6 sports you need to try in Brazil

Brazil is one of the most sport-oriented countries in the world, with a culture that ties sport closely to community and an outdoor lifestyle. Sport in Brazil is culturally influenced, with roots in indigenous games such as archery and canoeing, later influenced by European activities like football and African traditions such as capoeira.

Today, sport is part of everyday life across Brazil. You’ll see kids juggling footballs barefoot in narrow streets, capoeira circles forming in town squares, and surfers waiting for waves at sunrise. The range is enormous from relaxed beach games like altinha and footvolley to structured martial arts such as capoeira and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

For travellers, joining in is a way to connect with locals and experience how Brazilian sports are tied to rhythm, music, and the natural environment. Whether you’re passing a ball on the sand, learning a new martial art, or paddling out into the ocean, sport in Brazil offers an open invitation to be part of its culture rather than just observe it.

Here are six fun sports you need to try while travelling in Brazil

1. Altinha

Altinha is a casual beach sport that originated on the sands of Rio de Janeiro. The name means “little high,” and the game is simple: a small group, ideally four people, stands in a circle and uses only their feet, thighs, chest, and head to keep a football off the ground. There are no points or winners, and the goal is to maintain rhythm and teamwork.

You'll often find locals playing early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the sand is cool, and its increasingly popular all over Brazil. Take a class to learn the basics.

Where to try it:

• Ipanema Beach, Rio de Janeiro

• Tiririca Beach, Itacare

• Centro Beach, Pipa

2. Footvolley

Footvolley combines football technique with the rules of beach volleyball. It was developed in Rio de Janeiro in the 1960s by footballers looking for an off-season training option. Teams of two play on a sand court divided by a volleyball net, using any part of the body except their hands and arms to send the ball over. The scoring follows volleyball rules.

As if volleyball isn't hard enough already, give this a go next time you're on the beach in Brazil.

Where to try it:

• Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro

• Ponta Verde Beach, Maceió

• Praia da Enseada, Guarujá

3. Capoeira

Capoeira is a martial art that combines dance, acrobatics, and music. It originated among enslaved Africans in Brazil during the colonial period as a form of resistance and cultural preservation. Two players face each other inside a circle called a roda, accompanied by traditional instruments like the berimbau and atabaque. Movements are fluid and rhythmic, emphasising strategy and timing rather than force.

Learning capoeira in Brazil is not only about learning a sport, but also understanding Brazil's deep historical and cultural roots.

Where to try it:

• Salvador, Bahia (home of Capoeira Angola)

• Recife, Pernambuco

• Rio de Janeiro (schools offering Capoeira Regional)

4. Brazilian Jiu-jitsu

Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ) evolved from Japanese judo, brought to Brazil in the early 20th century. It was developed into a ground-fighting system that focuses on leverage, joint locks, and chokeholds. The Gracie family popularised it internationally through competitions and mixed martial arts.

Training BJJ in Brazil offers access to a lineage of instructors who trace their knowledge directly to its founders. Gyms often welcome visitors and travellers, offering short-term passes and open mats that make it easy to join. The emphasis on technique over size means that anyone can participate, regardless of experience level.

Where to try it:

• Rio de Janeiro (Gracie Barra, Nova União, Carlson Gracie academies)

• São Paulo (Alliance and Checkmat headquarters)

• Florianópolis (growing BJJ community by the coast)

5. Surfing

Brazil has a coastline of more than 7,000 kilometres, producing consistent waves year-round. Surfing became part of the national lifestyle in the mid-20th century and has since produced world champions such as Gabriel Medina and Ítalo Ferreira.

Surfing in Brazil is not only about the sport but about the atmosphere surrounding it. in Brazil, the beach is a social place where friends and families gather to spend time, play sports, eat, and dance. Local surf schools make it accessible for beginners while advanced surfers can find powerful breaks along the coast. Plus, there are plenty of surf competitions hosted in Brazil if you prefer to watch the pros.

Where to try it:

• Joaquina Beach, Florianopolis

• Engenhoca Beach, Itacare

• Madeiro Beach, Pipa

6. Football (Soccer)

Football is central to Brazilian identity. Introduced in the late 19th century, it quickly became a national passion. Played everywhere from city pitches to favela rooftops, the sport unites people across regions and backgrounds. Joining a local game on the beach, or a local team if you are staying longer in Brazil, will help you connect to your local community. Plus, don't miss the change to watch a professional game at stadiums like Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro.

Where to try it:

• Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro (watch a match)

• Praia de Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro (casual games on the beach)

• Ondina Beach, Salvador (casual games on the beach)

More resources for planning your trip to Brazil

• Find cheap bus, ferry, and private transfer tickets on Bookaway, where you can make reservations ahead of time from abroad. Or, rent a car and give yourself the freedom to explore at your own pace.

• Find your perfect accommodation on Booking.com, with thousands of options ranging from luxury hotels to budget-friendly backpacker hostels

• You're not ready to travel until you have travel insurance. I recommend Safety Wing to my friends, family, and anyone travelling internationally. Get a free quote

• Forgetting something? Read my packing check-list for Brazil, and my list of 10 things you should do before you travel to Brazil