From safaris to ancestral rituals, Brazil invites travelers to experience 101 adventures

São Paulo, Jul 22 (EFE).- From idyllic beaches and safaris in the world’s largest wetland to cultural immersions in Indigenous territories, Brazil is offering a wide array of transformative experiences—now gathered in a new platform aimed at helping tourists, particularly foreigners, discover the country in a deeper, more meaningful way.

Focusing on sustainability and human connection, the project, launched earlier this year, brings together 101 experiences across Brazil’s five regions on a single website. All were selected by the Brazilian Agency for International Tourism Promotion (Embratur) and the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae).

Named “Feel Brasil,” the initiative serves as both “a showcase of national tourism” and “a solid strategy to position Brazil on the international stage,” said Marcelo Freixo, president of Embratur, in an interview with EFE.

“By connecting global tourists with authentic and sustainable experiences, we’re directly responding to the growing demand for experiential tourism,” he said. “The benefits include increased tourist spending, decentralization of tourist flows, and the strengthening of local economies.”

Northeast in the spotlight

Designed to appeal to a wide range of travelers, the platform features a concentration of offerings in Brazil’s northeast, with 39 activities that include traditional cooking classes, tours through colonial historic centers, and visits to stunning beaches.

In the state of Pernambuco, visitors can witness coral reef restoration in Porto de Galinhas or go diving in the protected waters around the island of Fernando de Noronha.

In Salvador, capital of the state of Bahia, tourists can walk the Orixás Trail or take the Black Bahia Tour to explore Afro-Brazilian culture.

The Lençóis Maranhenses in Maranhão stand out with experiences like sunset picnics amid white sand dunes and crystal-clear lagoons, or witnessing the spectacle of bioluminescent plankton.

A deep dive into the Amazon rainforest

The northern region offers 12 experiences centered on the Amazon rainforest, ancestral knowledge, and sustainable initiatives.

In Manaus, capital of the state of Amazonas, visitors can choose an Indigenous immersion along the Rio Negro or sample regional cuisine through the Até o Tucupi Tour.

Alter do Chão, in the state of Pará—often referred to as the Amazonian Caribbean—offers jungle treks in the Jamaracá community and the Piracaia, a traditional riverbank gathering featuring music and grilled fish.

Travelers can also explore the Chocolate Route on the Way of the Islands in Belém (Pará) or engage with the culture and sustainability practices of the Paiter Suruí people in Cacoal (Rondônia).

Entrepreneurship and social transformation

Behind most of these experiences are local citizens running small businesses ready to welcome visitors.

This is a key element that Feel Brasil aims to highlight, positioning itself as a tool for both social and economic transformation in local communities. The project also seeks to pave the way for a more equitable and conscious model of tourism.

Seventy percent of the 101 experiences featured on the platform are offered by micro and small enterprises.

Additionally, 59% of those businesses are led by women, and more than 80% prioritize inclusion, diversity, and sustainability.

“The project boosts the leadership of small and micro entrepreneurs, enhances local territories, and drives regional development through job and income creation,” said Freixo.

By promoting Brazil in this way, he added, “we increase our international competitiveness and create a virtuous circle that uplifts what is most precious to us: our people, our cultures, and our stories.”

According to Décio Lima, president of Sebrae, the initiative is globally innovative for opening up the market to small businesses.

“Today, we are recognized as an international destination (…) and this success has been built hand in hand with small businesses, which make up nearly 97% of the companies operating in the tourism sector,” Lima concluded. EFE

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This content was produced with the support of Embratur.

Handout photo provided by Sebrae/Embratur dated February 21, 2025, showing people posing in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. EFE/Sebrae/Embratur / EDITORIAL USE ONLY / ONLY AVAILABLE TO ILLUSTRATE THE ACCOMPANYING NEWS STORY (MANDATORY CREDIT)

Handout photo provided by Sebrae/Embratur dated November 16, 2024, showing a blue-and-yellow macaw (Ara ararauna) in the city of Cuiabá, Brazil. EFE/Sebrae/Embratur / EDITORIAL USE ONLY / ONLY AVAILABLE TO ILLUSTRATE THE ACCOMPANYING NEWS STORY (MANDATORY CREDIT)

Handout photo provided by Sebrae/Embratur dated March 22, 2025, showing a woman looking out a window in the city of Curitiba, Brazil. EFE/Sebrae/Embratur / EDITORIAL USE ONLY / ONLY AVAILABLE TO ILLUSTRATE THE ACCOMPANYING NEWS STORY (MANDATORY CREDIT)