Itinerary
- Day 1
Departure
Head to the airport today and board your flight to Rio de Janeiro. It's the start of your South America trip, so pack your bags and get ready for what's coming over the next couple of weeks.
- Day 2
Rio de Janeiro
After landing in Rio, you'll check into your accommodation and get settled. Once you've dropped off your bags, Copacabana is waiting for you whenever you're ready to explore. The neighborhood has palm-lined streets and plenty of energy, so just wander around at your own pace and soak it all in.
Optional Activities
- Explore Copacabana beach and surroundings
Landmarks/POIs Copacabana 
- Day 3
Rio de Janeiro
Start with a gondola ride up Sugarloaf Mountain to take in the city views from above. After that, head over to Corcovado to see the Cristo Redentor statue. Later, stop at Catedral de São Sebastião to check out the light coming through those massive glass windows. Grab a local guide if you want help navigating the busy streets.
Included Activities
- Sugarloaf Mountain gondola ride
- Visit Cristo Redentor at Corcovado
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Rio de Janeiro (local guide, payable on site)
Landmarks/POIs Sugarloaf Mountain Cristo Redentor Catedral de São Sebastião 
- Day 4
Rio de Janeiro
Walk through Rocinha, Rio's largest favela, with a local guide showing you around. You'll see how people actually live here and learn the neighborhood's history beyond what typical tours cover. The conversations and stories you hear will stay with you long after you leave.
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of Rocinha favela with local guide (bookable on site)
Landmarks/POIs Rocinha - Day 5
Rio de Janeiro
Spend time at Jardim Botânico, a UNESCO site with 140 hectares of gardens. Wander around and look for monkeys and hummingbirds in the trees. Then head to Santa Teresa, an artists' quarter with cobblestone streets, and visit the colorful Escadaria Selarón.
Included Activities
- Visit Jardim Botânico
Optional Activities
- Cab ride to Jardim Botânico (payable locally)
- Visit Santa Teresa neighborhood
- Visit Escadaria Selarón
Landmarks/POIs Jardim Botânico Santa Teresa Escadaria Selarón - Day 6
Rio de Janeiro to Foz do Iguaçu
Fly to Foz do Iguaçu and arrive in the tropical part of the region. Spend the rest of the day however you like—either walk around the center or just relax. Tomorrow you'll see the falls, so take it easy if you need to.
Optional Activities
- Explore Foz do Iguaçu center
- Explore green surroundings of Foz do Iguaçu
- Day 7
Foz do Iguaçu
Join a guided group to see Iguazú Falls, one of South America's biggest natural sites. You'll hear the water thundering down, feel the mist on your face, and hike through the national park trails with all the wild plants and animals around you.
Included Activities
- Guided group tour of Iguazú Falls
- Hiking trails in national park
Landmarks/POIs Iguazú Falls - Day 8
Foz do Iguaçu
Explore more of the national park with options ranging from a 40-minute walk with waterfall views to a full 10 km trek on the Yacaratia Trail. See colorful wildlife and enjoy the river. If you want more adventure, take an optional boat tour deeper into the jungle.
Optional Activities
- Circuito Superior trail (40 minutes) with waterfall and river delta views
- Yacaratía Trail hike (10 km)
- Boat tour through jungle (optional)
Landmarks/POIs Iguazú National Park - Day 9
Foz do Iguaçu to São Paulo
Land in São Paulo and head to Centro to check out Teatro Municipal and Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil. Visit Praça da Sé and take the free elevator up Edifício do Banespa for skyline views. Grab lunch at a buffet restaurant where you pay by weight, then enjoy a caipirinha with the Octavio Frias de Oliveira Bridge in view.
Included Activities
- Visit Centro area of São Paulo
Optional Activities
- Visit Teatro Municipal
- Visit Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil
- Visit Praça da Sé
- Free elevator ride to Edifício do Banespa rooftop terrace
- Lunch at buffet restaurant (pay by kilo)
Landmarks/POIs Teatro Municipal Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil Praça da Sé Edifício do Banespa Octavio Frias de Oliveira Bridge - Day 10
São Paulo
Get started early at Rua 25 de Março, a bustling street full of shops and coffee smells, great for picking up souvenirs. Check out Mercado Municipal to see exotic fruits and local energy. If it's Sunday, walk Paulista Avenue with street artists and music. Finish at Beco do Batman, where vibrant graffiti covers every wall.
Optional Activities
- Explore Rua 25 de Março street market
- Visit Mercado Municipal
- Visit Paulista Avenue (particularly on Sundays)
- Explore Beco do Batman graffiti street
Landmarks/POIs Rua 25 de Março Mercado Municipal Paulista Avenue Beco do Batman - Day 11
São Paulo
Visit Parque do Ibirapuera, a huge oasis with meadows, water, and palm trees featuring architecture by Oscar Niemeyer. See the lush museum area that feels like a jungle surrounded by city buildings. Try local street food like coxinha and pão de queijo, then head to Woods Bar in the evening for Brazilian country music and dancing.
Optional Activities
- Explore Parque do Ibirapuera
- Visit Museu de Arte and its park
- Eat local street food
- Dance at Woods Bar
Landmarks/POIs Parque do Ibirapuera Museu de Arte Woods Bar - Day 12
São Paulo to Porto de Galinhas
Fly to Recife and drive straight to Porto de Galinhas for beach time. Drop your things, change into beach clothes, and relax. You can hang on the white sandy beach or by the pool after all those days of exploring cities.
Optional Activities
- Relax on white sandy beach
- Use pool loungers
Landmarks/POIs Porto de Galinhas Beach - Day 13
Porto de Galinhas
Wake up to waves and take a slow day. Walk barefoot on the beach with the sun and let everything relax. If you want activity, check out boat cruises or beach hopping from your hotel. Be back by sunset to watch the sky light up as the sun goes down.
Optional Activities
- Boat cruise (bookable on site)
- Beach hopping (bookable on site)
Landmarks/POIs Porto de Galinhas Beach - Day 14
Porto de Galinhas
Another beach day with sunglasses on. Take a dip in the water, then head to the center of Porto de Galinhas, about 5 km away, for craft stores, bars, and cafés. Or take a day trip to Olinda, a colorful colonial city nearby with tons of history and photo spots.
Optional Activities
- Cab ride to Porto de Galinhas center (payable locally)
- Explore craft stores, bars and cafés in center
- Day trip to Olinda
Landmarks/POIs Porto de Galinhas Beach Olinda - Day 15
Porto de Galinhas to Recife
Think back on everything from waterfalls and jungle trails to street food and city energy. Your camera is full of photos, but the real things to remember are the moments and conversations you had. Head to the airport for your flight home.
- Day 16
Arrival
Your plane touches down and you're already planning what stories to tell everyone back home. From falls to food, jungle hikes to city exploration, you have so much to talk about from these weeks in Brazil.
