Brazil in the spotlight

And while Rio de Janeiro deservedly takes the spotlight for many visitors – there’s a reason it’s nicknamed the Cidade Maravilhosa, or Marvellous City – a visit is only the beginning of the best things to do in Brazil. Once you’ve relaxed on the long sweeping beaches, spotted iconic landmarks such as Christ the Redeemer and explored the city’s own patch of rainforest, venture further to discover some of Brazil’s natural wonders, including the majestic Iguazu Falls.

And from the spectacle of Rio’s carnival to Afro-Brazilian culture, white sand paradises to traditional Brazilian food, a visit to Brazil is an unforgettable part of a tour of South America.

Christ the Redeemer

Rio’s most recognisable landmark, the 30m-high statue of Christ the Redeemer, has watched over the city from the top of Corcovado Mountain since 1931, and has been named one of the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World’.

Weighing a huge 1,145 tons, the statue with its outstretched arms towers high on its mountaintop home, 700 metres up, drawing around 5,000 visitors every day – one of the most popular things to do in Brazil. Since a chapel was consecrated in the pedestal beneath Cristo Redentor in 2006, it has also been a fashionable location for marriages and baptisms.

Made from reinforced concrete, covered with thousands of tiny mosaic tiles made from soapstone, the statue itself is hollow, with a network of tunnels and stairways inside to allow access for maintenance – a full time job given regular lighting strikes, as well as exposure to sun, wind, rain and pollution.

Christ the Redeemer

The Amazon Rainforest

Around 60% of the Amazon Rainforest lies within Brazil’s borders, one of the most richly biodiverse places on the planet, a natural wonderland that’s home to tens of thousands of plant species, 1,500 species of bird and hundreds of mammal species, including howler monkeys and giant river otters.

Experiencing the wild beauty of the jungle at first hand is one of the most magical things to see and do in Brazil, including walks through the rainforest and canoeing along the Amazon itself – not forgetting a chance to interact with local indigenous people, learning about their traditions and customs.

One unmissable experience is seeing the meeting of the waters at Santarem, where the dark flow of the Rio Negro meets the sandy waters of the Amazon River, running alongside each other without mixing, a natural phenomenon which creates two distinct bands of different-coloured water.

The region’s bustling main city, Manaus, is an unexpected attraction in itself. A great base to venture into the jungle, it’s known as the ‘Paris of the Tropics’, with some unexpectedly ornate buildings, including the opulent Renaissance-style opera house, the Teatro Amazonas, which opened in 1896, and the Mercado Adolpho Lisboa, which was based on the design of Les Halles in Paris.

A capuchin monkey in the rainforest

Rio Carnival

Rio de Janeiro is the home of one of the biggest parties on Earth, the Rio Carnival, which regularly attracts more than half a million visitors alongside the city’s residents, known as Cariocas. The costumes are famously bright, blingy and brief, while the five days of the festival running up to Shrove Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, are a riot of pulsating samba rhythms, a soundtrack of drums, whistles and horns as hundreds of dancers in vibrant multi-coloured costumes of feathers, sequins and tassels appear alongside gigantic over-the-top floats decorated in a variety of imaginative themes.

This main parade is a competition between the city’s numerous samba schools for the best display, which takes place inside the Sambadome, while there are plenty of free events taking place on the streets of Rio at the same time. Visit slightly after the Carnival and you can experience the Winner’s Parade, showcasing the best floats and dancers, with a more relaxed atmosphere – look out for our special departure tours to get a taste of Carnival, Rio-style.

Rio Carnival

Iguazu Falls

Straddling the border with Argentina, the spectacular Iguazu Falls – taller than Niagara and twice as wide - are a truly unforgettable sight. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, they’re an unmissable part of a visit to South America, easily one of the best things to do in Brazil.

With 275 separate waterfalls making up the cascades, which stretch for almost 3km, the best way to experience this astonishing natural phenomenon is to visit both sides on your Brazil holiday. On the Brazilian side, you’ll get some wonderful views out across the falls, while the Argentinian side takes you closer to the base of the cascades in their jungle setting.

The most impressive section is the horseshoe-shaped Devil’s Throat, which drops more than 80 metres, with a wooden platform offering unbeatable views of the raging torrents. For those who wish to get as close as possible to this incredible force of nature, you can even take boat trips on the river below.

After marvelling at the falls thundering down the cliffs, walk past pools backed by lush rainforest, spotting birds and insects in the spray, as well as exploring Iguazu National Park, which stretches over both sides of the border, and encompasses large areas of rainforest, home to wildlife such as jaguars, tapirs, giant anteaters and hundreds of tropical bird species.

Iguazu Falls

Brazil’s beaches

You needn’t even leave Rio de Janeiro to visit some of Brazil’s most famous beaches, especially Copacabana. A 4km curve or sand, it’s somewhere to see and be seen, enjoy a caipirinha while sun-worshipping or join an impromptu game of football, while neighbouring Ipanema beach is more relaxed with fantastic sunset views.

But head north out of the city and you’ll find plenty more to tempt. The 1,100km coastline of the state of Bahia is a beach-lover’s dream with snorkelling on the Marau Peninsula as well as unspoiled Boipeba among the highlights. Travel the Coconut Coast between Recife and Salvador and you’ll find the seven-mile Porto Galinhas too.

Or a little way further north, the protected Fernando de Noronha archipelago is a little slice of heaven; numbers are limited so you’ll dodge the crowds while enjoying the wonderful snorkelling and clear seas.

South of Rio, it’s hard to beat Ilha Grande. Once home to pirates and some of the country’s most notorious prisoners, this laid-back spot on the Costa Verde is dotted with white sand beaches backed by shady trees, where the water is so clear, you’ll feel almost like you’re castaway in paradise.

Copacabana beach

Tijuca National Park

One of the world’s largest urban forests, Tijuca National Park is the green heart of Rio de Janeiro and one of the best places to enjoy the views over the city, as well as being home to several landmarks – one of the top things to do in Rio de Janeiro.

The remains of the Atlantic rainforest, which once surrounded Rio, you can also spot some of the many bird and animal species living here, including iguanas and monkeys, as you follow a network of hiking trails to the park’s waterfalls and lookout points.

If you don’t fancy the challenging climb to the summit of 1,012m Pico da Tijuca, there are some easier ways to get to the park’s high points. Take a cog train through the greenery to the summit of Corcovado Mountain, with the iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer, or ride a cable car to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain for the panoramic vistas.

Candelaria Church

The stories tell that the first church on this spot, Our Lady of Candelaria, was built around 1609 by a Portuguese couple who’d made a vow to do so during a storm which almost wrecked their ship, also called the Candelaria. The smaller chapel was replaced by today’s more extravagant building with its towering spires, grand dome and Baroque details; work started in 1775 but was not finished until around a century later.

The interior was redesigned in the late 19th century, with new paintings on the nave and part of the dome, as well as panels telling the history of the church on the ceiling. Still used for services, it’s one of the most ornate churches you’ll find in the city and should definitely be on your list of things to do in Rio de Janeiro Brazil.

Discover Afro-Brazilian culture

Head to colourful Salvador de Bahia to experience the Afro-Brazilian culture which is the trademark of the area, one of the most unusual things to do in Brazil.

The city itself was once the capital of the Portuguese colony, but also the point where most enslaved people brought from Africa first entered Brazil. As a result, more than 80% of the population have some African ancestry, and this distinct heritage is found in everything from food to music and art as well as capoeira, the mix of martial art and dance which originated here.

You can also learn more about the religion of Candomble, a mix of Roman Catholicism and African spiritual traditions brought to Brazil by enslaved Africans.

Indulge in some Brazilian classics

Brazilian food might not be too well-known outside the country, but when you’re considering the best things to do in Brazil, trying a few traditional favourites should be on your list while visiting.

The country challenges neighbouring Argentina for the title of South America’s best barbecue, and you can try endless grilled meats at a churrascaria, with slices added to your plate until you groan. Look out too for moqueca, a fabulous fish stew served in a hot clay pot, as well as feijoada, made by stewing black beans and pork, and pão de queijo, a delicious combination of cheese and bread.

For something sweeter, you’ll find the purple acai berry everywhere, plus ultra-sweet brigadeiros, Brazil’s version of the chocolate truffle. Finish with a caipirinha cocktail, or a shot of cachaca, the fiery spirit made from fermented sugarcane juice.

Discover Brazil's best sights, including Rio de Janeiro and Iguazu Falls, on an escorted tour to Brazil