Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is Brazil's cultural capital, a city defined by the mountains and beaches that hem it in, Sugarloaf, Christ the Redeemer, Copacabana, and Ipanema all within view of each other. It lost the federal capital to Brasilia in 1960 but remains the country's tourism and entertainment center, home to Carnival's biggest parades and a beach culture that shapes daily life for residents, not just visitors. Unlike Sao Paulo's business-first pace, Rio runs on an outdoor, informal rhythm.

Feijoada, a black bean and pork stew traditionally eaten on Saturdays, is Brazil's national dish and Rio claims it as its own. Acai bowls, thick and barely sweetened here compared to abroad, are an everyday snack rather than a health-food trend. Beachgoers should know cariocas dress down for the sand and up for the street, beachwear stays at the beach.