i've only been brasil once.. but i beg you don't leave the tourist areas lol... rio is sweet, thats got the really nice beaches and the Jesus statue. Also make sure you go see a football game, the tickets are so cheap, like £2 each lol, even if you don't like football, the atmosphere is insane.. and take a trip into the amazon rainforest and to the national parks, i forget what they're called, but they're a great experience..