Water is the main attraction of many Brazilian destinations

Destinations such as the Amazon, the Pantanal, Iguaçu Falls and the Fernando de Noronha archipelago are listed by Unesco as World Heritage Sites, a recognition of the importance of these ecosystems for the biosphere as well as of their scenic beauty and tourist potential. Sun and sea tourism is the main siren call of Brazil's tourist destinations, attracting Brazilians and foreigners from around the world in search of the country's leisure options and idyllic vistas.

The Federal District, known as the "Cradle of the Waters", is surrounded by springs such as the Água Mineral National Park and more than 30 waterfalls (as well as Lake Paranoá that bathes Brasilia), and offers myriad choices of sport, leisure and ecotourism activities. The waters of the Central Plateau feed the Amazonas, São Francisco and Paraná river basins. The state of Goiás, which surrounds the Federal District, is rich in tourist attractions that combine history and nature. Some of the most famous destinations include Pirenópolis, Cidade de Goiás (the former state capital) and the Chapada dos Veadeiros plateau, another natural World Heritage Site full of incredible waterfalls in the midst of the Cerrado biome. The most recent "discovery", the Label waterfall in São João da Aliança, is already considered to be the largest waterfall in Goiás, at 187 m.

 In São Paulo, the Circuito das Águas ("Water Circuit") is a route in the Serra da Mantiqueira mountain chain that covers eight cities and promotes the medicinal properties of water as a tourist attraction. The focus is on healing, rest and leisure, with immersion baths, whirlpools, Scottish Showers, skin cleansing and massages. The region also offers plenty of other choices in addition to the healing power of hydrotherapy. Visitors to Águas de Lindoia, Amparo, Jaguariúna, Lindoia, Monte Alegre do Sul, Pedreira, Serra Negra and Socorro can enjoy the adventure tourism, extreme sports, ecotourism, rural and historical routes, gastronomy, handicrafts and shopping, with several chalets, inns and hotels offering a taste of the calm and tranquility of Brazil's inland towns.

In Rio Grande do Sul, the region of Campos de Cima da Serra, already famous for the canyons and waterfalls of Aparados da Serra (on the border with Santa Catarina), is also home to charming destinations like the Tainhas River. At Passo do "S", in Jaquirana (38 km away from Cambará do Sul), tourists can enjoy the breathtaking vistas where the tropeiros (traditional gaúcho rangers) crossed the river over a 80-metre-wide S-shaped slabstone. The crossing on foot, by car or on horseback. A little further on, the water descends from the slab to form the 100-metre-tall Passo do S Waterfall.

DAMS - Artificial lakes are often explored for their potential for nature and adventure tourism. The São Francisco canyons between Alagoas and Sergipe, for instance, are a result of the building of a dam on the river to generate electricity for the Northeast. One of Brazil's richest states in terms of water resources is Minas Gerais, whose Serra da Canastra mountain chain is home to the main springs of the São Francisco River, providing the state with a waveless sea, as it is 600km away from the coast. The Furnas hydroelectric plant, in addition to being a major source of electricity for the Brazilian population, also hosts tourism activities in the 34 municipalities bathed by its reservoir. Capitólio is Minas Gerais's main destination for freshwater beaches. Boat, schooner and barge rides take tourists to different corners of the lake, with several beaches, canyons, caves and waterfalls. Water sports such as stand up paddle and jet ski, as well as adventure options like rock climbing, abseiling and rafting, are also practiced in the area.