Wondering how to get the most out of your trip to Brazil? First, it's essential to determine how many days you want to travel. If you are passing through, you can take short trips up to three days—think Rio, a mini hiking trek, or a quick beach escape. However, with added time, you can visit two or more completely different regions that combine the best city sights, beaches, rainforests, waterfalls, and hiking Brazil has on offer.
A five-day trip to Brazil can focus on one or two nearby cities, time in nature—whether tangled jungle or a sandy beach—or a couple of locales separated by a short flight. Explore Rio de Janeiro intimately or divide your time between Rio and Foz do Iguaçu to hike to Iguaçu Falls. Alternatively, discover the Amazon and its ecosystems with a tour of its waterways, wildlife, and people, cook like a local and lie out on the beaches of Bahia, or enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling in the waters of the private beaches of Fernando de Noronha.
With less than a week in Brazil, focusing on one to two destinations is best. For a relaxed pace, immerse yourself in Rio de Janeiro's history, culture, and nightlife. If you want to see a little beyond Rio, add on Foz do Iguaçu for a mountain and waterfalls-focused itinerary. For culture, cuisine, and music, discover the Bahia state of Salvador. Travelers interested in a jungle experience will want to see Manaus and the Amazon, while wildlife lovers can safari in the North Pantanal region.
If you have a week to spend in Brazil, you can cover the country's highlights, from lively Rio de Janeiro to Manaus and the Amazon. Alternatively, head directly to your Amazon lodging, followed by time spent in historic Salvador and its beaches. Other itinerary options include an urban break that focuses on Rio alone, sticking to the Afro-Brazilian Bahia coast, or flying to the tropical wetlands of the Pantanal instead of the Amazon for a different kind of natural experience.
One week in Brazil gives you time to visit two regions. Adventurous families can kayak in South Pantanal and descend into the Abismo Anhumas caverns, while those seeking a leisurely pace can relax on the beach in Praia do Forte. Invite your budding chefs to cook alongside a local in Salvador, or introduce young musicians and dancers to a Carnival experience in Rio de Janeiro. A horseback ride in North Pantanal and night hikes to observe nocturnal wildlife in the Amazon are a treat for animal-loving kids.
In Brazil, you can see up to three destinations in eight days. Focus on mountains, beaches, and samba in Rio de Janeiro, or pair the natural wonders of Iguaçu Falls with Salvador's colonial history and musical culture. Travelers wanting to experience the coast should add Morro de São Paulo and Boipeba, while first-timers seeking an introduction to Brazil should consider touring São Paulo's chic shopping district and beaches. Adventurers will enjoy kayaking in Manaus and the Amazon.
In nine days, you can visit four regions of Brazil, combining urban exploration with the great outdoors. First-time visitors will appreciate historical tours and cooking classes in Rio de Janeiro paired with hiking at Iguaçu Falls. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot pink dolphins in the Amazon and take a jaguar safari in North Pantanal, while photographers and those keen on experiencing the surreal sand dune landscapes should head for Natal, Praia de Pipa, or Lençois Maranhenses National Park.
Spending 10 days in Brazil will give you a good overview of up to three distinct areas. You can check out the country's highlights, like Rio de Janeiro, Iguaçu Falls, and the Amazon rainforest. More adventurous travelers may enjoy seeing Rio, taking dune buggy tours, and engaging in watersports in Jericoara or Afro-Brazilian culture in Manaus. For the more active traveler, there's an itinerary full of hiking National Parks, scaling mountains, and swimming in lagoons. Read on to see which one is right for you.
In Brazil, you can visit three to five destinations in 11 days. Focus on outdoor adventures by visiting the coast and boating around Ilha Grande. To see wildlife, including the North Pantanal region, and for cultural experiences like Bahian music and cooking classes, venture to the east coast cities of Jericoacoara and Salvador. Eco-conscious travelers should visit the Amazon via a canoe tour, while active travelers should consider trekking in Chapada Diamantina National Park.
If you have 12 days to explore Brazil, you can see up to five destinations. For a nature and culture experience, include Rio de Janeiro, Foz do Iguaçu, and outdoor adventures in the Amazon. For a mix of city and coastal experiences, pair Rio with boating around coastal Paraty and Ilha Grande. Travelers wanting a blend of city and rainforest should add São Paulo, while those interested in wildlife should visit the Pantanal. Head to Brazil's eastern coastline for beach towns and Lençóis Maranhenses National Park.
With 13 days in Brazil, you can visit 3-4 regions. First-timers can tour Rio de Janeiro's historic sites, witness the wonder of Iguaçu Falls, and observe wildlife in the Amazon. Travelers keen on outdoor activities can tackle the hiking trail at Morro do Pai Inácio and try snorkeling in the Sucuri River. Meanwhile, those craving a leisurely beach escape can sunbathe in Porto de Galinhas or cruise via catamaran to Tinharé Island. Foodies will appreciate sunset seafood dinners in Rio and street food tastings in Salvador.
Two weeks in Brazil affords plenty of time to combine active sightseeing with relaxation. Soak up the culture in cities like Rio or unwind on the idyllic beaches of Ilha Grande and Jericoacoara. Immerse yourself in the natural wonders of the Amazon rainforest, learn how to dance the samba, and discover the history behind Brazil's Indigenous tribes. Seek a culinary-inspired itinerary and revel in the local cuisine in Fortaleza, or embark on a wildlife tour in Morro do Pai Inácio.
If you're willing to take domestic flights and travel long distances by car, you can see at least five regions of Brazil in 15 days. First-timers can see highlights like Rio de Janeiro and Iguaçu Falls at a relaxed pace. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot monkeys in the Amazon and search for jaguars in North Pantanal, while those keen on culture will appreciate a Carnival experience in Samba City and Afro-Brazilian music in Salvador. Sunseekers should head to the Coral Coast for beaches, boat rides, and snorkel tours.
Sixteen days in Brazil is an excellent amount of time to get to know the country's culturally rich cities and pristine natural wonders. First-time visitors eager to keep on the move can embark on a well-rounded highlights tour, while those who prefer the less-trodden trail visit Amazon River communities and Salvador's hidden gems. Other options include an itinerary crafted around the Route of Emotions, a wildlife-focused excursion, and an active adventure featuring unspoiled islands and waterfalls.
