A budget weekend break in Brazil is possible thanks to the many incredible yet affordable destinations available. By avoiding the expensive hotels, tour packages and transport options altogether, there are plenty of things you can do on the cheap. After all, Brazil is home to natural wonders, most of which won’t cost anything for you to take in their sheer splendour.

From cities to waterfalls and nearly deserted beaches with natural pools, here we’ve handpicked some among the great places where you can make the most of the weekend in the country, either with family or friends. Read on and choose from these best budget weekend breaks in Brazil.

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    São Paulo

    Plenty of fun options and places to stay

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    São Paulo is one of Brazil’s busiest metropolises and home to some of the country’s best restaurants, but you don't need to spend much to get to know the city. São Paulo offers good public transport and a growing network of bike routes. Walking along the iconic Paulista Avenue, for instance, is a great way to explore São Paulo without spending a dime.

    Parks like Ibirapuera are free to the public and ensure a quiet moment to connect with nature in one of the world’s largest metropolises. Another must do is walking around the city centre and learning more about the capital's history. There are places to stay for every budget and it isn’t hard to find cheap hotels in São Paulo, either.

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  • 2

    Foz do Iguaçu

    Waterfalls and much more

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    There’s more to Foz do Iguaçu than its famous waterfalls, one being among the world’s largest known as the Iguaçu Falls. Visiting the 275 waterfalls is, of course, an unforgettable adventure to experience with family, friends, or even by yourself. Another attraction is the Three Borders Landmark which stands at the border between Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay.

    From the landmark, you can see the 3 countries, which are separated by the Iguazu and Paraná rivers. Travelling with children? Visit the bird parks, zoos or green areas, some of which are the largest in Paraná and also free to the public. After preparing your itinerary, just choose one of the multiple types of accommodation in Foz do Iguaçu, ranging from guesthouses to hotels.

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  • 3

    João Pessoa

    Boat cruises and diving with marine life

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    João Pessoa is the Paraíba state capital that offers more to explore than just beautiful beaches. Fun is a sure thing for all tastes and budgets. You can choose to stay at oceanfront hotels or inns and go sightseeing at many attractions in João Pessoa.

    The Picãozinho natural swimming pools appear at low tide, less than 2 km off the coast at Praia de Tambaú and are a delight to see. Enjoy local boat trips to see coral reefs and dive among schools of fish. Visit also Craft Market Paraibano that offers lots of decoration, gastronomic, and clothes items to choose from. And, to end the day, there's nothing like enjoying the sunset on Praia do Jacaré, also known as Alligator River Beach.

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  • 4

    Morro de São Paulo

    Beautiful beaches and attractions for everyone

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    Visit Morro de São Paulo if you want to enjoy beautiful beaches and natural attractions at a destination that offers as many partying hot spots as its peaceful nature alternatives. Located in Bahia, this small town has everything to delight travellers. Primeira Praia is ideal for surfers looking to ride the waves. Meanwhile, Segunda Praia or ‘Second Beach’ has palm trees and paradisical landscapes.

    For family trips, Terceira Praia is ideal with its calm waters. If you’re looking for peace and quiet, Quarta Praia is the place to be. If you’re looking for a place to stay in Morro de São Paulo, the guesthouses are a great choice for cheap, comfortable, and conveniently positioned stays.

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  • 5

    Itacaré

    Turquoise ocean waters by the Atlantic Forest

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    Itacaré in Bahia is a delight with beautiful sceneries formed by the coastline and the Atlantic Forest. Prainha is one of the best beaches in the region. The slightly choppy ocean waters put on a unique turquoise blue and delight surfers at high tide.

    To get to Prainha, you need to take a trail, but the effort is fully rewarding: you arrive at a virtually untouched paradise, with a look that reminds you of the Caribbean. Also, explore the waterfalls and the other trails in the region. To complete your stay, book a room at a guesthouse or a hotel in Itacaré to rest and get ready to enjoy another day in this beautiful place.

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  • 6

    Ubatuba

    Great beaches near the São Paulo state capital

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    Ubatuba, about a 3-hour car ride from São Paulo, is a great weekend getaway in Brazil that won’t put a dent in your budget. In addition to the many options of guesthouses in the region which offer comfort and convenience at great prices, there are plenty of fun things to do.

    If you’re looking for awesome waves, just take a short trip to Praia Vermelha do Norte and to Itamambuca Beach. If you’re taking a family trip and want to have fun with the children, the Perequê-Açu, Enseada, and Domingas Dias Beaches are ideal. If adventure is your thing, take the trails to visit incredible beaches like Sete Fontes and Santa Rita.

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  • 7

    Cabo Frio

    Beautiful beaches with great infrastructure

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    Cabo Frio, in the Rio de Janeiro’s Região dos Lagos region, is known for its great infrastructure for visitors. It’ll be easy for you to find a hotel or a guest house for your trip. The most famous beach there is Praia do Forte. In addition to natural beauty, you’ll find kiosks and refreshment stands. Its sand is very white with overall pristine ocean views.

    Meanwhile, Pontal do Peró is the surfers’ favourite and offers 7 km of perfect waters for catching a wave. If you’re travelling with children, visit Praia das Conchas and enjoy its tranquil waters. Or, if you’re into windsurfing, sailing and other sports, Praia das Dunas is the place to be.

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  • 8

    Arraial do Cabo

    Nicknamed the 'Brazilian Caribbean'

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    Arraial do Cabo in the Região dos Lagos region is often referred to as the ‘Brazilian Caribbean’ thanks to its transparent blue waters. In Arraial, an upwelling occurs, which is a phenomenon of wind-driven waters that attract many marine animals. As a result, get ready to see stingrays, turtles, and dolphins swimming along the beach.

    Praia do Forno is one of the region's postcards and worth the hike to get there. Praia do Farol and the Small Beaches at Pontal do Atalaia also tend to delight visitors with their breathtaking scenery. To really enjoy everything that this destination offers, there's nothing like booking one of the best guesthouses in Arraial do Cabo.

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  • 9

    Florianópolis

    Discover the magical scenery of the Santa Catarina coast

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    Florianópolis is home to Ilha da Magia or ‘The Magic Island’, a top destination in Santa Catarina with accommodation options to suit almost every budget, from luxury hotels to guesthouses. There are also plenty of beaches to choose from. Joaquina Beach is well worth the visit and is a delight for both surfers and families with young kids due to the calmer patches of water.

    Joaquina Beach is also the go-to place to see the famous Florianópolis dunes. If you are looking for peace and quiet, visit the Solidão and Lagoinha Beaches. If water sports are your thing, catch some great waves at Mole Beach.

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  • 10

    Maceió

    Beaches, cliffs, and coral reefs

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    Maceió, the capital of Alagoas, offers natural beauty, local food scenes, fun, ocean breezes, incredible outings and, of course, excellent hotel and guesthouses for your stay. Above all, there’s a beach that’s perfect for you to spend your weekend getaway.

    Ipioca offers peace and quiet as well as great visitor services, while the colourful cliffs at Carro Quebrado make for great travel photos. Meanwhile, Praia do Francês brings together perfect waves and natural pools protected by coral reefs. At low tide, visit Mirante da Sereia or the ‘Mermaid Lookout’ to see the natural pools appear. A fun way to visit these diverse beaches is to take an unforgettable buggy ride through these picture-postcard sceneries.

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