Brazil is South America’s largest and most populous country. It is known for its outgoing people, colorful culture and diverse natural landscapes. To truly appreciate and experience Brazil, a single vacation is not enough. From the vast Amazon Rainforest to the urban jungles of Rio, Salvador and Sao Paulo, Brazil simple has too much for a weeklong (or even a month-long) trip.

If you are contemplating a trip to Brazil, these amazing headline-grabbing attractions should convince you that you need to book your tickets and reserve your hotel rooms as soon as possible.

Christ the Redeemer statue, Rio de Janeiro

Photo: Leandro’s World Tour / Flickr

This is one of the world’s most famous statues, ranked right next to the Statue of Liberty. It towers above Rio, perched on a peak high above the city center. The statue sits at 700 meters above sea level, and the statue towers a further 40 meters above that. The figure of Jesus, with outstretched arms, is an ever-present part of Brazil’s skyline. Adventurous tourists can climb up the peak and view the statue up close. The best aspect of this type of excursion is that you can turn around and see the entire city spread out below.

Iguazu Falls

Photo: Nouhailler / Flickr

This huge and violent waterfall sits in the border regions between Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. This is one of Brazil’s most spectacular natural wonders. It can also be viewed from Argentina. The highest section of the falls, Devil’s Throat (at over 80 meters), is best experienced from the Brazilian side of the border. Zodiac boats, carrying up to 20 tourists at a time, can take adventurous people right up to the bottom of the roaring falls, where they can come face to face with the booming power of this waterfall.

Pantanal

Photo: Nori Almeida / Flickr

Everyone is familiar with the Amazon Rainforest, but Brazil’s Pantanal is an equally interesting natural attraction. It is a huge wetland that borders the rainforest to the south. Some people even think the Pantanal is a better attraction than the Amazon itself. This is because many of the animal inhabitants of the Amazon region remain hidden, but the creatures of the Pantanal live more in the open and are, therefore, easier to see. Birds, reptiles and even mammals (including jaguars and giant rodents) call this watery part of Brazil home.

Botanical Garden of Curitiba

Photo: jcneto / Flickr

Curitiba, a city in Southern Brazil, has received praise from the international media for its livability. Though it does not receive many tourist headlines, this pleasant metropolis deserves mention because of its user-friendliness. The highlight of Curitiba is its expansive Botanical Garden. The main greenhouse, built in the art nouveau style, is an attraction in and of itself. A Botanical Museum, native forests and extensive collections of flowers and plants makes this a truly interesting attraction for anyone who appreciates plant life and the beauty of tropical nature.

Beaches of Florianopolis

Photo: Alzirasterque8 / Flickr

Florianopolis is a beach-goers’ paradise. Sure, the beaches of Rio de Janeiro enjoy more name recognition, but Florianopolis is a beach-goers paradise. The surfing conditions here are among the best in Brazil, while other water-sports, from windsurfing to diving to kite surfing, are also on the menu. Florianopolis is also known for its beach scene, which includes an energetic nightlife and some of Brazil’s most beautiful people.

Carnival, Rio de Janeiro

Photo: JorgeBRAZIL / Flickr

If there is one event that characterizes Brazil, it is Carnival. This huge holiday, which occurs annually in February, features a variety of celebrations. From parades to parties, the list of events is endless. The highlight is the samba parade, which takes place in a specially designed arena in the center of Rio. Troupes of dancers and intricate floats pass through the arena for hours on end. Nearly 800,000 people take part and an equal number watch from the stands. Some tour companies even set tourists up with a samba troupe so that they can take part in the parade themselves. Smaller parades and street parties take place in the days and hours leading up to his final parade.

Amazon River Eco-Tourism

Photo: brunoweideli / Flickr

The Amazon River is impressive and exotic. It is arguably the world’s most popular eco-tourism detonation because of its sheer size and wildness. Dense, wildlife filled rainforests offer a truly unique eco-tourism experience. Tourists can cruise the river and stay over in native jungle villages on its banks before heading into the forest to explore.