Rio de Janeiro, the Amazon Rainforest, Recife, and Alagoas are a few of the favourites within the audiovisual world. Uncover what Brazil has to supply and fall in love with each nook of this cinematic nation!
Brazil is the backdrop for unimaginable tales, gorgeous landscapes, and vibrant cultures that encourage audiovisual productions world wide. With nationwide movies successful awards at occasions just like the Oscars, the Cannes Movie Pageant, and the Berlin Movie Pageant, the nation is establishing itself as a inventive powerhouse – revealing, behind each scene, vacationer locations able to turning any viewer right into a passionate traveller.
From Recife, the setting of the acclaimed ‘The Secret Agent’, to the Amazon Rainforest, which moved audiences in ‘The Final Blue’, passing by means of Rio de Janeiro, featured in ‘I’m Nonetheless Right here’, and Alagoas, the background for the touching quick movie Alice – every of those locations is stuffed with magic, tradition, and pure magnificence that may make you wish to journey to Brazil proper now. Extra than simply locations, these locations are gateways to tales that transfer, rework, and encourage. Prepared to find what every one has to supply?
ALAGOAS: A LAND OF HEALING, CULTURE, AND CONSCIOUSNESS
The ocean that embraces the Alagoas shoreline is greater than a backdrop – it’s a character, a witness, and a pressure for transformation. This similar sea welcomes ‘Alice’, a poignant and highly effective quick movie directed by Gabriel Novis that has been shifting audiences world wide and is already within the working for a 2026 Oscar nomination. The movie follows the journey of Alice, a transgender surfer from Alagoas, who returns to her native coast to confront recollections, heal wounds, and reaffirm her identification in a spot of resilience.
The waves, as soon as a logo of exclusion, at the moment are indicators of reconnection with the previous, tradition, and nature. And you can also expertise this emotional and provoking land. Immerse your self into the landscapes, flavours, and traditions of a state whose magnificence is revealed in small tales and within the particulars that solely an open coronary heart can see.
- Vila Palateia: An ecological sanctuary in Barra de São Miguel, surrounded by mangroves and Atlantic Forest. Right here, you’ll study concerning the artisanal oyster farming course of and go to the Caçadores de Mel (Honey Hunters) undertaking, the place the uncommon and globally prized purple propolis is produced – a pure Alagoas treasure recognized for its therapeutic properties. Board a canoe and navigate the mangrove canals whereas herons soar above the water and your information shares area people tales. The tour ends with a tasting of freshly harvested oysters, served with lime and propolis honey, proper on the boat.
- Pontal da Barra: Within the coronary heart of Maceió, the Pontal da Barra neighbourhood is a stronghold of tradition and custom. There, filé embroidery – a centuries-old method handed down by means of generations – is preserved by lacemakers who craft true artistic endeavors by hand. On the Instituto Cultural Modarte, you may be part of a workshop to study your first stitches and create your personal piece. Then, stroll by means of the neighbourhood’s vibrant outlets, discover genuine souvenirs, and sail a standard jangada throughout the Mundaú Lagoon. At sundown, the sky turns shades of pink, orange, and gold – a mirrored image of a tradition that resists and enchants in each element.
- Black Maceió (Maceió Negra): Past its seashores, Maceió holds deep tales of wrestle, religion, and ancestry. The Maceió Negra tour invitations you to discover town by means of an Afro-Brazilian lens. The journey begins within the historic Jaraguá neighbourhood, continues by means of the Sinimbu and Palmares squares – landmarks of Black resistance – and goes as much as the Farol Lookout, providing a panoramic view of a metropolis constructed by generations of Black palms. After lunch with regional dishes on the Handicraft Market, the tour continues to symbolic websites just like the Praça Moleque Namorador and Riacho Doce, the place you’ll meet conventional cake makers. The expertise ends at Ilê Axé Pratagy, a Candomblé temple that provides a second of peace, connection, and reflection on spirituality, ancestry, and respect for variety.
- Encounter with the giants of the ocean: Aboard a standard jangada, sail the calm waters of the Tatuamunha River, residence to considered one of Brazil’s most adorable animals: the manatee. In partnership with the Peixe-Boi Affiliation, the tour is performed with complete respect for the ecosystem and guided by native residents. You’ll see these mild creatures up shut and study concerning the impression of preservation efforts.
RECIFE: THE TROPICAL PROTAGONIST THAT CONQUERED CANNES
Think about watching a Cannes-awarded movie after which strolling by means of the identical streets, respiratory the identical air, and getting misplaced in the identical landscapes that introduced the story to life. That’s precisely what occurred with ‘The Secret Agent’, an acclaimed function movie by Kleber Mendonça Filho, shot within the vibrant metropolis of Recife, Pernambuco. With Wagner Moura within the lead position – winner of the Finest Actor award – and a plot set within the Nineteen Seventies, the movie follows the story of a person in search of a recent begin as he leaves behind the chaos of São Paulo to start anew within the capital of Pernambuco. The setting? A metropolis pulsating with tradition, historical past, and heat.
- Cinematic seashores: Boa Viagem is Recife’s iconic seaside, shining below the tropical solar. Its heat, crystal-clear waters, protected by coral reefs, create good pure swimming pools for enjoyable swims. Need someplace quieter? Head to Praia do Pina or discover the charming and welcoming Brasília Teimosa. Within the surrounding areas, uncover hidden gems like Itamaracá Island and its abandoned coves, or dive into the waters of Porto de Galinhas, Muro Alto, and Carneiros – locations that seem like tropical desires come true.
- Delicacies: Let your self be swept away by the proper mix of spices, custom, and creativity. Attempt the classics: peixada pernambucana (fish stew with peppers, onions, tomatoes, and native seasoning), galinha à cabidela (hen cooked in its personal blood with rice), and arrumadinho (a mixture of beef, farofa, beans, and French dressing). At public markets like São José, savour stuffed tapiocas and caldinho de feijão whereas watching artisans at work. And don’t go away with out making an attempt the well-known bolo de rolo (rolled guava cake)!
- Recife Antigo (Outdated Recife): Strolling by means of Recife Antigo appears like stepping right into a interval movie. Amongst cobblestone streets and historic bridges, uncover Marco Zero, the charming Rua do Bom Jesus (thought of probably the most lovely streets on the planet), the Cais do Sertão museum, and the Paço da Alfândega cultural centre. At each nook, a brand new story unfolds – many worthy of worldwide movie units.
- Afro-Brazilian tradition: Recife is a cradle of Afro-Brazilian traditions that helped form the nation’s cultural identification. On the Afro-Brazilian Museum, uncover the African affect on native artwork, music, and faith. Watch maracatu performances and go to neighboring Olinda – recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Web site – to expertise cultural expressions that captivate and encourage.
- A river tour: Board a catamaran and admire town from a unique approach as you sail alongside the Capibaribe River. The 15 historic bridges crossing the downtown space reveal a multifaceted metropolis the place previous and current harmoniously coexist. Watching the sundown from the boat is a spectacle all its personal.
- Luxurious and beachfront resorts: In case you’re searching for luxurious, consolation, and rest, staying at a resort is your finest guess. From the unique Nannai Resort & Spa at Muro Alto Seaside to the family-friendly Summerville All Inclusive in Porto de Galinhas, the area provides one thing for each traveler. Highlights embody Vila Galé Cabo, with its oceanfront spa, and Ocaporã, named considered one of Brazil’s finest all-inclusive resorts by the 2025 Travellers’ Alternative Better of the Finest Awards from Tripadvisor.
- Diving into the mysteries of the ocean: Generally known as Brazil’s shipwreck capital, Recife attracts divers from world wide. The Pernambuco Synthetic Shipwreck Park reveals sunken vessels that seem like one thing from one other world. A singular journey for true explorers!
- Carnival: To expertise one of many world’s biggest cultural spectacles, plan your go to throughout Carnival. The Galo da Madrugada – recognised by the Guinness Guide because the world’s largest carnival parade – takes over the streets with music, pleasure, and vibrant color, whereas Olinda’s big puppets flip town right into a stage of fantasy and custom.
- Make a journey to Fernando de Noronha: Make the most of Recife’s proximity to Brazil’s most coveted archipelago. In Noronha, diving with sea turtles, scenic boat rides, and unforgettable sunsets create recollections that final a lifetime.
RIO DE JANEIRO: A BACKDROP OF COURAGE AND BEAUTY
When Rio de Janeiro appeared on the massive display screen on the 2025 Oscars with ‘I’m Nonetheless Right here’, the world as soon as once more fell below the spell of the Marvellous Metropolis’s grandeur. However this time was completely different. A UNESCO World Cultural Heritage website, Rio served because the backdrop for a profound, actual, and highly effective drama that took residence the award for Finest Worldwide Characteristic Movie. Directed by Walter Salles, the film adapts the memoir of the identical identify by Marcelo Rubens Paiva and tells the story of Eunice Paiva – portrayed by Fernanda Torres – a mom, widow, and above all, a fierce human rights defender.
The movie’s cinematography is a tribute to Rio in all its layers: town of lush pure magnificence, welcoming on a regular basis life, and vibrant historic reminiscence.
- Urca: The movie’s important setting, the Urca neighbourhood provides guests a uncommon environment in Rio. Strolling alongside the Mureta da Urca at sundown, pastel in hand and sipping a neighborhood craft beer, is among the most quintessential Carioca experiences. Close by, Urca Seaside and Praia Vermelha are perfect for these in search of calm waters and moments of rest. Don’t miss a experience on the Sugarloaf cable automotive – the panoramic view from the highest is totally breathtaking.
- Ipanema and Leblon: Alongside Rio’s most iconic beachfront, the solar shines with cinematic brilliance. Ipanema and Leblon are vibrant neighbourhoods brimming with life, completely capturing the soul of town. Make sure you watch the sundown from Arpoador Rock, the place golden skies body the Dois Irmãos mountains – and also you’ll perceive why Rio has grow to be synonymous with pure magnificence throughout the globe.
- Botanical Backyard: The Rio de Janeiro Botanical Backyard is a real gem. Its imperial palm-lined paths, uncommon crops, birdsong, and serene environment make it a haven within the coronary heart of town. Lengthen your go to to close by Parque Lage, the place a historic mansion with views of Christ the Redeemer provides an enthralling café and mild trails for adventurous spirits.
- Samba and Nature: Life in Rio is a celebration. The vitality pulses by means of samba gatherings in Lapa and Santa Teresa, the drumbeats of samba faculty rehearsals, and the nice and cozy hospitality that makes each customer really feel proper at residence. In case you’re a nature lover, discover the Tijuca Forest – the most important city rainforest on the planet – or hike to Pedra da Gávea, the place you may hang-glide and see town unfold beneath your ft.
And naturally, no itinerary is full and not using a go to to Christ the Redeemer, one of many New Seven Wonders of the Fashionable World. From this iconic vantage level, your complete metropolis opens up earlier than you: mountains, ocean, forest, and concrete life.
AMAZON: A JOURNEY THROUGH RIVERS, RAINFOREST, AND AWARD-WINNING CINEMA
When the character Teresa chooses to defy her destiny and navigate the liquid veins of the Amazon in ‘The Final Blue’, she invitations us to replicate on freedom, getting old, and belonging. Directed by Gabriel Mascaro and winner of the Silver Bear at this yr’s Berlin Movie Pageant, the movie transforms the world’s largest tropical rainforest into the stage for a narrative that’s each deeply private and universally resonant. It’s no shock the movie additionally gained the Ecumenical Jury Prize and captured the hearts of Berliner Morgenpost readers.
- Ecolodges: Staying within the rainforest is a full reconnection expertise – and immediately, it may be carried out with consolation, environmental consciousness, and class. The Cristalino Lodge in Alta Floresta (Mato Grosso) is internationally recognised for its excellence in ecotourism. With well-designed bungalows, meals that includes Amazonian components, and guided excursions led by consultants, it provides deep immersion in nature. In the meantime, the Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge, on the banks of the Rio Negro (Amazonas), is right for travellers in search of each journey and contemplation. Its chalets are seamlessly built-in into the panorama, and with direct entry to Anavilhanas Nationwide Park, visitors can get pleasure from actions akin to forest hikes, evening safaris, visits to native communities, and canoe excursions.
- Rivers: Rivers are lifelines within the Amazon, and travelling by means of them feels nearly magical. You may select between regional boats, non-public vessels, or river cruises with full facilities. No matter your alternative, you’ll witness hidden villages, flooded forests, flocks of birds, and, in the event you’re fortunate, the well-known pink river dolphins. In Anavilhanas Nationwide Park, islands and river seashores seem throughout the dry season, forming uncommon and gorgeous landscapes. In the course of the flood season, the submerged forest invitations a silent boat experience amongst roots and blooming branches.
- Flavours: Pirarucu, generally known as the “cod of the Amazon,” options in each conventional and connoisseur dishes. Grilled tambaqui is one other unmissable traditional. Pair it with Brazil nut farofa, tucupi sauces, native peppers, and a beneficiant serving of tapioca. For dessert, attempt artisanal ice lotions comprised of cupuaçu, taperebá, or bacuri. And to go native, order a x-caboquinho – a regional sandwich made with French bread, fried banana, and curd cheese. A real explosion of flavour and identification!
- Alter do Chão: Within the coronary heart of Pará state, Alter do Chão is a real Amazonian gem. With crystal-clear waters, white-sand banks, and postcard-perfect landscapes, this village was named probably the most lovely freshwater seaside on the planet by The Guardian. Go to the “Island of Love”, hike to the highest of Piraoca Hill, and take a dip within the Tapajós River. At evening, expertise the Piracaia, a cultural gathering across the hearth with grilled fish, folkloric dances like carimbó, and desserts scented with cumaru. It’s a celebration of nature, spirituality, and pleasure – one thing solely the Amazon can provide.
- Forest: The Amazon is residence to Indigenous peoples, riverside communities, and Afro-Brazilian quilombolas, who’ve cultivated ancestral information of learn how to reside sustainably with nature. In guided excursions led by neighborhood members, you’ll study cassava flour manufacturing, the medicinal makes use of of native crops, conventional fishing methods, and non secular rituals that honour the forest.
