Get a head start on the Rio Carnaval celebrations (3 February, 2008) and kick the year off by partying alongside two million people at the world’s largest New Year’s Eve celebration on Copacabana Beach. Just picture it: crowds of fun-loving people on four kilometres of white sand, dancing to live music from multiple stages playing anything from Brazilian samba and choro to boleros and rock. Bring a bottle of champagne, shake it up and spray the contents around for good luck. Show up in all white attire – a practice derived from Macumba, the Afro-Brazilian religion – for good fortune and peace; add red accessories (to attract romance), and touches of yellow for prosperity and green for health. Don’t be surprised if you find perfume bottles, cosmetics and talcum powder littering the sand – these are meant as gifts for Iemanja, an African sea goddess. At the stroke of midnight, expect to see hordes of cariocas (Rio natives) running out to the waves and throwing fresh flowers into the sea as an offering to the goddess for blessings, and of course the spectacular 20-minute-long New Year fireworks display that Rio is famous for. 

What to see: Take the streetcar from Largo do Carioca (+55 21 222 1003, www.transportes.rj.gov.br) in the city centre to Santa Teresa, Rio’s artistic hub, which dates back to the 1600s. The ride will take you past the Arcos da Lapa, scenic views of Rio and through old cobbled streets and villas before arriving at Largo dos Guimarães, the heart of Santa Teresa, where nostalgic cafes, bars and a small cinema showing Brazilian and international films reside. Be sure to drop by Museu da Chácara do Céu for arresting views of downtown Rio, Guanabara Bay and Corcovado Hill. 

Immerse yourself in Rio’s vibrant dance culture at Samba City (Rua Rivadávia Corrêa 60, Gamboa, +55 21 2213 2503, www.rio.rj.gov.br/riotur/en), home to 14 of Rio’s best samba schools. Watch how Brazilians prepare for Carnaval, making colourful costumes, instruments and festival floats, or just learn how to play with a bateria (percussion band) and be part of samba shows. 

What to eat and drink: Caipirinhas are a given, but try the variety of alcoholic infusions derived from soaking fruit and spices in potent cachaça (sugar-cane liquor) at Bar do Mineiro (Rua Pascoal Carlos Magno 99, Santa Teresa, +55 21 2221 9227); main courses at this art and antique gallery-bar are priced under BRL25 (S$20) and portions are generous. Go for the frango com quiabo (stewed chicken with okra) and Feijão tropeiro (traditional Brazilian side dish made with beans and pork). For seafood lovers, Siri Mole & Cia (Rua Francisco Otaviano 50, Copacabana, +55 21 2267 0894) is well-known for its moqueca (spicy softshell crab stew) and acarajé (mussels with broth). 

Where to stay: While hotels in Copacabana offer fantastic views of the Reveillon party, the touristy district is also notorious for crime. Look instead for places along Leblon and Ipanema, two of the safer areas in Rio. The Praia Ipanema is one of the few beachfront hotels where all rooms come with a balcony, and is located within walking distance to shops, restaurants and bars, including Bar Garota de Ipanema (Rua Vinicius de Moraes 49-A, +55 21 2523 3787), where bossa-nova legend Antonio Carlos Jobim composed ‘The Girl from Ipanema’. 

If you want to get in touch with locals, try Casa Aurea, a cosy bed and breakfast guesthouse located in the artsy Santa Teresa district. Facilities include an open kitchen for Brazilian barbecue, hammocks to relax in and a garden where you’ll spot a monkey or two. 
►Praia Ipanema Hotel: From US$1,800 (S$2,700) per room for four nights (28 Dec-1 Jan). Av Vieira Souto 706, Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (+55 21 2141 4949, www.praiaipanema.com). 
►Casa Aurea: From BRL100 (S$81) per person. Rua Áurea 80, Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (+55 21 9686 1746, www.casaaurea.com.br)  

Reveillon: 31 Dec. Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (+55 61 3429 7774, www.braziltour.com).