Highlights tour of Brazil..
Brazil | Apr 9 - Apr 18, 2026

Ann
Ann G.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Apr 19, 2026

We were in Brazil for a wedding and Federico helped us plan our post wedding trip to Iguacu Falls and then to Rio de Janiero. Our guide, Flavio, in Iguacu falls was terrific. He knew all the birds and plants and had good restaurant recommendations .

We arrived in Rio De Janiero and I was going back and forth with Federico about decompressing our trip since it was very busy. While he was flexible in the end we decided to continue as planned. Our guide, Alberto, was terrific. Really informative above and beyond as well as being mindful of the fact that we were 5 people of different levels of fitness.
During the trip all of our guides and drivers were where they were supposed to be and moving around was seamless. I think it was the right itinerary for the time allowed and our interests. If we go back to Brazil I would add a few things to our Rio trip but I think I would spend more time in nature. All told the trip was well planned and we felt well supported by the team on the ground . Thank you!

Hotel Reviews
Nadai Confort Hotel
Foz do Iguacu

This was a business hotel. It was comfortable . Breakfast was good. We ate dinner in the hotel our first night and it wasn’t terribly good

Authenticity & Character
It is what it is and it was fine
Location
It was easy to get around
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Windsor California Copacabana Hotel
Rio de Janeiro

Comfortable, good breakfast and good dinner. Great location and great view and pool area .

Authenticity & Character
It is a tourist hotel. It is an authentic Rio experience for a tourist.
Location
Easy to the beach and other sites
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The rooms are clean and the bed is comfortable if a bit firm. Shower is excellent
Activity Reviews
Half-Day Tour – Brazilian Side of the Iguaçu Falls + Bird Park (Parque das Aves)'
Half-Day Tour – Brazilian Side of the Iguaçu Falls + Bird Park (Parque das Aves)'
Foz do Iguaçu

The bird park is a must see and was a highlight of our trip. Flavio was knowledgeable about plants and birds and has a deep love the sanctuary.

Quality of Experience
I thought it was interesting that it is a privately owned bird sanctuary. It made me appreciate it even more.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Flavio was really knowledgeable and his love for the Park was obvious
Transport
The passenger van was comfortable
Full-Day  Argentinian Side of the Falls
Full-Day Argentinian Side of the Falls
Foz do Iguaçu

This is a unique opportunity to be on top of the falls rather than seeing them at a distance. It can be a long day because customs is not the most efficient process on the planet.

Quality of Experience
We were fortunate to turn a corner and get very close to a group of vultures just off the trail.
Food
The buffet at the Falls was particularly good.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Flavio was really knowledgeable and really had a love for showing people the Falls and the bird park
Transport
The mini bus was very comfortable.
Santa Teresa & Rio Antigo'
Santa Teresa & Rio Antigo'
Rio de Janeiro

This was actually the least of the tours. In part because we arrived at 1:30. We were picked up around 2 so we had a late start. So it was kind of rushed. That said, we ate at a Belle Epoque restaurant , took a detour to see a building designed by Calatrava and were able to get to the top of the Santa Teresa neighborhood before the house museum closed.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Roger was interesting even though I wasn't that interested in what I was seeing ( the churches) . This is on me, not him
Transport
It was comfortable
Rio in a Day: Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Selarón Steps and More'
Rio in a Day: Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Selarón Steps and More'
Rio de Janeiro

This was a great day with a great guide, Alberto. It was a good call to make it for 7 am because we missed some of the traffic. Every site was really interesting and the guide was really informative. We spent a lot of time in the Saint Sebastian Church and it was really unlike anything we have ever seen.

Quality of Experience
Food
I felt like I was eating like a local sort of which was fun
Guides, Drivers and Staff
I thought Alberto was really interesting and clearly loves showing off his city
Transport
It was a comfortable car and I am really glad I didn't ever have to drive :)
Day visit to Royal Petropolis'
Day visit to Royal Petropolis'
Rio de Janeiro

At first I was not up for this trip because it is a long way in a lot of traffic but in the end I am glad we went. The city is beautiful and different than Rio. The fact that there is a Bavarian styled restaurant on the way there is hilarious and the apple strudel (according to our friends) was quite tasty. The palace tour was informative but the highlight was the Santos Dumont home and the square where a replica of the airplane is placed. We have read about Santos Dumont but did not connect him to Brazil or Petropolis so that was a treat.

Rio Green Tour: Into the Tropical Urban Forest and Among the Imperial Palms'
Rio Green Tour: Into the Tropical Urban Forest and Among the Imperial Palms'
Rio de Janeiro

We only had time to see the botanic garden and only a small piece of it. That said, Alberto smartly had us rent a golf cart and a guide for an hour so I felt like we really learned something.

Local specialist: Federico Alessandri