Brazil is probably best known for its football and its parties, especially Rio de Janeiro's annual Carnaval. In general, the country offers excellent leisure, entertainment and sporting facilities, ranging from the lively nightlife of Rio and Sao Paulo, to the fascinating nature reserves of the Amazonian region.

Music, dancing and festivals are central to Brazilian life, and these are enjoyed especially during the annual Carnaval, on five days preceding Ash Wednesday. Although festivals are held throughout the country at this time, the most spectacular is the world-renowned Carnaval held in Rio de Janeiro. There are many colourful samba performances, live music, parades, drinking and general merry-making, as the whole town turns out to party.

Most Brazilians can dance, and many expatriates take the opportunity to learn the samba, bossa nova or lambada while living there. There are dance classes in most urban areas, as well as Gefieras, or samba parlours where visitors can participate or just watch the dancing.

The main cities, especially Rio de Janeiro, SÃÂGBPo Paulo and Salvador, offer excellent entertainment to suit all tastes. Their nightlife is famed throughout the region, with numerous nightclubs, discos and bars offering live music and other acts, but in many this only gets under way after midnight.

Rio has a number of fascinating museums, such as the Museu Historico Nacional, The Museu de Arte Moderna do Rio de Janeiro and The Museu de Arte ContemporÃÂcentsnea de Niteroi. SÃÂGBPo Paulo is home to the Museu de Arte de SÃÂGBPo Paulo with its excellent collection of paintings by impressionist masters.