I Lived in Brazil for 15 Years-and These Are the Most Under-the-radar Towns to Visit

"I'm Brazilian, and I haven't seen nearly enough of my own country. While it's hard to admit, I know I'm not alone. Travel within Brazil was not accessible to most Brazilians until the economic boom during the Lula administration in the 2000s. Throughout that period, between 30 and 40 million Brazilians moved out of poverty and into the middle class. As things began to change, I, along with millions of people who couldn't do so before, got to travel."

"Although I'm still far from seeing everything Brazil has to offer, I've traveled enough to fall in love with some of its most underrated destinations and to be considered a local in small towns with names that many visitors can't pronounce. So if you're planning a trip to Brazil, here's my one piece of advice: Venture out as much as you can."

Travel within Brazil was not accessible to most Brazilians until the economic boom during the Lula administration in the 2000s. Between 30 and 40 million Brazilians moved out of poverty and into the middle class during that period. Increased income and mobility enabled millions to travel domestically for the first time. Many travelers discovered underrated destinations and became familiar faces in small towns with names unfamiliar to tourists. Visitors are encouraged to venture beyond popular cities to experience authentic regional life and landscapes. Exploring lesser-known locations reveals cultural richness and everyday life outside mainstream tourism, beginning with six under-the-radar destinations.

Read at Travel + Leisure