Make the Most of Your Time in Brazil

Have a fixed number of days? Maximize the things to see and do during your visit
Plan your trip to Brazil
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Spend at least a few hours on Rio de Janeiro's famous Copacabana and Ipanema beaches
How Many Days to Spend in Brazil

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're 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.

Praia dos Porcos and Ilha Dois Irmãos in the archipelago of Fernando de Noronha
Map of 5 Days in Brazil - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
5 Days in Brazil - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

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.

Discover Iguaçu Falls
Map of 6 Days in Brazil - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
6 Days in Brazil - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

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.

Take the kids fishing for piranhas in Pantanal, Brazil
Map of 1 Week in Brazil - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas
1 Week in Brazil - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

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.

Brazil's Meeting of Waters—where the Rio Negro and Rio Solimões meet
Map of 1 Week in Brazil - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
1 Week in Brazil - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

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.

Visit Manaus and check out the Teatro Amazonas on a guided city tour
Map of 8 Days in Brazil - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
8 Days in Brazil - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

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.

Traverse the otherworldly dunes in Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
Map of 9 Days in Brazil - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
9 Days in Brazil - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

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.

Spot pink river dolphins in the Amazon
Map of 10 Days in Brazil - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
10 Days in Brazil - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

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.

Introduce young travelers to the vibrant culture of Salvador on a 10-day family adventure
Map of 10 Days in Brazil - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas
10 Days in Brazil - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

With 10 days to spend as a family in Brazil, you can fully experience the country's vibrant culture, coastlines, and jungle-immersed landscapes. To limit travel time, split your stay between Rio de Janeiro and the beach town of Búzios, or opt for an action-packed itinerary featuring Foz do Iguaçu, Salvador, and Jericoacoara. If it's sun you're after, Brazil's Coral Coast is a fantastic place for kids to make a splash, while North Pantanal is a superb addition for those seeking more remote destinations.

Hike toward Morro do Pai Inácio, a table mountain that offers panoramic views of Brazil's Chapada Diamantina's landscapes
Map of 11 Days in Brazil - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
11 Days in Brazil - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

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.

Spot capybaras like this family as you explore the Pantanal wetlands of Brazil
Map of 12 Days in Brazil - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
12 Days in Brazil - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

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.

Amble along the cobblestone streets amid colonial buildings of historic Recife in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil
Map of 13 Days in Brazil - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
13 Days in Brazil - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

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.

Boating in the Amazon
Map of 2 Weeks in Brazil - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
2 Weeks in Brazil - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

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.

Make memories with the kids on a beach-forward two-week trip to the Coral Coast and relaz in Maceió
Map of 2 Weeks in Brazil - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas
2 Weeks in Brazil - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

Brazil is big, but domestic flights make it possible for your family to visit four regions in two weeks. Create memories while engaging in cultural experiences together, such as a samba lesson in Cidade do Samba and a capoeira class in Salvador. Your little thrill-seekers will enjoy ziplining through Parque Catacumbas and descending into the caverns of Lago Azul. Monkey and toucan sightings at Iguaçu and an Amazon night walk in search of nocturnal critters will delight your wildlife-loving kids.

Fifteen days allows you to delve deeper into remote areas like the Brazilian Amazon
Map of 15 Days in Brazil - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
15 Days in Brazil - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

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.

Opt for a jungles, coasts, and wetlands itinerary to begin and end in São Paulo, Brazil's largest city
Map of 16 Days in Brazil - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
16 Days in Brazil - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

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.

Soak up the sun on Praia do Espelho while you wait for the natural pools to form
Map of 3 Weeks in Brazil - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas
3 Weeks in Brazil - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

With three weeks you can cover a lot of ground and experience Brazil's urban and outdoor scenes. Active travelers can trek through Amazon jungles and kayak the Lagoa Guaraíras mangroves. Those eager to unwind will enjoy beach days on Ilha Grande and a mud bath on Ilha de Tinharé. A São Paulo tasting tour and a Rio boteco experience are a treat for foodies. Culture enthusiasts can learn about Ribeirinhos traditions in Baixo Acara and join a percussion workshop in Salvador. An Iguaçu Falls boat tour is a must for first-timers.