In the years that followed, Búzios became the go-to beach retreat for the rich and famous in South America and around the world. Mick Jagger and his entourage famously made an appearance in 1976, riding through Buzios’ dusty dirt roads in a black limousine.

Today, the dirt roads are paved, and visitors to Búzios on a Brazil vacation will find a world class sea resort that offers the best in boutique shopping, dining, fine arts, ecological attractions, and varied nightlife.  First class amenities set amidst a spectacular beach setting – not for nothing is this charming town known as the Brazilian Saint Tropez and listed among one of Brazil’s top beaches. In recognition of Bardot’s lasting influence, Búzios has a beachfront promenade, known as Orla Bardot, dedicated to the French actress, as well as a bronze statue, a theater, and a café or two.

The tranquil waters of Praia do Armacao with a slice of the Orla Bardot visible on the right.

Búzios’ Beaches

For a vacation in Brazil’s tropical paradise, the key word is praia, which means beach in Portuguese, and the beach is certainly the main attraction on a Búzios tour. Located 105 miles (170 kilometers) northeast of Rio de Janeiro, the town is on a peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. As a result of this geographical attribute, it has 5 miles of undulating coast formed into natural coves and stretches of semi-secluded beaches surrounded by Atlantic forest. Only a 2-hour drive from Rio, Búzios is the ideal weekend getaway to escape from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

A unique characteristic of Búzios beaches is that they receive equatorial currents from the north as well as Antarctic currents from the south. This means that beach-goers are sure to find something to suit their taste in one of the 20 beaches on the peninsula.

The north-facing beaches feature tranquil, crystalline warm waters, while those facing south have larger swells and colder waters. The colder, southern beaches have consistent wind and excellent conditions for surfing, kite surfing, windsurfing, parasailing, and jet skiing, whereas the gentler northern beaches are perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Buzios has two dozen beaches, each with its own unique character and all of them worth a visit.

Among Búzios most popular beaches are Praia da Armação and Ossos, which bookend the center of town; Azeda, accessible via a short hike from the center; Ferradura and Ferradurinha, which offer clear and tranquil waters and swimming pool conditions ideal for kayaking and romantic beach picnics; João Fernandes, with an excellent offering of bars, seafood, and beach parties; and Geribá, which is the go-to spot for surfers and also the site of fabulous New Year’s Eve parties.

Multiple methods exist for exploring Búzios beaches. The quickest is a 3-hour tour in the open air trolley, which starts from the center of town and stops at the 12 of Búzios’ most beautiful beaches as well as 2 lookout points with panoramic views of the peninsula. Visitors with a bit more time to spare have the option taking a guided catamaran tour along the beaches and surrounding islands, with stops for swimming and diving.  Finally, for travelers with their own agenda, a water taxi departs from the main dock and, for about $1 USD per ride, shuttles passengers between the northern beaches.

Búzios Centro

The center of Búzios, with restaurants, shopping, and cultural offerings, is concentrated on a few streets within close proximity to coast. Rua das Pedras, or Stone Street, is the focal point of Buzios’ commerce during both the day and night hours. There are multiple areas, including cafés and tree-shaded benches, ideally suited for people-watching, meeting locals and fellow travelers, and strolling.

Buzios center is the perfect place to relax under the Brazilian sun.

Also in the center of Búzios is the previously mentioned Orla Bardot, which runs between the beaches of Canto and Armação. On this stretch of avenue lined with trees and dotted with gardens and benches, travelers can find the statue of Brigitte Bardot. Sculpted by the artist Christina Motta, the life-size bronze statue of the actress wears a blouse that models the now-ubiquitous Bardot neckline. She sits on her suitcase, sun hat dangling from one hand, and gazes into the distance, no doubt appreciating one of the countless beautiful sunsets that grace this scenic Brazilian town.

Brigitte’s statue on the Orla Bardot. Travelers pose for pictures while sitting on her knees, as a result of which they have become worn.

A visit to Búzios is a must as part of a Brazilian beach vacation To start planning your fully customized Brazil vacation, contact one of our expert travel advisors at Brazil For Less.

Throughout the festival, music and dance literally invade all parts of the city and its inhabitants. Day and night, people gather in the streets to show off their samba moves, musical talents, complicated costumes, and more than anything, to have fun and share their culture and cheerfulness with the rest of the world.

Samba is at the heart of the Rio Carnival. This typical Brazilian dance and music originated in the Afro-Brazilian community in the 17^th, 18^th, and 19^th century, and is now one of the core elements of the Brazilian culture. The term samba derives from the Angolan word “semba” which referred to a type of ritual music in African countries.

During Carnival, all the best samba schools of Rio participate in a contest, the Samba Parade, the highlight of the entire week. Each school represents a specific neighborhood, with its own dances, music, and costumes. They practice for months before the Carnival to make sure they put on the best show in the Sambodromo, a gigantic hall where the parade takes place every year.

Other noteworthy events are the Carnival Balls, which are held in all the most popular venues in the city. The most famous (and expensive) one takes place at the Copacabana Palace, a 5-star luxury resort. If you’re on a budget, there are many other balls to attend, with tickets ranging from $70 to $150. Everyone dresses up in shiny party costumes and come to the ball to dance the night away. There are balls scheduled every night during the length of the Carnival. Check out the official Rio Carnival 2012 website to find the detailed program.

Of course, there are also ways to partake in the festivities without spending too much money. It can be expensive to purchase tickets to the Samba Parade or to the various balls. However, it’s free to enjoy the hundreds of bands and parties that take to the streets every day. Some parties are held in specific places, such as the city’s parks, and others are processions of dancers and merrymakers that just follow bands as they play. The largest street party takes place in Cinelandia Square. And even if you don’t have a ticket to the parade, it’s worth taking a look outside the Sambodromo on parade days as the street is generally packed with people that just want to join in on the fun.

Dancing the passionate tango through the streets of Buenos Aires.

Argentina came in at number seven for best value destinations in 2011, which is no surprise to us.  Argentina pesos make the country an excellent deal for international travelers who can dine on delicious steaks and full-bodies red wines for a fraction of the cost they would pay in their home country.  Unlike in the United States where a nice hotel costs upwards of a few hundred dollars per night, in Argentina chic accommodation doesn’t carry a hefty price tag. Take a look at our Argentina tours for great ideas about how to plan an Argentina vacation for less.

Famous for their passionate tango dances, emulated in most American movies, and by children and adults worldwide, the fact that Argentina came in second for the best place to get your groove on in the world, is less than shocking. And, of course, there is no better city to clasp a rose in your teeth and dance with your love than the vibrant city of Buenos Aires. On a Buenos Aires Tour through the city of tango you can explore the best of Argentina while learning the intricate steps of this romantic dance.

The charming streets of colorful Bahia, Brazil.

Just two spots down the list at number four, Bahia in Brazil also deserves honorable mention.  If rhythmic dance circles, a festive atmosphere, and Afro-Brazilian culture sounds enticing to you, head to the colorful streets of Bahia where some of the finest and most energetic dancing in the world takes place in colonial plazas by moonlight. Created in Brazil by African slaves during the sixteenth century, Capoeira combines dance, music and martial arts. Characterized by broad, sweeping movements, playful sparring, and a whole lot of energy, this is far from your typical ballet and a must-see for travelers on a Salvador de Bahia tour.

For more information about visiting either of these two destinations on your next South America vacation, please contact one of our travel advisors who can help you customize your trip.

Rio de Janeiro's famed beaches.

Brazil has always been a favorite destination in South America and anyone who visits the country quickly realizes why.  Famous for its stunning scenery, lively Carnaval celebrations, and the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Brazil is a fabulous destination in South America.  So, why did it make the list this year rather than the previous year?

Brazil just recently won bids to host the World Cup in 2014 and the Summer Olympics in 2016, which means the country is investing billions of dollars into developing infrastructure. Budget airline companies such as Azul and Jetblue are creating a healthy dose of competition and forcing other airlines to lower their prices.

These relatively new changes will make Brazil travel easier and less expensive for foreign visitors.  Additionally, private corporations are in a flurry to create more hotel rooms in a hurry, which means hotel prices will see a dramatic, although possibly short-term, drop.

Iquitos is often overlooked by travelers to Peru which is a real pity. Iquitos is an enchanting river city in the middle of the Amazon and only accessible by boat or plane. Despite its remote location, the city was part of the rubber boom in the late 1800s and early 1900s when wealthy plantation owners built mansions along the river’s banks. The city currently has a cosmopolitan climate with a mixture of Peruvians, Columbians, and expatriates, as well as a sizzling nightlife.

Iquitos is also one of the best places to begin an Amazon tour. Travelers can spend a few days in Iquitos before venturing into the jungle to stay at a jungle lodge, or take a luxury Amazon River cruise to see wildlife.

The grounds of a jungle lodge near Iquitos.

Situated in northeastern Peru, Iquitos used to be somewhat difficult for travelers to reach. However, Peruvian airlines LAN just recently opened a new direct flight from Cusco to Iquitos which makes it easy for travelers to combine a stay at a jungle lodge with a Machu Picchu tour.

For more information about visiting either of these two destinations on your next South America vacation, please contact one of our travel advisors who can help you customize your trip.

Florianopolis Tours are popular, especially during the high season (December-February), with those who want to enjoy the beach, sun, surfing, water sports like windsurfing and jet skiing, and trendy techno nightclubs that the city of Florianopolis has on tap.

Florianopolis: beach hotspot by day, music clubs by night

Florianopolis, or just Floripa, is a tropical island surrounded by 42 beaches, but it is also a major metropolis. The capital of Santa Catarina state, the island is connected to the mainland by two major suspension bridges, Ponte Hercilio Luz (currently closed for repairs), and Colombo Machado Salles.

The downtown northern part of the Island, nicknamed Brazil’s Silicon Valley is lined with skyscrapers. After work, businesspeople rush to the beaches, especially Jurerê Internacional beach, joined by surfers and other locals to enjoy a relaxing caipirinha and catch a live music show in one of the many nightclubs.

During the off-season (March-November), the Lagoa da Conceição, the lagoon in the center of the island, is the most popular night hotspot due to the warmer climate inland.

Only a short walk from the bus station that connects you will the island in the Lagoa area, there is a main club strip that is lined with bar and clubs open till the early hours playing Brazilian samba as well as modern hits. Its trendy nightclubs are also popular year-round.

Check in surf shops and ask the locals about theme music nights, special events, and house parties. There’s always something happening in Florianopolis.

Best Florianopolis nightclubs on Jurerê Internacional

El Divino Beach: covered patios with lounge chairs and couches with an extensive menu at this upscale beach club, the sister of the sophisticated El Divino Lounge

Posh: located in Music Park, a huge concert arena, Posh is the place where celebrity DJs comes to spin

Pacha: megaclub also located in Music Park

Cafe de la Musique:  Japanese, Italian, and contemporary cuisine is on the menu at this hip dining club

Best Florianopolis nightclubs on Lagoa da Conceição

Confraria das Artes: trendy villa with a view over the Lagoon. Live music and dancing.

Circuit: extremely popular electronic music club

Latitude 27: popular with the younger crowd, a large club with live music and good drinks.

Vecchio Giorgio: a bar with live music and good food, including a oven-baked pizzas

Taiko: beachfront grill, restaurant, and club

Best Florianopolis nightclubs downtown

El Divino Lounge: it doesn´t get more sophisticated than chandeliers, purple laser lighting, retro-mod couches, and top-spinning DJs. This renovated shipyard has a lounge, restaurant, and sushi bar.

Café Cancun: three bars, a restaurant with covered patio, and dancing

Just inland from Rio de Janeiro, and nestled high in the Serra dos Orgãos mountians, Petropolis hosts Bauernfest, a week-long festival to celebrate their German heritage. The borough was colonized in the 1840s by farmers from the German Rhineland.

Prost! Down a stein of beer at the Bauernfest in Petropolis, Brazil

To get to the Heart of the Carioca, to experience the rich diversity of Rio de Janeiro life, wanderlusts must travel to Petropolis, the summer place of the emperor of Brazil, Dom Pedro II. Now the palace is a museum, whose crowning artifact is the imperial crown – studded with over 600 diamonds and pearls.

Droves of folk dancers in lederhosen will parade down the streets lined with Bavarian clapboard houses and shops, and past the neo-gothic steeple of Cathedral of Saint Peter of Alcântara. Kinder choirs, train rides, and a German film festival will all be on tap for those wanting to capture the zeitgeist of this charming summer resort town.

The opening ceremony is on June 25 with the mayor, his entourage, and the infantry marching out of the Crystal Palace. But the fun begins even before then, on the 19^th, with the election of the festival Queen and Princess.

Throughout the week, celebrants can enjoy sauerkraut, streudal, bratwurst, frankfurter, and other German delicacies, along with plenty of the finest Alpine beer. Plus, the World Cup games will be televised in many a beer garden.

Ilha Grande, the grand island just off the coast of Brazil between Rio de Janerio and São Paulo, is for you. Escape the busy citylife to experience a Brazil hotel you can almost call your own.

The main town on tropical Ilha Grande, Brazil

Surrounded by pristine beaches and a crisp blue ocean, the island and the surrounding ocean are part of the Ilha Grande National Park. The center of the island is filled with a rich range of wildlife and some of Brazil’s last remaining Atlantic rainforest.

The island is only accessible by boat and, except for the local ambulance, no cars are allowed. The best way to get around is to hike: there are over 150km of hiking trails snaking through jungle vegetation, deserted beaches, freshwater pools, and spectacular waterfalls.

The eastern coastline is exposed to the Atlantic, and its waves are popular with surfers and body boarders. The rough seas have also claimed a number of vessels in the years since colonization; these wrecks are now visited by many scuba diving schools. A yacht tour is another excellent way to explore the beaches surrounding this beautiful island.

The town of Abraão faces the port of Angra dos Reis on the Brazilian mainland, and the majority of ferries between the mainland and the island dock in this port.

In Abraão you will find some excellent restaurants and bars that are great to explore as the sun sets on this pristine island. You will also find posadas, a type of Brazilian hotel room. It is essentially an en suite room in a family-styled home.

For visitors looking for more luxury it is possible to stay in one of the many luxury eco-hotels outside of town. These are only accessible by private boat from the hotel.

Abraão has almost the typical tourist services, but be warned, internet connectivity is limited and credit cards are not widely accepted.

Visitors to Ilha Grande are privileged to experience such a unique environment. Be prepared to relax, explore and experience one of the best places that Brazil has to offer.

Rio’s selection, beating fierce competition from tough rivals Chicago, Madrid and Tokyo, means that the Olympics, one of the world’s best known and most watched events, will be held in South America for the first time, confirming Rio’s status as a truly global city.

The classic view of Rio de Janeiro, host to the 2016 Olympics

Known by locals as ‘The Marvelous’ city, Rio is one of the most stunning cities on Earth. Set between steep cliffs and blue ocean and surrounded by tropical, forest clad hills, there cannot be a more dramatic place to stage the epic drama of the Summer Olympics.

But the 2016 Olympics are just one piece of what will be Brazil’s decade of sport. The nation has also been selected as host for the 2014 World Cup, marking the return of the tournament to South America for the first time since 1978.

With the world’s two biggest sporting events coming to Brazil, there may not be a better time to start thinking about a Brazil vacation. For inspiration and advice on visiting the Marvelous City, browse the free Brazil Travel Guide, recently published by the Brazil travel experts at Brazil For Less.