Beaches, jungle, and waterfalls on a scale that defies comparison.
Rio's beaches and mountains sit at one end of Brazil; Iguazu's waterfalls and the Amazon show how different the rest of the country can feel.
Feijoada
A rich black bean and pork stew, considered Brazil's national dish.
Pão de queijo
Small, chewy cheese bread rolls made with tapioca flour.
Açaí bowls
Frozen açaí berry puree topped with granola and fruit, especially popular in Rio.
Caipirinha
A cocktail of cachaça, lime, and sugar, Brazil's signature drink.
Christ the Redeemer & Sugarloaf
Rio's two signature viewpoints offer different perspectives on the same sprawling city: Christ the Redeemer's outstretched arms atop Corcovado Mountain, and Sugarloaf's cable car ascent over the harbor. Both are best done on separate, clear days given how weather-dependent the views are. The statue, completed in 1931, remains one of the most recognized monuments in the world.
Iguazu Falls
A wider, arguably more dramatic set of falls than Niagara, spanning nearly three kilometers along the Brazil–Argentina border with roughly 275 individual cascades. The Brazilian side offers panoramic views of the full falls system, while the Argentine side allows closer approaches to individual cascades. A boat tour to the base of the Devil's Throat, the falls' most powerful section, offers a soaking, adrenaline-filled perspective.
Amazon lodges near Manaus
River cruises and jungle walks from lodges reachable only by boat give access to the world's largest rainforest, with night canoe trips revealing caimans and other nocturnal wildlife. The 'meeting of waters', where the dark Rio Negro and sandy-colored Amazon River flow side by side without mixing for several kilometers, is a striking natural phenomenon near the city. Manaus itself, once wealthy from the rubber boom, retains grand period architecture including an ornate opera house.
Pelourinho, Salvador
Colonial architecture and Afro-Brazilian culture define Brazil's former capital, its cobbled squares once the site of a slave market and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrating Afro-Brazilian heritage. Capoeira demonstrations and live percussion are common sights in its plazas. Salvador's cuisine, particularly dishes rooted in West African tradition, reflects the city's deep cultural connections across the Atlantic.
Copacabana & Ipanema beaches
Rio's two most famous beaches stretch along a dense urban coastline, their promenades a hub for football, volleyball, and people-watching throughout the day. The iconic wave-patterned sidewalk mosaic along Copacabana was designed by landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx. Sunset at Ipanema's Arpoador rock is a popular local tradition, often met with spontaneous applause from the crowd.
Pantanal wetlands
The world's largest tropical wetland, offering wildlife viewing that many consider even more reliable than the denser Amazon rainforest, since animals are easier to spot in the open terrain. Jaguar sightings, rare and difficult elsewhere, are relatively common here during the dry season. Boat and jeep safaris reveal capybaras, caimans, and an enormous diversity of birdlife across the flooded plains.
10 days covers Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls, and either the Amazon or Salvador without rushing, given Brazil's enormous size. 6–7 works for just Rio and Iguazu; 14+ lets you comfortably add both the Amazon and Salvador instead of choosing one.
1. Days 1–4
Rio de Janeiro
Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, and beach time at Ipanema and Copacabana.
2. Days 5–6
Iguazu Falls
Walkways on the Brazilian side and a boat ride to the base of the falls.
~2h flight from Rio
3. Days 7–10
Amazon or Salvador
Either a lodge stay near Manaus or an extension to Salvador's old town.
~2h flight from Iguazu via São Paulo
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Brazil?
It depends on your nationality: EU and UK citizens remain visa-free for short stays, but as of April 2025, US, Canadian, and Australian citizens need an e-visa (about $80.90, applied for online in advance at the official portal) — a real change from the previous visa-free arrangement.
Which airport should I fly into?
Rio de Janeiro's Galeão International (GIG) for this route.
Do I need vaccinations for Brazil?
Yellow fever vaccination is recommended, and sometimes required depending on your itinerary and origin, if visiting the Amazon specifically. It's not needed for Rio or Iguazu alone.
Is Brazil expensive to visit?
Generally good value by Western standards, though Rio's beachfront areas and peak Carnival season run notably higher.