Brazil

Sugarloaf Mountain’s cable car offers a dramatic ascent for sweeping views over Guanabara Bay and the city’s beaches. The Sambadrome hosts Rio’s world-famous Carnival parade each year, when samba schools compete in elaborate, feathered costumes before massive crowds. The Selaron Steps, covered in colorful mosaic tiles by artist Jorge Selaron, have become one of the city’s most photographed spots. Rio’s combination of dramatic mountains, beaches, and vibrant culture make it one of the most electric cities in the world.

Beco do Batman, an alley in the Vila Madalena neighborhood, showcases some of the city’s best street art across constantly evolving murals. Sao Paulo’s restaurant scene, drawing on the city’s large Japanese, Italian, and Lebanese immigrant communities, ranks among the most diverse and ambitious in South America. Ibirapuera Park offers a green escape with museums and lakes within the sprawling metropolis. Sao Paulo’s scale and culinary depth make it Brazil’s most cosmopolitan and dynamic city.

Salvador’s cuisine, particularly dishes like acaraje and moqueca, reflects deep West African culinary influence brought by the enslaved population that shaped much of the city’s history and culture. The Elevador Lacerda, a historic Art Deco elevator, connects the upper and lower parts of the city with sweeping bay views. The city’s Carnival, among the largest and most participatory in Brazil, features massive trio eletrico sound trucks parading through the streets. Salvador’s deep Afro-Brazilian heritage makes it one of the most culturally rich cities in the country.