The stylish seaside resort of Búzios, once frequented by Brigitte Bardot (you'll find a bronze statue of the actress on the seafront promenade), is often referred to as the Saint-Tropez of Brazil. Its blend of upscale elegance and laidback coastal charm has continued to entice A-listers over the years – from Mick Jagger to Madonna. Take your pick from over 20 dazzling beaches and spend your day floating in topaz waters and lolling about on sugar-white sand, before enjoying a feast of fresh seafood at one of the chic harborside restaurants – washed down with a caipirinha or two, of course.

Brazil's boundless energy is celebrated in Salvador de Bahia, a soulful, intoxicating city with a reputation for decadence and fun set on a tropical coastline. But look beyond the street parties to discover Salvador's history as the center of the sugar industry and slave trade, which has profoundly shaped its character. This is the heartland of Afro-Brazilian culture, and the legacy of the millions of enslaved people brought to Brazil from the 16th century permeates every aspect of life, from culture to food and religion.

Maceió, the Indigenous word for “spring”, with its watery backdrop of cyclic lagoons and lush mangroves, is a historic port with origins in 19th-century sugar trade. Today, you'll find a modern beachfront city surrounded by powder-sand beaches strung along the coast either side of the harbour. But before you dive into those turquoise Atlantic waters, take in the dockside's Belle Époque buildings, the vibrant craft market at adjoining Pajucara beach, and several enticing museums including the Théo Brandão Anthropology and Folklore Museum, set in a renovated seafront mansion. There's also a striking sculpture by Oscar Niemeyer, architect of the country's capital, Brasilia.

Rio de Janeiro may capture the limelight when it comes to carnival, but Recife's huge street party, held every February, is where Brazilians go to dance. Maracatu drum orchestras parade through the old town keeping the beat, accompanied by energetic frevo dancers. Life revolves around the bars and restaurants in the Portuguese and Dutch colonial center and on the beach at Boa Viagem, which is lapped by waters calmed by the reefs after which the city takes its name and the gateway to a coast with some of the area's best seaside destinations, including Porto de Galinhas.

Santarém, one of the oldest cities on the Amazon, is where the waters of the Tapajós and the Amazon rivers meet – take in the view of their respective blue and brown waters blending from the observation tower in the Mirante do Tapajós. Originally the home of the Tapajós people, by 1661 the Portuguese colonists had claimed Santarém in the name of Afonso VI. Both influences can still be explored – Tapajós pottery is on display at the João Fona Cultural Center and the twin-towered baroque cathedral is a prime example of Portuguese colonial architecture. Don't miss the story of the late Dica Frazãu at the museum in her name, a designer who became internationally renowned for the clothes and fabrics she created from natural fibres for royalty and popes. But this is the heart of the Amazon rainforest, so a guided ramble in the Floresta Nacional do Tapajós, and the beautiful beach at Alter Do Chão should also be on your list.

Immerse yourself in Amazonian culture at this home of the Caboclo people where the Valeria and Amazon rivers meet. This tiny, welcoming community – barely 100 people live in the thatched houses that straddle the waters on stilts – opens its homes to inquisitive visitors and offer boat rides along the shore, from which you might catch sight of monkeys, toucans, and even the pink river dolphin. One way of showing your appreciation for this privileged encounter is to buy one of the handicrafts – masks, jewellery, leather goods – that the locals make and sell.

Despite its tropical rainforest surroundings, the Amazonian city of Manaus abounds in opulent Belle Epoque-style architecture, including the ornate Renaissance Revival opera house Teatro Amazonas; the Adolpho Lisboa Municipal Market, a replica of Les Halles in Paris; and Palácio Rio Negro, the former private residence of a wealthy rubber baron. Such architectural extravagance is a testament to the immense wealth that entered Manaus during the 19th-century rubber boom, to the extent that the city earned the nickname `the Paris of the tropics`. Manaus also marks the Meeting of Waters, where the black-water Rio Negro and the Solimoes River merge into the Amazon River, creating a captivating natural spectacle. Take a riverboat ride to see the phenomenon and witness an extraordinary ecosystem.

Despite its tropical rainforest surroundings, the Amazonian city of Manaus abounds in opulent Belle Epoque-style architecture, including the ornate Renaissance Revival opera house Teatro Amazonas; the Adolpho Lisboa Municipal Market, a replica of Les Halles in Paris; and Palácio Rio Negro, the former private residence of a wealthy rubber baron. Such architectural extravagance is a testament to the immense wealth that entered Manaus during the 19th-century rubber boom, to the extent that the city earned the nickname `the Paris of the tropics`. Manaus also marks the Meeting of Waters, where the black-water Rio Negro and the Solimoes River merge into the Amazon River, creating a captivating natural spectacle. Take a riverboat ride to see the phenomenon and witness an extraordinary ecosystem.

Deep in the Amazon, this island city can only be reached by air and sea – yet Parintins' remote location is why so many in Brazil and beyond have heard of this place. Parintins is known for its spectacular summer festival, Boi-Bumba, a week-long celebration of the indigenous community's culture and traditions, which isolation has helped preserve. Tens of thousands flock here for the event – it's second only in size and popularity to Rio's own world-famous carnival. The story at its heart – about a husband and wife and a bull – is lavishly told by the decorated floats, populated by giant models of the beast, and dancers in eye-popping costumes. But don't worry if you aren't in port at party time. While there is the Cathedral of Nossa Senhora do Carmo to see and the surrounding lakelands to explore, the bumba beat goes on, with performances held throughout the year.

Sandy shores and a beach-club vibe are not what you'd expect in the Amazon, yet this riverside town isn't known as the Brazilian Caribbean for nothing. Set on the banks of the Tapajós, this is a laidback spot for lounging in a hammock by warm waters, but make time to dip into local culture – dance to the carimbó beat, travel through the igarapés (Amazonian creeks), and pick up crafts made from tucumã, a native palm. There's a national forest nearby for treks through the jungle to spot the sacred samaúma trees and to hear the cacophony of birdsong.

Off the coast of French Guiana lies a small volcanic archipelago of three palm-covered islands. Their name, Iles du Salut, or Salvation Islands, belies a sinister history. In the 19th and 20th centuries, they were transformed into one of the world's most notorious penal colonies, a brutal purgatory for France's criminal class. The most infamous of the trio is the tiny Ile du Diable – Devil's Island – where political prisoners including Alfred Dreyfus were held captive, surrounded by shark-infested waters. These days, the island is inaccessible due to its rocky and hazardous shoreline, but visitors can explore Ile Royale, the largest of the Iles du Salut, which houses a historic prison complex and offers views across the water to the legendary Devil's Island.