Welcome to Brazil.

A gem in South America's crown has got to be Brazil with its dazzling array of pristine beaches, steamy jungles and manic metropolises.

Music and dancing are as important here as eating and sleeping, and you'll find as many regional styles as there are shades of people.

Brazil is a country of staggering beauty. There are stretches of still unexplored rainforest, islands with divine tropical beaches, and endless rivers.

It is important to consider the weather before planning a trip to Brazil, as it can have a significant bearing on how you enjoy certain regions of the country.

The Amazon region is one of the world's rainiest places, making travel exceedingly difficult between January and May for example. The Pantanal should also be visited during the dry season.

It is terrible, due to the washed out roads to travel the rest of the year.

The south has the most extreme temperatures and during the coldest winter months snow is even possible.

During the summer months (December-February) many Brazilians are on vacation, so this will make travel expensive and frequently booked out.

The humidity can be oppressive. However, summer is also the most festive time of year, as Brazilians take to the beaches and streets.

Brazil's larger cities have a bad reputation for crime, especially Rio and São Paulo. Travellers are advised to use common sense to minimize any obvious risks such as not carrying large amounts of cash or wearing expensive jewelry; take extra caution at night. It is also advisable to heed any local advice regarding areas to avoid.