Rio de Janeiro State, set in southeastern Brazil, is one of the country's most captivating destinations, seamlessly blending stunning natural landscapes with a vibrant urban buzz. The state capital, Rio de Janeiro, is the stuff of lively holiday dreams with its iconic beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, the towering Christ the Redeemer statue, and the dramatic Sugarloaf Mountain. Beyond the famous city limits, many of the best places to stay in Rio de Janeiro State are tucked in the charming colonial mountain town of Petrópolis, or in hip coastal Búzios.