{"id":246311,"date":"2026-07-21T17:53:39","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T15:53:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/?p=246311"},"modified":"2026-07-21T17:53:40","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T15:53:40","slug":"brazil-seven-villages-shortlisted-for-the-2026-best-tourism-villages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/brazil-seven-villages-shortlisted-for-the-2026-best-tourism-villages\/","title":{"rendered":"Brazil: seven villages shortlisted for the 2026 Best Tourism Villages"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/p\/brazil\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\">Brazil <\/mark><\/a><\/strong>has chosen seven localities to represent it at the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/tourism-villages.unwto.org\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2026 Best Tourism Villages<\/a><\/strong>, the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.untourism.int\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\">UN Tourism<\/mark><\/a><\/strong> initiative dedicated to rural destinations that combine tourism development, preservation of local resources and the continuity of community ways of life. The selection brings together Ara\u00e7\u00e1, in the state of Santa Catarina; Concei\u00e7\u00e3o de Ibitipoca and Delfin\u00f3polis, in Minas Gerais; Holambra and S\u00e3o Jos\u00e9 do Barreiro, in the state of S\u00e3o Paulo; Len\u00e7\u00f3is, in Bahia; and Vila Flores, in Rio Grande do Sul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The results will be announced in December during a ceremony held in <strong>Buenos Aires<\/strong>. The recognized villages will join a network that already includes two Brazilian representatives: Testo Alto, in <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/visitepomerode.com.br\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\">Pomerode<\/mark><\/a><\/strong>, recognized during the first edition in 2021, and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.antonioprado.tur.br\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\">Ant\u00f4nio Prado<\/mark><\/a><\/strong>, in <em>the Serra Ga\u00facha<\/em>, selected in 2025. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A label focused on rural tourism<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Created in 2021, Best Tourism Villages recognizes villages with fewer than 15,000 inhabitants that maintain genuine rural activity and use tourism as a tool for local development. The evaluation takes into account cultural and natural heritage, sustainability, infrastructure, governance, the integration of residents into the tourism chain and concrete benefits for the community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:31px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism 2026\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/EEszgRIED84?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Seven villages, seven ways to approach Brazil<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <strong>Ara\u00e7\u00e1<\/strong>, on the coast of <strong>Santa Catarina<\/strong>, the sea still largely structures village life. Artisanal fishing, boats, seafood-based gastronomy and trails close to the coast are part of the experience offered to visitors. The subject is not only seaside tourism: this is a village where knowledge linked to tides, sea routes and fish preparation continues to be passed down within families.  <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/3_Conceic\u0327a\u0303o-do-Ibitipoca_MG_Embratur-Sebrae-red.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-246297\" style=\"width:221px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/3_Conceic\u0327a\u0303o-do-Ibitipoca_MG_Embratur-Sebrae-red.jpg 600w, https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/3_Conceic\u0327a\u0303o-do-Ibitipoca_MG_Embratur-Sebrae-red-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <strong>Minas Gerais<\/strong>, <strong>Concei\u00e7\u00e3o de Ibitipoca<\/strong> is discovered on foot, between the village\u2019s old streets, the mountains of the <em>Serra da Mantiqueira<\/em> and the paths associated with the gold era. The nearby <em>Ibitipoca State Park<\/em> adds caves, waterfalls, rivers and rock formations to the experience. Further west, <strong>Delfin\u00f3polis <\/strong>belongs to the world of the <em>Serra da Canastra<\/em>. Here, visitors find Queijo Minas Artesanal da Canastra, local coffee, rural properties, as well as trails, rivers and waterfalls that attract travelers interested in nature and outdoor activities.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" src=\"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/3_Holambra_Vini\u0301cius-Vieira-ft_pexels-red.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-246300\" style=\"width:259px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/3_Holambra_Vini\u0301cius-Vieira-ft_pexels-red.jpg 700w, https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/3_Holambra_Vini\u0301cius-Vieira-ft_pexels-red-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <strong>the state of S\u00e3o Paulo<\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.holambra.sp.gov.br\/turismo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\">Holambra <\/mark><\/a><\/strong>tells another part of Brazil. About 130 kilometers from the state capital, the city is known as the National Capital of Flowers. Floriculture shapes the landscape, the local economy and part of the tourism calendar, while Dutch influence remains visible in the architecture, certain recipes and the city\u2019s festivities. Further east, <strong>S\u00e3o Jos\u00e9 do Barreiro<\/strong> lies between t<em>he Para\u00edba Valley<\/em> and <em>the Serra da Bocaina<\/em>. Its former coffee fazendas, the Atlantic Forest and the Trilha do Ouro recall the routes that once connected the inland areas to the coast.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:24px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"558\" src=\"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Centro-Historico_Lencois_BA_Gleidson-Santos_MTur-red.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-246303\" style=\"width:208px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Centro-Historico_Lencois_BA_Gleidson-Santos_MTur-red.jpg 700w, https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Centro-Historico_Lencois_BA_Gleidson-Santos_MTur-red-300x239.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <strong>the state of Bahia<\/strong>, <strong>Len\u00e7\u00f3is <\/strong>remains one of the most practical starting points for exploring the <em>Chapada Diamantina<\/em>. A global diamond capital in the 19th century, the village has kept its narrow streets, stone houses and an atmosphere linked to its mining past, while today living around family-run inns, restaurants, guides and small businesses that support excursions to the region\u2019s waterfalls, caves, rivers and canyons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <strong>Rio Grande do Sul<\/strong>, <strong>Vila Flores<\/strong> is part of the history of Italian immigration in the <em>Serra Ga\u00facha<\/em>. This memory is found in the cuisine, local festivities, rural tourism and the Fil\u00f3 Italiano, inspired by the gatherings that brought families together after work. Here, the candidacy emphasizes less a monument or a spectacular site than a way of preserving social habits, recipes and a community life that remains very present.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:61px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>A useful selection for diversifying itineraries<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These candidacies also offer another way to look at Brazil. Ara\u00e7\u00e1 can complement a stay on the coast of Santa Catarina, Holambra is easily included from <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/sao-paulo-metropolis-of-contrasts-and-cultural-capital-of-brazil\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\">S\u00e3o Paulo<\/mark><\/a><\/strong> or Campinas, Len\u00e7\u00f3is extends the discovery of Bahia beyond <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/salvador-de-bahia-brazils-vibrant-mosaic\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/salvador-de-bahia-brazils-vibrant-mosaic\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-black-color\">Salvador<\/mark><\/a><\/strong>, while Vila Flores fits naturally into a trip through the Serra Ga\u00facha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The interest of this selection lies precisely in this smaller scale. These villages do not replace Brazil\u2019s major destinations, but they can enrich an itinerary with calmer stops, often linked to a production, a festival, a landscape or a know-how. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:79px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Best Tourism Villages label does not turn a village into an international destination overnight. Above all, it gives recognition to places that are already working on the relationship between tourism and local life. For Brazil, the 2026 selection shows a country that is not told only through its major cities, beaches or best-known parks, but also through villages where travel takes the time to enter everyday life.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Photos: Embratur | Sebrae | Anderson Alves | Vinicius Vieira<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Seven villages represent Brazil at the 2026 Best Tourism Villages, between rural tourism, local heritage and community life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":246295,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16783],"tags":[42395,42392,42401,42390,7547,20613,42399,19572,42389,42369,42402,42398,42386,42388,21031,42380,42396,42393,42391,42397,42405,42400,7633,42394,42403,42404,42406,42387,17212,7581,42373],"class_list":["post-246311","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-antonio-prado-2","tag-araca-2","tag-artisanal-fishing","tag-best-tourism-villages-2026-2","tag-brazil","tag-brazil-en","tag-chapada-diamantina-2","tag-community-tourism-en","tag-conceicao-de-ibitipoca-2","tag-delfinopolis","tag-filo-italiano-2","tag-floriculture-in-brazil","tag-holambra-2","tag-lencois-2","tag-local-development-en","tag-queijo-minas-artesanal-da-canastra","tag-rural-heritage","tag-rural-tourism-in-brazil","tag-sao-jose-do-barreiro-2","tag-serra-da-bocaina-2","tag-serra-da-canastra-2","tag-serra-gaucha-3","tag-sustainable-tourism","tag-testo-alto-2","tag-tourism-in-bahia","tag-tourism-in-minas-gerais","tag-tourism-in-the-state-of-sao-paulo","tag-tourism-villages","tag-tourisme-durable-en","tag-un-tourism","tag-vila-flores"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246311","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=246311"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246311\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":246316,"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246311\/revisions\/246316"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/246295"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=246311"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=246311"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=246311"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}