Iconic and recognisable the world over, Rio de Janeiro’s bay front setting in the shadow of Sugar Loaf Mountain is a destination to be found on many a bucket list. Its beaches evoke a colourful past: Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon all attract tourists by the thousand. Visit during the riotous carnival to experience this playful city in full-on party mode.

Inviting Paraty, its fortune made during the Brazilian Gold Rush, is a gem of a city. Surrounded by verdant forests, gorgeous waterfalls, idyllic offshore islands and a mesmerizing emerald-green sea visitors can dive, dance, snorkel, kayak and sightsee in this attractive locale.. Be sure to join the Bloco da Lama, held at the far end of Jabaquara Beach the Saturday before Carnival, where it’s the done thing to cover yourself in mud and sing with the locals.

Located off the coast west of Rio de Janeiro, Ilha Grande is with a sleepy place, the little traffic there isheading for its main settlement, Vila do Abraão. Once a pirate’s den, later a leper colony and a penitentiary, all that’s left are some ruins and one of the most visually stunning backdrops in all of Brazil.

Named after a spiny bromeliad, the caraguatá, Caraguatatuba (aka Caraguá) can be found near São Paulo, Brazil. Join the exodus from the city and head to Santo Antônio Hill which sports a flight deck for those with a keen sense of adventure. Try hang gliding and paragliding. If that all sounds just a little too scary, there are plenty of excellent beaches in the area as well.