Personalized trips to Brazil
for independent travelers

Amazing location on Copacabana beach, very comfortable beds, large room, good breakfast (but very crowded/busy), incredible rooftop pool with very attentive bar service and beautiful views

I recognize this is probably the best option on an island like Isla Grande, but for the price it wasn't quite up to the normal standards - our room was too small for us to fit our suitcases (and we couldn't open them) and there were ants in the bathroom. The view from the rooms is amazing, but we couldn't enjoy the balcony as much as we would have liked because the hotel allows smoking on the balconies and the person in the room next to us smoked constantly, ruining the experience for us. The hotel is also a long walk from the pier and the main part of town which was tough with our daughter especially since it rained on us the first day. Overall it was okay, and maybe the best option available, but it was our least favorite hotel that we stayed in.

Absolutely loved this place! A ton of historic character, amazing location in the old part of Paraty, very nice swimming pool and bar, the rooms were large and comfortable, and the staff were so nice.

Very comfortable, good breakfast.

Marcelo was a wonderful guide again on this day. We loved visiting Sugarloaf. We ended up skipping the old town part of the tour because I wasn't feeling well, but we were grateful to have a private tour so we could be flexible on our plans and adapt as needed. Marcelo helped make sure everything ran smoothly and took care of everything, and recommended a great restaurant for lunch that everybody loved.

We had an amazing time with Marcelo. He was so nice and informative. We loved seeing Christ the Redeemer and many beautiful beaches in Rio. Marcelo showed us a great place to try acai and watch people hang gliding off the mountains. We loved having him as our private guide so we could be flexible and stop where we wanted. Definitely recommend Marcelo to any travelers visiting Rio!

The people running the class were so nice and made my daughter feel included. All the food and drinks were delicious and we loved the explanation of the ingredients and Brazilian culture/history. There were just a couple of issues. The class started extremely late because one of the other parties in the group was running late, and also because no one had informed the instructors that I was vegetarian, so one of them had to go to the store to buy more ingredients. Even if the class had started on time it still would have been late at night for my daughter, but with the delay, I had to take her back to the hotel before we even got a chance to eat the main dish. It was disappointing that the disorganization affected our enjoyment of the class. I wish we had been able to book something earlier in the day.

We loved the island, the boat ride, the nature - but wished a private tour had been available. There was a lot of waiting around for the group, and we were at the swimming/snorkeling areas at the same times as all the other groups, so it was very crowded. Also there was no kids snorkeling equipment available so my daughter was very disappointed by that. We also received a couple of mixed messages about the meeting time, and no one told us in advance that we would have to pay extra for snorkeling equipment, so communication could have been better. None of the guides spoke English and we relied on other people on the boat to translate for us because we had no idea what was going on.

We really enjoyed the waterfalls and distillery tour. The restaurant where they took us for lunch wasn't very good, but it was okay. We wish we had booked a private tour because being part of a group made the experience less enjoyable - there was a lot of standing around waiting for other people in the group, and the guide had to repeat all the information in multiple languages.

We had a great time walking around and exploring with our guide.

We were tired after our overnight flight, but we enjoyed the tour and our guide was very nice.

Gorgeous boutique inn in beautiful Paraty. The hotel was quaint and beautifully kept. The location was perfect to enjoy either the beach or the stunning town.

I don't have many words to describe this hotel other than exceptional! Every part of this hotel, the staff, the rooms, the food (the FOOD!), and the experiences were exquisite. It was our favourite part of the holiday, bar none.

Perfect location if you want to be in the heart of Rio's beach scene, with easy access to both Copacabana and Ipanema! Our family of 7 thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. The rooftop pool area was incredible, the included breakfast was excellent, especially for kids, and the staff were all very friendly and helpful.

This was, by far, the highlight of our family trip! We stayed at the Caiman lodge for 3 days and it was incredible in every way. Everything felt elevated: the food was exceptional, the service seamless, and the rooms were incredibly comfortable. What made the entire experience extra special, though, is that it's first and foremost a wildlife conservation area, and the commitment to conservation shines through in every part of the experience. The wildlife encounters were unforgettable, especially thanks to Luisa and Edson, our guides, who were both so incredibly friendly, fun, and knowledgeable. We were fortunate to see not one but two jaguars on our outings, and it will forever remain a core memory for our entire family. The variety of other wildlife we saw (macaws, capybaras, giant anteaters, tarantulas, etc.) went far beyond what we had hoped for. Honestly, we could have stayed much longer without hesitation. We were also able to attend a beautiful and memorable farm-to-table outdoor dinner one evening, which was another highlight of our stay at Caiman. Stunning presentation, delicious food, & live music all under a starlit sky was such a treat to experience. We would highly recommend visiting Caiman Lodge for a truly beautiful and unique experience in the Pantanal.

Of course, this is a must-see landmark! The sweeping panoramic views of Rio are incredible, and the statue itself is beautiful and iconic. Be mindful that the crowds are equally as impressive 😬. We had an amazing guide, Luiz, who was incredibly knowledgeable and made the outing that much more enjoyable.

Our family had an incredible experience visiting Favela República in Tavares Bastos. The walking tour was not only informative but genuinely inspiring. It gave us a deeper understanding of the community, its history, and the vibrant culture that exists beyond the stereotypes. Seeing the iconic FIFA Street court in person was amazing for our kids, but what stood out most was the authenticity of the experience and the warmth of the locals who shared their stories with us. It was beautiful to see how the community is using tourism in a positive and meaningful way. The funds generated from these tours are helping create purposeful and impactful educational opportunities and support for local youth. We didn't even feel that is was so much a tour as it was a chance to connect, learn, and contribute to something bigger. We’re incredibly grateful for the experience and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Rio.

Beautiful accommodations. Very nice accommodations. Bed was super comfortable, and air condition was great. Food was amazing, and staff were so attentive

This was truly the highlight of my trip. The lodge was incredible. So organized with activities, and such a variety of activites. The animals around the lodge will melt your heart. I could have stayed a month at this lodge......The food was incredible

The only issue I had with this accommodation was that the AC wasn't working, and there is no staff after hours to fix it

Beautiful lodge...... Food was very basic, but I wasn't there for the food. The scenery was incredible

Fabulous bed, and fabulous air conditioning

The pool and the room were wonderful. The bed was sensational

Amazing experience, Be prepared to get wet, which is a lovely experience in the heat

I was somewhat reluctant to go and see the falls, because I thought it would be like Niagara Falls. Well I was astonished about how different it was. These falls are surreal. You can not describe them. There is simply no comparison to Niagara falls. You must see these falls from both the Brazilian side and the Argentinian side to experience their grandeur

Incredible experience. I saw first hand about the Favela s and the drug and gun culture. I wasn't at all afraid. It is a highly functioning society, and everyone cares for each other. You must take off your sunglasses when entering as they they are worried about cameras taking pictures and reporting to the police. You also are not allowed to take pictures in the Favela. At our resting point, we danced to the carnival music, and had fabulous views of the city. There is a lot of walking up steep hills, so you need to be in good shape physically.

Spectacular experience. Make sure you wear comfortable clothing and running shoe.......