Southern Brazil

Region

The temperate south, settled by German, Italian and Polish immigrants and home to the gaúcho culture of the pampas. Foz do Iguaçu has the Brazilian side of the great falls, Florianópolis is an island of beaches and lagoons, Curitiba is a model city, and the Serra Gaúcha has wine and the canyons of Aparados da Serra. Winters can be cold.

Southern Brazil Estádio Couto PereiraEstádio Beira-RioArena da BaixadaLagoa dos PatosGuaíra FallsSanta Catarina IslandRuins of São Miguel das MissõesEstádio dos EucaliptosIlha do MelOscar Niemeyer MuseumCathedral of MaringáGuaíba (water body)Superagüi National ParkSerra do Itajaí National ParkAraucárias National ParkIlha Grande National ParkMesquita Omar Ibn Al-KhatabSerra Geral National ParkSão Joaquim National ParkCampeche IslandCathedral Basilica Minor of Our Lady of Light, CuritibaCampos Gerais National ParkLagoa do Peixe National ParkSaint-Hilaire/Lange National ParkGuaricana National ParkIlhas dos Currais Marine National ParkMonumento ao CristoMonumento ao Cristo RedentorJesuit Missions of the Guaranis: San Ignacio Mini, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa Maria Mayor (Argentina), Ruins of Sao Miguel das Missoes (Brazil)CuritibaFoz do IguaçuFlorianópolisPorto AlegreJoinvilleCaxias do SulIguaçu National ParkAparados da Serra National ParkRio Grande, Rio Grande do SulCascavelToledoSarandiLondrinaBlumenauSão José dos PinhaisCanoasPelotasPonta GrossaViamãoSanta MariaGravataí

Southern Brazil essentials

Country: Brazil
Driest months: Mar-May
Pay in: Real (R$)
Language: Portuguese
Emergency: 193

Where to Go in Southern Brazil

City Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul Rio Grande, Rio Grande do SulCity in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, near coast City Cascavel CascavelCity in Paraná famous for agriculture City Toledo ToledoCity in Brazil, known for its agriculture City Sarandi SarandiCity in Paraná, Brazil with industrial activity Island Santa Catarina Island Santa Catarina IslandBrazilian island hosting Florianópolis, coastal beaches Island Ilha do Mel Ilha do MelBrazilian island with preserved beaches and lighthouse Island Campeche Island Campeche IslandBrazilian island with colonial history and beaches History Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis: San Ignacio Mini, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa Maria Mayor (Argentina), Ruins of Sao Miguel das Missoes (Brazil) Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis: San Ignacio Mini, Santa Ana, Nuestra Señora de Loreto and Santa Maria Mayor (Argentina), Ruins of Sao Miguel das Missoes (Brazil)Ruined 17th–18th-century Jesuit mission settlements and churches Nature Aparados da Serra National Park Aparados da Serra National ParkNational park known for dramatic sea-level canyons Nature Lagoa dos Patos Lagoa dos PatosBrazil's largest lagoon, brackish coastal waterbody Nature Guaíra Falls Guaíra FallsFormer massive waterfall on Paraná River, now submerged Nature Guaíba (water body) Guaíba (water body)Large estuary near Porto Alegre, important waterway
Regions & Cities
Explore Curitiba Curitiba’s planners got practical: botanical gardens, wide parkways and the famous BRT system lure urbanists, while weekend markets, craft beer bars and the Oscar Niemeyer Museum reward slow city wandering and local grill joints. Explore Foz do Iguaçu People come to Iguaçu to feel the falls’ spray at the boardwalks, ride launch boats under the cataracts, watch toucans at Parque das Aves, and tour Itaipu dam’s vast turbines. Explore Florianópolis Santa Catarina’s island capital mixes surf and seafood: Praia Mole and Joaquina for sand and waves, the historic center for colonial houses, and Lagoa da Conceição for seafood bars, kite surfers and night markets that spill into the streets. Porto Alegre Explore Porto Alegre Porto Alegre balances riverfront life on the Guaíba with the Mercado Público, churrasco restaurants, and strong gaucho traditions; visitors catch a football match, visit the Iberê Camargo museum, and sip coffee in old squares. Explore Joinville Joinville keeps its German imprint in timber houses and a neat riverfront; it hosts Brazil’s big dance festival each July. Explore Caxias do Sul Strong Italian roots define Caxias do Sul: wineries, polenta and family-run trattorias, plus the Festa da Uva every two years. Explore Iguaçu National Park Iguaçu National Park protects the Brazilian side of the Iguazu Falls system, offering walkway viewpoints, rainforest trails and boat excursions beneath cascades; visitors come for waterfall panoramas, wildlife and guided park circuits. Aparados da Serra National Park Explore Aparados da Serra National Park Hikers come to Aparados da Serra for deep canyons such as Itaimbezinho, sheer basalt walls, waterfalls, and trails that cut through Atlantic Forest highlands between Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina.

Southern Brazil at a Glance

Local Time
9:09 PM
GMT-3
Population
29,937,706

Best Things to Do in Southern Brazil