Southeast Region Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Southeast Region showing skyline, landscape views and mountains
Southeast Region
Southeast Region
Municipal Theater
Nossa Senhora das Dores Church showing a small town or village, a lake or waterhole and night scenes

Home to flamboyant cities, such as Rio de JaneiroOpens in a new window and São PauloOpens in a new window, 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 BeachOpens in a new window, Ipanema BeachOpens in a new window and Sugarloaf MountainOpens in a new window. 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 HorizonteOpens in a new window, the capital of Minas GeraisOpens in a new window 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

4/5(169 area reviews)

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
Ipanema featuring markets as well as a large group of people

Ipanema

4.5/5(17 area reviews)

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
Default Image

Barra da Tijuca

4/5(12 area reviews)

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
Paulista Avenue showing a city and modern architecture

Jardins

4.5/5(8 area reviews)

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

Jardins
Default Image

Capivari

Travellers like the shopping in Capivari, and Capivari Park is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Capivari
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 ₹2,354 per night from 29 Jul to 30 Jul
₹2,354
₹2,471 total
29 Jul - 30 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and room service. Our guests praise the clean rooms in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
7.2/10 Good! (2,571 reviews)
A Wonderful Stay at Hotel Atlântico Prime!
"I recently had the pleasure of staying at Hotel Atlântico Prime, and I can honestly say it exceeded all my expectations. From the moment I arrived, I was impressed by the modern, stylish décor and the warm, welcoming atmosphere. The staff at the hotel truly made the difference. Every team member ..."

Reviewed on 28 Mar 2025

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 ₹4,185 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
₹4,185
₹4,614 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the clean ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,163 reviews)
"Property staff was really friendly, was told TV channels worked however from around 30 channels only 10 or 15 max worked with a questionable quality. Breakfast option was limited but absolutely delicious. Room was as expected, only thing is that bathroom door was kinda rotten from one corner due ..."

Reviewed on 25 Jun 2025

Hotel Atlântico Rio
Sleep Inn Guarulhos

Sleep Inn Guarulhos

3 out of 5
Avenida Natalia Zarif, 2655, Guarulhos, Sao Paulo
The price is ₹6,654 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
₹6,654
₹6,920 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Guarulhos. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a free airport shuttle and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,065 reviews)
"Nice hotel to stay in while wait for your flight!! I would recommend it!!! The staff is very nice and helpful!!"

Reviewed on 16 Jul 2025

Sleep Inn Guarulhos
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 Av Paulista Haddock Lobo

Apê Av Paulista Haddock Lobo

3 out of 5
Av. Paulista, 2240, Consolação, São Paulo, SP
Stay at this 3-star apartment in São Paulo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Paulista Avenue and Ibirapuera ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,019 reviews)
"Everything was clean and organized"

Reviewed on 28 Jun 2025

Apê Av Paulista Haddock Lobo
Paulista Suites by Charlie

Paulista Suites by Charlie

3.5 out of 5
Rua Vergueiro 1661, São Paulo, SP
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in São Paulo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the comfy ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (794 reviews)
"It was very nice"

Reviewed on 10 Nov 2023

Paulista Suites by Charlie
Apê Pátio Paulista

Apê Pátio Paulista

3 out of 5
Av. Paulista, 07, Bela Vista, São Paulo, SP
Stay at this 3-star apartment in São Paulo. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, valet parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the clean rooms in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (926 reviews)
"It was nice but the place got noisy. Convenient with public transportation and affordable"

Reviewed on 5 Jun 2025

Apê Pátio Paulista
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.

Popular places to visit