Brazil has served as many Westerners' idea of a tropical paradise for decades, and not without reason. As home to the lion's share of the Amazon rainforest and host to the most passionate party on earth, Carnaval, Brazil will meet most of your wildest expectations.
Roughly the size of the continental United States, Brazil is a huge and diverse country that defies any attempt at succinct summary. It contains a number of vibrant cities, including the fabled Rio de Janeiro and gargantuan So Paulo, the world's second most populous city, and, of course, the Amazon.
Of most interest to visitors are the Amazon rainforest and the coast. Although the jungle has suffered severe deforestation over the last few decades, there are still some untouched areas of virgin rainforest that abound with wildlife. The Brazilian portion of Amazon rainforest is a gigantic ecosystem of rivers and forests that covers almost half of the entire country and teems with an estimated 15,000 different animal species and tens of thousands of plant species, many of which have not yet been classified.
On the other hand, Brazil's 7,400 miles of coastline feature some of the world's best beaches - not just for their expanses of white sand and palm trees, but for their good music, friendly locals and 24-hour party atmosphere - meaning that many tourists don't venture inland at all.
Beaches: By far the most visited part of Brazil is its coastline, popular with both locals and foreigners alike. There are literally hundreds of options to chose from, and each has its own distinct culture, from surfy and chilled out to frenzied 24-hour parties.
Rio de Janeiro: stunning views, a great nightlife and an obsession with soccer characterise this coastal city and travellers' hub.
African music and dance greet the visitor in the lively city of Salvador right in the middle of Brazil's Atlantic coastline.
The awe-inspiring Iguau Falls are shared between Argentina and Brazil, and certainly worth the trip.
Visit the coastal town of Olinda for beautiful architecture and a laid back pace of life
Great hiking and wildlife watching in the remote Pantanal region, deep in the south-eastern rainforest bordering Bolivia.
Brazil Travel Guide Info provided by V!VA Travel Guides
On this page: Brazil Flights Sao Paulo tickets to Brazil Cheap Airfare Brazil flights to Sao Paulo flights to Rio de Janeiro airfare to Brazil Amazon Rainforest.