Day Trips from Brazil

This mountain retreat was the summer escape for Brazil's 19th-century emperors, and its cooler climate and preserved imperial architecture make it a popular day trip from Rio de Janeiro. You'll find the former summer palace, now the Imperial Museum, filled with crown jewels and royal carriages, along with a charming historic center of pastel-colored buildings.

A car-free island off the coast south of Rio, known for its clean beaches like Lopes Mendes and trails through preserved Atlantic rainforest. It's a full-day commitment but has a complete change of pace from the city. You'll spend most of your time on a boat or hiking between impressive coves.

A beautifully preserved Portuguese colonial town with cobblestone streets that are flooded by the tide, surrounded by mountains and islands. The historic center is a UNESCO site, and you can combine exploring the whitewashed architecture with a short boat trip to nearby beaches or a visit to a local cachaça distillery.

While many visitors take the cable car, a lesser-known trail called Costão leads adventurous hikers to the summit of the first hill, Morro da Urca. This challenging but rewarding climb has a completely different perspective on Rio's most famous landmark and the bay.

A day trip to Brazil's purpose-built capital from anywhere else is ambitious. But if you're based in a nearby state, it's a unique opportunity to see modernist architecture on a grand scale. The city's airplane-shaped plan and monumental buildings, like the Cathedral and National Congress, are unlike anything else in the country.

Known as the 'Switzerland of Brazil,' this charming town in the Serra da Mantiqueira mountains has a taste of European-style architecture, chocolate shops, and crisp air. It's a favorite weekend getaway for residents of São Paulo, but a long but feasible day trip for the change in climate and scenery.