Imagine a place bursting with vibrant colors, the rhythmic pulse of music, waterfalls, wildlife, gorgeous people and a contagious zest for life. That’s Brazil in a nutshell. As a first-time visitor, a dash unexpectedly, it was a sensory overload in the best possible way.

Brazil is massive, a continent within a country. You’ll find everything from the lush, wild Amazon rainforest to the sun-kissed beaches of Rio de Janeiro. Expect modern cities next to historic colonial towns, and extreme wealth next to areas of extreme poverty.