South

Southern Brazil encompasses three states—Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul—that form a distinct climatic and cultural region within the country. Here, winters are pronounced, landscapes alternate between araucaria forests, high plateaus, vineyards and Atlantic beaches. From our team based in the capital, we often guide travelers seeking a less tropical Brazil, occasionally more European in character, and considerably quieter in terms of crowds.

The tourism anchor point remains Foz do Iguaçu, at the triple border with Argentina and Paraguay. The 275 waterfalls of Iguazu National Park stretch across nearly 2.7 kilometers of frontage, with the Devil's Throat forming the most spectacular cascade. We recommend viewing the falls from the Brazilian side (panoramic vistas, half-day) then from the Argentine side (elevated walkways over the water, full day). The park is also home to coatis, toucans and morpho butterflies, and can be visited year-round, with peak water flow between November and March.

Santa Catarina's coastline, centered on Florianópolis, tells quite a different story. Santa Catarina island boasts over 40 beaches, inland lagoons such as Lagoa da Conceição, and Azorean fishing villages like Ribeirão da Ilha, where locally farmed oysters are a culinary staple. Further north, Bombinhas and the Garopaba peninsula attract surfers; to the south, Praia do Rosa is renowned for southern right whale watching between June and November.

The interior recounts the tale of 19th-century European immigration. Blumenau, founded by Germans in 1850, still celebrates its Oktoberfest in October—the world's second largest after Munich's. In the Serra Gaúcha, around Bento Gonçalves, Garibaldi and Caxias do Sul, descendants of Italian Venetian immigrants produce the bulk of Brazilian wine: visitors tour family-run wineries and lunch in cantinas serving polenta, cheese and cured meats. Gramado and Canela, two towns in the same Serra, take on an alpine character between June and August, sometimes seeing snow above 2,600 feet.

Rio Grande do Sul, bordering Uruguay and Argentina, beats to the rhythm of gaúchos, cattle herders of the pampas. Churrasco, meat grilled over open flame, originates here, as does chimarrão, hot maté sipped throughout the day from a gourd. To the west, Aparados da Serra National Park protects Itaimbezinho canyon, a 6-kilometer gorge 2,360 feet deep, accessible from Cambará do Sul. This ranks among Brazil's least photographed landscapes and among the most striking for hikers.

Practically speaking, the South is easily explored by car: roads are in good condition, signage is clear, and distances between points of interest are reasonable. It's also the region of Brazil where you encounter the fewest foreign travelers outside Iguazu, making it an intriguing extension for those who've already visited Rio and the Northeast and seek a more rural, temperate face of the country.

Must-see

Iguazu Falls from the Brazilian side. The national park's panoramic trail hugs the cliff for 1.2 kilometers and opens onto a walkway facing the Devil's Throat, where 14 cascades converge in permanent mist.

Vineyards of the Valleys of Vines. Around Bento Gonçalves, the Caminhos de Pedra route traverses stone hamlets and family wineries founded by Italian settlers, with tastings of merlot and brut sparkling wine.

Itaimbezinho Canyon. A 6-kilometer hike on the Cambará do Sul plateau at 3,280 feet elevation, along a vertical fault covered in araucaria trees and seasonal waterfalls.

Praia do Rosa and southern right whales. Between June and November, southern right whales calve in Santa Catarina's bays, observable from cliffsides or by boat departing from Imbituba.

Blumenau's Oktoberfest. For three weeks each October, this German-speaking town in Vale do Itajaí celebrates in traditional costume, serving beer and eisbein, drawing nearly 600,000 visitors.

When to go

The South experiences four distinct seasons, rare in Brazil. The Southern Hemisphere summer, December through March, is hot and humid on the coast (79 to 90°F at Florianópolis), ideal for beaches but crowded with Brazilian and Argentine visitors in January. Water flow at Iguazu Falls peaks during this period. Autumn, April through June, offers the best compromise: mild temperatures (64 to 75°F), little rain, and grape harvests in Serra Gaúcha in February-March.

Winter, June through August, is cool to cold inland: 50 to 64°F during the day in Gramado, sometimes freezing at night, with occasional snow above 3,280 feet. This is whale season at Praia do Rosa and when Germanic towns reveal their true character. Spring, September through November, brings hydrangea blooms in Gramado and remains pleasant for canyon hiking.

Practical advice

We recommend a minimum of 5 days to combine Iguazu (2 days) with a second hub—either Serra Gaúcha for vineyards or Santa Catarina's coast for beaches. To explore all three states thoroughly, allow 10 to 12 days, renting a car between Porto Alegre, Gramado, Bento Gonçalves and Florianópolis. Foz do Iguaçu is reached by direct flight from São Paulo (1h45) or Rio (2h); Florianópolis and Porto Alegre also have international airports.

The South combines logically with the Southeast (Rio, São Paulo, Minas Gerais) as a 4- to 5-day extension, less often with the Northeast given distances. The region suits families (minimal health risks, temperate climate), wine and gastronomy enthusiasts, and hikers drawn to canyon trails. Hotel comfort levels are excellent, with a well-developed network of charming pousadas in Serra Gaúcha and along the Catarinense coast.