Brazil has a thriving beach culture and one of the most famous beaches is the Copacabana in downtown Rio. Walk through the streets along the beachfront to visit cafes, restaurants, and upscale boutiques, then settle down in the sand for a lazy day of lounging in the sun. Further along the coast in the town of Pernambuco is Porto de Galinhas, a more laid-back beach where you can scuba dive to coral reefs, take a sailboat out to watch tropical fish, or kayak through the lagoons.
If you plan your trip for February, you won’t want to miss Carnival, a colorful celebration that happens annually before Lent. In Rio, sit in one of the Sambodromo boxes for a front seat view of the parades of samba dancers in their extravagant costumes. Carnival happens in most Brazilian cities, so check out some smaller ones in places such as Recife or Bahia.
Adventure-lovers will find plenty to do, such as the subtropical rainforest, Iguacu National Park. Take a hike to catch a glimpse of many species of birds and animals, or walk out on one of the bridges at Iguacu Falls to get a panoramic view of 247 waterfalls. For a trip through the Amazon rainforest, head to Manaus to catch a boat to Encontro das Aguas, where the waters meet, or Janauari Ecological Park, with several ecosystems you can explore. Closer to Rio de Janeiro is Sugarloaf, with gorgeous viewpoints over the city, and Tijuca National Park, where you can get up close to the 2,326 foot Christ the Redeemer stature.
Those seeking culture and history will find it in Brazil, from art museums to colonial architecture. Take a trip to Sao Paulo to the Museu de Arte, which displays works from the Renaissance through the present. Museu de Arte Contemporanea in Ibirapuera Park houses one of the largest collections of 20th century art in South America. Step back in time with a walking tour through the winding streets of Ouro Preto or Cidade Alta, colonial towns featuring Baroque and Rococo architecture carved in gold.