Classic 13-Day Brazil Tour of Rio, Iguazu, Salvador & More

Deserted beach with coconut trees in Ilhéus on the coast of Bahia Brazil

What to expect on this itinerary

The fascinating local culture, immaculate Iguazu landscapes, and crisp Bahia coastline will blow you away on this 13-day tour of Brazil’s classic cultural and wilderness experiences. You will explore the carnivals and markets of Rio de Janeiro beneath the towering Christ the Redeemer monument, wander the lush wilderness that wraps around the impressive Iguazu Falls, and walk along the breathtaking Bahia coastline of Itacaré to capture the country’s natural wonders.

Countries Visited

Argentina, Brazil

Places Visited

Rio de Janeiro, Foz do Iguaçu, Salvador, Ilhéus, Itacaré

Suggested Duration

13 Days

Customizable Itinerary

Expand All
Day 1

Rio de Janeiro - Welcome to Brazil

The massive seaside city of Rio de Janeiro is a cultural melting pot of South American flair and flavor. The locals will embrace you with open arms as you touch down and transfer to accommodation in and amongst the city’s bustling Brazilian atmosphere. You may absorb the colorful culture minutes after you drop off your things and head to vibrant downtown neighborhoods where musicians play on the sidewalk and brightly decorated mosaic steps ascend to charming eateries around the corner. In the distance, the enormous open arms of Christ the Redeemer lift proudly above the city skyline.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Day 2

Rio de Janeiro - Capture Images of Christ the Redeemer

Day 3

Rio de Janeiro - Backstage Carnival Experience in Brazil

Day 4

Foz do Iguaçu - Views of the Iguazu Falls

Day 5

Foz do Iguaçu - Explore the Argentinian Falls

Day 6

Foz do Iguaçu - See the Iguazu Spectacles from the Sky

Day 7

Foz do Iguaçu - Cycling the Iguazu National Park

Day 8

Salvador - Beautiful Day Tour of the Bahia Capital

Day 9

Salvador - Visit the São Joaquim Market and More

Day 10

Itacaré - Settle Into Your Accommodation on Cocoa Coast

Day 11

Itacaré - Wander the Fazenda Juerana Forest

Day 12

Itacaré - Tour the Serra de Conduru State Park

Day 13

Ilheus - Goodbye, Brazil

Trip Highlights

  • Cruise the mountains of Rio in Brazil on a tour to the phenomenal Christ the Redeemer monument, beautiful indigenous Botanical Gardens, and more
  • Delight in a backstage carnival experience of the Pimpolhos project in Rio to uncover the vibrant performance and art culture before you tour the São Bento Monastery
  • Visit one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Iguazu Falls, from Foz do Iguaçu and capture surreal scenic photography of the lush jungles
  • Explore the Argentine side of Iguazu Falls and stroll exquisite pathways through the jungle-clad landscape to view Garganta del Diablo, Iguazu river canyon, and more
  • Soar across the skies on a private helicopter tour that will share birds-eye views of the pounding Iguazu Falls and surrounding wilderness
  • Cycle through the Iguazu National Park to see the Floriano, Deodoro da Fonseca, Benjamín Constant, and Salto Uniao falls as well as bird-watching along the way
  • Tour the Bahia neighborhoods of Salvador to the Peninsula of Itapagipe, the Church of Bonfim, the Monserrat district, and the Mercado Modelo
  • Explore Salvador’s famous São Joaquim market and visit the Church of San Francisco, the Cathedral, and the Municipal Square
  • Hike through the Fazenda Juerana forest to the Cachoeira waterfall and enjoy a day of peaceful wildlife discover on the Cocoa Coast
  • Discover the environmental initiatives and protective efforts of the local Brazilian Bahia people on a tour of Serra de Conduru State Park from the Floresta Viva Institute

Starting Price

$18,000 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 101 reviews

Brazil, Argentina Trip Review: Iguazu Falls, Jet Boat Ride, Helicopter Flight, Tribal Experience, 4-Day Tour

Our experience while on the trip was exceptional! Zicasso’s travel specialist and our driver were the absolute best! I would recommend them to anyone traveling in the Iguazu Falls area.

The activity choices and recommendations were spot on. We enjoyed each of our hotels on either side of the falls.

Our biggest hiccup was traveling through São Paulo Airport. Either a recommendation to travel through another airport in Brazil or Argentina, or a thorough explanation of how we would have to change terminals and go through security a second time, would have been very useful. We truly thought that even with our two hours between flights (which I asked about being enough time), we were going to miss our connection to Foz do Iguacu. It was unfortunate that a person trying to help us at the airport gave us inaccurate information, adding to the confusion. Both this trip and our last (to Banff/Vancouver) we had trouble connecting with an agent over the weekend. I think this could be addressed more clearly for your future guests. We laughed that as we were waiting to board our plane back to the US, we received a welcome to Brazil email with emergency contact info. The timing was exactly wrong.

When we traveled in Thailand, there was a messaging app connection established before we even left the US. I think this would be wonderful in the future.

FYI, we did make a messaging app connection with the travel specialist that we used each day.

So overall, our experience while in Argentina and Brazil was exceptional, but I would work on helping reduce the travel stress and having emergency contacts established before the travel began.

Thank you.

See more

Argentina, Brazil Travel Review: Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls, Tango Shows, Vineyard Tours, Boat Ride, Wine, Local Cuisine, 11-Night Trip

My wife and I recently embarked on a breathtaking journey through South America, visiting Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Iguazú Falls in Argentina, and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. We entrusted Zicasso's tour agency with planning our trip and it turned out to be one of the best travel decisions we've ever made.

From the very beginning, the team at the tour company was attentive and responsive, taking the time to understand our preferences and interests. They crafted a personalized itinerary that perfectly balanced adventure, relaxation, and cultural exploration.

Buenos Aires: Our adventure began in the vibrant city of Buenos Aires. The agency arranged for a knowledgeable local guide who took us through the historic neighborhoods, tango shows, and culinary delights. The accommodations were centrally located, allowing us to explore the city with ease.

Mendoza: Next, we traveled to Mendoza, where we were immersed in the world of wine. The tour agency organized exclusive vineyard tours and tastings, providing us with a unique insight into the region's winemaking traditions. The picturesque landscapes and charming boutique hotel made our stay unforgettable.

Iguazú Falls: The highlight of our trip was undoubtedly the awe-inspiring Iguazú Falls. The agency ensured we had the best vantage points and arranged for a thrilling boat ride that brought us up close to the cascading waters. Their attention to detail and seamless logistics made this experience truly magical.

Rio de Janeiro: Our journey concluded in the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro. The travel company curated a perfect blend of iconic sights like Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, along with hidden gems that showcased the city's unique culture. The beachfront hotel provided stunning views and a relaxing end to our adventure.

Throughout the trip, the tour company was always available to assist with any questions or adjustments, ensuring a stress-free experience. Their expertise and dedication to customer satisfaction were evident in every aspect of our journey.

We wholeheartedly recommend this company to anyone seeking a well-organized and memorable travel experience. We look forward to planning our next adventure with them!

See more

Brazil Tour Review: Iguazu Falls, Rio de Janeiro, 1 Week

I couldn't recommend our travel company more. We booked them through Zicasso after receiving a very detailed and budget-conscious itinerary for our family trip to Brazil. We decided to visit Iguazú Falls, followed by Rio de Janeiro, over New Year's. Everything was great from start to finish, including trip planning, adjusting the itinerary based on our requests and holiday constraints, travel planning, and the trip itself.

We had a dedicated guide in each of our destination cities and this is what made the trip great. Our guide in Iguazú Falls and our guide in Rio were both fantastic. Each of them was courteous, friendly, knowledgeable, patient, and very well connected with the staff at the various places we visited. Not infrequently, we would be whisked to the front of long lines because our guides had a connection. Both of them were extremely flexible, like letting us enjoy a long lunch and starting our tour an hour late one day. They catered to our needs throughout our trip.

It was a fantastic and memorable trip!

See more

Brazil Tour Review: Rio de Janeiro, Paraty, Private Tour, Private Boat Ride, 8 Nights

It was a fantastic trip! Zicasso's travel specialist provided guidance on visiting not just Rio de Janeiro, but Paraty, a fishing village four hours away, and it turned out to be the highlight of the trip.

She scheduled a private boat tour of the bay and it was absolutely stunning; swimming on empty beaches and having a great lunch right over the water.

Additionally she booked a beautiful and relaxing hotel that had some of the best food of the trip. I would not have planned this without her help.

I recommend our travel company unreservedly; totally worth it!

See more

Brazil Tour Review: Rio de Janeiro, Amazon, Porto Jofre, Cuiaba, Boat Ride, Wildlife, Nature, 11-Day Trip

It was a great trip. This trip started as an idea to do a jaguar safari and we ended up including Rio de Janeiro and the Amazon as well. We really enjoyed the entire trip.

This was our second time working with this Zicasso travel partner (Argentina in 2018) and our positive experience the first time was a part of the reason we chose to work with them again.

Our travel agent has always been really helpful and just great to work with. He knows the region well and gives excellent advice. He has been responsive and very flexible; the planning has been efficient and all arrangements dependable. Everything went smoothly this time and last time. It has been a true pleasure and I really look forward to working with him again.

See more

Argentina, Uruguay Tour Review: Buenos Aires, Salta Province, Iguazu Falls, Wineries, Scenery, 1-Week Trip

Our Argentina trip was really fantastic! It's such a large country that it was hard to narrow down a few places to visit for our short time there. We decided on Buenos Aires, Salta Province, and Iguazú Falls (with a day trip to Uruguay).

Zicasso’s travel company was very easy to work with, being very open and accommodating to our ideas for the itinerary. They managed everything—booking hotels, car service, daily guides and tours, wineries, some restaurants, and our in-country flights. They were great in finding perfect guides to help us navigate where we went and offer lots of good historical information. The travel company was super-communicative, checking in with us almost daily and keeping track of our driver pick-ups and in-country flights.

I think the highlight for me was the Salta Province—it's such a remote area, but with the most beautiful and diverse scenery. The travel company found for us a fantastic driver/guide who did all the driving on some treacherous terrain, translated all our communication, and found some charming places to eat while on the road. He also was very thoughtful in downloading a playlist with music we had talked about liking and put together a short video of our travels as a keepsake. There were some fabulous wineries in the Salta region, so we felt like we experienced a large part of the province.

We also visited Iguazú Falls, which were spectacular from Argentina and Brazil. The travel company made it easy in booking us accommodations inside the national park so we could get an early start on our tour. Our guide there was also wonderful—she shared a lot of interesting information of the area and even told us about a restaurant back in Buenos Aires which we visited, which turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip.

I would highly recommend the travel company, which can plan a great trip from soup to nuts. The women we worked with were delightful to deal with and so welcoming and helpful.

See more

Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

28,000+ Verified Traveler Reviews