Beaches and palm trees, Samba music playing day and night, caipirinhas on repeat, endless days of partying... the stereotypes of Rio de Janeiro, and more broadly of Brazil, sure are deeply imprinted in the popular imagination. But they sure are reductive, as well. Brasil - yes, with an S -  is a whole world within a single country, and no other destination can quite match it for geographic variety and biodiversity. The Amazon and the Atlantic rainforests, the Pantanal wetlands, the Lençóis Maranhenses desert with its crystal clear lagoons, several of the world's greatest waterfalls, 700 mammal species, 3,000 freshwater fishes, and 55,000 plant species... and of course those 7500 km of beaches. Phew! Layer on top of all that the diversity of its cultures, the archetypal melting pot of the food, habits, lifestyles and languages of native Indigenous, Africans, and Europeans who form the Brazilian people. 

Expansive as it is, Brazil can offer many distinct types of trip depending on what you're seeking, and it can be a tricky place to set the balance between trying to fit too much in and focusing on a small area. Narrowing down the many options is the first task. In addition, many of the best places in Brazil take some time to reach—it seems to be a rule of thumb in Brazil that the more remote and difficult a beach villa or hotel is to get to, the more fabulous it is. These are the planning challenges we love to tackle, and nowhere more than the beguiling country of Brazil.

Brazil is a year-round destination because there are so many micro-climates; different regions peak in different times. In the Pantanal, it’s best to visit during the dry season, from May to October. In southern Brazil the best time is between September and March. The busiest time for tourism is between Christmas and Carnival (February/March), but it can get very hot and rainy in December, so it isn’t always the best choice.

Within its vast geographic range, Brazil offers everything from basic beach cabanas to sleek city hotels. In Rio or São Paulo you can find the country's top luxury properties, the best of them being Brazilian owned. In the Pantanal, a few lodges and fazendas (working farms) can host you for safari, and in small towns or on the beach you will find plenty of pousadas—the Brazilian equivalent of the B&B. There are many lesser-known properties running notable conservation projects in the lesser-known corners of the country, ideal for those looking to really go off the beaten track. Service is generally good and often much less transactional and much more hospitable, but not necessarily highly polished, so you’ll need to be ready to go with the flow in some cases.

Hike Sugarloaf Mountain — Sure, you could take the cable car to the summit, but the more adventurous will feel they've earned the view after climbing it themselves with our local guide.

Elevate your foodie game — Brazil has as many cuisines as a 220 million people country can have. São Paulo has some of the best restaurants in the country and it's also the place for sushi since it's home to the largest Japanese community outside of Japan. Rio is great for a Brazilian version of Portuguese food and for boteco experience - the most laid-back kind of bar. Bahia screams flavor, and that's where the African influence can be mostly perceived in food. Minas Gerais is known for its homemade meals still prepared on wooden stoves, and for the unforgettable pão de queijo, while the Northeast and the Amazon are the best spots for fresh fish, seafood, tapioca, and the real açaí bowls!

Spot jaguars — With many successful conservation projects being run in the country for the past 15 years the chances of spotting rare wildlife including creatures as fast and sneaky as jaguars are high.

Private boat in the Amazon — A longtime favourite around here, the Tupaiú boat is owned by a great friend of Trufflepig, who runs the most immersive, sustainable (and private) trips in the Brazilian Amazon.

A lagoon to call yours — The closest thing to Lençóis Maranhenses would be Socotra Island in Yemen. Nothing to do with the landscape but rather the uniqueness of this destination. At sunset it looks like another planet, not quite Mars but close. And when the sun is up it really just looks like paradise. We know our way around and can find you a crystal clear 3m deep lagoon to call yours so you can swim in peace and quiet.