From colorful Carnival to iconic beaches to a thriving nightlife scene, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo offer terrific experiences that should be on every traveler’s list. Here are Fodor’s top picks for a memorable trip.
Carnival in Rio
Brazilians can throw a party like no one else, and Rio’s Carnival is the biggest party of the year—a raucous bacchanal of music, drink, and flesh.
PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor's Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide
Museu de Arte de São Paulo
In a city renowned for its thriving arts scene, the Museu de Arte holds São Paulo’s premier fine-arts collection.
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Brazilian Beats
Music is woven into the fabric of Brazilian life, and no trip here is complete without catching a live show, whether samba, bossa nova, axé, or forró.
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Ilhabela
Residents and tourists alike flock to the “beautiful island” of Ilhabela, near São Paulo, for its postcard-perfect beaches and water sports.
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Copacabana and Ipanema Beaches
Slip into your beachwear for a day of sunbathing and people-watching on Copacabana and Ipanema, Brazil’s most iconic beaches.
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Food and Drink
From spit-roasted meats to black bean stews, the cuisines in Rio and São Paulo pair well with a caipirinha, the national cocktail.
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São Paulo Nightlife
São Paulo’s nightlife options are seemingly endless and prove worthy venues for even the feistiest nighthawk.
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Sugar Loaf Mountain
Brave the dizzying cable car ride up to the peak of Sugar Loaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro. Try to make the ascent in the late afternoon to catch breathtaking sunset views.
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Búzios
Less than three hours from Rio, this former fishing village counts pristine beaches, calm waters, lively nightlife, and sophisticated shopping among its many charms.
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Soccer Matches
Soccer is a national passion and an art form in Brazil. It’s a blast to sit among thousands of cheering, chanting fans in one of the country’s iconic stadiums.
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Christ the Redeemer Statue
Don’t leave Rio without making a trip to the statue of Christ the Redeemer, arms outstretched to embrace the city from its perch on Corcovado Mountain.
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Paraty
The coastal town of Paraty, southwest of Rio, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has one of the most perfectly preserved colonial Portuguese centers in Brazil.
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