Southeast Region Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Ibirapuera Auditorium which includes modern architecture, art and interior views
Home to flamboyant cities, such as Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, in addition to tropical islands and colonial towns, this is one of Brazil’s most loved regions.

Beaches, bustling metropolises, colonial settlements and extravagant carnival celebrations await in Brazil's Southeast Region. Discover a mountainous backdrop that slopes down to an idyllic coastline dotted with pristine islands. The Southeast Region has Brazil’s highest population density, where some 80 million people share the cities, towns and villages spread across its four states. It’s also the most diverse population, with residents hailing from African, Asian, European and Middle Eastern migrant families.

A great place to start your visit is Rio de Janeiro, the Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City) and capital of its namesake state. Here you’ll find famous attractions such as Copacabana Beach, Ipanema Beach and Sugarloaf Mountain. Take daytrips to the lesser-visited beaches of Niterói and the traffic-free Ilha de Paquetá (Paquetá Island). Drive inland to the well-preserved Portuguese settlement of Petrópolis.

Head in either direction from Rio to reach postcard-perfect beaches. Travel east along the Costa do Sol to Cabo Frio and Búzios or west along the Costa Verde to the colonial port city of Paraty. Go snorkeling in crystal-clear water and hike through lush rainforest on Ilha Grande (Big Island).

São Paulo is the region’s southernmost area and home to Brazil’s biggest city, São Paulo. Its large Italian and Japanese communities have turned it into one of the world’s most sought-after gastronomy centers. Nearby Santos is the gateway to the state’s beaches those at Ubatuba, Ilhabela and Guarujá are among the many worth visiting.

Be sure to travel over the Serra do Espinhaco mountains to the sprawling Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais state. It’s a jumping off point for trips to spa towns such as São Lourenco and Caxambu and the architecturally impressive Baroque city of Ouro Preto.

Beach lovers will enjoy hopping between the coastal resorts of Espírito Santo. Conceição da Barra, Guarapari and Vitória are some examples.

Reach the Southeast Region by flying to the international airports at Belo Horizonte, Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo and then get around via intercity buses and organized tours. December through March is the region’s peak travel season, with February (or March) being the time of Brazil’s world-famous carnival.

Where to stay in Southeast Region

Copacabana

Copacabana

Copacabana Beach and Bairro Peixoto are top sights in Copacabana, and you should be sure to explore the stunning beaches. Hop aboard the metro at Siqueira Campos Station or Cardeal Arcoverde Station to see more sights in the area.

Copacabana
Barra da Tijuca featuring a beach as well as a large group of people

Barra da Tijuca

If you're spending time in Barra da Tijuca, you might enjoy attractions like Barra Shopping Mall and Village Mall. You might also enjoy the neighbourhood's pristine beaches before hopping on the metro at Jardim Oceânico Station to see more of the city.

Barra da Tijuca
Ipanema featuring markets as well as a large group of people

Ipanema

Ipanema is highly notable for its stunning beaches, and you might want to visit top sights like Ipanema Beach and Rua Farme de Amoedo. See more of Rio de Janeiro by jumping on the metro at Nossa Senhora da Paz Station or Ipanema-General Osorio Station.

Ipanema
Paulista Avenue showing a city and modern architecture

Jardins

Museums, shopping and cafes highlight some of the noteworthy features of Jardins. Make a stop by Paulista Avenue or Ibirapuera Park while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Jardins
City Hall showing a city and street scenes

Itaim Bibi

Take time in Itaim Bibi to visit attractions like Parque do Povo and JK Iguatemi Shopping Mall. You might also appreciate the abundant dining options, and you can hop on the metro at Campo Belo Station to see more of the city.

Itaim Bibi
Default Image

Penedo

Travellers like the parks in Penedo, and Pequena Finlândia is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Penedo
Hotel Atlântico Prime
Hotel Atlântico Prime
4 out of 5
Rua do Resende 87, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
The price is NZ$50 per night from 26 May to 27 May
NZ$50
per night
26 May - 27 May
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
7/10 Good! (1,318 reviews)
"Boutique hotel close to the harbour and walking distance to dining areas and a few sightseeing spots"

Reviewed on 22 Dec. 2023

Hotel Atlântico Prime
Hotel Atlântico Rio
Hotel Atlântico Rio
3.5 out of 5
Rua Xavier da Silveira, 112, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
The price is NZ$70 per night from 4 Jun to 5 Jun
NZ$70
per night
4 Jun - 5 Jun
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Popular attractions Ipanema Beach and Copacabana ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,003 reviews)
"The staff"

Reviewed on 4 May 2024

Hotel Atlântico Rio
Hampton by Hilton Guarulhos Airport
Hampton by Hilton Guarulhos Airport
3 out of 5
Rua Pedro De Toledo, 1000, Guarulhos
The price is NZ$118 per night from 21 Jun to 22 Jun
NZ$118
per night
21 Jun - 22 Jun
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Guarulhos. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a free airport shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,340 reviews)
"A fine Hotel for a stay close to Guarulhos airport"

Reviewed on 21 May 2024

Hampton by Hilton Guarulhos Airport
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Apê Pátio Paulista
Apê Pátio Paulista
3 out of 5
Av. Paulista, 07, São Paulo, SP
Stay at this 3-star apartment in São Paulo. Enjoy free WiFi, valet parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Paulista Avenue and Ibirapuera ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (280 reviews)
"Location"

Reviewed on 30 Apr. 2024

Apê Pátio Paulista
Transamerica Prime International Plaza
Transamerica Prime International Plaza
4 out of 5
Alameda Santos, 981, Jardim Paulista, São Paulo, SP
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in São Paulo. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,715 reviews)
"The hotel are very good. The food, safety, the staff ARE VERY, VERY NICE."

Reviewed on 16 May 2024

Transamerica Prime International Plaza
Apê Paulista Bela Cintra
Apê Paulista Bela Cintra
3 out of 5
R. Bela Cintra, 934, São Paulo, SP
Stay at this 3-star apartment in São Paulo. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (527 reviews)
"Nossa estadia foi de apenas 1 noite, mas foi boa. Gostamos do chuveiro e da cama, muito confortável. Gostamos do local e de tudo ao redor. Acho que o banheiro deveria ter locais para pendurar as toalhas após o banho…"

Reviewed on 18 May 2024

Apê Paulista Bela Cintra
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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