Christ the Redeemer
In the middle of the 19th century, a Vincentian priest, Pedro Maria Boss, had an idea. He thought that a Christian monument, placed on Corcovado Mountain, would be not just a powerful symbol of the country’s strong religious heritage, but also a great honor to Princess Isabel, daughter of the Emperor.
It took nearly 80 years for his vision to be realized, but in 1931, it was finally accomplished. A Brazilian engineer, Heitor de Silva Costa, along with a French sculptor, Paul Landowski, turned Pedro’s idea into a reality, in the form of Christ the Redeemer. The Rio de Janeiro statue sits atop Corcovado Mountain, as originally intended, standing nearly 100 feet tall with arms spread more than 90 feet wide.
The beauty of the structure, combined with the engineering ingenuity required to build it, has led it to be honored as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Today, visitors flock to the landmark, which is not only an attraction in its own right, but is also surrounded by gorgeous views of Rio de Janeiro.
Hike to Iguazu Falls
Interested in checking out Brazil waterfalls? Look no further than Iguacu National Park, designated a UNESCO world heritage site in 1987. Along with Iguazu National Park in Argentina, it shares the Iguazu River, which creates approximately 275 waterfalls and distinct islands.
Iguazu has the sixth-greatest average annual flow of any waterfall, 1,746 cubic meters. At its highest point, it is 269 feet tall, and has a total width of 1.7 miles. As it is in a tropical area, it is also recommended for those who wish to see rare wildlife, including spotted jaguars, prego monkeys, coral snakes and toucans.
For an added thrill, visitors are well-advised to journey into the long and narrow chasm called Garganta del Diablo, or, in English, the Devil’s Throat. Roughly half the of flow from the Iguazu River empties into the long, narrow chasm, creating a U-shaped rush of water that is as exhilarating as it is scenic.
Soak up the Sun at Paraty Beach
What would a trip to Brazil be without getting into the water? The beaches of Brazil are world-renowned for their clear waters and pristine sand. For one of the best beaches, look no further than Paraty. As it is just a three-hour drive from the city, it makes the perfect day trip from Rio de Janeiro, an opportunity to slip out from the hubbub and get in some relaxation.
The town of Paraty, where the beach is located, is a small fishing village with a big cultural impact. Historically a producer of sugar cane, the area today stands as a testament to beautifully-preserved architecture, charming cafes and rustic cobblestone streets. In fact, so wonderful was the preservation that the whole town has been designated a UNESCO cultural site.
The beach itself has a hip, buzzy bar vibe, filled with laid-back people who want nothing more than tranquility and goodwill. Sail out to a few of the islands for truly great snorkeling, diving and sightseeing.
Tour the Amazon for Incredible Wildlife
There is no parallel for the biodiversity on display in the Amazon rainforest. As a whole, wet tropical forests are the species-rich of all biomes, and as the largest such tract in the Americas, the Amazon jungle has a range of creatures that have to be seen to be believed.
The Amazon is the largest grouping of flora and fauna in the entire world. In fact, 10 percent of all species lives in this forest, including 427 kinds of mammals, 428 amphibians, 378 reptiles and an astonishing 2.5 million unique insect varieties. The Amazon River, which winds its way through the forest, is home to more than 2,000 different kinds of fish, with one in every five extant species of fish represented.
The Amazon is home to a number of unusual creatures that can be found in few other places. For example, visitors can marvel at the Fishing Bat, the only bat in the entire world with the ability to fish for its food, or the Jesus Lizard, which can scamper away from predators by walking along the surface of a pond or stream.
Party at Carnival's Winner's Parade
More than anything, Brazil Carnival is a celebration of togetherness and goodwill. Perhaps the best example of that spirit is the Winner’s Parade, which happens on the Saturday following the main event.
Every year, the best samba school, along with five runners-up, get to take part in a special Carnival-related celebration. Since there is no longer a competition, those in this parade are free to have fun with their dancing, showcasing a good humor and lightness that represents the heart of the dance. Anybody who is interested in learning what it really means to samba would be well-advised to make the trip, as it is one of the most natural, organic and free-spirited exhibitions anywhere in the world.