Discover Brazil

The golden beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, the outstretched Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado and Sugarloaf Mountain with its cable car define Rio's skyline. Set between mountains, rainforest and Atlantic coastline, the city is considered one of the most beautiful in the world and embodies Brazil's relaxed way of life like no other.

The largest rainforest on Earth is home to an unmatched diversity of animal and plant species and is considered the planet's "green lung." Boat tours from Manaus lead deep into the jungle, to treetop walkways, night caiman spotting and indigenous communities that have lived in harmony with the river for generations.

One of the largest and most impressive waterfall systems in the world sits on the border with Argentina, with nearly 300 individual falls spanning over two kilometers. A UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, Iguaçu is considered by many even more spectacular than Niagara Falls — surrounded by dense subtropical rainforest full of birdlife.

Rio's Carnival is the world's biggest street festival — samba schools compete in the Sambódromo with lavish costumes and floats for the title. Even outside carnival season, Salvador da Bahia captivates with live music, capoeira performances and a vibrant Afro-Brazilian culture that reflects Brazil's musical heart.

Direct flights go to São Paulo (Guarulhos) or Rio de Janeiro (Galeão), often connecting through Lisbon or Madrid. Flight time from Zurich is about 11 to 12 hours. From the major hubs, domestic flights conveniently reach the Amazon, Iguaçu or the northeastern beaches.

Portuguese is Brazil's sole official language and sounds noticeably different from European Portuguese. In tourist hotspots like Rio or Iguaçu, English or Spanish is sometimes understood, but it's less useful away from the big cities and resorts.

The dry season from May to October is ideal for most regions, as humidity is lower and temperatures more pleasant. The world-famous Carnival takes place in February or March — flight and hotel prices, as well as crowds in Rio, peak during this time.

Prices in Brazil are generally moderate: hotels and restaurants outside the big metropolises are often cheaper than in Western Europe. Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, however, are among South America's pricier cities, especially during Carnival and in popular coastal neighborhoods like Ipanema.