More than samba and soccer! After visa-free entry to Brazil, here’s a must-try hardcore itinerary
When you think of Brazil, is soccer and samba the first thing that comes to mind? This trip aims to show you something different. The 2026 visa-free policy for Chinese travelers makes this distant country suddenly within reach. Beyond its passion, Brazil has a natural sense of ease, like the local word “Saudade,” a deep, emotional feeling. This article skips the usual travelogue and shares a few moments that I keep coming back to.
Rio de Janeiro: god’s view and everyday life
Highlights: Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Selarón Steps, Copacabana Beach.
Avoid the crowded afternoon visit to Christ the Redeemer. I recommend taking the first train up the mountain at 8 AM. In the morning light, with mist still lingering, the whole city wakes up beneath your feet. At that time, the view is so peaceful you can almost have it to yourself. Don’t rush down—head to Sugarloaf Mountain to catch the sunset. Take two cable cars up and watch the sun turn Guanabara Bay golden, with the silhouette of Christ the Redeemer in the distance.
The Selarón Steps are a place that lifts your spirits. Chilean artist Jorge Selarón created these 250 steps from tiles from over 60 countries—you can look for a piece of Chinese blue-and-white porcelain. In the evening, stroll along Copacabana Beach, buy a few reais worth of coconut water, and watch locals jogging, playing soccer, and dating. The nights here are safe and lively.
Food tip: The essence of Brazilian barbecue in Rio is picanha (top sirloin cap). At churrascarias, there’s a red and green card on the table—flip it to green, and the cowboy-hatted servers will keep slicing meat until you’re satisfied. Don’t miss the ubiquitous juice bars on the street—try the açaí bowl, a purple-black smoothie mixed with granola and banana, a local super breakfast.
Iguazu Falls: standing before the devil’s throat
Highlights: Devil’s Throat, waterfall walkways, waterfall speedboat.
If Rio is beauty, Iguazu is awe-inspiring. Viewing Iguazu from the Brazilian side offers the best panoramic views. Walk along the boardwalk to the base of the Devil’s Throat—so much mist you can’t open your eyes, the roar shakes your chest. It’s a feeling of being struck by the power of nature.
For the brave, take the speedboat ride under the falls. Put on a raincoat—the boat goes right under the waterfall, and getting soaked is guaranteed. The screams and thrill are unforgettable. Nearby is the bird park, where you can see Brazil’s national bird, the toucan, and colorful macaws.
Amazon rainforest: pink dolphins and jungle laws
Highlights: departure from Manaus, jungle trekking, piranha fishing, pink dolphin watching.
Once you leave Manaus by boat and lose phone signal, you truly enter the Amazon. I recommend staying two nights in a treehouse or riverboat in the jungle. At 6 AM, take a small boat to see pink river dolphins. At dawn, mist floats over the river, and the pink dolphins surface to breathe—a surreal, dreamlike scene.
Guides lead jungle treks, teaching you which tree bark can reduce fever and how to hunt with blowguns. At night, use a flashlight to spot caimans—their red eyes glow like little bulbs in the dark. Try grilled giant catfish in the Amazon—the firm meat has few bones and tastes fresh with a squeeze of lime.
Lençóis Maranhenses and colonial towns: a full sense of time travel
Highlights: Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Ouro Preto.
Lençóis Maranhenses is truly an “alien landscape.” From June to September, thousands of blue-green lagoons form between white sand dunes. Climb barefoot to the top of a dune and jump into the cool water below—swimming in a desert is an incredible feeling.
To experience colonial Brazil, visit Ouro Preto. This World Heritage town hidden in the mountains has stone-paved streets. The seemingly simple baroque churches inside are covered with hundreds of kilos of gold carvings and murals, a luxurious trace of the “black gold” era.
Travel tips
1. Visa-free policy: From May 11 to December 31, 2026, Chinese citizens with ordinary passports can enter Brazil visa-free for a total stay of up to 30 days.
2. Safety reminder: In big cities like Rio and São Paulo, avoid going alone to remote streets at night and don’t use your phone while walking on the street. When visiting favelas, always go with an official guide—do not explore on your own.
3. Language and payment: The official language is Portuguese, and English is not widely spoken. Download a translation app in advance. Remember to bring a Visa or Mastercard credit card; many places also accept UnionPay.
4. Local taboos: In Brazil, the “OK” hand gesture is very rude. If locals give you a gift, open it in front of them—they believe it brings good luck.
Prof. Jordon Satterfield IV