Things to do in Brazil

Take the cog railway up Corcovado mountain before dawn and watch the sun illuminate Rio de Janeiro's iconic 30-metre Art Deco statue with sweeping views over Guanabara Bay.

Walk the catwalks out over the thundering 82-metre Devil's Throat, where 14 falls converge in a permanent wall of mist on the Argentine–Brazilian border.

Join the Monday and Friday night roda de samba beneath the historic salt stone in the port neighborhood of Saúde, birthplace of Brazilian samba.

Take a riverboat from Manaus into the world's largest tropical rainforest, spotting pink river dolphins, caimans and howler monkeys on guided jungle treks.

Watch the dark Rio Negro and sandy Amazon River flow side by side without mixing for nearly six kilometres, a striking natural phenomenon visible by boat from Manaus.

Marvel at the pink Renaissance Revival opera house built during the 1890s rubber boom, with its dome covered in 36,000 ceramic tiles in the colours of the Brazilian flag.

Ride the glass-walled cable car up Pão de Açúcar for panoramic views of Copacabana, Niterói and the setting sun behind Rio's jagged peaks.

Try the deep-fried black-eyed-pea fritter stuffed with vatapá and dried shrimp, prepared by Baiana cooks in traditional white lace costumes.

Stroll through Salvador's UNESCO-listed historic centre, past pastel-coloured colonial buildings, baroque churches and street musicians playing Afro-Brazilian rhythms.

Launch from Pedra Bonita and soar over the Atlantic forest canopy, landing on the sands of Pepino Beach with views of Tijuca Forest and the coastline.

Wander 140 hectares of botanical gardens dotted with large-scale contemporary art installations by artists like Yayoi Kusama, Olafur Eliasson and Hélio Oiticica.

Admire the baroque masterpieces of Aleijadinho carved in soapstone at São Francisco de Assis and other 18th-century churches in this hillside mining town.

Watch elite samba schools parade their elaborate floats and thousands of dancers in sequined costumes down the purpose-built Sambadrome in central Rio.

Glide down towering white sand dunes and then cool off in the turquoise freshwater lagoons that form between them during the rainy season.

Sit at a beachside kiosk with your feet in the sand and sip the classic cocktail of cachaça, lime, sugar and ice while watching volleyball and footvolley games.

Stand under the iconic suspended concrete and glass box on Paulista Avenue, housing one of Latin America's finest collections of European and Brazilian art.

Order the weekend black-bean-and-pork stew served with rice, farofa, couve and orange slices at this beloved neighbourhood bar in Rio's hilltop arts district.

Float face-down in the impossibly clear Rio da Prata or Rio Sucuri, drifting over schools of golden dorado fish in water with 50-metre visibility.

Learn about the history and cultural contributions of African-descended Brazilians through artifacts, religious objects and contemporary art in this São Paulo museum.

Wander Beco do Batman (Batman Alley) and surrounding lanes where every wall and staircase is covered in vibrant murals and graffiti by top Brazilian street artists.

Take a horseback or boat safari through the world's largest tropical wetland to spot jaguars, giant anteaters, hyacinth macaws and capybaras in the wild.

Ride the historic Santa Teresa tram across the 18th-century Carioca Aqueduct and into the bohemian hilltop neighbourhood, passing pastel mansions and lively bars.

Start the morning with the addictive, crispy-on-the-outside, chewy-on-the-inside cheese bread made from cassava flour and Minas cheese at a padaria counter.

Walk through the crumbling but gorgeous azulejo-tiled Portuguese colonial facades of the UNESCO-listed historic centre on this island capital of Maranhão.

Soar above the rolling agricultural landscape of northwestern São Paulo state, then visit the massive hot-spring-powered Thermas dos Laranjais water park.