Brazil Things to do

Swim in beautiful lakes hidden between sand dunes at Lencois Maranhenses National Park. The giant desert dunes get filled with water during the rainy season, turning into hundreds of super warm freshwater pools.

Enjoy a thrilling jump into the small but deep Buraco do Galego swimming hole, in Fernando de Noronha, an archipelago of islands off Brazil's eastern coast.

Fool your Instagram followers by snapping a sneaky pic at Pedra do Telegrafo, a dangerous-looking cliff overhanging the ocean — that in reality has solid ground underneath.

Visit Rio's slums, which are known as favelas and are vibrant communities in their own right. For a different experience of the city, stay in a favela hostel or visit a favela bar — many favelas are perfectly safe to visit (but make sure before you go).

Rent a surfboard and hang 10 at Praia do Rosa, a surf paradise on the southern coast of Brazil that's still a little off the beaten path.

Climb the 215 colorful Selaron Steps, a world-famous staircase that straddles the Lapa and Santa Teresa neighborhoods of Rio, and that consists of 2, 000 tiles.

Take a quick boat ride out to the mostly undeveloped Ilha Grande, about a half hour from Rio's coast. Small-scale tourism is gaining traction here, and there are beautiful hikes, hidden beaches, and small fishing towns to explore. Check out Lopes Mendes, a stunning beach only accessible by three-hour hike.