Brazil Highlights and cities worth visiting - Brazil - TravBuddy

Besides Rio you MUST go to Angra dos Reis (lot's of little islands by boat), Buzios (small hip beach city) and Petropolis (historical mountain city).

Also, a great visit is Ouro Preto, a 18th century city that was preserved that way with cobblestone streets. Parati is another one.

For big nightlife: Sao Paulo, amazing restaurants and nightlife. Got to Rua Oscar Freire (a famous street) for the best of the best. Visit the restaurant on top of Unique hotel.

The Iguacu Falls are gorgeous. The Brazilian side is prettier than the Argentinian one. See both.

I have never been to the Amazon but I heard that it is also a fantastic trip. I am sure there are many tours out of Manaus.

Another fabulous town: Florianopolis, in the South of Brazil. It is a big island with 40 beautiful beaches, great scenery. Beautiful people.

For a taste of Europe in Brazil: visit Gramado and Canela, two cities in the South. Gramado has the most beautiful Xmas celebrations. A lot of German tradtion. They even have Oktoberfest in the city of Blumenau, also South of Brazil.

For a taste of Africa: the city of Salvador, very typical, exotic and good food, colorful buildings, African rythms. Near Salvador there is Porto Seguro, another trendy beach with lot's of partying.

Other beautiful beach cities: Fortaleza and Maceio in the Northeast amd Recife. Sao Luis is also pretty. The Northeast has great beach weather all year round (like the Caribbean) but without the tourist traps of Bahamas et alli. A lot more affordable and nicer people :)

Finally, for those who love nature, as amazing as the Amazon is the Pantanal. The Pantanal is a UK sized mosaic of seasonally -flooded savannahs and tropical forests that offers the finest
wildlife viewing in South America.

Ah, and if you want to visit a very different city, see Brasilia (see my other review on Brasilia), a contemporary city designed by famous architect Oscar Niemeyer.
Anyhow, it is a big country with lots to see.