42 Best Sights in Brasilia and the West, Brazil

Niemeyer designed this building to resemble a dove taking flight. Opened in 1986, the building honors such national heroes as Tancredo Neves, whose untimely death prevented him from being sworn in as Brazil's first democratically elected president after years of military dictatorship. Inside the curved structure are murals and stained-glass panels by Athos Bulcão, Marianne Peretti, and João Camara. One set of panels, Os Inconfidentes, depicts the martyrs of the 18th-century republican movement. It's extremely dark inside, so watch your step. An eternal flame burns opposite the memorial.

A few blocks from the Instituto Histórico and Geográfico is City Park or Parque da Cidade Dona Sarah Kubitschek, a collaborative effort by Costa, Niemeyer, and Burle Marx. Locals say the park is the largest city park in the world. Bright lights and the reassuring presence of security guards make an evening walk, run, or bike ride along a path more agreeable than ever. There are also playgrounds and fair rides for the young.

At this park just 7 km (4 miles) outside Bonito, you can go snorkeling along in the 1-km-long (½-mile-long) Aquario Natural, or "Natural Aquarium." The crystal clear waters reveal an incredible close-up array of colorful fish. Equipment rental is included in the admission price. The park is also home to brightly colored birds and to a handful of captive local mammals.

The approximately 1½-hour rafting trip on the Rio Formoso takes you through clear waters and some rapids while you observe the fish and the birds of the Pantanal. You might also see and hear bands of macaco-prego (capuchin monkeys), the region's largest primates. The tour ends at Ilha do Padre (Priest's Island), where there's a complex of rapids emerging through thick riverine vegetation. There's a snack bar where you can relax after the tour. To best appreciate this attraction, make sure there hasn't been any rain in the previous days—the river gets quite muddy. Horseback riding is also available.

Besides the Pantanal, the areas in and around the Parque Nacional Chapada dos Guimarães are the region's most popular attractions. Traveling northeast of Cuiabá, you see the massive sandstone formations from miles away, rising 3,000 feet above the flat cerrado landscape. Since a fatal rock fall in the park in 2008, some attractions and bathing spots have been closed indefinitely, and all visitors must be accompanied by a guide. The Cachoeira Véu de Noiva (Bridal Veil Falls), with a spectacular 250-foot freefall, is the most impressive of the falls in the park and is just off the main road. Beyond this point you can take guided treks to hills, caves, more falls, and archaeological sites. The Circuito das Cachoeiras (Waterfalls Circuit) is a set of seven waterfalls 3 km (2 miles) from the visitor center.

Walk about 30 minutes beyond the Caverna Aroe Jari to Gruta da Lagoa Azul (Grotto of Blue Lagoon), a crystal clear lagoon (bathing is prohibited). You can also walk along the Vale do Rio Claro (River Claro Valley) and swim in the river's transparent waters, or climb the Morro de São Jerônimo (St. Jerome's Hill), one of the highest points of the Chapada. Entrance to the national park is permitted only with a guide, whom you can hire from an agency in town.

Because of its many springs, locals refer to the 60,000-acre Brasília National Park as Água Mineral (Mineral Water). There are two spring-fed pools where people can cool off, dressing rooms, and picnic areas. Created to protect the water supply of Lago Paranoá, the park also preserves a bit of the region's cerrado, or grassy plains interspersed with thickets and woods. An informative trail that runs through mostly flat terrain starts at the visitor center, where you can pick up maps and brochures.

Opened in late 2002, the third bridge crossing Lake Paranoá is consistent with Brasília's commitment to state-of-the-art architecture and engineering, and has become one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. The award-winning bridge—a project by Alexandre Chan from Rio de Janeiro—is held aloft by three diagonal arcs that crisscross the deck. Its lakeshore location and pleasant promenade attract many people to stroll or bicycle across and enjoy the sunset.

One of Bonito's most popular attractions is snorkeling in the crystalline waters of the Rio da Prata (literally, river of silver). No sunscreen is permitted, so as not to pollute waters that are home to a myriad of dazzling tropical fish. Scuba and horseback rides are also available.

Just across the road from the Casa do Artesão, this cultural space in the city's former arsenal stages plays, films, dance, exhibitions, and concerts.

The Brazilian Supreme Court building is classic Niemeyer—an otherwise ponderous structure seems lighter than air because of the curving lines of the columns that support the roof. In front of the building is one of the city's best-known monuments, the 10-foot granite statue Justice, by Alfredo Ceschiatti. Except on weekends, you have to book ahead for a guided tour.

This temple is adjacent to the national headquarters of the Legião da Boa Vontade (Goodwill Legion), a religious and philanthropic organization. The building is a 60-foot-tall pyramidal structure with seven sides. At the apex sits a 46-pound quartz crystal, the largest ever found in Brazil. Inside, several kitsch thematic spaces—such as the Egyptian Room and Noble Room—are open to all denominations for worship or meditation.

You'll have a 360-degree view of the city from the Salão Panorâmico (Observation Deck) of this TV tower, which stands over 700-feet high and was designed by Lúcio Costa with the Eiffel Tower as a model. At night the view of the Congress building is spectacular.