Beto Carrero World
Beto Carrero World is a large Brazilian theme park in Penha, Santa Catarina, combining rides, live entertainment, themed lands, family attractions and branded experiences.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Beto Carrero World is a major amusement and entertainment destination in Penha, on the north coast of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Developed by Brazilian businessman and entertainer João Batista Sérgio Murad, who performed under the name Beto Carrero, the park opened on December 28, 1991. It was created around Carrero's cowboy persona and the broader ambition of building a large-scale entertainment complex in southern Brazil. The destination subsequently expanded from a western-themed attraction into a multi-area theme park with roller coasters, water rides, family attractions, animal facilities, restaurants, retail, theatrical productions and special events. The park occupies approximately 14 square kilometres and is commonly described as the largest theme park in Latin America. Its layout is divided into themed areas that use distinct architectural and narrative identities. These include Avenida das Nações, the principal entrance and service zone; Vila Germânica, which references the German heritage of parts of Santa Catarina; Cowboyland, formerly known as Velho Oeste; Ilha dos Piratas; Aventura Radical; Terra da Fantasia; Madagascar; Hot Wheels; and Nerf Mania. The park's attractions range from children’s rides and scenic tours to major thrill rides such as FireWhip, Star Mountain and Big Drop. It also presents stage productions, stunt shows, character appearances and seasonal entertainment. A central feature of the brand is the combination of rides with live performance. Productions have included Excalibur, O Sonho do Cowboy, Hot Wheels Epic Show, Madagascar Circus Show, Portal da Escuridão and No Ritmo de Trolls. The park has also staged special events such as Thriller Nights, Island of Darkness and Dream Valley. Its automotive facilities, including a motocross track and an international kart circuit designed by Herman Tilke, broaden the destination's positioning beyond conventional rides and connect it with motorsport and celebrity events. The park pursued internationally recognizable intellectual-property partnerships as part of its modernization and audience-development strategy. In 2012, it announced a partnership involving DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures, enabling the use of characters and themes associated with those studios. The Madagascar area followed this period of development and includes Madagascar Crazy River Adventure!, a character-based show and photo opportunities. Later branded expansions included a Hot Wheels area and Nerf Mania, launched in October 2023, reflecting an ongoing strategy of using established entertainment and toy properties to support themed experiences. Beto Carrero World has repeatedly refreshed its attraction portfolio. Cowboyland was relaunched in March 2022, the Rebuliço ride opened in the same year, and the Nerf-themed area added new rides and interactive play. The former animal-focused Mundo Animal area was officially closed to the public in June 2024, while animals were progressively transferred to other zoos and sanctuaries according to the supplied reference material. Other attractions have been removed, sold, re-themed or replaced, including the former Império das Águas ride, the Freefall tower and the kart track. Today, Beto Carrero World operates primarily as a Brazilian destination attraction serving domestic tourists, regional visitors, families, school groups and theme-park enthusiasts. Its brand identity remains linked to the legacy of Beto Carrero, but its commercial offer is broader than the original cowboy concept: it combines large-scale rides, recognizable media brands, theatrical entertainment, themed hospitality and event programming in one integrated leisure destination.
History
Beto Carrero World was conceived and developed by Brazilian entertainer and businessman Beto Carrero, whose public identity was built around a cowboy character and live entertainment. The park opened on December 28, 1991, in Penha, Santa Catarina. Its location on the state's north coast placed it within a major Brazilian tourism region while also giving Santa Catarina a large signature amusement destination. The original concept was closely associated with the Old West, cowboy storytelling and Carrero's own stage persona. Over time, the property expanded into a broad theme-park complex rather than remaining a single western-themed attraction. Its physical footprint grew to approximately 14 square kilometres, organized into multiple themed zones with different architectural styles, stories and attraction mixes. The entrance area, Avenida das Nações, developed into a substantial visitor-services district containing the ticketing complex, shops, food outlets, event facilities and access to other areas. During the 2000s, the park invested in increasingly prominent thrill attractions and supporting infrastructure. Big Drop opened in 2003 and became one of the park's tallest and most recognizable rides. The Empire of the Waters attraction opened in the Civilizações Perdidas area in 2004. The Beto Carrero Center of Primatology opened in 2007, reflecting the importance that animal displays and educational facilities once held within the park. FireWhip opened in late 2008, adding a major inverted roller coaster to the attraction portfolio. The destination also developed an events and performance program. Seasonal productions included Thriller Nights in 2009, Island of Darkness in 2010 and 2011, and Dream Valley in 2012 and 2013. The park's automotive complex includes a motocross track and an international kart track designed by Herman Tilke. In 2011, the complex hosted the 500 Miles Kart event, which brought together motorsport participants and Brazilian celebrities. A significant strategic shift occurred in 2012, when the park announced a partnership involving DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures. The arrangement supported the use of recognizable film and television characters and helped move the brand toward a more internationally legible, intellectual-property-driven theme-park model. The former Batman & Robin: The Chiller coaster was also acquired from Six Flags Great Adventure in 2012. Although an opening was anticipated for 2014, the coaster was never assembled at Beto Carrero World and was scrapped in 2018. The Madagascar area was announced during the 17th edition of the AVIRRP travel-agency event and was completed in February 2014 after an earlier projected opening date. It introduced Madagascar Crazy River Adventure!, a large family water ride, together with the Madagascar Circus Show and character photo opportunities. Other areas were subsequently refreshed or renamed. The former Velho Oeste area was relaunched as Cowboyland in March 2022, reinforcing the park's historical cowboy theme while updating its attraction mix. The Rebuliço ride opened in the same year. The park continued expanding its licensed-brand strategy with Nerf Mania, which opened in October 2023. The area features interactive and family-oriented attractions built around Hasbro's Nerf brand. In May 2024, the Venetian Carousel reopened in a new location within Vila Germânica. The animal-focused Mundo Animal area was officially closed to the public in June 2024. Reference material indicates that most animals had been transferred to undisclosed zoos and sanctuaries by February 2025, although structures were retained for remaining specimens. Beto Carrero World has also retired, sold or replaced a number of attractions. The Freefall tower was sold after the 2018 season, and the former kart track was replaced by Turbo Drive. The Empire of the Waters attraction was re-themed for Madagascar Crazy River Adventure!, while other former rides and shows, including Africa Misteriosa, Animal Actors, Trem Fantasma and Piráguas, are no longer part of the current attraction portfolio. Through these changes, the park has maintained a hybrid identity: part memorial to its founder and Brazilian cowboy mythology, part large-scale leisure destination, and part licensed entertainment platform.
- 2024
Mundo Animal closes to visitors
[1]The Mundo Animal animal area was officially closed to the public in June.
- 2023
Nerf Mania opens
[1]Nerf Mania opened as a themed area built around Hasbro's Nerf brand.
- 2022
Cowboyland relaunch and Rebuliço opening
[1]The former Velho Oeste area was relaunched as Cowboyland, and the Rebuliço ride opened.
- 2014
Madagascar area completed
[1]The Madagascar themed area was completed with a river ride, stage show and character encounters.
- 2012
DreamWorks and Universal partnership announced
[1]The park announced a partnership involving DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures.
- 2009
Thriller Nights event
[1]The park presented Thriller Nights, a seasonal entertainment event associated with Michael Jackson.
- 2008
FireWhip opens
[1]FireWhip opened as a major inverted roller coaster in the park's thrill-ride portfolio.
- 2007
Center of Primatology opens
[1]The Beto Carrero Center of Primatology opened as part of the park's animal and educational facilities.
- 2004
Empire of the Waters opens
[1]The Empire of the Waters attraction opened in the Civilizações Perdidas area before later being re-themed for Madagascar.
- 2003
Big Drop opens
[1]The 93-metre Big Drop tower became one of the park's signature thrill attractions.
Products and positioning
A large Brazilian destination theme park that combines high-capacity rides, family entertainment, live shows, themed environments and licensed characters, with a strong connection to the Beto Carrero cowboy legacy.
Roller coaster · 2008
FireWhip
FireWhip is an inverted roller coaster in the park's Aventura Radical area. It opened in late 2008 and is approximately 40 metres high and 700 metres long, with a maximum speed approaching 100 kilometres per hour. The attraction is one of the park's principal thrill rides and complements the area's wider collection of high-intensity and water attractions.
Roller coaster
Star Mountain
Star Mountain is a large roller coaster imported from the Netherlands. The ride reaches approximately 35 metres in height and has a maximum speed of nearly 90 kilometres per hour. It is located in Aventura Radical and forms part of the park's established high-thrill offering.
Drop tower · 2003
Big Drop
Big Drop is an Intamin drop tower that opened in 2003. At approximately 93 metres, it is described as the tallest attraction in the park and reaches a reported speed of about 120 kilometres per hour. It is a prominent landmark within Beto Carrero World's thrill-ride portfolio.
Water ride · 2014
Madagascar Crazy River Adventure!
Madagascar Crazy River Adventure! is a family water attraction in the Madagascar themed area. Its course is nearly one kilometre long and approximately five metres wide. The ride replaced or re-themed the earlier Empire of the Waters setting and extends the park's use of the Madagascar characters into a physical attraction.
Live stunt show
Hot Wheels Epic Show
Hot Wheels Epic Show is a live stunt production centered on cars and motorcycles. It is presented in the Hot Wheels themed area and uses the visual language of Mattel's toy-car brand while retaining the park's established emphasis on performance, vehicle spectacle and choreographed action.
Theatrical show
Excalibur
Excalibur is a roughly 45-minute live production featuring costumed performers and staged duels surrounding the search for the legendary sword. It is presented in Vila Germânica and illustrates the park's use of narrative theatre as a core part of its visitor experience, rather than treating rides as its only product.
Themed area and interactive attractions · 2023
Nerf Mania
Nerf Mania is a themed area built around Hasbro's Nerf toy-gun brand. Opened in October 2023, it includes Spin Blast, Super Soaker Splash and Nerf Arcade. The area emphasizes interactive, family-oriented play and extends Beto Carrero World's strategy of using licensed consumer brands to create recognizable environments.
Founder-themed show
O Sonho do Cowboy
O Sonho do Cowboy is a stage production about the life and public persona of Beto Carrero as a Brazilian cowboy. It incorporates Old West scenes and artifacts connected with Carrero, making the show both entertainment and a memorial expression of the park's founding identity.
Marketing campaigns
- 2012Dream Valley
Brazil
A special event included in the park's seasonal entertainment calendar.
Outcome. The event was presented across the 2012–2013 period.
- 2012DreamWorks and Universal character partnership
Brazil
Beto Carrero World announced a partnership involving DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures to bring recognizable film and animation characters into the park experience.
Outcome. The partnership supported later licensed-property experiences, including the Madagascar themed area.
- 2010Island of Darkness
Brazil
A spooky-themed event staged around the park's pirate-island setting.
Outcome. The event ran during 2010 and 2011 as a seasonal horror-oriented attraction.
- 2009Thriller Nights
Brazil
A seasonal entertainment event presented as a tribute to Michael Jackson and the aesthetic of his Thriller era.
Outcome. The event became part of the park's historical special-event programming.
Brand decisions
2024
Close Mundo Animal to the publicStrategyBackground
The park's animal-focused area was no longer maintained as a public visitor zone.
Action taken
Mundo Animal was officially closed to visitors in June 2024, with animals subsequently rehoused according to the supplied reference material.
Aftermath
The closure reduced the role of the former zoo area in the public-facing park offer, while some structures remained maintained for remaining specimens.
2023
Launch Nerf ManiaProduct launchBackground
The park continued using established toy and entertainment properties to create interactive family experiences.
Action taken
It opened Nerf Mania with Spin Blast, Super Soaker Splash and Nerf Arcade.
Aftermath
The area expanded the park's branded-attraction portfolio beyond film characters and the Hot Wheels concept.
2022
Relaunch the western area as CowboylandStrategyBackground
The park retained its founder's cowboy heritage while refreshing the presentation of its western-themed zone.
Action taken
The former Velho Oeste area was relaunched under the Cowboyland name.
Aftermath
The renewed area included founder-focused storytelling and new or updated attractions, including Rebuliço.
2014
Open the Madagascar themed areaProduct launchBackground
The park was developing licensed entertainment areas following its announced studio partnerships.
Action taken
It completed a Madagascar themed area with a river ride, stage production and character encounters.
Aftermath
The area became one of the park's family-oriented branded zones.
2012
Adopt major film and animation partnershipsStrategyBackground
The park was expanding beyond its original cowboy identity and sought recognizable properties that could broaden its appeal.
Action taken
It announced a partnership involving DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures.
Aftermath
The partnership enabled branded character experiences and was followed by development of the Madagascar area.
2012
Acquire the former Batman & Robin: The Chiller coasterM&ABackground
The park pursued an imported major roller coaster to expand its thrill-ride portfolio.
Action taken
It bought the former Batman & Robin: The Chiller coaster from Six Flags Great Adventure.
Aftermath
The ride was never assembled at the park and was scrapped in 2018.
Recent events
- 2025
Turbo Drive added to the Hot Wheels area[1]
Product launch
Turbo Drive, a pair of low-speed car tracks, was listed as a new attraction in the Hot Wheels themed area.
- 2024
Mundo Animal closes to the public[1]
Other
The park's animal-focused Mundo Animal area was officially closed to visitors in June 2024. Reference material states that animals were subsequently rehoused in other zoos and sanctuaries, while some structures remained maintained.
- 2014
Madagascar themed area completed[1]
Product launch
Following an earlier announcement, construction of the Madagascar area was completed, adding a licensed family attraction, a river ride, a live show and character encounters.
- 2013
Go-kart injury reported[1]
Other
A 23-year-old student, Fernanda Dryer, suffered a severe scalp injury after her hair became caught in the engine of a go-kart at the park.
- 2012
DreamWorks and Universal partnership announced[1]
M&A
The park announced a partnership involving DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures, supporting the introduction or use of characters and properties associated with the studios.
- 2012
Former Batman & Robin: The Chiller coaster acquired[1]
M&A · Product generation
Beto Carrero World acquired the former Batman & Robin: The Chiller roller coaster from Six Flags Great Adventure. The ride was expected to open at the Brazilian park but was never assembled and was eventually scrapped in 2018.
- 2011
Motorcyclist and car collide during Extreme Show[1]
Other
During a performance of the Extreme Show, a motorcyclist struck a car. The supplied reference states that both performers were unharmed.
- 1991
Beto Carrero World opens in Santa Catarina[1]
Other
The amusement park developed by entertainer and businessman Beto Carrero opened in Penha on December 28, establishing the destination that would later become one of Latin America's largest theme parks.
Sources2 sources
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