When my friend tempted me to visit Brazil with the promise of beaches, cocktails and beautiful men, the offer didn’t need thinking about twice.

My first taste of Brazilian hospitality came soon after touchdown. Waiting at the small airport in Ilhéus’s for my chronically late friend, my heart began to sink in tandem with the sun as the hours passed and my attempts to call home were continually thwarted by an automated Portuguese operator. However, I was eventually rescued by the airport’s coconut seller who, when told my plight, drew me a map to her house and assured me that I could stay there. This was the first of many similar displays of generosity that I encountered in Brazil.

Furthermore, not ones to keep their opinions to themselves, when my friend finally did arrive - three hours late - she was met by a barrage of angry Brazilians who proceeded to lecture her – a moment I enjoyed every minute of.

The hour-long drive from Ilhéus to Itacaré, where we were staying, passes through the Atlantic Rainforest – an UNESCO protected reserve which is home to one of the richest and most diverse ecosystems. The Itacaréan landscape has everything you could want in a tropical paradise – waterfalls, rainforest, rivers and fantastic beaches which are ideal for surfing. If you prefer more sedentary beach activities you can divide your time between admiring the sun-kissed, toned bodies of the surfers or the men practising their capoeira skills on the beach.

Capoeira is a fast-paced combination of dance and combat executed in time to rhythmic, percussive music. It’s a national obsession and is certainly not for the faint-hearted. When I tried it, the “warm up” was so strenuous that failing to warm down made climbing the twenty steep steps to our house a test in pain endurance for about a week afterwards.

Itacaré itself is a beautiful combination of old colonial buildings, small squares and tiny houses in gracefully decaying blues, turquoises and yellows. The nightlife continues until the early hours, either at the small but lively bars around town, or the forró parties on the beach – both with a healthy dose of caipirinhas and live music. Forró is a sensual Bahian dance and there’s no point trying to work out the steps; it’s easier to let the experts whisk you around as forró is essentially a display of male prowess.

It seems that everyone, male and female, is beautiful here. However, despite being surrounded by Amazonian goddesses, the men seemed to have a perverse appreciation of pale, pasty blondes. Be prepared though, Brazilian men wear hotpant-speedos on the beach, which takes some getting used to, while the Brazilian concept of a bikini consists of a series of tiny triangles and some string. Incidentally, European bikinis are referred to as “pampers”, so if you want to avoid ridicule it’s best to wait and buy a bikini when you’re there. Speaking of which, waxing costs about £4 in Itacaré, so don’t waste an extortionate sum in Britain - just make sure the beautician’s is your first port of call when you arrive.

Know before you go:

- Visas are not normally required for British nationals for visits up to 90 days.

- Currency is the "Real" (proncounced 'hay-AHL'), plural Reais. (pronounced 'hay-AYS'). £1 equals R$4.

- National Language – Portuguese

Key Portuguese phrases:

Hi – Oi

I want a kiss – Quero um Beijo

Good morning beautiful – Bom dia bonita

Marry me – Case-me

Where is the police station? – Onde ficar delagacia?

Companies to check out:

Real Gap Football Academy Brazil

For the footie-obsessed, Real Gap offers a football academy in Brazil. Classes are taught by instructors who purportedly are among the top ten in their country.

Costs: The 4-week session costs £1499, an 8-week session £2599, and accommodation and all meals are included in the price

Dragoman Overland Truck Tour

For those looking for a different way to see the country, Dragoman Overland offers a nine-and-a-half week trip in an overland truck from the city of Quito to Rio de Janiero or vice versa, including major sights in between from jungle to favela.

Costs: Prices range from £500 and up. The trip includes food when camping and accommodation in tents or hostels along the way.

Global Choices Teaching

Global Choices offers a work placement scheme where you can experience teaching English in Brazilian schools.

Costs: The price is £495 for four weeks that covers accommodation and assistance finding the work experience position and you can stay longer if you wish.

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