15 stunning natural areas in Brazil

PICTURE dozens of national parks packed with walking trails, each leading to amazing waterfalls and the best ponds you could ever swim in; luscious Amazonian rainforests with incredible vistas. Welcome to Brazil, every outdoor junkies’ dream come true.

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Sunrise is the perfect time to see the famous pink dolphins of the Amazon River.

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Be prepared for a grueling three-hour hike combined with some freestyle rock climbing to make it to the top of Pedra da Gavea, one of the world’s highest monoliths and the largest mountain on a coastline. You'll also find the best views of Rio de Janeiro and its surroundings.

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Ilha Grande is a tropical island packed with hiking trails that run through the Virgin Atlantic rainforest. It’s also a great spot for snorkeling and stunning beaches.

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Paraty is a melting pot of adventures. By hiking through the rainforest you are guaranteed to find a place looking a little like this.

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You won’t be able to look away once you see the Iguazu Falls in all their awe-inspiring glory. Once you’re here you can take a day trip over to Argentina and check them out from a different and equally beautiful angle.

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If you’re looking for white sand beaches, head to the untouched shores of Prainha in Arraial do Cabo.

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The exotic blue waters of Cachoeria Santa Barbara are an effort to get to but oh-so-worth-it.

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In Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, the waterfalls outnumber the tourists.

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Cachoeira Loquinhas has a magical hiking trail leading to ten natural pools where the water of each pool is a different blue.

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Don’t miss the 45-minute hike up Morro Dois Irmãos to help get your bearings in Rio de Janeiro.

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The motto of Morro de Sao Paulo is "Island vibes, Island time."

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You'll find rolling hills, hippie villages, and jaw-dropping landscapes in the hiker's dream of Vale do Capão on the outskirts of Chapada Diamantina National Park.

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The most unbelievable lookout of all time is tucked away in a little corner of Vale do Pati in Chapada Diamantina National Park.

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Want to slide down a rock formed waterslide? Lencois is full of naturally-formed wonders like this.

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The town of Bonito is an aquatic wonderland filled with ecological wonder.