Traditional cuisine

Churrasco or barbecued meat reigns strong in Brazil, is served in generous portions, and can be eaten to celebrate almost any occasion. When savored in a restaurant, barbecued pork, lamb, or even wild boar will likely be served on skewers. Hot clay pots of moqueca (fish stew with onions, tomatoes and coriander) are a firm favorite, as is feijoada (a filling stew comprised of sausages, pork and black beans). Farafo brings fried cassava flour to life with egg, bacon and all manner of extras, eaten with beans or rice. Fried savory delights feature heavily in Brazil and include: acarajé, which is a patty of black-eyed peas and onions, deep-fried and stuffed with shrimps, bread, cashew nuts and other fillings; pastéis – crispy pastry parcels with melted cheese or beef inside; and mandioca frita – fried yucca sticks.

Desserts are just as divine, pleasing everyone from chocolate-lovers - with pavé (a cake layered with cookies and chocolate) and brigadeiro (condensed milk chocolate truffles) - to ice-cream fans, with créme de papaya (a papaya and vanilla ice-cream blend). Other delicious treats that are available all over Brazil are quindim (a yellow-colored baked coconut dessert, containing eggs, sugar and often butter too), beijinho de coco (coconut truffles), and bolinho de chuva (fried dough balls covered in cinnamon and sugar). Tropical fruits such as açai berries, jabuticabas (similar to grapes), maracujá (passion fruit), guavas, caju apples, guaranas (very sweet berries), papayas, pineapples, carambola (star fruit) and cupuaçu (related to the cacoa fruit but tasting quite like a pear), find their way into desserts, sorbets, sauces and drinks. 

Traditional beverages

The former capital city of Rio de Janeiro offers spectacular sightseeing opportunities. Sugarloaf Mountain is a great place to start a Brazilian adventure and can be accessed via cable car. At a height of 220 metres above sea level, spectacular views of lush forests, majestic mountains and glorious beaches await you at the top. In contrast, deep within Rio's favelas, of which there are over 1,000 in total, a different side of Brazil can be experienced, amid its cascades of shanty towns that cover the city's hillsides. Observing the typical lifestyle of those living in a favela gives perspective on the Brazilian community and way of life.

Outside of Rio, taking the train up Corcovado Hill, leads to the open arms of Christ the Redeemer – a 38-metre-tall statue that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and stands at a mighty 710 metres above sea level.

Landscape and wildlife

A massive 60% of the Amazon Rainforest is located in the north of Brazil, which contrasts greatly from the swamp areas in the central-west, the coastal plains, and the campos (dry grasslands) in the south. These highly varied landscapes result in richly diverse wildlife. Brazil is inhabited by all sorts of creatures, including anteaters, armadillos, sloths, monkeys, otters, deer, caimans, snakes, foxes, wolves, raccoons, tapirs, jaguars and pumas.

With over 70 National Parks, Itatiaia, Pantanal Matogrossense, Lencois Maranhenses, Iguacu, and Chapada Diamantina National Parks are among the most beautiful. In terms of marine life, this stunning country has an enormous coral reef and beautiful mammals such as whales, dolphins, manatees, and five types of sea turtle all living around its coastline.