Where to stay: Become the girl from Ipanema and stay in the city's famed Ipanema Beach; Hotel Fasano Rio de Janeiro, pictured here, is a favorite for its luxurious rooms, convenient location, and rooftop bar and pool.
Where to party: Many clubs — called Casas de Samba — offer live music and will fill the dance floor with samba dancers, like Democraticos. For more of a dance club mix, try Nuth, which is a cab ride away from Ipanema but worth it for the large size and mixed crowd.
What to pack: Lightweight casual clothing (bring your heels for nighttime!), sunscreen, and mosquito repellent. Also bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated and a Portuguese phrasebook (while Spanish is spoken widely, not everyone here speaks English).
When to go: Between December and March, for the best weather. If you want an over-the-top experience (the kind that's going to leave you exhausted, hungover, but so worth it), go during Carnival — the biggest carnival in the world, with around two million people visiting every year — in February for epic parades and parties.
