Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is the seductively friendly and hedonistic city of eastern Brazil. It is well known for its carnival atmosphere, stunning location between lush, forested mountains and breathtaking golden beaches, most famously Copacabana.

The symbols of Sugar Loaf Mountain and the statue of Christ the Redeemer are known worldwide, but other natural attractions include the botanical gardens and Tijuca National Park, the last remnant of the Atlantic rainforest that once surrounded the city. Here, you can walk on well-trodden trails through a dripping green forest full of creeks, caves and waterfalls – home to many different species including iguanas and monkeys.