Brazil Holiday Guide

Most British holidaymakers will fly into Rio or Salvador, but there are other international airports at Sao Paulo, Recife and Fortaleza.

Once there, low cost flights with Gol are the best way to tour the country's main tourist destinations. There is an excellent long distance coach network but distances are huge so bear this in mind when you're planning your trip. Within major cities, buses and taxis are excellent.

Rio's two kilometre long Copacabana beach is world-famous and draws holidaying tourists in droves. Ipanema pulls in the jet set while lesser-known Pepe Beach should not be ignored. Expect volleyball and football players, surfers and joggers galore.

The north east Coconut Coast is named after its palm-tree lined shores. Praia do Forte is exceptional while further north lies the popular Costa do Sauipe. Guarajaba beach is a hit with surfers.

In Salvador, ignore the polluted beaches close to the city and head to Itapoa instead. Alternatively, head to the pristine island of Morro de Sao Paulo, which can be reached by a 20 minute plane ride, or a two hour speedboat ride, from Salvador. The island is renowned for its small fishing villages, deserted beaches and dive sites.

Meanwhile, Fernando de Noronha archipelago is difficult to reach but a hit with divers, while Ponta Negra close to Natal boasts giant sand dunes.

Brazil's most iconic landmark is Rio's Corcovado mountain topped with the Christ the Redeemer statue. Stunning panoramic city views can be seen from this site. Jump in the cable car to see Sugar Loaf Mountain and relax in the Botanical Gardens, home to colourful butterflies and monkeys. If you want to celebrate Carnival in February , make sure you plan your trip well in advance.
A world away from bustling Rio is Salvador which is rich in colonial buildings, mansions, baroque churches, cobbled streets and peaceful squares. Due to its past as a slave capital, there is a distinctive African vibe to the city, evident in capoeira street performances, a martial art-inspired dance created by the slaves. Pelourinho is the historical quarter and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s linked to the lower part of the city by the Art Deco Elevator Lacerda.

If you're looking for a holiday adventure, fly to Manaus for a trip into the Amazon rainforest where you'll have a chance to go piranha fishing, alligator spotting and jungle trekking. The Pantanal, a vast wetlands area that is home to the jaguar, is excellent for river swims, horse riding, and wildlife viewing.

Finally, Iguazu Falls, which straddles the border with Argentina, are a spectacular sight. Enjoy close up views of the falls whilst getting drenched in the perennial mist cast by the thundering water. Go for a walk in the surrounding rainforest, a speed boat tour on the raging waters below or a helicopter ride for bird's eye views.
From Praia do Forte visit Tamar, a marine turtle sanctuary where you can see babies being hatched at specific times of the year.
From Salvador, you can enjoy a river cruise adventure, go bird-watching, visit a local school, ancient castle walk around a nature reserve, or go forest trekking. Another popular excursion is to the tropical pristine island of Morro de Sao Paulo, which can be reached by a 20 minute plane ride, or a two hour speedboat ride.
From Sao Paulo, visit the pretty, European-style mountain town of Campos do Jordao. If you enjoy hiking, visit Tijuca Forest in Rio where there's a chance to scale peaks, admire waterfalls and delve into tropical rainforest.

Thanks to the diversity of the country, there is a smorgasbord of options when it comes to dining out.

One of the best places to eat in the larger cities is the ever-popular churrascaria. A buffet style system operates in which waiters attend to your table offering different cuts of meat, such as pork, beef, lamb, chicken, duck, ham, as well as fish. There also tends to be plenty of fruit, vegetables and pasta available too.

Brazilian specialities include acaraje, croquettes with shrimp and spicy feijoada (black beans, meat, white rice and kale). In the north, you'll need a strong stomach to enjoy moqueca (seafood stew cooked in coconut oil), while caruru (an okra-heavy vegetable dish with shrimp) is easier to sample.

As host to one of the world's best parties, Carnival, this is one country where night owls are in for the time of their lives. For the best in rock, country, samba, hip-hop, techno and traditional forro clubs and bars, head to Rio and Sao Paulo.

Rio'sLeblon and Ipanema areas are renowned for their upmarket, trendy clubs, while the Cinelandia and Lapa areas feature plenty of samba spots. Metropolitan Sao Paulo is teeming with sophisticated watering holes that wouldn't look out of place in New York or London.

Elsewhere, Belo Horizonte, Salvador, Brasília, Curitiba and Florianópolis are also lively destinations.

The country is a dream for shoppers. From jewellery, paintings and leather goods, to household items and traditional musical instruments such as the berimbau, there is a multitude of choice when it comes to buying souvenirs in Brazil.

You will find arts and crafts shops in all the major tourist spots but Rio and Sao Paulo have a great choice if you're looking for modern boutiques, malls or markets. Copacabana has a hippy market too, while the best place to shop in Salvador is at the Mercado Modelo.

Most families on package holidays will head to the state of Bahia or Rio where there are international standard hotels. However, older, more adventurous children will enjoy a visit to the Amazon or Pantanal where there are many kid-friendly tours available. If you prefer something less touristy, visit Bahia's Chapada Diamantina National Park. Studded with rivers and waterfalls, it's a gem for nature-lovers.

In Rio, take the kids to Parque dos Patins where there's rollerblading, biking, skating, tennis and football. Go to Cidade Park for picnics and visit the city's history museum or the Jardim Zoologico which houses endangered Brazilian animal species.