Beto Carrero World opened on December 28, 1991, in Penha, Santa Catarina, on Brazil’s southern coast. Founded by entertainer and businessman Beto Carrero (born João Batista Sergio Murad), the park grew from his traveling circus and zoo background into the largest theme park in Latin America, spread across roughly 14 square kilometers divided into themed areas ranging from a Wild West zone to a European-style village.
Since Carrero’s death in 2008, the park has been run by his son, Alex Murad, under the family’s entertainment group, and has continued expanding with licensed partnerships. A 2012 deal with DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures brought recognizable characters into the park, and more recent additions have included a Hot Wheels-themed Turbo Drive attraction. By 2024, Beto Carrero World was drawing roughly 2.5 million visitors a year, making it the most-visited theme park in Latin America.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Penha, Santa Catarina, Brazil
- Operator: Beto Carrero World / JB World Entertainment
- Opened: December 28, 1991
- Size: About 14 km² (5.4 sq mi)
- Annual Visitors: About 2.5 million (2024)
- Signature Attraction: Fire Whip, Brazil’s only inverted roller coaster
A Park Built on a Showman’s Legacy
Beto Carrero World traces its roots to its founder’s traveling circus and zoo, which he eventually settled into a permanent home on Brazil’s southern coast. The park’s layout reflects that heritage, blending themed lands like a Far West town and a reproduction of a European village with wildlife exhibits and animal shows alongside its modern rides.
The park’s roller coaster lineup includes Fire Whip, an inverted coaster relocated from Japan’s Suzuka Circuit (where it operated as Blackout) and reopened at Beto Carrero World in 2008 with five inversions, making it the only inverted coaster in Brazil at the time it debuted.
Growth Into a Latin American Giant
Licensing deals have been central to the park’s growth strategy, starting with the 2012 partnership bringing DreamWorks and Universal characters to the park, and continuing with newer additions such as the Mattel-branded Hot Wheels Turbo Drive attraction. The park also moved to daily, year-round operation starting in 2025, a shift from its previous seasonal schedule.
That expansion has paid off in attendance: industry rankings have repeatedly named Beto Carrero World the most-visited theme park in Latin America, with the park drawing millions of guests annually to its mix of thrill rides, animal attractions, and stage shows.
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Beto Carrero World FAQs
Where is Beto Carrero World located?
It’s located in Penha, in the state of Santa Catarina on Brazil’s southern coast.
What is Beto Carrero World’s most famous ride?
Fire Whip, an inverted roller coaster with five inversions that debuted at the park in 2008, is one of its signature attractions and was the only inverted coaster in Brazil for years.
Is Beto Carrero World the largest theme park in Latin America?
Yes, covering roughly 14 square kilometers, it is widely cited as the largest theme park in Latin America and one of the most-visited in the region.
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Photo: HVL / CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.