Brazil is the largest country in South America, and distances are much bigger than they look on a map. The most useful planning rule is to choose a few regions and link them with domestic flights, rather than trying to see everything. The routes below are starting points that you can adjust.
How to plan around Brazil’s size
- Pick one to three regions per trip. Rio and its nearby coast pair well with Iguazú Falls; the Amazon, the Pantanal and the northeast are separate trips in their own right.
- Flights between regions can take a few hours, so build in transfer time.
- Check visa and entry requirements for your passport well ahead, as rules vary by nationality and can change.
7-day itinerary: Rio and Iguazú
- Days 1 to 4: Rio de Janeiro. See Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, and the Santa Teresa and Lapa areas.
- Days 5 to 7: Iguazú Falls. Fly from Rio and spend two nights near the falls. The Brazilian side offers panoramic views, while the Argentine side has more trails. Our Iguazu Falls trip planning guide explains how to choose.
10-day itinerary: Add the Green Coast
- Days 1 to 4: Rio de Janeiro.
- Days 5 to 6: Ilha Grande. A car-free island reached by ferry from the mainland, with beaches and forest hikes. For boat days, see our island hopping packing list.
- Days 7 to 8: Paraty. A colonial town with cobbled streets and boat trips to nearby islands and beaches.
- Days 9 to 10: Iguazú Falls. Fly out from Rio, São Paulo or another hub.
14-day itinerary: Cities, coast and one more region
Take the 10-day route and add four or five days, choosing one of these:
- Salvador (Bahia): Afro-Brazilian culture, music and a historic old town.
- The Amazon near Manaus: Lodge stays and river trips.
- The Pantanal: Known as one of the better places in South America to look for wildlife.
- Florianópolis or the southern coast: Beaches and a more laid-back pace.
Pick only one to keep transfers manageable. Búzios and Cabo Frio are also on some itineraries as beach stops east of Rio, if you prefer to stay near the city.
5 days in Rio de Janeiro
- Arrive, walk Ipanema and Copacabana, and have an early evening at Arpoador.
- Christ the Redeemer in the morning, then the Botanical Garden or Lagoa.
- Sugarloaf Mountain at sunset, then Urca for dinner.
- Santa Teresa, the Selarón Steps and the historic center.
- A beach day, or a day trip such as a hike or an island boat trip.
Go early to major viewpoints, which tend to get crowded and cloudy later in the day.
What is the prettiest city in Brazil?
This is subjective. Rio is the most common answer because the city is set between mountains and sea. Paraty is often named for its colonial streets, and Salvador for its colorful historic center.
How many days to spend in Brazil
For a first visit, ten days to two weeks allows Rio plus one or two other places. A week works if you keep to Rio and one more stop. Three weeks gives room for a second region such as Bahia or the Amazon.
Best time to go, and combining with Argentina
Brazil’s seasons are the reverse of the northern hemisphere. The southern summer, from roughly December to March, is hot and humid and also the main holiday period, so prices and crowds can be higher. The Amazon and Pantanal have wet and dry seasons that change what you can do, so check those before booking. If you want to combine Brazil and Argentina, the shoulder months, such as spring and autumn, are often a comfortable compromise, since Patagonia is cooler outside the summer months. See our guide to the best places to visit in Argentina for planning that half of the trip.
Practical tips
- Use official taxis or ride-hailing apps in big cities rather than hailing cars at night.
- Keep phones and valuables out of sight on beaches and in crowded areas, as petty theft is a common concern in tourist zones.
- Book major attractions and popular accommodation ahead around Carnival and the year-end holidays.
- Get travel insurance, and check current health advice, such as recommended vaccinations, with a travel clinic or official health source.