I bought a ticket to Brazil a couple months ago for mid December through mid January. That is about the extent of my plans so far.... 
I need some suggestions on where and what to do on my trip. I'm a 28 year old single male traveling alone. Rio is a must on my list and I'm also thinking about Bahia, and possibly Santa Catarina for some surf. Detail-wise I have nothing beyond that.
I am very active, speak a little portuguese, and am extremely excited to experience the warmth of Brazilian culture.
Where should I go and what should I do???
Alex
Single male traveling to Brazil alone
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First of all, you should go to the library or book store and get a couple of guidebooks. Look through them to see what appeals to YOU and inform us. If you aren't into history, it's a waste of time to tell you about Colonial towns in Minas. If you are after info on clubs in Rio, info on museums will be wasted.
I'm interested in festivals, music, and people. Also interested in exploring the natural beauty of the country!
Where should I go for new years?
The most spectacular in the country for Reveillon (New Year's Eve) is the fireworks on Copacabana beach in Rio.
http://ayrton.com/360/360htmlpages/pages/reveillon2007.html
Of course it is very expensive, but most anywhere popular (i.e. anyplace that is in a guidebook or that Brazilians are likely to vacation at) will be at that time, so do plan to pay a lot for your multi-night package wherever you choose. Salvador has fireworks and great festivities, as does Florianopolis and some of the clubs in Santa Catarina.
If you are looking for Brazilian music, definitely go to Salvador(axe, pagode, MPB, Afro-reggae, etc). And explore Rio thoroughly: Lapa, places like BipBip and the Feira Nordestina. Recife too has its musical styles (frevo, etc) and those of the Pernambucano interior in Caruaru for example (the original repentista rappers, forro).
Natural beauty is everywhere: Rio itself, the mountains nearby in Petropolis/Teresopolis, wildlife in the Pantanal, the falls at Iguacu, the Colonial mountian towns in Minas Gerais, Chapada Diamantina, the lakes in the dunes in Maranhao, thousands of miles of gorgeous coastline.....
As for people, you'd better speak Portuguese if you really want to get to know anyone.