Tiradentes 2026: Brazil’s 5 most searched travel destinations

São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Salvador and Maceió top Kayak’s search rankings for Brazil’s Tiradentes holiday, a rare four-day weekend in April 2026.

Brazil’s Tiradentes national holiday, falling on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, creates a four-day break — and travelers are already planning ahead. According to travel platform Kayak, five cities dominate the searches for this extended weekend getaway.

1. São Paulo: record-breaking tourism in 2025

Brazil’s largest city wrapped up 2025 with a historic milestone: 47.2 million visitors, a 25% jump from the 37.7 million recorded in 2024. The data comes from the São Paulo Tourism Observatory (OTE-SPTuris), based on Claro Geodata. Foreign visitors numbered 2.7 million, up 21%.

Landmark events — including The Town, the Coala Festival, an NFL game, the return of the São Paulo WTA Open, and the 36th Bienal — drove the surge. For deeper exploration, the city offers nearly 40 themed guided tours, covering neighborhoods like Bixiga, Liberdade, and the iconic Avenida Paulista.

2. Rio de Janeiro: the Marvelous City reinvents itself

Rio welcomed 12.5 million tourists in 2025 — 10.5 million domestic and 2.1 million international, according to the city’s government. Classics like Copacabana Beach, Christ the Redeemer, and Sugarloaf Mountain remain among the world’s most visited attractions.

In the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood, part of the newly designated Southwest Zone, fresh attractions are emerging: the Rio Olympic Museum, Parque Rita Lee, Museu do Pontal, and Ilha da Gigoia. The area also hosts the Lagune Barra Hotel, in the Olympic Village, offering a full carioca lifestyle experience.

Hotel highlights include an exclusive partnership with Reserva Onze Beach Club, about 12 minutes away at Reserva Beach, with premium beach access, loungers, umbrella service, and a complimentary welcome drink. The newly opened rooftop features a pool, private bar, and tropical décor. A games room on the first floor offers PlayStation 5 titles, board game classics, and a popcorn machine for a relaxed cinema vibe. More at https://www.lagunebarrahotel.com.br/

3. Recife: culture on wheels

Pernambuco’s capital logged 9.03 million passenger movements through November 2025, a 3.37% increase year-over-year, with international arrivals also on the rise. The city is investing in creative tourism experiences to match growing demand.

The buzzworthy new addition is “Giro Recife”, an electric cart inspired by the vintage trams that once rolled through the city’s streets. It fits four passengers plus a guide and winds through historic routes, blending culture, technology, and sustainability into a single experience.

4. Salvador: Bahia outpaces national growth

Tourism in Bahia grew 6.6% in 2025, surpassing the national average of 4.6% for the third consecutive year, according to Brazil’s Monthly Services Survey (PMS/IBGE). Passenger flow across the state’s main airports rose 8.4% in the final quarter and 5.8% for the full year.

Salvador alone welcomed 558,600 visitors in the first 18 days of January 2026, per the Salvador Tourism Observatory. The city’s blend of Afro-Brazilian culture, colonial architecture, and pristine beaches — anchored by landmarks like the Pelourinho, Lacerda Elevator, Barra Lighthouse, and Igreja do Bonfim — keeps it firmly on every traveler’s radar.

5. Maceió: the Northeast’s rising star

Alagoas’s capital enters the top 5 backed by a wave of urban renewal. The centerpiece is the Nova Orla de Jaraguá, a former port area transformed into a vibrant public waterfront connecting the historic Jaraguá district to Pajuçara Beach. Late 2025 brought its newest attraction: a 42-meter Ferris wheel — the tallest in Northeast Brazil — with 20 gondolas.

At Pajuçara Beach, the Sais Beach Living Hotel stands out for its wellness-driven concept, blending comfort, sophistication, and local culture. The crown jewel is a 360-degree panoramic rooftop with ocean-facing pools, lounges, and lush greenery — ideal for watching both sunrise and sunset over Pajuçara and Ponta Verde beaches. For the Tiradentes holiday, a minimum two-night stay is required, with rates starting at R$ 744.56 per night. More at https://www.saishotel.com.br/

Event Info

• Tiradentes Holiday: April 21, 2026 (Tuesday)
• Travel window: 4 days (Saturday, April 18 – Tuesday, April 21)
• Destination ranking source: Kayak platform
• Lagune Barra Hotel (Rio de Janeiro): https://www.lagunebarrahotel.com.br/
• Sais Beach Living Hotel (Maceió): rates from R$ 744.56/night; 2-night minimum during the holiday — https://www.saishotel.com.br/