15 Days in Brazil - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Brazil's Coastal Gems: Rio de Janeiro, Foz do Iguaçu, Natal & Praia de Pipa

Travelers interested in pairing outdoor adventures with urban exploration will enjoy this Brazilian culture and nature tour. You'll go bar-hopping in Rio de Janeiro, learn how to dance in Samba City, take a schooner to Mangaratiba Island, search for wildlife on a hike in Tijuca National Park, and visit the Argentine and Brazilian sides of Iguaçu Falls. Continue to the northern coast to zip along in a dune buggy in Natal, kayak in Guaraíras Lagoon, and bike the beaches of Praia de Pipa.

After touching down in Rio de Janeiro, freshen up at your hotel and head to the Lapa neighborhood for caipirinhas (sugar cane liquor, sugar, and lime cocktails) and live music on a boteco (typical Carioca bar) tour. The following day, you'll see the colonial architecture of Old Town and take a cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain. A colorful experience awaits in Cidade do Samba (Samba City), where you'll learn some dance moves and meet Carnival performers. Then, immerse in the sights and sounds of the rainforest, including possible sloth and toucan sightings, on a hike in Tijuca National Park.

Board a schooner to Mangaratiba Island, where you can swim and savor fresh seafood before catching a flight to Foz do Iguaçu. Feel the power of Iguaçu Falls from above and below as you walk the Tancredo Neves Bridge and the upper and lower circuits on the Argentine side. Then, get splashed as you zip under the falls on a boat tour of the Brazilian side. Learn about the world's largest operational hydroelectric power plant at Itaipu Dam before flying to Natal for a dune buggy ride. Wrap up your trip in Praia de Pipa with kayaking at Lagoon Guaraíras and a bike ride along the coastal beaches and cliffs. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Best of Brazil: Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, Fernando de Noronha, São Luís & Salvador

This colorful São Paulo to Salvador itinerary offers a balance of adventure and culture. You'll swim and snorkel around Paraty Bay, hike to Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro and along the Emerald Coast of Fernando de Noronha, embark on a 4WD excursion to Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, attend a cooking demonstration in Salvador, and tour the UNESCO-listed historical center of São Luis. The chance to spend time in the Afro-Carribean cultural hub of Salvador and Brazil's reggae capital of São Luís makes it especially suited to those eager to experience Brazil's multicultural music and cuisine. 

Meet your driver on arrival in São Paulo and catch a nap on the ride to Paraty so you'll be ready to wander its cobblestone streets. Spend the following day cruising Paraty Bay on a converted fishing boat, pausing at beaches and islands to swim and snorkel. Your driver will then transfer you to Rio de Janeiro, where you'll take the train up Corcovado Mountain to see the towering Christ the Redeemer Statue. Get a feel for the Carioca (people from Rio de Janeiro) lifestyle on a walking tour that includes the open-air market in Saara, then stroll amid royal palms at the botanical garden.

Catch a flight to Fernando de Noronha, where you'll hike the island's Emerald Coast and volcanic landscapes and take a 4WD ride to Boldró lookout for sunset. Fly to São Luís, Brazil's reggae capital, and head out on the town in search of live music. Next, your driver will take you to Barreirinhas, where a 4WD vehicle will deliver you to Lençóis Maranhenses National Park to see the dunes. You'll also have time to visit communities within Pequenos Lençois, such as Vassouras, home to capuchin monkeys. End your journey in Salvador with a night out to experience the city's Afro-Brazilian music. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Contrasts of Brazil: Amazon, Salvador, Green Coast & Rio de Janeiro

Travelers looking for a balance of relaxation and exploration will appreciate the activities, pace, and free time to explore on their own on this rainforests, cities, and coasts tour. Highlights include wildlife walks and a lodge stay in the Amazon, a performance by the Bahia Folklore Company in Salvador, a hike along the Gold Trail, sunbathing and beach hopping around Ilha Grande, and sightseeing in Rio de Janeiro. Those interested in culinary experiences will also enjoy a market tour in Salvador, a cachaça tasting in Paraty, and a cooking class in Rio. 

Kick off your adventure with a Manaus city tour that includes the Museu do Índio, where you'll learn about the cultural heritage of Brazil's Indigenous population. In the morning, set off for Tariri Lodge in the Amazon rainforest, first by private transfer and then by boat. Get acquainted with the flora, fauna, and residents of the rainforest through optional activities such as a night hike to see nocturnal wildlife, a canoe safari, or a visit to a local community. Then, you'll fly to Salvador, where you'll see the most extensive collection of colonial buildings in Latin America on a walking tour of the Pelourinho district. 

You'll also sample fresh juice and shop for souvenirs on a market tour in the São Joaquim Fair before flying to Rio de Janeiro. From there, you'll transfer to Paraty for a trek along the Caminho do Ouro (Gold Trail), a path laid by enslaved people in the 18th century to transport gold, and cool off in a waterfall. Stop by a cachaça distillery and sample the local spirits before boarding a boat to Ilha Grande. While on the island, you'll enjoy a swim at Estrelas Bay and lunch at a rustic restaurant on Fora Beach. Wrap up your trip back in Rio de Janeiro with a moqueca (fish dish) or feijoada (bean stew) cooking class. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Explore the Brazilian Amazon, Coral Coast & Bahia

This Amazon and Coral Coast trip is ideal for sunseekers and wildlife enthusiasts. After spotting monkeys, dolphins, and other wildlife in the Amazon, you'll take a catamaran cruise to Praia dos Carneiros, snorkel at Parque Municipal de Maceio, beach hop along the northern coast from starting at Praia de Guarajuba, and more. This tour is also a treat for travelers who enjoy shopping and eating in local markets as you'll have a chance to visit the market in Manaus as well as Mercado da Ribeira in Olinda and the Handicraft Center of Pernambuco. 

Begin in Manaus with a half-day city tour that includes the 19th-century neoclassical Teatro Amazonas and the local market, where you can browse stalls full of tropical fruits, spices, and handicrafts. Board a speedboat to the Vila do Careiro, watching for pink river dolphins en route. Hop on the minibus to Amazon Turtle Lodge, and after checking in, join your guide for a canoe paddle on the river. Rise early to see the sunrise, then head off on a jungle hike, keeping an eye out for monkeys, butterflies, and more. You'll also have the chance to fish for piranhas and visit a local Caboclo community.

Fly to Olinda, a colonial town on the Coral Coast. Tour the city sights, including the Baroque-style Catedral da Sé, taste fresh produce at the Mercado da Ribeira, and shop for artisan-made souvenirs at the Handicraft Center of Pernambuco before departing for Porto de Galinhas. Cruise on a catamaran to Praia dos Carneiros, then indulge in an optional spa treatment at Bora Bora Carneiros. Head to Maceió for some snorkeling near the corals of Parque Municipal de Maceio. Cap off your trip with beach hopping along Brazil's northern coast and dolphin watching in Morro de São Paulo. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Brazil City, Rainforest & Wetland Adventure: Rio de Janeiro, the Amazon & North Pantanal

Wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers, and photographers will be delighted with the outdoor activities and animal encounters on this Rio, Amazon, and North Pantanal adventure. After seeing the sights in Rio, you'll soar over the city in a helicopter, cruise to Restinga da Marambaia on a schooner, watch for wildlife while trekking and canoeing in the Amazon, fish for piranhas and enjoy a feast in a Caboclo village, and embark on a boat safari to find jaguars in North Pantanal. 

Start your journey off in Rio de Janeiro with a dip in the ocean and some people-watching at Copacabana Beach. After a guided tour of the city's popular sights, including a trip up Corcovado Mountain to see the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, you'll board a schooner to the island of Restinga da Marambaia. Here, you'll take a walk around the fishing village of Itacuruçá and watch for parrots in the trees and turtles on the beach before returning to Rio. Then get a bird's-eye view of the city and mountains on a helicopter tour. The following day, fly to Manaus, where you'll travel by car and boat to a lodge in the Amazon.

You'll have two full days to experience the Amazon with a jungle trek, canoe ride, piranha fishing, and a meal in a traditional Caboclo village. Next, fly to Cuiaba, where you can take a self-guided tour and check out the artifacts of Indigenous communities at the Museu Rondon. The next leg of your trip takes you to the world's largest tropical wetland in North Pantanal for some outdoor adventures that include a sunset horseback ride and a boat safari to find jaguars. Finally, return to Rio de Janeiro for a Jeep tour through the forests of Tijuca National Park and one last night of caipirinhas and dancing. Learn more

More Great Brazil Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Brazil? Check out these other Brazil itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.