Brazil welcomes nearly 1.5 million international tourists in January
In January 2025, Brazil welcomed 1,483,669 international tourists, marking the highest number for the month since 1970, according to the Ministry of Tourism. This represents a 55 percent increase compared to the 956,737 visitors who arrived in January 2024.
Argentina was the leading source of visitors, with 870,318 international tourists traveling from the country last month—nearly double the 452,136 who arrived in Brazil from the neighboring country in January 2024.
The proximity to Argentina benefited the three Brazilian southern states, with Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná, and Santa Catarina collectively receiving 62 percent of all international visitors in January 2025—totaling 924,138 tourists.
Rio Grande do Sul recorded the highest number of international arrivals, with 518,557 tourists visiting the state last month—a 95 percent increase compared to the 265,719 arrivals in January 2024.
In absolute numbers, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo ranked second and third among the states with the highest number of international tourists, following Rio Grande do Sul (518,557). Rio de Janeiro welcomed 240,151 visitors, while São Paulo received 219,787.
Most international tourists entered Brazil by land. Of the 1,483,669 recorded arrivals, 802,611 (54%) traveled by land, followed by 608,163 (41%) who arrived by air. Meanwhile, 72,895 visitors (5%) entered via sea and inland waterways.
Tourism Minister Celso Sabino sees the good result achieved at the beginning of the year as an “excellent starting point” for Brazil to surpass its 2024 tourism figures. “We've had an exceptional beginning, driven by the efforts of President Lula's government and the tourism sector to promote Brazil abroad, enhance infrastructure, and facilitate traveler access,” said the minister.
