Brazil is such a huge country that deciding where to visit while on a Brazil tour can be challenging. The size of the continental United States and with a varied geography that encompasses everything from the deep, dense Amazon rain, modern urban metropolises, and, of course, many stretches of sandy beaches, means vacation options are nearly endless. However, if you only have a week or so in Brazil, you’ll probably want to check out the highlights. Here are two places you should definitely visit on a package from South America to Brazil.
Rio de Janeiro. You cannot think of Brazil without thinking of Rio de Janeiro. Although this famous city is not the capital of the country, it is one of the most vibrant and diverse cities in all of South America. With a surprisingly efficient and clean transportation system, it’s easy to explore every corner of this city, nestled between lush, semi-tropical mountains and some of the world’s most famous beaches. The Christ the Redeemer is located in Rio and was recently named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. The statue can be seen from miles away and appears on top of apartment buildings when you least expect it. And of course, the view of the city from above is remarkable. However, it can be argued that an even better view can be seen from the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, which is right along the ocean and is perfect for watching the sunset between Christ the Redeemer.
iguazu. Although Rio de Janeiro is impressive for both its natural and man-made attractions, Iguazu Falls is pure natural majesty. Located where the borders of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay meet, Iguazú is quite isolated but well worth the extra trip. A cascade of 275 individual falls combine to make this impressive waterfall panorama. The falls can be visited from both Brazil and Argentina, although keep in mind that to visit the Brazilian side you need a visa if you are from the United States, Canada or Argentina, and you must have this visa before your trip to Brazil. The Argentine side is more extensive, with two main routes called the Superior and Inferior circuits. On the Brazil side, you get better overviews of the falls from the other side of the river, and hike near the bottom of the falls.