No other country has Brazil's vibrancy. There's so much life in the landscape and that feeds through into the reputation that Brazilians have for passion and joie de vivre. It infects their architecture, their art and culture, and their way of life. This is South America's largest and most varied country, boasting tropical rainforests, white sandy beaches, old colonial towns, mega modern city centres, and sprawling favelas. That's before we've mentioned the great Amazon river and the wealth of wildlife that abounds in this vast country. This passion and energy feeds through to their hospitality, and the range of the best places to stay in Brazil, from hip and happening city boutiques and design hotels, to extensive rural fazendas and cosy pousadas.

There are so many ways to experience Brazil. On so many budgets. Before planning your trip, decide what kind of holiday you want. Maybe you want to be whipped into a frenzy during Rio de Janeiro's Carnival, or try out the bossa nova cafés of Rio's Santa Teresa district, hiking up to Cristo Redentor for one of the world's most spectacular views in the world? Or maybe you simply want some sun, to join the beautiful Brazilians on one of their world famous, caipirinha-soaked beaches?

If it's beaches you've come for, do look beyond Copacabana or Ipanema. For starters, consider Santa Catarina, South America’s equivalent to Australia, where the majority of people’s free time is spent on one of a number of the most spectacular beaches on the continent. Or Bahia, with its sunshine, white sand, coconut palms and incredible diving.

Salvador da Bahia is Brazil's most African influenced city — you taste it in the food, see it in the traditions and hear it in the music. The city is often in festive spirit, with music and parties celebrating one thing or another spreading out onto the streets with their wonderful 17th and 18th century architecture. Salvador was Brazil's first capital, and the ancient mix of cultures — coming from Europe, Africa and the Americas — which gathered here still shows.

Or consider visiting Paraty, a gem hidden on the coast just to the west of Rio, a colonial town surrounded by untouched beaches, jungle and natural parks. This is a great place for snorkelling, fishing and just relaxing. Or Búzios, that stunning hippy favourite east of Rio turned luxurious tropical hideaway.

Fashionistas should head for São Paulo, a global city of epic proportions and Brazil’s cultural capital. With 20 million inhabitants, some rich, some very poor and lots of different cultures, São Paulo has a landscape to match this diversity. As well as culture and shopping, São Paulo is also known for its nightlife. And don’t miss the incredible markets and a stroll along the Rua Oscar Freire and Paulista Avenue on a Sunday.

If it’s adventure you seek, you should get out of the cities and into the lush interior. The national parks and incredible landscapes of Minas Gerais make for a wonderful backdrop, as does the Chapada Diamantina National Park in Bahia, 375,000 acres of tropical forest covering mountains and concealing waterfalls, natural swimming pools and caves. You can camp in the park but there are also plenty of more luxurious accommodation options. And then of course there’s the state of Amazonas, which has the incredible Amazon Rainforest, Anavilhanas and the Jaú National Park. And talking of waterfalls, Brazil shares the mighty Iguaçu Falls with Argentina on the border in the south, the largest waterfall system in the world. They are well worth a visit if you are here for the scenery. Just to the north are the world’s largest wetlands, the Pantanal, in the states of Mato Gross do Sul and Mato Grosso.

The best places to stay in Brazil are as varied as its landscapes and attractions. Use our guide and start to plan the trip of a lifetime to this extraordinary country.

Best places to stay in Brazil

In Rio de Janeiro

• Right on Ipanema Beach, Fasano is a Philippe Starck-designed retro-chic paradise with fifties and sixties furniture and spacious airy bedrooms (many with two double beds placed to maximise ocean views). Staff even wear vintage uniforms! There's a rooftop pool and bar to retreat to when you've had enough of the beach.
• Featured in songs, films and books, the Copacabana Palace is an iconic place to stay in Rio. There's all-out marble and chandelier bedecked grandeur in public areas, so the feeling is traditionally luxurious. The beachfront rooms are the best with their terraces. The pool, bar and restaurants are top notch.
• For everything Rio has to offer, see our Best places to stay in Rio de Janiero.

In Salvador

• Casa do Amarelindo is a great place to stay or a city break in Bahia. In the bustling heart of the pretty Pelourinho district, it offers a quiet spot, a roof terrace and fantastic views. Just ten rooms, with no guests under 14 accepted, this is a grown up, intimate hotel.
• For everything Bahia has to offer, see our Best places to stay in Salvador and our Best places to stay in Bahia.

In São Paulo

• Emiliano is an extremely cool luxury hotel; think chic designer suites with private butlers (some have private pools) and complimentary massages. Plus there's a gourmet Italian restaurant, beautiful spa, helipad for those who fly straight in!
• The Tivoli Sao Paulo - Mofarrej is a luxury boutique hotel featuring minimalist interiors with all the mod cons, and bags of individuality. There's a fabulous French restaurant, a Banyan Tree Spa and a roof top terrace with pool. It's surprisingly family friendly as well.
• The Hotel Unique is a five star designer boutique hotel in the shape of a ship. Suites are decorated in minimal muted tones and plenty of style, there's a wonderful roof top terrace, a pool with views and a gourmet fusion restaurant.
• For everything Sao Paulo has to offer, see our Best places to stay in Sao Paulo.

For a Beach Break

• Rio Atlantica is a large hotel on the beach at Copacabana in Rio. Rooms and suites are modern and luxurious and some also have spectacular views.
• Just down from São Paulo, Vida Sol E Mar is a beautiful, eco-friendly beach resort. The location is idyllic and the resort makes the most of the view with as many floor to ceiling windows as possible.
• The Ponta dos Ganchos, also just below São Paulo, is another dreamy beach paradise, this time with enormous luxury cabanas with private pools, balconies and hot tubs.
• Uxua Casa Hotel in Trancoso is perfect if you're planning a luxurious beach break. Its ten 'cases', or wooded villa huts, are surrounded by a luscious, shady garden and you're just a short stroll from the beach.
• Txai Resort on the Coconut Coast is best for the eco-conscious. Slightly undeveloped and colourful with just the right blend of rustic and comfort, these 40 rooms and bungalows are perfect for a tropical escape. You're right on the beach, but with access to plenty of resort style facilities.
• Insolito, tucked away on the side of the Búzios peninsula, is a sleek, minimalist hotel with an excellent fusion restaurant and amazing sea views.

To Escape

• The Cachoiera Inn is two hours from the capital, in the buzzing resort of Búzios, the St Tropez of Brazil. Cachoeira means waterfall in Portuguese and there are nine here as well as pools and a swim-up bar. There's a multilevel reef just off the coast, so this is a great place for divers and snorkelers.
• Pousada Picinguaba is by a secluded bay with a white sandy beach. Its chic, all white rooms have wooden floors and four poster beds. Great for meeting the local wildlife, also great for romance.

For An Adventure

• Fazenda São Francisco do Corumbau is best for whale watching. On a private stretch of quiet beach, there are excellent amenities for scuba diving, snorkelling, fishing and other water sports. There are just ten private bungalows scattered amongst the palm trees and it's all very family friendly.
• The Comuna do Ibitipoca is a stunning lodge in a Natural Park with beautiful boutique rooms and gardens and terraces that let you soak in your surroundings. There's also an Ayurvedic spa and riding safaris on offer.

Hip and Happening

• The Santa Teresa Hotel is hipness HQ in Rio's Santa Teresa serving up luxury boho chic. The loft suite is the ultimate, but the verandah rooms are also excellent. The restaurant serves acclaimed Brazilian-French gastronomy by French chef Damien Montecer.
• Luxurious and modern, the Fasano Hotel Sao Paulo is another competitor for São Paulo's hippest hotel. As well as a rooftop health club, a top of the range spa and multiple restaurants, the Fasano also has a jazz club.

For Great Value

• Ilha de Toque Toque in São Sebastião is a collection of contemporary chic suites with beautiful bay views and very reasonable prices
• Abracadabra offers perfect sea views over the bay of Búzios, with rustic chic rooms, a lovely pool and a fantastic seafood restaurant.

For an Apartment or Villa

• If you’d prefer to stay in an apartment or private villa we recommend you visit our online partner Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Most visitors arrive at Rio de Janeiro-Galeão International Airport, which is just north of the city centre. Flights to São Paulo arrive at Sao Paulo - Guarulhos International Airport. Other major airports include Brasilia International Airport, Natal Airport and Salvador International Airport.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner Rentalcars.
• Brazil is dry between March and November and wet between December and February. Though in the rainforest interior it’s warm and humid year round.

Still not sure?

• Refine your search to the best places to stay in Rio de Janeiro,
• The best places to stay in São Paulo.
• Or the best places to stay in Bahia
• Or contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.