Maybe it's just me, but I find Brazil to be awesome and amazing...and I know I'm not the only one feels this way.

Jeff: why do you suggest Brazil (and others)before Paraguay?

Quite obviously, Brazil is a lot farther from the U.S. than Mexico and countries in Central America. Plus, the country is huge, tourist destinations can be far apart, in a sense it is like the U.S. or Australia--it is not cheap to get from the north to the south, for example. It is expensive and time consuming to get to Brazil and to travel around while you are there. And now a Brazilian visa cost U.S. citizens $130 (of course, it is valid for five years).

I spent a year in Brazil and traveled to many different touristic and non-touristic areas, but still missed many. I returned for a month last year and saw some of those I missed the last time and I STILL haven't seen a lot of the country's tourism highlights, including the Amazon or the scuba divers' paradise of Fernando de Neronha, but I hope to return and see these places.

I suppose if I had just traveled to Rio and Sao Paulo, I could have formed a very negative impression of Brazil, especially if the U.S. dollar-Brazilian real exchange rate was not in my favor and I, therefore, found everything expensive. But if you are traveling to Brazil for tourism, you can try to wait until the exchange rate is in your favor (now, for instance). Also, you needn't travel to Sao Paulo, as it should never be a first choice for any tourist (but maybe a priority for those with family or friends there). I spent several months in Sao Paulo and grew to like many aspects of life there, including its many cultural activities, like dance, theater and musical performances, and its unique blend of immigrants, and its proximity to more serene places, but I could see how Sao Paulo might be an acquired taste. I certainly would not choose to return.

But I love Florianopolis and Santa Catarina, Recife and Salvador, the colonial towns of Minas Gerais, the gorgeous beaches of Ceara, the wildlife of the Pantanal, the awesome splendor of Iguacu Falls, and Rio de Janeiro, which, in my opinion, is one of the world's most beautiful cities. It is hectic, but most cities of this size are. Plus, there is poverty and crime in Rio, as the city reflects the great inequalities that still plague Brazil. Any tourist who thinks they might not want to encounter this reality should avoid or minimize time in Rio and some of the Brazil's other large cities.
There are many parts of Brazil where this reality will not hit you quite as hard.
The language was never a problem for me. Wherever I go, I try to learn the language, starting with a few words and phrases and moving on from there. The great thing about Brazil is folks were always helpful in trying to correct my Portuguese, and in teaching me new words and phrases. You can't say this about every nationality.

Well said. bsvirginian

Yes- very well said. I appreciate your answer - and all the responses to this post - positive and not so.
My first trip will be to Rio - possibly next year, - not for Carnaval but just before to catch the upbeat spirit and preparations. Maybe try a language school for a few lessons and to meet people who share my interest in language (I am learning on my own), - and then...we'll see. I am a solo traveler and a city girl!(I'll be the palest little person on the beach...)
Jess 215

Jess, I have a language learning tip for you, which may or may not prove helpful to you. But I thought I would pass this on anyhow, as this really helped me.
Before I traveled to Brazil, I listened to a lot of Brazilian vocal music, and would follow along by reading the Portuguese words and their English translation (back in the days of records, Brazilian LPs often included the Portuguese lyrics and their English translation). Because I enjoy Brazilian music, I found this an easy way of learning the language. DVDs don't usually include lyrics, but you can usually find song lyrics on the Internet for free. Just by listening to the same songs over and over again while reading the Portuguese words and their English translation, and by starting to sing along, you'll begin to recognize common words and phrases, and moreover, develop and ear for the language--because some of the sounds are unfamiliar to English speakers, such as -ão (as in São Paulo) -im (as in o fim, meaning "the end") or -am (as in falam, meaning "they speak"), and so on.
Learning about the music also helped me gain a sense for the cultural history of the country, as music means so much to Brazilians. If you start to learn a bit about Brazilian popular music, this will give you another thing to talk about with the Brazilians you meet. I've never met a Brazilian who didn't have strong opinions and feelings about Brazilian music! And a ton of recommendations! It is a great source of pride for them and they know it is one of their greatest contributions to world culture, like Americans with jazz, soul or rock 'n' roll, or the British with the Beatles and the Stones, U2 or Sting.
When I traveled to Brazil for the first time in my twenties, I was also alone, and I traveled all around the country by bus. I never felt threatened. Of course, I used my city-girl common sense, keeping my wits about me while staying open to meeting new people. I am sure you will, too.
Though I wasn't the palest person on the beach, I was the only young woman with a one-piece swimsuit--and thus a very strange sight indeed! Make sure you wear a bikini to the beach, the tinier, the better for blending in.

Nonstop, there's nothing wrong with Paraguay. It just doesn't have as much to see or do as the other countries. My tourist trips there have all been side trips from Argentina or Brazil.

Yes-for me it is all about the music! I listen a lot to Pandora's Brazilian station. Also, many lyrics can be found on the internet.
Transparent Language has some free software, with audio, which I have also been using. The Brazilian Portuguese is very helpful, although much of the music is sung with what I beleive is a Carioca accent - with sh for s - that nobody's software teaches.
I test drove Pimsleur and they seem to teach o senhor/a senhora instead of voce? Question for you Brazilians out there - do you NOT say voce to strangers? And "old people" - is it not insulting for one adult to treat another adult as an OLD person?
Jess

Great suggestion from Diamantina, for learning Portuguese. I particuarly like Marissa Monte who sings very clearly.

I also find it useful listening to the news in Portuguese. There are podcasts that can be downloaded from this Australian multicultural broadcaster:

http://media.sbs.com.au/audio///port...090214-a97.mp3