With a population of 193 million, Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world, both in population and geographically. This country of samba, soccer and Carnival is an all-year party of explosive joy and spontaneity. Hundreds of tropical beaches from the chic to the secluded line the world’s longest coastline with beautiful resorts like Buzios and Ilha Grande.

The Brazilian wonders of nature are endless, but must-sees include the Amazon Rain Forest; the Pantanal - the world's largest freshwater wetland, and Iguassu Falls - a group of 275 individual waterfalls that defy the imagination. African and European cultures mix in the swaying rhythms of Salvador in Bahia, baroque churches climb above colonial towns in the central highlands while nearby stands the capital Brasilia, a monument to the future.

And, of course, there is Rio - simply one of the most beautiful and sensual cities in the world. Brazil’s people are famously warm-hearted, informal and friendly. Dining out is low-priced and fun, with ‘Buffet by the Kilo’ (food charged by weight) a popular option.

Brazil's weather varies widely from north to south; the inland plateaus, including cities such as Belo Horizonte and Brasilia enjoy a rather mild climate, while the coastal cities of the east and southeast, like Salvador and Rio de Janeiro, are much warmer. The northeastern area is the hottest region in the country, where summer temperatures exceeding 100°F are common.

In the far south, conditions are subtropical, with frequent frosts in winter. The entire Amazon River basin region is hot and humid throughout the entire year, with an average annual temperature of 81°F (27°C) and more than 115 inches of rain per year. Generally, the seasons in Brazil are the opposite of those in Europe. 

Bus
Bus travel in Brazil is comfortable, efficient, and affordable. The only problem is, the distance you will have to cover to get from one place to another. You can pre book your tickets and reserve a seat. All buses are non-smoking, and in most cases people adhere to the regulations. On many popular routes travellers can opt for a deluxe coach with air-conditioning and leito (seats that recline almost flat).

Car
Car rentals are expensive, and the distances are huge for example travelling from Recife to Brasilia is about 2,121km or travelling from Salvador to Rio is 1,800km. There is no point in renting a car if you are within a city, as it is easy to get around either by local bus, taxi, walking or trains. However there are occasions when a car maybe necessary such as a trip to the mountain resorts of Rio, a visit to the historic towns of Minas Gerais, or a drive to the Chapada dos Guimarães, which is outside of Cuiabá.

Plane
If you are travelling large distances in Brazil there is the option of purchasing an air pass with Tam. The pass gives you four flights to use within a 21-day period. Air passes need to be purchased and booked outside of Brazil. Make sure you plan your trip as carefully as possible as only a limited amount of changes are allowed once you arrive in the country. Although if you only plan to fly to one or two destinations it maybe cheaper to buy the flights as a single journey rather than the package.