Taking up half the South American continent, Brazil is a sprawling, live-wire experience that moves to a Carnival beat. With more than 4,500 miles of coast facing the deep-blue Atlantic, the former Portuguese colony boasts endless white-sand beaches with palm trees swaying in the breeze. There are also many offshore tropical islands, colonial towns and coastal cities filled with the sounds of sabma, Bossa nova, choro, sertanejo, breg, lalago, frevo and other styles of music.

Within its massive interior, Brazil boasts crystal rivers, soaring waterfalls, deep canyons and much more. The most famous attractions are, of course, the Amazon rainforest and Pantanal, the world's largest wetland. With their amazing biodiversity, the two offer unmatched opportunities for wildlife watching and adventure. The Amazon alone is home to tens of thousands of plants and some 2,000 species of birds and mammals. In fact, one in five of all the birds in the world live here.

But you don't necessarily need to go into the jungle to find adventure. Kayaking, rafting, trekking, snorkeling and surfing are just a few ways to spend a sun-drenched afternoon in almost any part of Brazil.

Known as the cidade maravilhosa (marvelous city), Rio de Janeiro is flanked by majestic mountains, sugary beaches and lush rainforests fronting the sea. From the renowned beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema to the scenic outlooks of Corcovado and Pão de Açúcar, to the dance halls, bars and open-air cafes that are found everywhere, this is a city that knows how to live.

LaCURE's Brazil villa is located in beautiful Búzios, about two hours north of Rio de Janeiro. It sits on a peninsula with 17 beaches and surrounded by small islands. It was a simple fishing village until the 1960s, when it was discovered by French actress Brigitte Bardot. Now Búzios is one of the country's liveliest beach resorts, abounding with fine restaurants, bars and upscale inns. Charming, narrow cobblestone streets and a lovely waterfront add to Búzios's appeal.

The 10,000-square-foot LaCURE villa in Brazil overlooks Búzios's best beach and provides spectacular views, an attentive staff, an enormous dining and entertaining area, and a graceful architecture that complements its stunning natural setting. Using your Búzios villa as a base, you can discover all the glories that Brazil has to offer.