There is so much phenomenal landscape in Brazil, that you will never be able to see it all in one trip. To add to the natural wonders, the cities are bustling with interesting museums and historical districts.

Amazon Rainforest
A UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, the Amazon Rainforest is a must-see for any visitor to Brazil. Home to a plethora of animals, insects and plant life, as well as fascinating indigenous tribes, this is an incredible world you could never tire of exploring. Jungle lodges specialise in travel to the Amazon by foot or by water.

Iguaçu Falls
Another impressive UNESCO World Natural Heritage site that must be visited is Iguaçu Falls, the widest waterfalls in the world. The collection of 275 waterfalls are surround by lush national park that is home to over 300 bird species and 700 unique species of butterfly. You can take a boat ride under the falls or a helicopter ride over the falls. Outdoors enthusiasts will revel in the hiking, rafting, canyoning, canoeing and camping opportunities that are on offer. Flights to Iguassu Falls are serviced through São Paulo.

Pantanal
A UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and a World Heritage of Humanity site, the Pantanal is the largest wetlands in the world and boasts the greatest biodiversity of animal species in the Americas. The Transpantaneira Highway can be found here and is cited in the Guinness Book of World Records as the highway with the most bridges and the longest open-air zoo in the world. With foliage less dense than that of the Amazon, the Pantanal offers greater opportunity to see indigenous wildlife. To get here, you can fly to Campo Grande and Corumbá from Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Ground transfer to your accommodation could be lengthy and it’s advisable to take a small plane if possible.

Rio de Janeiro
Almost everyone who visits Brazil will spend some time in Rio, and most certainly you will want to be here during Carnival. There are many beautiful beaches in Rio, with the most infamous of all being Copacabana. The city also offers many good museums, with one of the most interesting being the Museu Internacional de Arte Naif do Brasil. Although small, the museum houses some lovely native art and drawings depicting popular scenes of daily life in the city. A trip up to Corcovado is a must when in Rio. A steep tram takes you up to the feet of the statue of Jesus Christ, a powerful visual symbol of the city. The views the top are stunning and well worth the journey.

São Paulo
Another city bound to impress is São Paulo. Here, you can visit the Monument to Latin America, designed by famed Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer. If you’re a lover of art, the Pinacoteca do Estado houses an impressive collection of Brazilian art from the 19th and 20th centuries, including works by Alfredo Ceschiatti.

Salvador
Although less visited than Rio and São Paulo, Salvador is popular among Brazilian tourists, especially during Carnival. You’ll find some beautiful Catholic art at the Museu de Arte Sacra. Items include oil paintings, oratorios and fine silver work.

Canoe through the Amazon
There is no experience on earth like exploring the Amazon by canoe. This is the best way to enjoy the jungle and get a sense of its imposing size. The silence of the canoe cutting through the water will allow you to take in everything that is going on along the shore which include monkeys swinging through the trees, hundreds of species of birds calling out, and sloths staring at you as you pass by.

Take a horseback ride through the Pantanol
The wetlands of the Pantanol are full of amazing wildlife such as jaguars, anteaters and anacondas. All are easily spotted as the foliage is far less dense than that of the Amazon. Exploring by horseback is ideal and an adventure in itself.

Take a boat ride under Iguaçu Falls
The widest waterfalls in the world and a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, the Iguaçu Falls are impressive from any angle. They are shaded by a verdant national park which play host to camping, hiking and rafting. While you can take a helicopter ride over the falls, there’s nothing like the boat ride underneath to really see the awesome power of nature.

Hang glide over Rio
Imagine flying 800 metres over a busy city and beautiful beaches. It could be tough to take the leap off a cliff, but once you’re soaring, you’ll have the best view of Rio there is.

Go out of your way
Visit some of the lesser known destinations in Brazil if you have time. Jericoacoara, for instance, is home to brilliant rock formations, reefs and lakes. You’ll find a relaxed atmosphere here, even in the cobbled streets of the town centre. The restaurants here are excellent, serving up regional delicacies, as well as French and Italian dishes prepared by the many Europeans who have settled here in this little slice of heaven. Another must-see place off the beaten track is Abrolhos Sea National Park, with its rare coral and humpback whale visits. Also worth visiting is the tiny town of Bombinhas which is home to over 20 excellent beaches, some of which can only be accessed by sea. It is one of the prime scuba diving spots in the south region of Brazil.

Relax on the beach
Brazil is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Baía do Sancho, Baía dos Porcos and Praia do Leão are just some examples. Two of the most popular diving destinations, Baía dos Porcos and Baía do Sancho, offer breathtaking scenery above and below their waters, while Praia do Leão is renowned for its sea turtles that spawn here annually.

Carnival
Enjoy the festivities of Carnival, the biggest party on the planet! If you are visiting Brazil in February, you will have to book your accommodation well ahead of time. Many people book as early as October in the top destinations like Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Salvador and Olina.

Eat barbecue
Vegetarians may have a hard time with the traditional Brazilian barbeque, the churrasco. Traditional cuts of beef, chicken, pork, sausages are roasted on an open fire and usually served with delicious side dishes such as rice and beans.

Samba the night away
A good samba will get the blood flowing and Brazil offers samba night every night across the country. While in Rio, visit the Arco do Teles, lined with restaurants and cafés. There are plenty of bars to choose from all with bossa nova and samba on offer.