Armação dos Búzios is a resort town east of Rio de Janeiro, situated on a peninsula jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean. The town boasts a surplus of beaches and is known as an upscale vacation spot. Head to Ferradura Beach for calm waters in a horseshoe bay, but if you’re looking to surf, try Geribá Beach. After spending a day under the sun, stroll through the cobbled streets until you get to Rua das Pedras, Armação dos Búzios’ center for dining and nightlife.

Rio de Janeiro is a metropolis in southeastern Brazil, where samba music can be heard year round. A seaside city, Rio is world-famous for its beaches, such as Copacabana. Atop Mount Corcovado, stands a major icon of the city and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World: the 125-foot-tall Christ the Redeemer statue. The city's lively Carnaval festival is one of the largest in the world with flashy costumes and parade floats.