Brazil offers an incredible mix of pristine beaches, vast rainforests, hip hangouts and vibrant cities fuelled by music and dance. The largest country in the tropics can only make for incredible journeys and exploration. Brazil is a melting pot of African, European and Indian cultures which is reflected in the music, dance, cuisine and architecture.

Brazil’s dazzling coastline stretches from the north to the south of the country, with an array of unspoilt islands such as Ilha Grande and Ilha do Mel, and beautiful jewel-box colonial towns such as Salvador, Olinda, Paraty and Ouro Preto.

Although the official capital is the ultra modern Brasilia, most visitors will head straight to Rio de Janeiro for its emerald green mountains, sparkling Atlantic waters and the legendary carnival. Further south in Brazil is the fast-paced cosmopolitan city of Säo Paulo, a megalopolis with over 17 million inhabitants.

Away from the frantic pace of the city are the wildlife rich wetlands of the Patanal, the roaring cascading waters of the Iguazu Falls (Foz du Iguazu) and the mighty Amazon, a vast swathe of tropical rainforest, and home to an infinite array of creatures and plants, pristine waterfalls and breathtaking views that will captivate lovers of nature and eco-tourism.

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Over 2000km of coastline dotted with idyllic beaches, lush rainforests and a rich multi-cultural heritage makes the north east of Brazil a true tropical paradise.

This heady exotic mix of African, European and indigenous cultures resonates beautifully in the preserved colonial towns of Olinda and Salvador

In the late 16th and 17th centuries, Pernambuco was the richest state in Brazil thanks to the sugar cane industry. On a hill overlooking the city of Recife and the azure waters of the Atlantic Ocean is Olinda, an open-air treasure chest of baroque art and architecture. The pretty streets have a lively bohemian scene, art galleries, museums and a very popular carnival.

The historic centre of Salvador is another must see in this region. The pastel coloured buildings have been beautifully preserved and are full of interesting galleries, museums and cultural centres and evenings offer live music, parades, Candomble and festivals. The carnival in Salvador is famous world over and attracts large crowds to its cobbled streets.

Magical villages dot the coastline of north east Brazil, such as Porto de Galinas a delightfully tranquil fishing village with stunning beaches and relaxed cafes and bars. There are also ample opportunities to surf, snorkel and dive in the clear waters.

There are several national parks in north east Brazil worthy of a mention, such as Nacional dos Lencois Maranhenses, a unique ecosystem formed of white sand dunes, mangroves, lagoons and local fauna such as turtles and migratory birds.

The Fernando de Noronha National Marine Park is located 350 kilometres off the north-east coast of Brazil, and is the largest of the 21 islands that make up the archipelago. Much of the island has now been separated off into the national park, helping to restrict the number of visitors and preserve its delicate habitat of over 230 species of fish, coral reefs, sharks, dolphins and turtles.

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The Pantanal is the star attraction of this region but the central west of Brazil contains many other natural attractions, as well as several interesting colonial towns and the wildly futuristic city, Brasilia.

The Pantanal, the world’s largest wetland covers an area of over 200,000sq km which dips into bordering Bolivia and Paraguay. This untouched paradise can be a far better place to see wildlife than the Amazon, as animals are far more visible to the casual observer. Alligators, iguanas, howler monkeys, anacondas and jaguars all reside in the Pantanal, alongside countless flocks of exotic birds and fish. The best way to see the Pantanal up close is to cruise down the river by boat or by guided canoe. The only road is the Transpantaneira Highway, a raised dirt road which cuts through the heart of the Pantanal.

The lush Bonito region is also worth a visit, with its crystal clear rivers and natural springs surrounded by dense forest. Many of its attractions are on private land and owners require a guide to escort you. The abundance of wildlife makes the area a true rival to the Pantanal.

The Cerrado in the heartland of Brazil covers an area equal to Western Europe and is considered the richest savannah in the world due to its high plant diversity and animal diversity. Amidst the mountains, rivers, beaches and wild primitive nature is the wild Jalapão Desert. The wonderful landscape is a mix of red dunes, transparent rivers, waterfalls and beautiful natural springs surrounded by vegetation.

Perhaps not on everyone’s itinerary, Brasilia does showcase some striking examples of modern day architecture. The purpose-built capital inaugurated in 1960 was designed by an international team of architects headed by Oscar Niemeyer. The most notable and least conventional are the government buildings and cathedral with curved columns and stained glass interior. Fine views over the city can be observed from the viewing platform at the TV Tower.

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The sheer beauty of Rio de Janeiro is breathtaking, so you may find it hard to tear yourself away from its many charms. However, gorgeous beaches line the coast in what’s known as the Costa Verde, boasting the lush Ilha Grande and the sparkling colonial town of Paraty. Further south is the megalopolis Säo Paulo and bordering Argentina and Paraguay is the magnificent Iguazu Falls.

Rio de Janeiro is everything you imagine it to be and more, a beautiful city with a vivacious atmosphere. There’s plenty to keep you entertained too, whether it be relaxing on the golden sands of Copacabana beach, taking a tram ride to the bohemian district of Santa Teresa or visiting the temple of soccer, the Maracanã Stadium. There are also countless art galleries, museums and natural wonders such as the tropical forest of Parque Nacional da Tijuca.

Travel south and the pace of life slows and more stunning coastline awaits you, backed by steep mountains plunging into the sea. Lining the Costa Verde are hundreds of tropical islands, including Ilha Grande. The island is almost all tropical beach and virgin Atlantic forest, with only a handful of small towns. Boats trips are available. Trails lead through the steamy rainforest to various beaches around the island.

Paraty is a picture perfect colonial town, beautifully reserved and architecturally unique. The town is surrounded by dozens of secluded beaches and small islands. Close by is the Parc Nacional da Serra da Bocaina, a great place to discover the Atlantic Rainforest and filled with plant life and animals such as howler monkeys and sloths.

São Paulo is Brazil’s most cosmopolitan city with one of the largest metropolitan populations in the world and is readily acknowledged as the business hub of Brazil. With a melting pot of cultures it comes as no surprise that São Paulo has a varied and sophisticated dining scene and a dizzying array of museums, art galleries, theatres and nightly concerts.

Not only is Brazil blessed with endless beaches, lush rainforest and intoxicating cities, the magnificent Iguazu Falls are arguably the most impressive waterfalls in the world. Straddling Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, the falls stretch across four kilometres, thundering down 82 metres into the Iguazu River.

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The Amazon rainforest covers most of the Amazon Basin, encompassing an area of approximately 6.7million sq km, the majority contained within Brazil with the remainder situated in Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and French New Guinea. Around 30 million people live in the Amazon including more than 300 indigenous groups.

The Amazon is made up of a mosaic of ecosystems and vegetation including rainforest, deciduous forests, flooded forests and savannas and contains an incredible one in ten known species on Earth. Despite the best conservation efforts logging, mining and land conversion to cattle ranching and soy production continues to threaten the Amazon’s future.

Manaus and Bélem are the main gateways for travellers to the Amazon. Belém’s busy port is used as an entrance to Amazonia and is situated around 60 miles up river from the Atlantic Ocean. Although a large modern city, the colonial district retains its charm with churches, palaces and tree filled squares.

Manaus is located in the heart of the Amazon, 900 miles inland from the Atlantic and is a major port for ocean vessels. The Amazon’s largest city is the hub of tourism and is situated close to the ‘Meeting of the Rivers’, where the dark-coloured waters of the Rio Negro meet the tan-coloured waters of the Solimões Rivers. It is a culturally thriving city with interesting museums, palaces and the grand Teatro Amazonas, an Italian Renaissance Opera House built in the 1890’s.

Quintessential Amazon experiences are readily available here from traditional river cruises, canoeing, fishing and bird watching, to forest hikes, alligator spotting and luxury eco lodges.

Brazil is a year-round destination although most of the country does have noticeable seasonal variations in rainfall, temperature and humidity.

The Brazilian winter falls from June to August with mild, moderate temperatures although the southern states of Santa Catarina, Paraná and São Paulo experience cooler temperatures between 13-18°C. Rain is a year-round affair but showers are normally only short downpours and rarely interfere with travel plans.

The summer seasons falls between December and February, and can be very hot and humid. While cities such as Rio de Janeiro can be a little oppressive in these months the north east enjoys the tropical breeze and less humidity. The Amazon basin unsurprisingly receives the most rain in Brazil. The average temperature is 27°C but it is humid. Between June and August the heat tends to decrease a little.

The majority of travellers will fly into Rio de Janeiro-Galeão (Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport) but this is one of many ways to arrive. Other gateway airports include Recife, São Paulo, Manaus and Brasilia. The main national airlines are TAM and Gol.

Rail travel is not really a viable way of travelling to and from Brazil but it is possible to travel between Santa Cruz, Bolivia and Corumbá, Brazil on what’s known as the Trem de Morte (Train of Death) which refers to slow monotony of the trip.

Brazil has one of the largest air networks in the world, with air services operating between most cities. Distances are vast in Brazil so taking at least one domestic flight can save you lots of travel time. It’s possible to purchase a domestic air passes from airlines such as TAM, offering good value for money.

Despite the vast distances involved in travelling between towns and cities in Brazil, buses are often the best way to get around. There are dozens of regional bus companies providing very comfortable services with air conditioning, reclining seats and food.

The thousands of miles of rail tracks throughout the country are mainly used for cargo with few services for passengers, there are, however, several routes worth taking such São Paulo to Corumbá and Curitiba to Paranaguá.

UK passport holders do not require a visa to enter Brazil. However, passports must be valid for at least six months and a return ticket and proof of sufficient funds may be requested on arrival. Tourists will be admitted for a stay of up to 90 days which is extendable.

USA passport holders are required to obtain a visa prior to entering Brazil. Tourist visas for U.S citizens allow a maximum stay of 90 days per entry and a yearly total of 180 days. Passport must also be valid for at least six months and a return ticket and proof of sufficient funds may be requested on arrival.