In Cidade Maravilhosa, the Marvellous City so nicknamed by its inhabitants, spreads its avenues lined with buildings between dream beaches, granite mountains and a wild tropical forest, the Mata Atlântica. A fascinating landscape shaped by unbridled urbanism and exuberant nature, dominated by the protective statue of Christ the Redeemer at the top of Corcovado. Like the Cariocas, Rio is vibrant and messy, joyful and bright, passionate and boisterous. A plural, mixed city, full of contrasts.

Great metamorphoses have been carried out for the 2016 Olympic Games: a new metro line, a new tramway, a rehabilitated district in Porto Maravilha with two new museums... A modernization that makes the city even more exciting.

But some things will never change in Rio. The beautiful garotas of the uptown Ipanema and Leblon, the joggers and tourists strolling on the sidewalks of Copacabana, the employees in a hurry in the historic centre, the artists who remake the world in the bohemian pavement of Santa Teresa, the party-goers who toast until the morning in the bars of Lapa... Rio will always bring football to the religious dimension, and will always be embodied by the joie de vivre of the Cariocas, ready to celebrate on any occasion.

But above all, you will always hear the immutable rhythm of samba resounding in the streets of Rio, struck by the powerful batucadas and energetically trodden on by beautiful dancers. A musical trance that reaches its climax during its mythical carnival. A popular festival unique in the world, unbridled, unrestrained and colourful.

To get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, you can escape to the seaside resorts of Búzios or Arraial do Cabo on the Costa do Sol, or to the cobbled streets of colonial Paraty. Nature lovers will go to Ilha Grande or hike in the Serra dos Orgãos. Finally, venturing into Minas Gerais, we will discover Ouro Preto and Tiradentes, among other gems of Mineiro Baroque art, and Belo Horizonte, an unmissable capital of modernist and contemporary art. A trip to a mixed, splendid and fascinating Brazil.

The editorial team

THANK YOU. Terra Brazil, Lorraine Coolidge, Pablo Argentino Pacheco, David & Lance, Be a Local Tours, Bel Amaral, Malizia Tours, EasyTransferBrazil, Thiago Mourão, Natacha Fink and Cristiano Nogueira, and all the people who helped us in this survey.