With the magnificent Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado gazing over the city, the azure sea below and jungle-clad mountains in the background, the views of the Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvellous City) are little short of breathtaking. Come to Rio and experience one of South America’s most vibrant and stunningly beautiful cities.

Good time to visit: all year round

Sights

At its heart, Rio is truly a beach city with some of the most famous stretches of sand in the world such as Ipanema and Copacabana. You can spend the day here and enjoy the sun and the warm tropical waters, and with excellent nightlife on offer and a huge variety of bars, restaurants and clubs there is something to suit all tastes. Here you can feel the energy in a riot of colour and festivity and join in on the party at the annual Carnaval celebrations. Or if you are looking for something a little more refined, a night out at the elegant Teatro Municipal is a must.

Just south of the city lies Paratí, among the prettiest and best preserved colonial towns in Brazil. The town is also a great base to explore the Costa Verde’s islands and beaches. And to the east lies Buziós, “Brazil’s St Tropez”, a place of great natural beauty, it is the place to see and be seen. And finally to the north lies Ouro Preto with its beautiful Baroque churches nestled in the foothill of Minas Gerais.