Tour South Brazil: See & Experience Almost It All In 10 Days, 1St

Guide

Our tour guides/drivers are licensed, speak English and know how to bring excitement to your day. What we deliver is the complete opposite of the cookie-cutting tours the big corporations offer, leaving you in complete boredom. Although our tour guides/drivers are attentive, accommodating and engaged, they also know when to give you your private space and free time. It’s a perfect balance. *Female guides are available upon request. Note that although most activities on this multi-day tour are shared with other travelers, we can make the trip almost completely private, per your request, at an additional cost. Typically, exploring part of the island of Santa Catarina and sightseeing in Mariana and Ouro Preto are the only activities exclusive to you and whomever else you may book on behalf of.

Meals

Lunch is included on days 1 and 3 (if adding Bonito and Pantanal) and on day 12 (daytrip to Costa Verde). We do our best to ensure you are being offered healthy and tasty local cuisine.

Others

Breakfast x 1 Morning Lunches x 3 Days (if adding Bonito and Pantanal and if not, then just 1 lunch) Air-Conditioned Vehicle All Entry Fees Private Transportation English-Speaking Tour Guides *Female guides available upon request

Transport

We take care of almost all of your land and water transportation needs once you are on the tour.

Not included:

Others

Alcohol Travel Visa (only applicable to citizens of certain countries)

Flights

Although airfare is not included in the price, we will find you the exact flights you need. Just ask. Below are the domestic flights needed for this tour: Day 1: São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro to Bonito *Bonito is an optional add-on. Otherwise, this tour begins in Foz do Iguaçu. Day 4: Bonito to Foz do Iguaçu Day 6: Foz do Iguaçu to Florianopolis Day 9: Florianopolis to Belo Horizonte Day 10: Belo Horizonte to Rio de Janeiro

Insurance

All participants are required to book travel insurance within 72 hours of booking this tour. At a minimum, such insurance must cover cancellations, medical expenses, evacuations, flight loss or delays and 24/7 assistance.

Accommodation

Below are the names of the hotels where we commonly have our customers stay. Note this is subject to availability. Nights 1-3: Bonito, Preferred Accommodation: Pousada Arte da Natureza *Bonito is an optional add-on. Otherwise, this tour begins in Foz do Iguaçu. Nights 4-5: Foz do Iguaçu, Preferred Accommodation: Bourbon Resort or Mabu Thermas Grand Resort Nights 6-8: Florianopolis, Preferred Accommodation: WK Design Hotel or Novotel Night 9: Ouro Preto, Preferred Accommodation: Pousada do Mondego or Pousada Clássica Nights 10-12: Rio de Janeiro, Preferred Accommodation: Miramar Hotel by Windsor or JW Marriott Hotel or Hilton Rio de Janeiro Copacabana This tour includes lodging for 1 night, specifically in Rio de Janeiro. However, upon request, we can book accommodation for you for all nights at establishments which meet your needs. For years, we automatically included 5-star hotels in our travel packages. In the interest of our customers, we ultimately decided to reduce the price of our tours and encourage specifically those with higher expectations to simply request room upgrades. Why? Some of our customers want simple and clean but ultimately cheap rooms. Some of our customers want 4-star hotels and are willing to pay more. Others want nothing short of 5-star extravagance. There isn’t a way to uphold ONE standard for hotels in our travel packages considering everyone has a different budget. What we CAN uphold are the standard and quality of our tours, all of which offer nothing short of a first-class experience. Again, upon request, we can book lodging for all nights on this tour. Let us know and we will provide you with pricing options.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Gigantic Waterfalls Splitting 2 Countries
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Gigantic Waterfalls Splitting 2 Countries

Our tour begins in the city of Foz do Iguaçu. Its waterfalls, called Iguazu Falls, literally separate Brazil from its neighbor Argentina. The falls are shared by the Iguazu National Park (Argentina) and Iguaçu National Park (Brazil). The two parks were designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1984 and 1987, respectively. What’s more, Iguazu is the largest waterfall system in the world. Although the falls are indeed the main draw, the city itself carries its own weight. More specifically, Foz features great nightlife in the downtown area: bands, drinks and people who have a God-given talent to dance so passionately.

If you have just a few more days of free time (meaning 13 instead of just 10), then we strongly recommend you add Bonito and Pantanal at the very beginning of this tour. Rather than begin at Foz do Iguaçu, this is how the first 3 days of your tour would look like if adding Bonito and Pantanal:

Day 1: The Ecotourism Capital of Brazil

Our tour begins in Bonito, enjoyed especially by those who seek outdoor activities. This town is Brazil’s ecotourism hub. The surrounding area is known for its caves and for crystal-clear rivers. If visiting during the wet season (December through March), we make a daytrip to a waterfall called Boca da Onca. There we go swimming and hiking on a full-day guided tour. During the times of the year when the waterfall has dried up, we replace Boca da Onca with a trip to a river called Rio da Prata. It is only a 30-minute drive away from Bonito. There we are provided with snorkeling gear as we swim in some of the clearest waters on Earth. The large fish which are abundant in this river make this tour even that much more special. Regardless whether we end up going to the waterfall or to the river, lunch is included on today’s tour.

Day 2: River Water Clearer Than Air & Fragile Caves

This morning starts with a daytrip from Bonito to a natural monument called Gruta do Lago Azul. There we are provided with a guided walking tour. It holds two caves with interesting but fragile calcareous formations. Gruta do Lago Azul has been listed as a protected area since 1978. The second half of the day is spent at a place called Segunda do Nascente Rio Sucuri. There we go snorkeling along the river for a significant amount of time. Rio Sucuri is unarguably Brazil’s clearest river.

Day 3: The World’s Largest Tropical Wetland Area

Today we make a daytrip from Bonito to the world’s largest tropical wetland area. It is called Pantanal Matogrossense National Park. Pantanal is also home to the world’s largest flooded grasslands. Along with exploring the area by boat, we go on a 4x4 safari. Animals commonly spotted are jaguars, lowland tapirs, giant anteaters, deer, caimans, black howler monkeys and southern tamanduas. Lunch is included on today’s tour.
Day 2 Day 2: An Aerial View Of The Falls, The Devil’S Throat & Confronting The Falls By Boat
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: An Aerial View Of The Falls, The Devil’S Throat & Confronting The Falls By Boat

Today we make a daytrip to the Argentinean side of the falls. Upon arrival, we take a tourist train to the ‘Devil’s Throat’ circuit. There we are provided with a guided tour of both the upper and lower circuits. We later get wet as we take a boat out to some of the falls. We save the best for last. The day ends with a helicopter ride over the falls.
Day 3 Day 3: An Animal Kingdom & A Rainbow Stretching Across The Falls
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: An Animal Kingdom & A Rainbow Stretching Across The Falls

Before relocating by flight to the city of Florianopolis, we explore the Iguazu area some more. The morning starts with a guided visit to the Brazilian side of the falls. Hopefully we see the rainbow which stretches across the falls. In the afternoon, we head to a natural bird park called Parque Das Aves. Creatures commonly seen there include butterflies, monkeys, toucans, parrots and yellow-breasted caimans.
Day 4 Day 4: Lagoons, Latin Flare, European Influence & Great Nightlife
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Lagoons, Latin Flare, European Influence & Great Nightlife

Home to fancy resorts, charming hotels, beach clubs and a lively nightlife scene (specifically at Conceição Lagoon), it should come as no surprise that Santa Catarina is South Brazil’s most visited island. Using its capital Florianopolis as our base, today we cover Campeche Central Beach, Armação Beach, the bridge walk to the island of Ilha das Campanhas, Matadeiro Beach, Peri Lagoon, Caldeirão Beach, Morro das Pedras viewpoint, a historic village called Ribeirão da Ilha, a channel called Barra da Lagoa and the adjacent beach, Prainha Beach, Praia Mole Beach, Belvedere Beach, Conceição Lagoon, Joaquina Beach, sand dunes called Dunas of Joaquina and a viewpoint near Conceição Lagoon.
Day 5 Day 5: Glimmering Beaches, Beach Clubs & Historic Villages
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Glimmering Beaches, Beach Clubs & Historic Villages

Today we cover the other half of Santa Catarina Island: Canasjure Beach, 2 beaches and beach clubs in the town of Jurerê, Praia do Forte Beach, São José da Ponta Grossa Fortress, Cacupé Beach, a historic village called Santo Antônio de Lisboa and downtown Florianopolis (street art, the cathedral, a palace called Cruz e Sousa and the public market).
Day 6 Day 6: A Colonial Gem Of A Town
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: A Colonial Gem Of A Town

This morning we relocate by flight from Florianopolis to the city of Belo Horizonte. From the airport, we are taken to the colonial town of Mariana. There we are provided with a guided tour. Mariana is the oldest town in the state of Minas Gerais. It was founded on July 16, 1696. Mariana retains the characteristics of a baroque town, with its churches, historic buildings and museums. After our tour, we are taken to the colonial town of Ouro Preto. This is where we sleep this evening.
Day 7 Day 7: Picturesque Architecture & Cobblestone Streets
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Picturesque Architecture & Cobblestone Streets

Before returning to Belo Horizonte so we can fly out to the city of Rio de Janeiro, we explore Ouro Preto in depth with our tour guide. This former colony owes to the riches that were once extracted from below it. Now a focal point of arts and education, Ouro Preto was once an important center for mining and government. Fortunately, its history has left it with attractive baroque buildings and lasting ambiance. Although this steep town’s sites are a bit spread out and are otherwise church-centric (23 churches to be exact), there’s something to be said about Ouro Preto being one of Brazil’s most visited urban destinations. The narrow and stone-paved streets generally and the spectacular panorama views of fine architecture especially are enough reasons to come here. Ouro Preto is one of the most authentic Portuguese town settlements in not only the state of Minas Gerais but in all of Brazil.
Day 8 Day 8: The Fashionable Hotspot Where People Style & Profile
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: The Fashionable Hotspot Where People Style & Profile

As a daytrip from Rio de Janeiro, firstly we are taken to a beach town called Cabo Frio. There we see the beaches of Praia do Forte, Praia das Conchas and Praia do Peró. We later head to the beach town of Arraial do Cabo. The first stop is a beach called Praia dos Anjos. There we are taken by foot to a lookout point. The views from there are spectacular. Next, we are taken on a boat which visits the beaches of Praia do Forno, Pontal do Atalaia and Praia Grande. Before heading to our final destination for today, a resort town called Buzios, a stop is made along the road so we can get a good view of a beach called Prainha. Upon arrival in Buzios, we are provided with both a driving and walking tour of the area. The shops and restaurants are indeed the highlights. Buzios is the place in Brazil to ‘see and be seen’, with its fashionable scene and good-looking people. We return to Rio de Janeiro in the late evening.
Day 9 Day 9: The So-Called ’Green Coastline’
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: The So-Called ’Green Coastline’

As another daytrip from Rio de Janeiro, we are taken along Costa Verde (meaning the ‘Green Coast’). The beaches and islands along the way are quite exotic. Today’s highlights are the islands surrounding a municipality called Angra dos Reis and an island called Ilha Grande. Lunch, a boat ride and snorkeling are included on today’s tour.
Day 10 Day 10: Our Tour Ends In South America’S Most Famous City
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Our Tour Ends In South America’S Most Famous City

Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport.

If you have the extra time, we strongly recommend you stick around. If you really want to cover all of the highlights in Rio de Janeiro, then you will need about 6.5 days. However, few people have that sort of time. Upon request, we can provide you with a guided sightseeing tour, for as many days as you wish. We can also provide you with a spectacular paragliding tour over the city. Ask us for details.

Rio de Janeiro is undoubtedly Brazil’s showcase destination…and rightfully so. Called the cidade maravilhosa (marvelous city), Rio de Janeiro is renowned for its spectacular mountainous setting, stunning scenery, a tropical rainforest, exotic white-sand beaches complimented by clear waters, water sports activities, plenty of fascinating colonial architecture, chic and carefree people, festive music and an almost overwhelming nightlife scene. Spend your mornings sightseeing, afternoons tanning and evenings partying in the Lapa district, where street bands are performing to locals who love to sing and celebrate seemingly as no other culture can. As a famous song goes, Rio is a city ‘where music and passion are always in fashion’.

10 days tour

South Brazil: See & Experience Almost It All In 10 Days, 1St

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip South Brazil: See & Experience Almost It All In 10 Days, 1St

Day 1: Gigantic Waterfalls Splitting 2 Countries

Day 2: An Aerial View Of The Falls, The Devil’S Throat & Confronting The Falls By Boat

Day 3: An Animal Kingdom & A Rainbow Stretching Across The Falls

Day 4: Lagoons, Latin Flare, European Influence & Great Nightlife

Day 5: Glimmering Beaches, Beach Clubs & Historic Villages

Day 6: A Colonial Gem Of A Town

Day 7: Picturesque Architecture & Cobblestone Streets

Day 8: The Fashionable Hotspot Where People Style & Profile

Day 9: The So-Called ’Green Coastline’

Day 10: Our Tour Ends In South America’S Most Famous City

Experience Style

Accomodation level

Experience Type

Physical Rating

Age range

Who talk about us:

Best cities to travel to

America

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania