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The Amazon forest, the dunes of the North East, Rio's stunning coastline, Florianópolis beaches, the history and culture of Minas Gerais and the gigantic business hub of Sao Paolo make Brazil an unbeatable place to explore. Often earning mentions as a top tourism destination, this land of samba, carnaval revelry, caipirinha's and football is not just a great destination for fun but also boasts the greatest biodiversity of anywhere on the planet and hard-to-beat natural landscapes.

Safe as a LGBTQ destination to a certain extent, any foreign traveller should be careful in the country's far out regions. Sao Paolo, Rio, Florianópolis and Salvador city centers are safe and LGBTQ-friendly, but avoid the absolutely unsafe peripheral areas and favelas.

Homosexuality was decriminalised in 1830 in Brazil, and the rights for the LGBT community have made huge strides in last decade. In 2011, same-sex couples earned equal rights, and in 2013, registry offices were obliged to validate same-sex marriages nationwide. The State also pays for sex change surgery, and transgenders may change their sex and names on their birth certificates.

In 2004, the government launched the 'Brazil without homophobia' program nationwide, including a hotline dedicated exclusively to report homophobic crimes. And in 2008, homophobia (explicit criticism of a person based on their sexuality) became a crime punishable with up to five years in prison. "Soft homophobia", however, persists - a widespread problem which often goes unpunished.

Be inspired

Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro

Ipanema Beach

Rio de Janeiro - Activity

If Copacabana is the most famous, Ipanema is the sexiest. Immortalised by the Girl of Ipanema song, this stretch of sand is varied and diverse, a reflection of Rio's...
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Farme de Amoedo, Rio de Janeiro

Farme de Amoedo

Rio de Janeiro - Activity

Farme de Amoedo is Rio's LGBTQ area with a wide selection of restaurants, bars and clubs and a main hub around the corner of Farme and Visconde de Pirajá streets....
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Christ the Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro

Christ the Redeemer

Rio de Janeiro - Activity

This iconic statue and city symbol overlooks Rio from the top of Corcovado Mountain. Inaugurated in 1931 and owned by the Catholic Church, the art deco-styled...
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The Week, Sao Paulo

The Week

Sao Paulo - Nightclub

The Week is so popular that it has its own Wikipedia entry. Opened in September 2004, the 64,000 square-foot nightclub instantly became the biggest nightclub of Latin...
Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro

Santa Teresa

Rio de Janeiro - Activity

The trendy and bohemian Santa Teresa neighborhood near the city centre offers a different face of Rio. Artists, writers and musicians moved into dilapidated mansions...

20 community reviews / Brazil

General impression
Excellent
LGBT-friendly
Good
Aloysius Magerman-James has been to and rated Brazil

Added 4 years ago

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    Earned the Passport badge!

Shawn Geldenhuys has been to and reviewed Brazil

Added 4 years ago

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    Earned the Passport badge!

Amazing city, beautiful people