Lovely trip!!!!  Little Things:

1.  Brazilian Real (BRL) is a very volatile and rapidly appreciating currency.  The cost of trip is volatile! 

2.  Yeah.  you know you're hitting Rio de Janeiro, one of the nicest cities in South America, and Manaus the "capital of Amazonas", but you still have to stop by the "South America New York" Sao Paulo, multiple times, even though it means your flights are delayed for 3 hours and doesn't go in the right directions.

3.  Brazilian food in general are more salty and sweeter for desserts.  Brazilian BBQ (churrascarias) is very similar to what we can taste in the States, though with more bread types.  I liked the peach and mango juices. 

4.  Sugarloaf (Pao de Acucar) & Christ Statue (Christo Redentor) on Corcovaca are terrific spots to browse Rio, but make sure weather is okay as lightnings like to hit tall structures.

5.  A cruise along the amazon rivers is a nice and fun way to explore the forests.  Rio Negro, the dark river that looks like tea, offers less bug attack because of its acidity.  Amazon river, the yellow rivers supports more lives.  Not a lots of animals you can see, but visiting Amazon definitely won't disappoint.

6.  MAC (Contemporary Art Museum) is not in Rio.  It's across the sea.

7. After visiting the cone-shaped Catedral Metropolicana, you head to Santa Teresa on the traditional "bonde" tram.  It's cool, but make sures you're not on the edge of the standing class, the tracks are pretty high from the ground!

8.  The local drink, "Cachara" e.g. Ypioca doesn't taste good

9.  Try to get in touch with Samba schools promptly for watching rehearsals.  Booking the trip through your hotel means skyrocketed prices.

10.  Manaus' airport is decent for sleeping over in.

11.  People are nice and lots of neighborhoods are safe.  People are willing to help if u know Portuges, and they are just smiling figuring out langugages don't work..