Highlights
- Dress up in sparkly outfits and learn the samba at Cidade do Samba
- Enjoy a stress-free beach day while the kids play in sandpits at Baixo Bebê
- Chug up Santa Teresa Hill in one of the world's oldest trams
- Walk through an underwater tunnel in South America's largest aquarium
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Rio de Janeiro, Cidade do Samba Cultural Center | Rio de Janeiro |
| Day 2 | Rio de Janeiro's Must-Visit Attractions | Rio de Janeiro |
| Day 3 | Explore Rio's Botanical Garden, Visit Parque dos Patins | Rio de Janeiro |
| Day 4 | Beach Day in Copacabana | Rio de Janeiro |
| Day 5 | Farm Visit, Aquarium & Ferris wheel | Rio de Janeiro |
| Day 6 | Tram Ride to Santa Teresa | Rio de Janeiro |
| Day 7 | Family Cooking Class, Depart Rio de Janeiro |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Rio de Janeiro, Cidade do Samba Cultural Center
Bem-vindo to Brazil! Meet your driver at Rio de Janeiro International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Copacabana, a famous beach area nestled between numerous hills and bays in the southern part of the city. Once you've unpacked your things and refreshed, the kids will undoubtedly need to stretch their legs and get some fresh air after the long flight, and there's no better way to unwind than on the beach.
Even if you're not in Brazil during its famous Carnival, get a feel for it in Cidade do Samba, a cultural center and theme park about Carnival and samba (a Brazilian dance). Later today, you'll watch performances by samba schools, see some of the flamboyant parade floats, and take sequin-filled photos of the whole family (even the little ones!) dressed up in traditional Carnival costumes. Once your appetites start kicking in, there are plenty of family-friendly diners nearby your hotel, including ones with babysitting areas such as Toca de Traíra, La Mole, and Coimbra Galeto.
Day 2: Rio de Janeiro's Must-Visit Attractions
Make your way across the city with hilltop trains, colorful staircases, and cable cars today during a half-day guided tour ideal for parents with tiny tots. Go up to the emblematic Christ the Redeemer statue via a train that climbs steeply up Mount Corcovado. Within minutes of boarding the train, find yourselves in the tropical Tijuca Forest, watching wild monkeys swinging from tree to tree before reaching the top, where you can admire panoramic views of this sprawling city.
Your next stop will be in Lapa, where you'll see the colorful Selarón Steps. Pose for family photos and challenge the kids to spot specific tiles among the hundreds that make up this iconic sight. Stop for a coffee and try the little ones out on a sweet or salty biscoito globos, a typical Rio snack. Next stop, Sugarloaf Mountain! Kids and adults alike will love the cable car ride to the summit. There, you can let the children loose in the play area and stop for some photos worthy of a postcard. After the tour, return to the hotel with your guide and spend the afternoon as you wish.
Day 3: Explore Rio's Botanical Garden, Visit Parque dos Patins
You've seen the city's major sites; now it's time to explore its impressive offering of green spaces. Visit the Botanical Garden first—the oldest botanical garden in Brazil. You can easily spend hours in this 350-acre (140 ha) space, spotting turtles in the lake, watching monkeys stroll down a promenade of towering palm trees, or learning about Brazil's ecosystem in the child-friendly museum. Wander through the mesmerizing orchid garden and—a particular favorite with kids—the carnivorous plant area. If you're lucky, you may even spot an unfortunate fly making its way to a verdant pair of jaws.
There are plenty of places to spend the afternoon with the family, but one of the favorites is the Parque dos Patins. Here, you can go roller skating, skateboarding, or biking. The playground is filled with free toys, a ball pool, a bouncy house, and even a pond where you can rent a fishing rod or pedal boat. After a day of fresh air, sit down to a well-earned dinner. Look for a Brazilian specialty, pão de queijo—a warm cheese bun you can find all over the city and much-loved by children and adults alike.
Day 4: Beach Day in Copacabana
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 5: Farm Visit, Aquarium & Ferris wheel
After a relaxing beach break yesterday, you'll be ready for an activity-filled day. Start in Novo Leblon and feel like you've escaped to the countryside as you wander around an inner-city farm. Get up close to all sorts of animals and feed the ducks, cows, geese, rabbits, and goats. Sit back and relax in the shade of the park's trees while the kids enjoy themselves.
Explore the largest aquarium in South America this afternoon—AquaRio–with more than 2,000 animals and 350 different species on display. Feel like you're walking on the ocean floor as you travel through underwater tunnels, marveling at the sharks and interesting-looking aquatic creatures gliding above you. Finish your day with a go on the largest Ferris wheel in Latin America. Measuring an impressive 288 feet (88 m) in height, at the top, you'll get to enjoy wide-reaching views of the city and see if the kids recognize some of the landmarks they've seen on the trip so far.
Day 6: Tram Ride to Santa Teresa
Sample Brazilian delicacies for breakfast this morning. For the health-conscious, take advantage of the fact you're in the home of açai bowls, to be enjoyed alongside a pingado (Brazilian milky coffee). Let the little ones indulge in a cake for breakfast with the bolo de fuba (a sweet cornmeal cake). Once you've fueled up for the day, go for a ride on an old-fashioned yellow tram through the city. Board this historic vehicle at Centro to Santa Teresa and pass through Arcos da Lapa, Parque das Ruinas, Passeio Publica, and Confeitaria Colombo, enjoying the views as you climb hilly streets.
At the end of the ride, stop by a picturesque café in the artistic neighborhood of Santa Teresa and refuel with a quick snack. If you're lucky, it'll be the first or third Saturday of the month, which means you and the kids can go to the Mercado das Pulgas and enjoy the exuberant samba celebrations. Tap your feet to the beat of the drums and dance away your last evening in Brazil!
Day 7: Family Cooking Class, Depart Rio de Janeiro
It may be your last day in Brazil, but your vacation isn't over yet! Spend the morning learning all about one crucial aspect of Brazilian culture: the food! Join a family cooking class with a local chef, who will introduce you to some of the country's typical ingredients and dishes. Make feijoada (a kind of black bean stew), as well as queijo coalho with geleia de pimenta (cheese cubes with pepper jam that the little ones will love), and a traditional dessert called brigadeiro. For the adults, learn how to make caipirinhas while the children sip on coconut shakes.
After feasting on all the tasty treats you've made, collect your bags from your hotel and transfer to the airport. Bid farewell to Rio de Janeiro as your airplane lifts off. Adeus!
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