Fantastic trip
Brazil | Mar 28 - Apr 5, 2026

Rebecca
Rebecca H.
Bethesda, MD | Reviewed on Apr 10, 2026

We had a wonderful time in Brazil. Booking with Bruno via Kimkim was very easy. We provided a couple rounds of feedback on the itinerary until it was how we wanted. The trip itself went pretty seamlessly except for a couple of minor issues (our driver was in the wrong place at the airport, some of the group activities were a little disorganized). But overall we loved Brazil and we had a fantastic diversity of experiences - cities, rural areas, islands, hands-on activities, and free time. It's such a beautiful country and we can't wait to go back.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Laghetto Stilo São Paulo
Sao Paulo

Very comfortable, good breakfast.

Authenticity & Character
Not a ton of "character" - it's a business hotel - but it's very nice
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Sandi Hotel
Paraty

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.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pousada Naturália
Angra dos Reis

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.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Beautiful setting but a long walk from town, including up a steep hill
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Ants in the bathroom and smoking allowed on balconies
Miramar Hotel by Windsor
Rio de Janeiro

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

Authenticity & Character
Not a lot of "character" as it's a high rise tourist hotel, but we didn't mind
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Half day Tour São Paulo
Half day Tour São Paulo
São Paulo

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

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
It was fine but the van was too large for our group and had a row of seats across the front blocking the view so we had a hard time seeing out the front window.
Walking Tour Paraty
Walking Tour Paraty
Paraty

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

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Waterfalls and Cachaça Distilleries - Landmark of the Gold Trail 4×4 Jeep tour
Waterfalls and Cachaça Distilleries - Landmark of the Gold Trail 4×4 Jeep tour
Paraty

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.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half island tour by speedboat to Ilha Grande from Vila do Abraão
Half island tour by speedboat to Ilha Grande from Vila do Abraão
Ilha Grande - Rio de Janeiro

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.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cooking Class in Rio de Janeiro
Cooking Class in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro

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.

Quality of Experience
Class started very late because of miscommunication/delays and I didn't get to stay till the end
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Half day Tour in Rio 6h
Half day Tour in Rio 6h
Rio de Janeiro

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!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sugarloaf Mountain & Old Town Tour
Sugarloaf Mountain & Old Town Tour
Rio de Janeiro

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.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Samba Class
Samba Class
Rio de Janeiro
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Bruno Madeira
Bruno
Bruno Madeira
Local specialist in Brazil(Rio de Janeiro) and Portugal | Replied on Apr 10, 2026

Hi Rebecca,
Thank you very much for your review and, above all, for your trust.
I’m always here if you need anything.
All the best to you and your family.
Bruno