2 Weeks in Brazil - 5 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Family-Friendly Brazil: Historic Cities, Natural Wonders & White-Sand Beaches

With a balance of history, adventure, nature, and relaxation, this São Paulo to Rio itinerary is ideal for families visiting for the first time. You'll take the kids to popular sites such as Sugarloaf Mountain, meet the feathered residents of Parque das Aves Bird Sanctuary, experience the thundering Iguaçu Falls from the Brazilian and Argentine sides, take a Jeep ride through Serra da Bocaina National Park, play in the sun and sand on beaches in Trindade and Rio, and observe marine animals at AquaRio Aquarium. 

Start in São Paulo with a city tour tailored to your family's interests, potentially snapping family photos amid the colorful murals of the Vila Madalena neighborhood. Then, you'll fly to Foz do Iguaçu where your animal-loving little ones will meet toucans at the Parque das Aves Bird Sanctuary and search for monkeys as you walk through the rainforest to the waterfalls. Return to São Paulo for a day at the Jump 'n Joy amusement park before transferring to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Paraty. Here, your family will get an introduction to the city's colonial past and architecture on a guided walking tour.

Next, build sandcastles together on the beach in Trindade before heading to Serra da Bocaina National Park for a Jeep tour (and, for the daredevils among you, a thrilling ride down the natural waterslides at Toboga Falls!). The final leg of your family adventure takes you to Rio de Janeiro. Here, the kids can choose between a walk through the gardens at Jardim Botânico or a beach day at Copacabana. Wrap up your trip with a gondola ride up the 1,300-foot (396 m) tall Sugarloaf Mountain and a visit to AquaRio, where your budding marine biologists can observe more than 350 species. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Ultimate Brazil for Active Families: Rio de Janeiro, Foz do Iguaçu, South Pantanal & Bonito

This active Brazil itinerary is a fit for outdoorsy families. Adventurous kids will be thrilled to zipline through Parque Catacumbas, soar above Rio in a helicopter, feel the splash of Iguaçu Falls on a boat tour, fish for piranhas in Pantanal, practice their photography skills on a wildlife safari, kayak along the Río Aquidauana, swim in the natural pools at Estância Mimosa, descend into the caverns of Lago Azul, snorkel in the Río da Prata, and visit the red and green macaws at South America's largest sinkhole.

Kick off your family vacation in Rio de Janeiro. The kids can partake in a scavenger hunt in Floresta da Tijuca, Rio's urban rainforest, and zipline across the canopy of Parque Catacumbas. You'll also visit the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue and then see the city from above on a helicopter tour before flying to Iguaçu on Day 5. Here, your family can glimpse the rainbow above Devil's Throat on the Brazilian side and experience the thrill (and mist!) of the falls during a boat tour of the Argentine side. Your next stop is Pantanal, the world's largest freshwater wetland, where the kids will learn how to fish for piranha.

Give your young photographers a chance to hone their skills on a wildlife safari, then enjoy a family kayak paddle along the banks of the Río Aquidauana (you may spot herons and other birds). Afterward, your driver will whisk you to Estância Mimosa for a walk through the wetland forests and a refreshing dip in the natural pools. Tomorrow's activities—a tour of the Lago Azul caverns and a snorkeling excursion in the Río da Prata—are sure to be a highlight for your little adventurers. Lastly, before departure, you'll visit Buraco das Araras, a massive sinkhole and haven for red and green macaws. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Family Adventures in Brazil: Rio, Foz do Iguaçu, Amazon Expedition & Salvador

Families with children of all ages (best for eight and up) can enjoy a mix of urban activities and outdoor adventures on this Rio to Salvador tour. Highlights include a tasting tour (a delight for your budding foodies!) and beach day in Rio, a hike and boat tour at Iguaçu, a night walk and sunrise bird-watching in the Amazon, and souvenir shopping and a guided historical tour in Salvador. 

Give your family their first taste of Brazil, including amanteigado (butter cookies) for the kids and caipirinhas (a cocktail made with sugar cane liquor and lime) for the adults, on a Rio de Janeiro food tour. A visit to Maracanã Stadium will be a hit with sports fans, and families with young children can enjoy a beach day at Leme Beach, a quiet alternative to Copacabana. Your next destination is Iguaçu. You'll capture family photos near the waterfalls on the Brazilian side, then venture to the Argentine side for a guided jungle hike and boat tour. Following this, fly to Manaus on Day 7, your gateway to the Amazon rainforest.

Your driver will transfer you to Juma Amazon Lodge so you and the kids can search for anteaters and other nocturnal critters on a guided night walk. In the morning, join a bird-watching tour, then encourage the kids to try their hand at piranha fishing. You'll also enjoy a family hike and picnic in the jungle and learn about Amazonian life from a resident. Then, your driver will chauffeur you back to Manaus for your flight to Salvador, where you'll observe panthers, monkeys, and more on a tour of Salvador Zoo & Botanical Park. Invite the kids to select a handmade souvenir at Mercado Modelo before departure. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Relaxing Family Holiday in Brazil: Rio de Janeiro & the Coral Coast

This Rio and Coral Coast itinerary is perfect for families who enjoy aquatic activities and a beach vacation that focuses on the Coral Coast. Take a leisurely bike ride with the kids in tow and visit the botanical gardens of Rio, observe the underwater world on a glass-bottomed boat ride in Porto de Galinhas, take a catamaran cruise to Praia dos Carneiros and the Río Arikindá, spend a couple of days swimming and snorkeling in Maragogi, and do some beach-hopping in Maceió. The dancers in the family will appreciate an intro to frevo in Recife and the chance to learn some samba steps in Cidade do the Samba. 

After your flight to Rio de Janeiro, take a family bike ride around Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, a heart-shaped lake and leisure area. The following day, you'll enjoy sweeping views on the cable car ride up Sugarloaf Mountain before donning Carnival costumes and practicing your dance moves in Cidade do Samba. Catch your breath with a beach day at Praia do Leblon—the sheltered environment and playground are perfect for families with younger kids. Then, you'll fly to Recife, the birthplace of frevo, a fast-paced acrobatic dance. Keep the kids entertained with a live street performance or a rehearsal at the Paço do Frevo Museum.

From Recife, you'll transfer to Porto de Galinhas. Here, the little ones can enjoy watching the underwater world on a glass-bottomed boat. Next, you'll take a catamaran cruise that includes swimming in the calm waters of Praia dos Carneiros and snorkeling along the Río Arikindá. Moving on to Maragogi, you'll find clear waters for more snorkeling and a sandbar, known as Moses Path, that the kids can walk on at low tide. Your family holiday ends in Maceió with beach-hopping along the 25 miles (40 km) of coconut-lined coastline and the chance to see manatees in the world's second-largest barrier reef reserve. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Off-the-Beaten-Path Family Fun in Brazil: Waterfalls, Rainforests, Beaches & Dunes

Intrepid families will appreciate the variety of outdoor experiences on this natural wonders itinerary that leads you off the beaten path. You'll hike through the jungle and fly over the falls in a helicopter at Iguaçu, meet manatees and giant otters at Bosque da Ciência, canoe through flooded sections of forest in the Amazon, snorkel at Praia do Forte, swim in freshwater lagoons in Jericoacoara, and paddleboard on Lago Grande. You'll also create memories together while learning about Afro-Brazilian culture with street food tastings and a kid-friendly capoeira class in Salvador.

Begin your Brazil adventures in Foz do Iguaçu, where the little ones will be captivated as hundreds of spotlights illuminate Itaipu Dam at an evening light show. Over the next couple of days, you'll explore Iguaçu's forests and powerful waterfalls by foot and helicopter, then take a train ride on the Argentine side. When it's time, fly to Manaus so your young wildlife lovers can meet gentle manatees and charismatic otters at Bosque da Ciência before transferring to an Amazon ecolodge. Hop in a canoe for a family paddle through the igapós (flooded sections of a forest), and then enjoy the symphony of wildlife sounds on an evening jungle hike. 

Surprise the kids on Day 8 with a stop to see pirarucu fish, which can reach over 9.8 feet (3 m) in length and weigh up to 440 pounds (200 kg), en route back to Manaus. Then, you're off to Salvador on another quick flight and get acquainted with its Afro-Brazilian culture through street food tastings, drumming, and a family-friendly capoeira (a martial art form that includes dance) class. You'll also have time to visit the residents of the TAMAR Project sea turtle rescue and conservation center. Spend the final days of your family holiday in Jericoacoara to ride dune buggies, swim in freshwater lagoons, and paddleboard on Lago Grande. Learn more

More Great 2-Week Brazil Itineraries

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