Highlights
- Marvel at panoramic views of Rio from the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue
- Sip water straight from the coconut with the kids on Copacabana Beach
- Spot monkeys and toucans in the world's largest urban rainforest
- Take the kids on a prehistoric adventure at Salvador's Dinosaur Lagoon
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Rio de Janeiro, Food Tour | Rio de Janeiro |
| Day 2 | Christ the Redeemer & Sugarloaf Mountain Tour, Maracanã Stadium | Rio de Janeiro |
| Day 3 | Floresta da Tijuca Rainforest Walk, Free Afternoon in Rio | Rio de Janeiro |
| Day 4 | Rio de Janeiro Marine Aquarium, Fly to Salvador | Salvador |
| Day 5 | Explore Salvador City & Dinosaur Lagoon | Salvador |
| Day 6 | Praia do Forte Day Trip & TAMAR Sea Turtle Project | Salvador |
| Day 7 | Salvador Zoo & Botanical Park, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Rio de Janeiro, Food Tour
Welcome to Rio de Janeiro! A private driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Once settled in, start exploring the Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City) via a food tour. Your guide will lead you through the city's vibrant streets, stopping off for you and the kids to savor tasty street food, savory snacks, and more than a few sweet treats. You'll also learn about the art, architecture, history, and culture of the neighborhoods you're exploring. To complement the food, try a few traditional beverages—fresh sugar cane or fruit juice for the kids and perhaps a caipirinha cocktail or two for the grown-ups!
Alternatively, you can spend the afternoon at lively seaside neighborhoods Copacabana or Ipanema or head to family-friendly Leblon or Botafago. Leblon is well-known for its beautiful beach and plenitude of trendy restaurants, while Botafago has a great walking and cycling path. You'll be able to spot lots of upmarket yachts, and you'll get a great view of Sugarloaf Mountain. This area is also home to the Museo do Indio, which contains hundreds of artifacts of Brazil's Indigenous peoples. You'll also find plenty of restaurants here.
Day 2: Christ the Redeemer & Sugarloaf Mountain Tour, Maracanã Stadium
Get the kids up bright and early this morning for a full day of exploring Rio's highlights. First up is a fun tram or van ride to the top of Mount Corcovado, where you'll visit the 98-foot (30 m) Art Deco statue of Christ the Redeemer—one of the Seven New Wonders of the World. The outstretched arms are considered a symbol of Rio's welcoming spirit and can be seen from almost every point in the city. Naturally, you and the kids will also be treated to expansive city views as you stand at its feet, from the southern beaches to Guanabara Bay and beyond.
After descending, you'll head to the Urca neighborhood and Guanabara Bay for a cable car ride up Sugarloaf Mountain. From its peak, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of Rio's distinctive blend of rainforest, cityscape, and coast. Afterward, take a family tour of the legendary Maracanã Stadium. A dream for any football fan, you and the kids will soak in the atmosphere while your guide tells you about its most important historic moments and shows you through the venue, including the locker rooms and even the pitch itself. Head out for a tasty dinner afterward and spend the evening relaxing.
Day 3: Floresta da Tijuca Rainforest Walk, Free Afternoon in Rio
Get the morning off to a fresh and fabulous start with a walk through the lush trails of Floresta da Tijuca, the world's largest urban rainforest. Meander the paths as you keep your eyes peeled for native flora and fauna—the iguanas and monkeys will enchant the little ones—or give the kids a bit more focus with a scavenger hunt. The park is home to several restaurants, or you can bring supplies for a glorious picnic. If this hasn't exhausted your family's need for green, head from here to the Jardim Botânico, another plant-filled oasis with plenty of room for the kids to run.
Head to the beach for the afternoon and relax while the kids build sandcastles or splash in the water. Savor local snacks and grab some drinking coconuts from the local vendors. If the weather isn't on your side, try a few of the city's other activities. The Museum of Tomorrow is kid-friendly—full of interactive futuristic exhibits, it'll be a hit with your budding scientists, and the distinctive building alone is worth viewing. Alternatively, take a family-friendly cooking class and let the kids learn to make a few traditional Brazilian dishes—the perfect memento of your stay.
Day 4: Río de Janeiro Marine Aquarium, Fly to Salvador
Rio is home to South America's largest aquarium, the Rio de Janeiro Marine Aquarium, known locally as AquaRio, and this morning is your perfect opportunity to explore it. The 23-foot-high (7 m) main tank is one of the main attractions, and the kids will love roaming through the tunnel at the heart of it. With 27 additional tanks, spotting all the kids' favorite marine creatures will keep you entertained all morning. You'll also be fascinated by the institution's conservation efforts—the aquarium is making real progress in saving some of Brazil's endangered marine species.
Afterward, head back to your hotel and meet your transfer to the airport for your two-hour flight to your next destination, Salvador. A private driver will meet you at Salvador airport and transport you to your accommodation. Brazil's oldest city is arguably also its cultural capital—home to an atmospheric Old Town and some of Brazil's most famous music, dance, martial arts, and cuisine. It's also a fantastic place to learn about Afro-Brazilian culture. If there's time, head out for a stroll before dinner—or relax in your accommodation and rest for tomorrow's adventures.
Day 5: Explore Salvador City & Dinosaur Lagoon
Salvador exudes history and culture, and a day devoted to discovering it will not be misspent. Start with the "Upper Town"—the colorful Pelourinho historic district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site collection of 17th and 18th-century colonial architecture. Its dark beginning as a slave trade center has given way to streets pulsing with traditional and modern culture—the kids will be enchanted by the live olodum drumming and displays of capoeira (martial arts). Be sure to leave time for the Church of São Francisco—a magnificent Baroque church constructed from attractive local sandstone sure to awe young and old alike.
Next, head to the Lacerda Elevator, with its magnificent views. This will lead you to the "Lower Town," the coastal and port area of the city. Popular stop-offs here include the Mercado Modelo, a traditional craft center and the perfect place to pick up a souvenir or two as well as a bite to eat. You'll also find plenty of "Bahia Bands" for sale—these colorful ribbons are worn for good fortune or are often tied to the gates of the Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim, Salvador's most famous church.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
After your city tour comes a highlight for the little ones—a walk through Lagoa dos Dinossauros (Dinosaur Lagoon). With life-size roar-producing replicas of Velociraptors, Dilophosaurus, and Brachiosaurus in the mix, the kids will love the excitement of this convenient urban park. Naturally, there are also a couple of T-rexes to keep you on your toes. The lagoon is also home to plentiful fish species, chameleons, and marmosets. Round the day off by eating delicious Afro-Brazilian cuisine before relaxing for the evening.
Day 6: Praia do Forte Day Trip & TAMAR Sea Turtle Project
While several beaches are within Salvador's city limits, the best is found just outside. Take a full day to relax at Praia do Forte, about 31 miles (50 km) from the city. One of Bahia's most popular destinations, you'll find more than 7.5 miles (12 km) of clean sandy beaches and several natural pools formed by the coastal reefs. Surrounded by coconut trees and tropical vegetation, you and the kids can relax by the sea or walk through the local village and shop for a souvenir or two if you're feeling more energetic.
Well worth a visit is the TAMAR Project, one of the area's main attractions. This rescue and preservation project is an excellent opportunity for you and the kids to get up close to sea turtles, both large and small, and learn firsthand about the conservation efforts here. Take a guided tour to get the most out of it. You'll see four of the five native species of turtle and various fish, sharks, and stingrays. If you're fortunate, you'll even be able to see hatchling sea turtles being released into the ocean—a definite highlight for the kids!
Day 7: Salvador Zoo & Botanical Park, Depart
It's your last day in Brazil—but there's still time to fit in one last highlight! Salvador Zoo and Botanical Park is a fabulous way for the kids to get to know South America's fauna and flora. You'll find over 1,500 animal species and an extensive plant collection. The goal is to showcase Bahia and the Brazilian rainforest—be prepared for lots of panthers, colorful parrots, and monkeys. You'll also find other zoo favorites like hippos, zebras, and ostriches. If time allows, head to the Museu de História Natural next door for archaeological exhibits that display the development of human and animal life in Brazil.
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