The travel platform PlanetaEXO has recently unveiled a curated list of 15 outstanding Brazilian ecotourism destinations for the year 2026. The comprehensive report highlights unique regions where tourism thrives in harmony with local community empowerment and active wildlife monitoring. Showcasing a strong trend toward conservation-focused travel, the data reveals that visitors are increasingly opting for longer, more immersive stays in these beautiful base towns.
Among the featured locations is the majestic Serra da Capivara National Park in Piauí, which spans an impressive 130,000 hectares. This incredible complex is an archaeological treasure, home to roughly 30,000 prehistoric rock art pieces meticulously cataloged by researchers. Another unmissable hotspot is Chapada Diamantina in Bahia, an awe-inspiring national park with a vast 70,000-hectare territory operated by registered and sustainable eco-agencies.
In Brazil’s Central-West, the list spotlights the charming district of Vila Bom Jardim, located 65 kilometers from the center of Nobres, in the state of Mato Grosso. Here, visitors can float through the crystal-clear waters of the Salobra and Quebó Grande rivers, enjoying a much more tranquil, off-the-beaten-path experience compared to the popular town of Bonito. At the scenic border of Goiás, Minas Gerais, and Bahia, the itinerary recommends Pousada Trijunção as the ultimate operational base for spotting the magnificent and elusive maned wolf—a wildlife activity developed in proud partnership with the renowned Onçafari project.
According to Viagem e Turismo magazine, the destination catalog spans beautifully diverse ecological transition zones, weaving through the lush Amazon Rainforest, the vibrant Cerrado savanna, and the unique Caatinga biome. These carefully structured routes offer exceptional access, ranging from serene riverboat tours along the Tapajós River to thrilling overland expeditions in the Serra Geral mountains. The survey documents world-class tourist operations in ecological hubs such as:
- Vale do Catimbau in Pernambuco, focusing on protected areas that hold an impressive 6,000 ancient rock art records.
- Aparados da Serra National Park in Rio Grande do Sul, featuring unforgettable adventures along the awe-inspiring Rio do Boi riverbed.
- The Abrolhos Archipelago in Bahia, a premier maritime destination perfect for scuba diving and magnificent humpback whale watching.