Traveling is synonymous with enjoying, getting to know new places and people, - enjoying a little of what each city has to offer. Regardless of how they are, trips bring us unique emotions and experiences, enhance our being, and strengthen the bonds with those we travel with.
One way to travel and see even more places, without a doubt, is with a car! With it, you can plan routes, be dazzled by landscapes and incredible routes. Thinking about this, Happy Tours has separated the 10 best stretches in Brazil for you to get to know by car!
Continue here with us and enjoy these tips. Happy reading!
1. Cunha-Paraty Road: a route from São Paulo to Rio
This road is located between the Serras do Mar, Bocaina and Mantiqueira, - very famous names, and not for nothing. Cunha has beautiful landscapes and lavender fields, this route is great for those who want to stop and enjoy trails, waterfalls and ecological tours.
But for those who want to go straight on, it takes about 1 hour and 12 minutes, with a distance of about 46 km.
In Paraty, on the other hand, you will find a splendorous architectural set, with very characteristic buildings, so much so that it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization).
There you will find mansions with colorful windows and doors, centuries-old churches, cafes, and the beautiful beaches of the region.
2. Rio-Petrópolis stretch: the oldest paved highway
This is a longer stretch, about 70 km long on the BR-040 highway, - connecting the city of Rio de Janeiro with the city of Petrópolis. The city of Rio when mentioned speaks for itself, with beautiful beaches, cable car, sugar loaf and, of course, the Christ the Redeemer; amazing places are not lacking in the wonderful city.
On this way, you will be able to enjoy nature and feel the climate getting milder, until you arrive in Petrópolis, a city with more than 800 meters of altitude that is known for those who like to enjoy the low temperatures.
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3. Santos-Rio stretch: the classic stretch by the sea
The coastal stretch between Rio-Santos is for those who want to enjoy, make stops and take in a little bit of each city by the sea. The trip is about 496 km long, taking more than 4 hours. And on this stretch, in 250 km, you will drive through the bays, seeing islands and waterfalls.
A great tip is to make stops in:
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Bertioga;
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Ubatuba;
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Ilhabela;
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San Sebastian;
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Paraty.
These are just a few, the main ones, but once you see a destination you like, don't hesitate, stop and enjoy!
4. Rota Romântica, in Rio Grande do Sul: a passionate trip
Quiet roads, with many villages, cows enjoying the grass, flower beds, and vineyards, - all this sums up the romantic atmosphere of the route's name. On this route of almost 190 km, you will have the opportunity to get to know 14 cities in the state of Rio Grande do Sul:
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São Leopoldo;
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Novo Hamburgo;
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Estancia Velha;
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Ivoti;
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Two Brothers;
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Morro Reuter;
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Santa Maria do Herval;
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President Lucena;
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New Line;
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Coffee Bites;
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Nova Petrópolis;
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San Francisco de Paula;
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Gramado;
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Cinnamon.
One of the best seasons to do this route is in October, when the landscape gets a special touch with the sycamore leaves, creating that more romantic and movie-like air. Not to mention that you can already start enjoying the cold days that begin in the region.
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5. Vale dos Vinhedos, in RS - a wine tourism experience
Looking for a route full of gastronomic attractions? This is a wine tourism region, and no doubt you will have incredible experiences. It is a very mountainous place, with a lot of history and Italian characteristics, who arrived there around the 19th century.
The region is in Serra Gaúcha and the ideal route to take is through the following cities: Bento Gonçalves, Garibaldi, and Monte Belo do Sul, - with many small towns in between, each with its own unique charm.
The name does justice to its production, you will find more than 30 wineries in Vale dos Vinhedos, with varying sizes and flavors. So, prepare your wallet to increase your winery, and if you don't have one, now is the time to start one!
6. European Valley, in Santa Catarina - a piece of Europe in Brazil
Located in the Itajaí Valley, this region was colonized by Germans, Italians, Austrians, and Poles, giving the region many characteristics, whether in culture, architecture, or food. For sure, you will enjoy a lot of what the region has to offer.
The route is the opportunity to get to know 19 municipalities and unique tourist spots that we find in Santa Catarina, leaving well-stamped the characteristics we talked about before.
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Apiúna;
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Ascurra;
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Benedict New;
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Blumenau;
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Botuverá;
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Brusque;
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Canelinha;
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Doctor Pedrinho;
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Gaspar;
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Guabiruba;
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Indaial;
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Luiz Alves;
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Major Gercino;
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Pomerode;
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Rio dos Cedros;
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Rodeo;
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St. John the Baptist;
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New Trento;
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Timbó.
On this route, you will come across beautiful landscapes of the region's typical trees, centennial houses and churches, mills, and much more. Not to mention that you can still take advantage of the rivers and waterfalls to take a bath on a hot day.
For sports fans, the region offers rappelling, trekking, and canyoning, as well as many farms that open their doors to activities such as hiking, fishing, and horseback riding.
7. Route of Emotions, passing through Ceará, Piauí and Maranhão
With more than 600 km, this is a northeastern route to enjoy every kilometer walked, be it for the landscape or for the local food!
On the Route of Emotions you will pass through three states: Ceará, Piauí and Maranhão, driving through 14 divided between them.
So, write down which cities they are:
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Santo Amaro;
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Barreirinhas;
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Paulino Neves;
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Tutoia;
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Araioses;
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Parnaíba;
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Ilha Grande;
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Luis Correira;
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Silver Cashew Tree;
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Chaval;
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Barroquinha;
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Camocim;
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Cruz;
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Jijoca de Jericoacoara.
On this route, you will pass through dunes, lagoons, paradisiacal beaches, - not to mention the landscape, with a unique flora of the region. When you do it, there are some places you can't miss, such as Jericoacoara National Park and Lençóis Maranhenses National Park.
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8. Section from Belo Horizonte to Ouro Preto
Minas Gerais is known for its baroque architecture, with centuries-old buildings and constructions, influencing the entire state, generating repercussions until today, and it is not for nothing, the state capital has two of the largest and most important ensembles when it comes to architecture.
On this route, you can leave Belo Horizonte, after enjoying everything there, of course. Passing through Sabará, where you will find many relics from the colonial period, and further on through Caeté and Barão de Cocais, - admiring many ruins and cave paintings.
Don't forget to go to Catas Altas, where you will find the Santuário do Caraça, one of the magical places in Minas. It was once a church and a school; now the school has become the town's tourist attraction and a museum, the church is still in operation with the priests.
There you will also find a cellar with wines produced by the priests, as well as the catacomb with the priests who lived there.
Then visit the city of Mariana with one of the most gold-rich cathedrals in all of Brazil and, to finish the route, enjoy all that Ouro Preto has to offer.
9. Estrada do Coco and Linha Verde, on the coast of Bahia
Continuing in the Northeast, passing along the coast of Bahia, you will drive through one of the most exuberant stretches! On the route of BA 099, you start in Salvador and pass through various points such as:
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Itacimirim Beach;
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Arembepe;
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Jacuípe;
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Huarajuba;
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Praia do Forte;
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Imbassaí.
The place is great to enjoy the beaches, there are many rustic beaches with hotels and resorts that do not affect the look of the area, getting much more enjoyment from the environment.
10. Estrada Real, passing through Minas Gerais, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro
This is the largest tourist route in Brazil, with more than 1600 km of roads that pass through many cities in the states. The entire route was designed to go through preserved colonial sites, in order to learn more about the country's history.
You can find the Estrada Real Passport, which is a document with all the steps you must follow, which places to visit, where to stay, and where to eat.
You see? Brazil has great routes to take, and you can enjoy a little bit of each state, several climates, and several options for leisure, - and food! So choose your favorite route and put it on your agenda for your next vacation!
We hope you enjoyed this post, and for more content like this, - keep following the Happy Tours blog. Until next time!
