What is Beto Carrero World like: from the dream of a poor boy who wanted to be "the Brazilian Zorro" to the largest theme park in Latin America

It all began in the rural area of ​​the state of São Paulo , with a poor boy who dreamed of being the Brazilian Zorro and working in an amusement park .

His name was João Batista Sérgio Murad (1937-2008), although he became known as Beto Carrero, and in southern Brazil , in 1991, he managed to create Beto Carrero World, the largest theme park in Latin America.

In the city of Penha, 35 km from Balneário Camboriú and close to popular destinations such as Bombinhas and Florianópolis , the park has 10 incredible themed areas in its more than 14 million square meters.

In the style of the renowned Disney or Universal parks, Beto Carrero World offers roller coasters, live shows and even encounters with characters .

For example, thanks to the collaboration of Paramount, the Nickelodeon universe and other major brands, visitors of all ages can take photos with SpongeBob and his friends, as well as with characters from Madagascar, Shrek, Trolls and Kung Fu Panda .

And following the logic of American parks, there is no shortage of hamburgers, fast passes for the games, paved streets, or the castle at the entrance.

How did the initiative of a Brazilian actor and businessman become the "second best theme park in the world" , according to the Tripadvisor community that recognized it in the "Travelers' Choice 2025" awards?

Firstly, when Beto Carrero began his career in the advertising and publishing world, he brought his character to life as a way of paying homage to his father, known as Alexandre Carrero, for being the owner of an oxcart in his hometown.

Radio presenter, advertising salesman, artist agent and country musician, Carrero performed at fairs, rodeos and exhibitions throughout the country - and even abroad -, entered the world of the circus and debuted in film and TV.

In the 1980s, he began to fulfill his childhood dream: Beto created the character of a cowboy , riding the horse Faísca. And in 1985, he published a comic book series titled The Adventures of Beto Carrero .

But all his projects converged in one place on December 28, 1991, when he took a risk and conceived a new business in Penha, in the state of Santa Catarina .

It had some children's attractions and two circus tents and, over time, the space incorporated more attractions and themed areas, eventually turning Beto Carrero World into the largest theme park in Latin America.

Just a few hours' flight from Argentina and countries like Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay, this is one of the preferred destinations for families looking for fun near the beaches they choose for their vacations.

The cowboy hat that Beto Carrero always wore ended up becoming part of the park's logo, with a themed area that is even called Cowboyland.

This area was inspired by the Wild West. There's a memorial that recounts its history, a giant white hat, and enormous red cowboy boots where visitors take photos.

In addition, there is the indigenous village, the Alamo fort, the Raskapuska expedition, the Dum Dum children's roller coaster, the Acqua show, the Betinho Carrero 4D cinema, and the musical The Cowboy's Dream , with 40 artists on stage.

It is located near the Castle of Nations, painted in all colors so that visitors enter a fantasy atmosphere from the very entrance of the park.

Inspired by medieval castles, inside you'll find ticket offices, ATMs, shops, luggage storage, and administrative areas.

The Avenue of Nations is the ideal place to get your bearings before exploring the rest of the park.

Inspired by German immigrants in southern Brazil, Villa Germánica recreates a village with German-style houses, bumper cars, and the Tigor roller coaster.

There are half-timbered houses, picturesque streets, and buildings that evoke the Middle Ages.

Also on display is the Excalibur show, where knights fight for King Arthur's legendary sword, to the delight of the audience.

Designed for those who saw the animated film "Madagascar 3 - The Wanted", Madagascar Circus Show is a new show that offers fun for everyone with more than 30 artists, LED screens and circus acts.

Just a few meters away, Madagascar Crazy River Adventure! is a water ride with Alex and his group, as boats spin out of control and characters try to escape an avalanche.

Mattel is in charge of the Hot Wheels themed area, which includes several attractions.

Villains and challenges abound at Hot Wheels Turbo Drive , where families drive a life-size car, facing off against sharks, dinosaurs, dragons, and many other surprises on an obstacle course. The interactive attraction offers immersive experiences.

In this part of the park, nobody wants to miss the impressive Hot Wheels Epic Show, one of the most famous in the entire park.

It is a car and motorcycle stunt show that impresses visitors of all ages.

Also in Hot Wheels, Big Tower features a 100-meter freefall. Its height is equivalent to a building of more than 30 stories, and during the fall, the elevator reaches a speed of 120 km/h.

For fans looking for electrifying, adrenaline-pumping games, NERF Mania has several options. A standout is Spin Blast!, a huge disc for 40 people that spins frenetically on a wave-shaped rail.

Super Soaker Splash is a water game where you can get soaked with friends and show off your aim while everyone spins around. And in NERF Arcade, concentration and digital launches are put to the test to see who can score the most points.

The Radical Adventure area is dedicated to the most intense attractions: Fire Whip is Brazil's first inverted roller coaster, reaching speeds of up to 100 km per hour, while Star Mountain is one of the largest roller coasters in Latin America with an initial drop of 35 meters and two loops.

At Tchibum , the cars simulate being boats on the water, with seats that rise about 15 meters to fall at 80 km per hour into a water tank.

And the Portal of Darkness offers an interactive horror experience, with a 10-minute walking tour through terrifying scenarios, creatures and characters, such as Dracula, the Mad Doctor, The Possessed Woman and many others.

In contrast, Fantasy Land is a space more focused on families and children, with fantasy worlds and themed trains, such as DinoMagic : it is a 5 km railway ride that crosses landscapes with lush vegetation, animatronic dinosaurs and a "train heist" scene.

“What we see here every day is a lovely mix of generations having fun together. The park has attractions that delight everyone from little ones to grandparents. It’s this family spirit that makes Beto Carrero such a special destination,” says Fernando Fiszbein, the park’s Commercial and Marketing Director.

As he explains, collaborations with major global brands and constant investments in new developments make the park a global benchmark, with the added advantage of being closer than others.

As for the shows, in addition to the Hot Wheels car and motorcycle stunts and Beto's story in Cowboy Dream , there is a grand closing show with lots of music, movie characters and fireworks daily .

There are two other areas left at Beto Carrero World. On one side, Pirate Island has a suspension bridge, a Viking ship that defies the laws of gravity, a cave with a treasure lair, the House of Mirrors, a themed restaurant, and the Tamar Project House, which supports sea turtles.

For classic games there is Triplikland , with the Giant Wheel (a large Ferris wheel from where you can see the whole park), Baby Elephant and the Crazy Tea Cups.

To enter, the 1-day Passport costs from 104 reais (approximately US$19.40). There are different passports available, as well as passes (single pass and fast pass).

Visitors staying in Penha not only have easy access to Beto Carrero World, but can also enjoy 19 beaches along the Santa Catarina coast, ecological trails for hiking, and Azorean cuisine with an emphasis on seafood and fish.