Christmas & New Year Tours in Brazil
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10 best Christmas & New Year Brazil tour packages
Compiled by
NadineBrazil travel expert at TourRadar
- The most beautiful New Year's Eve in the world in Copacabana
- The entire Green Coast from Sao Paulo to Rio, with sea areas around Rio
- Independent Rio de Janeiro and Iguassu Falls
- Independent Rio de Janeiro City Stay with Brazil's Amazon
- Colors of Brazil: Rio, Foz do Iguazu & Salvador (incl. domestic flights)
- Luxury Argentina, Rio And Iguazu Falls
- Magical Rio & The Mighty Falls 5 Star
- Enchanting Argentina: Explore Buenos Aires, Rio, and the Majestic Iguazu Falls
- Buenos Aires, Iguassu Falls & Rio 4 Star Incl. Internal flights
- Rio de Janeiro and Iguassu Falls Experience
Duration 8 days Destinations Rio de Janeiro, Angra dos Reis, Arraial Do Cabo Age Range up to 85 year olds Operator We Travel Discovery From
- NZ$4,051
The entire Green Coast from Sao Paulo to Rio, with sea areas around Rio
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“It was a well organized tour with a packed schedule of a great curation of activities to get a glimpse of the beauty of Brazil.”
Joy, traveled in May
São Paulo to Rio reveals Brazil's holiday spirit. Christmas illuminates UNESCO-listed Paraty's colonial center, while Ilha Grande's beaches and Copacabana's New Year's fireworks create lasting memories. Featured stops include Christ the Redeemer and traditional holiday feasts.
Duration 11 days Destinations Sao Paulo, Paraty, Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro Age Range up to 85 year olds Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish Operator We Travel Discovery From
- NZ$3,370
Rio's Cosme Velho district and Corcovado Mountain set the stage for Christmas celebrations with traditional Brazilian feasts. New Year's unfolds at magnificent Iguassu Falls, featuring both Brazilian and Argentine perspectives with festive Ecological Jungle Train rides.
Duration 6 days Destinations Rio de Janeiro, Foz Do Iguacu Age Range up to 80 year olds Operator Globus From $3,079
10% Off- NZ$2,771You save $307
December in Brazil brings festive experiences in Manaus and Rio. Special Christmas dinner at Ecopark Jungle Lodge precedes New Year's celebrations with views of Christ the Redeemer and optional Sugar Loaf Mountain visits.
Duration 7 days Destinations Manaus, Rio de Janeiro Age Range up to 80 year olds Operator Globus From $4,249
5% Off- NZ$4,045You save $203
Brazilian Christmas celebrations at Christ the Redeemer, holiday festivities at Sugarloaf Mountain, and New Year's in Salvador's Pelourinho create unforgettable memories. Luxury accommodation ensures comfort during peak holiday season.
Duration 9 days Destinations Rio de Janeiro, Foz Do Iguacu, Salvador Age Range up to 100 year olds Operated in English, German, Italian, Portuguese, French, Spanish Operator ETours Brazil DMC From $4,008
10% Off- NZ$3,608You save $400
Brazil's most iconic sites sparkle during the holidays. Copacabana Beach and Christ the Redeemer set the scene for celebrations. Iguazu Falls and the optional Ginga Tropical Show complement festive visits to Ipanema Beach and Sugarloaf Mountain, with 5-star lodging throughout.
Duration 10 days Destinations Buenos Aires, Foz Do Iguacu, Rio de Janeiro Age Range 2 to 98 year olds Operator Wanderful Holidays LLC From
10% Off- NZ$5,423
Magical Rio & The Mighty Falls 5 Star
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Their reviews were the main reason I chose them, and the reviews were correct. They don't compete on price because they book higher quality tours and hotels.”
ranjit, traveled in May
Brazil's holiday magic unfolds with Christmas at Christ the Redeemer and New Year's Eve at Copacabana Beach. Sugarloaf Mountain glows at sunset while seasonal events at Sambodromo da Marques de Sapucai capture festive spirits.
Duration 9 days Destinations Buenos Aires, Foz Do Iguacu, Rio de Janeiro Age Range 1 to 89 year olds Operator Wanderful Holidays LLC From
10% Off- NZ$4,236
Enchanting Argentina: Explore Buenos Aires, Rio, and the Majestic Iguazu Falls
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The prearranged tours were packed with the must-see spots in both cities. The iguazu falls was the best.”
Mercedes, traveled in May
Rio's Christ the Redeemer and Iguazu Falls shine during Brazil's festive season. Join celebrations at Copacabana Beach, admire holiday décor at Metropolitan Cathedral, and opt for a New Year's Ginga Tropical Show with Brazilian dinner.
Duration 10 days Destinations Buenos Aires, Foz Do Iguacu, Rio de Janeiro Age Range 2 to 90 year olds Operator Wonderful Holidays UK From
10% Off- NZ$3,823
Brazilian holidays come alive at Copacabana Beach's famous New Year's festivities. Spectacular fireworks light up the sky near Christ the Redeemer, while seasonal activities await in Tijuca Rainforest, and 275 cascades of Iguazu Falls shimmer with holiday decorations.
Duration 10 days Destinations Buenos Aires, Foz Do Iguacu, Rio de Janeiro Age Range 3 to 80 year olds Operator Wonderful Holidays UK From
10% Off- NZ$4,722
Rio de Janeiro and Iguassu Falls Experience
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Fantastic tour and beautiful country!”
Jennifer, traveled in December
Brazilian holiday traditions shine at Copacabana Beach, Metropolitan Cathedral of São Sebastião, and Christ the Redeemer. Seasonal highlights include Sugar Loaf Mountain views and tours of both Brazilian and Argentinian sides of Iguazu Falls.
Duration 7 days Destinations Rio de Janeiro, Foz Do Iguacu Age Range 8 to 99 year olds Operated in English, Portuguese, Spanish Operator Nattrip From $3,814
10% Off- NZ$3,433You save $381
What people love about Christmas & New Year Tours in Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro and Iguassu Falls Experience
Fantastic tour and beautiful country!
- Luxury Argentina, Rio And Iguazu Falls
Tour guides have agents and tour companies like tourradar use these agents to book the guides that will be taking you on the tours. The availability and quality of these guides largely depends on how far out you book them - according to a travel agent friend. If you wait until a week before the arrival of the guest, then your probably not going to get the best guides. I am not sure who vets the guides or how they are rated so I am only guessing that its probably the agents. I asked one of our guides when he got the booking - he said yesterday - maybe that's the agents fault - I don't know. The same can be said about booking airline flights. If you don't buy the seats and baggage upgrades when you book the flight you might end up in the back of the plane and pay at check-in for your overweight bags. The internal flights booked by tourradar were without baggage upgrades or seat assignments. We got a notice from tourradar the day before our flight to the falls about the weight limit for our bags. They checked us in 24 hrs before our flights. We were in the back of the plane on one flight and row 3 on another. There is a point in the process of booking a tour where tourradar has all their money - that's the point, in my mind, when they should have booked our guides, hotels, and flights. Our itinerary was not available until 4 days before our departure! There also was no inquiry about where we like to sit - assuming that tourradar is our travel agent. We booked a private tour and that was provided except at the falls where it became a group tour. Tourradar had a guide problem but they found room on a tour bus for us to tour the falls and offered an additional excursion in Rio as compensation. I was impressed by that. I choose "Good" as a rating because I think it could have been better. I got the feeling that there were an abundance of last minute stuff.
I booked a trip to South America through Wanderful. Their reviews were the main reason I chose them, and the reviews were correct. They worked hard to ensure I was happy with the planning and holiday experience. I sent in a number of questions after booking, and the gave prompt responses most every time. They don’t compete on price because they book higher quality tours and hotels. This generally leads to less surprises when on vacation, which is worth it. The only minor improvement would be communication of some details (i.e. who/ how will the next event work). In summary, I would book another vacation with them since they are quite good and aim for high customer satisfaction.
Magical Rio & The Mighty Falls 5 Star
What our customers ask about Christmas & New Year Tours in Brazil
Which Brazilian cities offer the best Christmas & New Year celebrations?
Copacabana Beach New Year's celebration drawing over 2 million people each year. Salvador brings a distinct flavor to the season mixing African and Portuguese holiday customs. The city streets of São Paulo light up with decorations particularly along Paulista Avenue and throughout Ibirapuera Park. Visitors to Manaus can experience Christmas with an Amazonian twist where riverside communities add their own tropical elements to traditional festivities. A TourRadar traveler notes: "Rio's New Year celebration was incredible but exploring multiple cities during the holiday season gave us a wonderful perspective on Brazil's diverse festivities."
What's the weather like in Brazil during Christmas & New Year?
The festive season aligns with Brazilian summer bringing temperatures between 25-35°C (77-95°F). Beach celebrations in Rio de Janeiro benefit from warm weather though humidity runs high. São Paulo visitors should pack an umbrella for afternoon rain showers. The Amazon region near Manaus combines high humidity with quick tropical downpours. According to a TourRadar traveler: "The warm weather made for a perfect beach Christmas though we needed to stay hydrated during the New Year's celebrations."
How far in advance should I book a Christmas & New Year tour to Brazil?
The holiday season creates peak demand requiring bookings 6-8 months ahead especially for key destinations like Rio de Janeiro and Iguazu Falls. Popular accommodations such as Arena Leme Hotel in Rio and Wish Foz do Iguacu fill up early in the year. One TourRadar traveler notes: "The best hotels and tours get booked quickly for the holiday season particularly in Rio where everyone wants to experience the New Year's celebration at Copacabana."
What are the accommodation options for Christmas & New Year tours in Brazil?
The range spans from beachfront luxury at Windsor Leme in Rio to boutique stays at Sagu Mini Resort on Ilha Grande. Historic properties like Pousada do Ouro in Paraty embrace the season with festive decor and special holiday meals. A TourRadar traveler reports: "Staying at the Arena Leme Hotel during Christmas was perfect - they had beautiful decorations and organized a special Christmas Eve dinner with traditional Brazilian holiday dishes."
Are there any special culinary experiences during Christmas & New Year in Brazil?
Holiday menus feature chester (special holiday poultry) farofa and rabanada (Brazilian French toast). Hotels like Windsor Martinique in Rio create elaborate holiday buffets while New Year's tables include lentils believed to bring prosperity. One TourRadar traveler shares: "The holiday feast at Assador Restaurant in Rio was incredible - from traditional Brazilian Christmas dishes to amazing New Year's Eve specialties."
What traditional Brazilian Christmas & New Year customs should I expect?
Brazilian celebrations blend Catholic traditions with local practices. Families gather for 'Ceia de Natal' (Christmas dinner) at midnight on Christmas Eve. New Year's traditions include wearing white clothes jumping seven waves at midnight and leaving offerings for Yemanjá. The Metropolitan Cathedral in Rio hosts special holiday services. A TourRadar traveler reflects: "Participating in local traditions like jumping waves at midnight and wearing white made us feel part of the Brazilian culture."