Rio de Janeiro

Sights

Sugar Loaf Mountain (Pao de Acucar)
Cristo Redentor (Statue of Christ the Redeemer)
Ipanema Beach
Copacabana Beach
Leblon Beach
Carnival Avenue
Santa Teresa

Day Tips

Buzios
Great destination for beautiful beaches and amazing snorkeling. Take a bus from Rio, takes about 3 hours.

Food

Brazilians like their food cooked well done, so unless you know how to explain what "medium" in Portuguese is just be aware everything you order will be overcooked.

Churrascaria - Brazilian steakhouse
Picanha - best cut
Chicken hearts

Feijoada - Brazil's national dish. A meat stew with rice and a bowl of beans
Barreado - meats and spices cooked in a clay pot for 24 hours, served with banana and farofa
Carangueijada - cooked crab
Caruru - okra and onions, shrimp, peppers and oil
Cozido - stew with potatoes, carrots and vegetables
Dourado - freshwater fish
Xinxim de galinha - chicken flavoured with garlic, salt and lemon
Pastéis - pastries with a wide variety of fillings
Empada (Empanada)- small pot pies, filled with any type of meat
Fried cheese on the beach

Açai Juice
Cachaça
Caipirinha
Caipiroska
Capeta - very tasty but dangerous, can mess you up easily

Restaurants

Little stands on the beach offering freshly cooked food and drinks