wave breaks with rainforest trails leading to remote beaches like Praia dos Castelhanos. Pernambuco and Alagoas feature warm, calm waters and natural pools that form at low tide, including Porto de Galinhas and Maragogi. In the north, Alter do Chão on the Tapajós River creates a freshwater beach surrounded by Amazon vegetation. Each region shows different tides, currents, and ecosystems, from sheltered lagoons to open Atlantic shores.