Brazil vacations

South America’s sexiest city boasts legendary landmarks, world-famous beaches and one of the biggest street parties on the planet. Welcome to Rio de Janeiro.

Brazil’s largest city offers big thrills. Admire the cityscape from towering skyscrapers, get lost in sprawling food markets or join locals for a ‘caipirinha,’ the national cocktail.

Manaus immerses you in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon. Experience the rainforest’s magic through river rafting, jungle treks and stays in remote lodges.

Attending Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is a true bucket-list experience and one of the best things to do in Brazil. For hundreds of years, ‘Cariocas’ (as Rio locals are called) have celebrated the start of Lent by dressing up in elaborate costumes adorned with feathers and sequins. Join the party and enjoy samba-soaked parades through the streets of the city.

More than 60% of the Amazon rainforest is within Brazil’s borders. From the city of Manaus, take a cruise down the massive Amazon River — it’s so wide that, at some points, you can’t see the far shore. This vital ecosystem is home to threatened species like jaguars and pink river dolphins. And keep your eyes peeled for monkeys, piranhas and sloths.

The city of Salvador de Bahia is the epicenter of Black Brazil and a must-visit for anyone who wants to understand how Afro-Brazilian culture shaped the country. Learn about the city’s Candomblé religion, take a capoeira class and eat ‘moqueca,’ a seafood and coconut stew. Or visit during events like February’s Festa de Yemanjá and November’s Afropunk festival.

Rio de Janeiro claims some of the most famous beaches in Brazil, if not the world. Located right in the city, Copacabana and Ipanema are fantastic for people-watching. For a more laid-back vibe, head for remote Fernando de Noronha, an archipelago off the coast whose pristine beaches and delicate ecosystem have been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

If you love wildlife, don’t miss the Pantanal, the world’s largest tropical wetland. Here, you’ll find capybaras, jaguars and the world’s biggest parrot. On the border with Argentina, the imposing cascades of Iguazú Falls are a great place to put things in perspective. In Rio, hike Sugarloaf Mountain to visit Christ the Redeemer, a giant statue that presides over panoramic views of Guanabara Bay.

The best restaurants in Brazil range from the Michelin-starred hotspots of São Paulo to casual markets. Keep your eyes peeled for tropical fruits and authentic dishes like ‘feijoada,’ a traditional stew made with meat and beans. Bring your appetite to the ‘rodízio,’ a kind of all-you-can-eat buffet where servers slice slabs of meat from skewers onto your plate until you tell them to stop.

Many of the best museums in Brazil can be found in São Paulo, the country’s largest city and its cultural capital. See works by the Brazilian modernist painter Anita Malfatti and others at the Museu de Arte de São Paulo. The Museu Oscar Niemeyer in Curitiba features an eye-popping modernist campus designed by Brazil’s most famous architect.

The best time to visit Brazil depends on your itinerary. The beaches are at their best from December to March, but you’ll also be battling Christmas and Carnival crowds. If you’re headed to the Amazon, go during the dry season, from June to November. The shoulder season strikes a balance between temperate weather and thinner crowds.

It’s easy to have a cheap holiday in Brazil. A short taxi ride is around 25 Brazilian reais (R$), and you can easily find a filling meal for less than R$30 thanks to plentiful street food stalls and markets. A beer or coffee costs about R$10.