13 Days in Brazil - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Authentic Brazil: Rio de Janeiro, Foz do Iguaçu, Manaus, the Amazon & Salvador

Covering a fair bit of ground, this highlights itinerary is an excellent option for first-time visitors with Rio de Janeiro, Iguaçu Falls, and the Amazon on their wishlist. You'll stroll the historic neighborhoods of Rio, admire the power of Iguaçu Falls (from lookout points, by boat, and from a helicopter!), trek through the jungle and experience overnight camping and an ecolodge stay in the Amazon, and celebrate your adventure with a tasting tour of Salvador and a beach day at Praia do Forte.

Upon arrival in Rio de Janeiro, walk along the famous Copacabana Beach, then check out street art on a tour of the Santa Teresa neighborhood. Visit iconic landmarks, including the Christ the Redeemer statue and Sugarloaf Mountain, then tour Old Rio before catching a flight to Foz do Iguaçu. Experience the Brazilian side of Iguaçu Falls by foot, boat, and helicopter, then cross over to the Argentine side, where you'll take a train to see Devil's Throat and cruise Iguazú National Park by boat. Next, fly north to Manaus for a cultural and architectural heritage tour before transferring by car and boat to an ecolodge in the Amazon.

Spend three days experiencing the Brazilian Amazon with guided jungle treks, canoe tours, wildlife safaris, a visit to a local home to learn about Indigenous culture, and an optional overnight camping adventure. On Day 10, you'll fly to Salvador, where you'll learn about the city's multicultural history and cuisine on an evening tour that includes street food tastings and live music in the Rio Vermelho neighborhood. Wrap up your trip with a bit of souvenir shopping, sunbathing on the beach in Praia do Forte, and a visit to TAMAR Project Headquarters, a national project dedicated to the preservation and study of sea turtles. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Brazil's Rainforest, Beaches & Historic Cities Tour

Travelers keen on combining a visit to the Amazon with culinary experiences in Salvador and a beach getaway to Morro de São Paulo will enjoy this itinerary. You'll observe sloths, pink river dolphins, and other wildlife on jungle treks and canoe rides in the Amazon, then sample street food and learn how to make a beloved local dish in Salvador, and finally, board a catamaran cruise to Tinharé Island to kayak to Ilha do Caitá and enjoy free time at the beach in Morro de São Paulo. 

Dive into local arts and culture with a Manaus tour that includes a stop at the Amazon Theater opera house and a visit to the Museu do Índio to learn about Indigenous cultural heritage. Next, take a speedboat to Careiro, where you'll transfer to the Tupana River for a canoe ride to your Amazonian ecolodge. Spot sloths, monkeys, and more on a canoe safari, then head out again after dark to observe nocturnal wildlife. You'll also have a chance to shop for handicrafts in Acajatuba Village, take a medicinal plant walk, and see pink river dolphins before returning to Manaus for your flight to Salvador. 

Take a walking tour of Pelourinho, a UNESCO-listed district where you'll find Latin America's most extensive collection of colonial buildings. Savor Salvador flavors while sampling street food, perusing the markets, and attending a cooking demonstration and dinner showcasing the region's signature dish, moqueca (a seafood stew). Board a catamaran to Tinharé Island and transfer to Morro de São Paulo, where you'll visit historic fortresses, relax on the beach, hike to a waterfall, and kayak to Ilha do Caitá. Do as you please on your final day—take a boat tour, sunbathe, or enjoy live music—before returning to Salvador for departure. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Brazil Uncovered: Rio, the Amazon & the Northern Coast

This alternate trip is ideal for travelers interested in combining historic tours in Rio de Janeiro with wildlife and culture in the Amazon and beach-hopping along the northeastern coast. Enjoy the buzz and city sites before heading to the Amazon for bird-watching, piranha fishing, and a visit to the Caboclo community. Then cruise and snorkel along the coast in Porto de Galinhas. As this trip includes several boat excursions, it's best for travelers who enjoy this mode of transportation. It's also suited to photographers eager to capture city scenes, historic landmarks, wildlife (including pink river dolphins!), and tropical landscapes.  

Get acquainted with local culture and history on a tour of Rio de Janeiro that includes a visit to Sugarloaf Mountain and the historic Lapa neighborhood. Take a day trip to Arraial do Cabo, where you'll cruise on a catamaran to secluded coves, the Grota Azul sea cave, and Praia do Forno beach. Then, take a wildlife walk in Tijuca National Park, the largest urban park in the world, before flying to Manaus for your Amazon adventures. Search for pink river dolphins on a speedboat to Careiro, where you'll meet your minibus transfer to Turtle Lodge.

After a good night's rest, head out for sunrise bird-watching, followed by a jungle hike and piranha fishing. Next, visit a Caboclo community and learn about their culture and traditions before embarking on a photography safari for a chance to see herons, anteaters, and manatees. Return to Manaus on Day 9 for your flight to Recife, where you'll transfer to Olinda to enjoy a beach day, then continue to Porto de Galinhas for some snorkeling and a speedboat tour along the coast. Cap off your trip with a catamaran cruise to Praia dos Carneiros, complete with stops for swimming, snorkeling, and a natural mud bath. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Brazil City, Coast & Mountain Trekking Adventure

Travelers interested in the outdoors will appreciate the inclusion of several hikes and beach days on this active tour. After seeing the sites in Rio de Janeiro and learning about Carnival, you'll head to Ilha Grande for hiking and watersports. Then, you'll trek multiple trails in Chapada Diamantina National Park and stay with a local host family before wrapping up your Brazil adventures with a botecos tour in Salvador. With the inclusion of free days, self-guided tours, and some challenging treks, this trip is best for outdoorsy travelers who prefer flexibility and exploring at their own pace.  

Catch the sunset on Copacabana Beach before heading out on a botecos (small bars) tour for a chance to learn about local culture, cuisine, and nightlife. Enjoy a swim followed by a hike up Sugarloaf Mountain and some souvenir shopping in Ipanema. Learn about Carnival on a visit to Cidade do Samba before transferring by car and boat to Ilha Grande, a UNESCO-listed island paradise. Hike to Lopes Mendes Beach, then enjoy some free time for kayaking, surfing, or simply soaking up the relaxed island vibes. Fly to Salvador on Day 6, where you can taste Afro-Caribbean cuisine and check out the Pelourinho neighborhood.

Your driver will transfer you to Lençóis, a gateway to Chapada Diamantina National Park. Take a hike to Cachoeirão waterfall for a swim, then refuel with a traditional meal with a local family in Mucugê, where you'll overnight in their home. You'll also have the chance to trek to Cachoeira dos Funis waterfall, swim in secluded lagoons, hike to the peak of Gerais do Vieira, and tackle the challenging trail at Morro do Pai Inácio before returning to Salvador. Indulge in one last street food and boteco experience here, then make the most of your final day with a trip to Cachoeira for a cultural walking tour. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Brazil Outdoor Adventure: Pantanal, Bonito & Rio de Janeiro

Opt for this off-the-beaten-path adventure for travelers eager to experience Brazil's natural wonders, mostly through water-based activities. You'll search for jaguars on a canoe trip in the Pantanal wetlands, visit the blue-hued Lago Azul grotto, snorkel in the Rio da Prata and the Sucuri River, and end with a seaside farewell dinner in Rio de Janeiro and an island tour at Sepetiba Bay.

If you're feeling peckish and in the mood to mingle on arrival in Campo Grande, head to Feira Central for local eats and handicrafts. In the morning, your driver will take you to Pantanal, the world's largest tropical wetland area. Grab the binoculars and search for blue macaws on an introductory tour. Then, spend two days experiencing this natural setting with photographic safaris, horseback riding, and canoe trips before hitting the road to Bonito. Here, you'll descend into Lago Azul (Blue Lake Cave), snorkel at Rio da Prata, and have a free day to visit Buraco das Araras sinkhole or go abseiling at Abismo Anhumas.

Next, spend the day hiking, swimming, and rappelling at Boca da Onça Farm, then dive into more aquatic adventures, including snorkeling in the Sucuri River at Barra do Sucuri Resort. Fly to Rio de Janeiro on Day 10, where you'll have some free time for a sunset walk on the beach before sitting down to a seaside Brazilian dinner. End your journey on a high note with a hike up Sugarloaf Mountain, a visit to the world-famous Christ the Redeemer statue, and a full-day island tour at Sepetiba Bay for some swimming and wildlife-watching. Learn more

More Great Brazil Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Brazil? Check out these other Brazil itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.