Brazil is home to a lot of dedicated nature preserves, some of which are among the most beautiful national parks in the world. While most of these beautiful Brazilian national parks protect the country’s rich fauna and flora, others were created to protect the country’s spectacular landscape. There are up to 69 national parks in Brazil, but these are the most stunning, which is why they should be on everyone’s travel radar.
10 Serra Da Canastra National Park
View of a green field and cloudy sky at sunset in Serra Da Canastra National Park, Brazil
Serra da Canastra National Park is among the most beautiful national parks Brazil has to offer. It’s an unspoiled area in the state of Minas Gerais that was created to preserve some of Brazil’s most beautiful rivers and waterfalls. The park is incredibly scenic, as it is also made up of towering mountains, striking greenery, and rich wildlife.
Hiking is the main activity in the park, and many of the trails lead to lookouts from where one will get to witness the incredible natural scenery of the area.
9 Itatiaia National Park
A waterbody surrounded by rocks under a blue sky in Itatiaia National Park Brazil
Established in 1937 as the first national park in Brazil, Itatiaia National Park protects the country’s high peaks, deep valleys, and waterfalls. The park is characterized by towering mountains and rocks, and it has several well-maintained trails, which have made it not just beautiful but a haven for mountaineering and hiking.
Besides mountaineering and hiking in the beautiful park, picnics are also permitted in some parts of the park, and swimming in the waterfalls is also allowed. The abundance of bird species in this park also makes it an amazing place for bird-watching.
8 Chapada Das Mesas National Park
Prata waterfall in Chapada das Mesas National Park in Brazil
Although one of the youngest national parks in Brazil, Chapada das Mesas National Park is no less beautiful. In fact, it is one of the most beautiful places in Brazil to visit. The park was created to protect roaring waterfalls, charming rivers, enchanting lakes, and interesting sandstone formations. It is one of the best destinations in Brazil for nature lovers as well as those who love outdoor adventures like hiking and swimming.
7 Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
White sand dunes of Lencois Maranhenses National Park in Brazil under a cloudy sky
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park comes with a kind of surreal and otherworldly scenery that will literally make visitors feel like they are on a different planet. This is because of the park’s abundance of white sand dunes that blend almost perfectly with the sky. While it might seem too desert-like to be true, the park is also home to vegetation, birds, and emerald lagoons where fishes, turtles, and crabs can be found.
Although there are no camping facilities or amenities in the park, the park is close to a few towns, and activities like birdwatching, canoeing, and swimming can be done in this park during summer.
6 Fernando De Noronha Marine National Park
Rock formations on a waterbody under a blue sky in Fernando de Noronha Marine National Park
Fernando de Noronha Marine National Park is one of the best national parks in Brazil to visit; it’s a breathtaking area in Pernambuco state that features pristine beaches, rich marine life, and stunning rock formations. Thousands of visitors flock to this area every year to relax on the park’s soft sand beaches and dive in the waters with marine creatures, such as dolphins, sharks, and sea turtles.
Opportunities for boating and surfing are also offered in this park, which just makes it feel like an exciting island retreat.
5 Iguaçu National Park
A close up view of Iguazu falls in Brazil
A national parks list in Brazil is not complete without mention of Iguaçu National Park, as it is home to some of the largest waterfalls in the world. The park is located at the border between Brazil and Argentina, and it also shares a border with the Argentinian part of the waterfall, which is known as Iguazu National Park.
Iguacu National Park protects the Brazilian part of the falls, and while the falls are the main attractions in the park, it is also home to beautiful forests and several endangered wildlife and plant species. The park offers opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and boat tours, and the views are beautiful all year round. Devil’s Throat – one of the best viewpoints of the falls – is also located in Iguacu Falls, and that’s one more reason this park is worth visiting.
4 Serra Dos Órgãos National Park
The granite walls of Serra dos Órgãos National Park, Guapimirim, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil
Serra dos Órgãos National Park comes with an otherworldly landscape characterized by numerous pointed peaks surrounded by lush greenery. The park is located in Rio de Janeiro, and it is also home to several falls that are easily worthy of a place among the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. It’s also home to an abundance of rich wildlife, making it an ideal destination in Brazil for wildlife watching. Several hiking trails are located within this park, and they offer the best opportunities to see the park’s incredible natural beauty.
3 Tijuca National Park
Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro
Located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tijuca National Park was established in 1961 to protect the Tijuca Forest, the largest urban rainforest in the world. The park covers a 3,900-hectare area, and it is incredibly biodiverse. Tijuca National Park is home to hundreds of animals and bird species and also home to more than a thousand plant species. And that’s not all. The park also features roaring waterfalls and mountainous terrain that combine to make it a small paradise in Rio de Janeiro.
In addition, this park is home to the popular Corcovado Mountain, where Christ the Redeemer statue stands, and there are several trails and picnic areas within the park for some adventures.
2 Serra Da Capivara National Park
Rock formations surrounded by vegetation in Serra da Capivara National Park Brazil
Located in the northeastern region of Brazil, Serra da Capivara National Park is one of the best places in Brazil to visit. It’s home to stunning rock formations, rich wildlife, and gorgeous natural vegetation. Besides the natural endowments, this park is also home to the oldest and largest concentration of prehistoric sites in the Americas. Over a thousand rock paintings can be found here, and the oldest are more than 25,000 years old.
The park has been declared a world heritage site, and whether one is a lover of art, natural scenery, archeology, or wildlife, a visit to this park is sure to be memorable.
1 Pantanal Matogrossense National Park
A crocodile in Pantanal Matogrossense National Park in Brazil
Brazil has so many natural gems, and one of them is Pantanal Matogrossense National Park in the state of Mato Grosso. This park is among the most beautiful Brazilian national parks and is actually part of the Pantanal Biosphere Reserve, which is the largest wetlands in the world. Here, one will find incredible natural beauty and rich wildlife. Animals such as jaguars, ocelots, Marsh deer, giant otters, and many other species can be found here.
Pantanal Matogrossense National Park is also home to more than 600 bird species, which makes it one of the world’s best places for birdwatching. All these natural riches have made this park extremely popular among travelers, especially for lovers of wildlife and just generally anyone who likes natural scenery.