Rio de Janeiro, Paraty and Best Undiscovered Brazilian Beach Towns
20 days /19 nights
Overview
The perfect vacation here includes plenty of time in the sun and surf, but also enjoying its world-class restaurants and thrilling activities. Keep reading for our suggested 3-week itinerary and get inspired for your own Brazilian getaway.
From a rich contemporary art and culture scene to colonial towns, vibrant markets, museums and Portuguese history, discover the heritage of Brazil on this tour. End your vacation on the sunny beaches and pristine islands of Fernando de Noronha, one of the most important ecological sanctuaries in the world!
Memorable Moments
- Take in panoramic views of Rio from Corcovado and Sugarloaf mountains;
- Go behind the scenes of Carnival preparation at a samba school, watch dance rehearsals and see the creation of colorful floats;
- Soak in the authentic Brazilian essence during your visit to Paraty town and admire its intact colonial architecture dating back to the eighteenth century;
- Explore the sounds and flavors of the vibrant Bahian culture with expert insights into Salvador's local music and cuisine;
- Wander through the colorful streets of Pelourinho (Unesco World Heritage site) and see some of the recently restored baroque architecture;
- Trek along the most scenic beaches located in the Northeast of Brazil;
- Spend time snorkeling, swimming or just relaxing on the beach at Praia do Sancho (TripAdvisor recently voted Sancho beach as the most beautiful in the world);
Itinerary at a glance
Day 1 – Rio de Janeiro – Introductory Tour of Rio
Day 2 – Rio de Janeiro – Comprehensive Tour of Rio
Day 3 – Paraty – Transfer from Rio to Paraty
Day 4 – Paraty – Speed boat Island-hopping
Day 5 – Paraty – Jeep Tour & Waterfalls
Day 6 – Fly to Porto Seguro – Bahia.
Day 7 – Trancoso - Cycling to Itaquena
Day 8 – Trancoso - Caraíva to Espelho trek
Day 9 – Trancoso – Trancoso Sports
Day 10 – Fly to Salvador de Bahia
Day 11 – Salvador de Bahia – Overview Tour
Day 12 – Salvador de Bahia – Tour of the Lower City
Day 13 – Porto De Galhinas - Reef Pools and Buggy Trip
Day 14 – Porto De Galhinas - Pontal de Maracaipe
Day 15 – Fly to Fernando de Noronha
Day 16 – Fernando de Noronha – Buggy Tour of the Island
Day 17 – Fernando de Noronha - Explore the island on boat
Day 18 – Fernando de Noronha - Beach trekking
Day 19 – Fernando de Noronha – Dolphin Bay and Sancho Beach
Day 20 – Fly to Rio de Janeiro – Depart Brazil
Pictures of this itinerary
Full Itinerary
Upon arrival in Rio de Janeiro airport, meet your guide at arrivals lounge who will take your hotel located in Copacabana, the world’s most iconic beach.
After check in, leave the hotel accompanied by your local guide and go to Urca district to board the cable car for a two-stage ride that will whisk you up to Sugar Loaf. Continue with a brief panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro beaches and return to your hotel.
Accommodations: Copacabana Palace
Following breakfast, start an overview tour of Rio’s most important sights during this comprehensive day tour.
With a local guide, travel through the Tijuca Forest, stopping at Paineiras to board transportation to the top of Corcovado, home of the Christ the Redeemer statue. The view from the Corcovado provides a spectacular panorama of Rio and its surrounding. Proceed to the city center, divided into the historic and bohemian districts and the new residential areas.
In the evening, get the spirit for Carnival by attending a samba school rehearsal. Witness the creating of costumes and skilled dancers practicing for performances in the Carnival parades.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Copacabana Palace
After breakfast, meet your driver at the lobby of your hotel and depart to the city of Paraty. Check in at a charming guest house that respects and cherishes the colonial heritage but incorporates the 21st century Paraty-vibe.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Casa Turquesa
Aboard a regional boat, navigate to Praia Vermelha, and head towards “Cotia” and “Algodao” islands. Enjoy the ride making some stops along the way for a swim or snorkeling in strategic places. Visit Caco do Mamangua, a tropical fjord of unique beauty. For lunch, you can choose from one of the simple restaurants around the bay, supplied by local fishermen. Eat the fresh catch of the day in a paradisiacal landscape. Continue exploring the bay in the afternoon and head back to the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.
Accommodations: Casa Turquesa
The day starts with a short Jeep transfer from Paraty, to visit the “Grauna” region waterfalls. Once you are tuned in with the rainforest, transfer by jeep once again to visit the Engenho D’ouro cachaça distillery. The cachaça is made from the local sugar cane field, harvested, naturally fermented and finally distilled, and stored in oak barrels. You’ll stop for lunch at an organic farm located in Paraty and the food will be freshly prepared from the farm´s plantation. Visit more waterfalls and swim after lunch. Return to Paraty in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodations: Casa Turquesa
After breakfast, enjoy a transfer from Paraty to Rio de Janeiro Airport.
Fly to Porto Seguro airport and be welcomed by your driver and transferred to your hotel in Trancoso.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Casa Uxua
Meet your guide at your hotel and start riding towards the south of Trancoso. On your way, stop to admire the panoramic view of Itaquena Beach seen from above and the immensity of the Buffalo Valley. Arriving at Itaquena, ride your bicycle right on the hard-packed sand by the seashore. Take some time to rest and enjoy the beach and sip on a fresh coconut water before you head back to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Casa Uxua
This is a fantastic beach trek that takes about 2.5 hours through some of the most beautiful landscapes in Bahia. Caraíva and Espelho beaches are probably the most remote and scenic shorelines in the region. This trek takes 2-3 hours, depending on your pace, and will mostly be along the beach, though part of the trek takes you up a short cliff with great views. Arrive at Espelho and have a delicious lunch in one of the great but rustic beachfront restaurants and spend a relaxing afternoon at the beach before returning to Trancoso at the end of the day.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Casa Uxua
Choose among Capoeira, Surf, Stand-up Paddle or Kayaking and enjoy nature while practicing your sport of choice during a few hours either in the morning or in the afternoon.
An expert teacher will pick you up at your hotel for a two-hour sport activity and take you to the best place around Trancoso to practice it. Ready to try a Capoeira class? The set up will be either at your hotel or at the Capoeira school building, as you wish.
Meals: Breakfat.
Accommodations: Casa Uxua
Following breakfast, you will be transferred to Porto Seguro airport where you will fly to Salvador de Bahia. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel located in the historical district of Salvador de Bahia.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Villa Bahia Hotel
In the morning, start the day with a complete overview tour of Salvador de Bahia. This tour includes a visit of flourishing São Joaquim food market which provided an essential link to the farming hinterland of the western shores of the bay. In the afternoon, visit the Barra district site of important historical landmarks in Brazil’s early colonial period, now also residential waterfront neighborhood. Then proceed via elegant tree-lined avenues and bustling city streets to the Pelourinho, a Unesco Heritage site and explore the largest complex of colonial architecture in South America.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Villa Bahia Hotel
Continue your exploration of Bahia with a tour of the lower city of Salvador de Bahia which offers another perspective of the sprawling city, taking you to the quiet waters of the Itapagipe Peninsula where life moves at a slower pace than the bustling upper city. Fishermen fish from dug-out canoes, locals collect shellfish at low tide, schooners lie at anchor, all protected by the famous Bonfim church, one of the most important churches of pilgrimage in Brazil and deeply syncretized with the Candomblé (visit). Continue to the Monserrat district with its panoramic view of the city and on to the Mercado Modelo, a thriving market for local artifacts and souvenirs. Following lunch, proceed to the airport to fly to Recife. Upon arrival in Recife airport, you will meet your driver and He will transfer you to Nannai Resort.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Accommodations: Nannai Resort
Take a Jangada (traditional fishing raft) tour through the reef pools and a buggy trip to the white-sand beaches of Gamboa and Muro Alto. This beautiful beach is formed by an immense wall of coral (hence the name– “High Wall”) creating an enormous natural swimming pool.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Accommodations: Nannai Resort
Today, visit Pontal de Maracaipe, with its wonderful combination of river and sea, a mixture of mangrove swamp and beach. Take a trip on a skiff through the swamp, where you’ll see seahorses, protected voluntarily by local fishermen.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Accommodations: Nannai Resort
Early in the morning, visit Olinda town, famous for its fine examples of Baroque architecture that can be appreciated in churches, convents and monasteries. Narrow and steep streets, lined with colonial style houses that are now artists’ ateliers lead to Olinda’s highest hill, opening up to a beautiful view of Recife, and surrounding palm-lined beaches. At the end of the tour, private transfer to Recife airport to board your flight to Fernando de Noronha.
Upon arrival in Fernando de Noronha, enjoy a transfer to your resort.
Dinner at your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Nannai Resort
A reconnaissance drive on your first day will give you a broad understanding of context and geography in this ecological sanctuary making it much easier to spend time on your own venturing the volcanic terrain during days to follow. Together with your guide, discover Noronha’s natural wonders: beaches, hidden bays, and spectacular views, preserved wild & aquatic life; a quaint town and historic lighthouse.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Pousada Maravilha
Spend the morning exploring Fernando de Noronha’s most famous beaches in Fernando de Noronha.
Depending on your choice of boat, and therefore your route, you can head to Sancho or Morro Dois Irmãos the iconic twin mounts of Fernando de Noronha – for an ultimate snorkeling experience. Return to port after experiencing the breath-taking underwater of Noronha.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Pousada Maravilha
Experience several beaches in one day as well as the different settings and topography through the coastline. Walking along the beach, your route will be via several spectacular beaches: Meio, Conceição, Boldró, Americano, Cacimba, Bode and Baía dos Porcos. Praia do Bode is a great option to stop for a picnic, while Baía dos Porcos is an excellent spot for swimming and snorkeling.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Pousada Maravilha
Dolphins are loved creatures worldwide and Fernando de Noronha is a great location to see these alluring mammals.
Take a short walk through virgin rainforests leads to a prime viewing point at the top of a hill, from where you can enjoy the spectacle with panoramic views over the dolphin bay. After watching the activity down at sea, head to the “stage” yourself for some time in yet another spectacular beach, Sancho, a 25-minute trail away, ending with a steep staircase that gives access to the beach.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Pousada Maravilha
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FAQ
April to May and October to November are the best times to visit Rio de Janeiro. The city is not as crowded and the temperatures are slightly cooler than during the summer. Bear in mind that summer in Rio de Janeiro usually comes with very high temperatures, humidity and some summer storms. However, the city’s most notable events — including New Year’s Eve and Carnival — take place during Brazil’s summer which lasts from December through March.
Rio de Janeiro is largely safe. But just like many large cities, there are neighborhoods you should avoid visiting. We do not recommend visiting a favela, even on a guided tour, and stick to Zona Sul (or Rio’s South Zone) which is made up of safer (and more popular) beachfront neighborhoods like Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, and Botafogo. The best way to get around Rio is with our local guide who will show you Rio’s cultural gems and will help you explore Rio de Janeiro with peace of mind.
The best time to visit Bahia, Recife and Trancoso is during dry season (from May through August) when the temperatures rarely dip below 25ºC (77ºF) or rise beyond 32º or 33ºC (90ºF). December to March is is considered peak season since music festivals and nightlife are at their high point. That’s the best time for those who want to share the exuberance, the joy and the musical side of Salvador de Bahia.
If you’re up-to-date on your standard vaccinations, then you’re all set. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly recommends, that travelers get a yellow fever vaccination before traveling to Brazil. But proof of this vaccination is not required for entry into the country.
Brazil’s visa policy is based upon reciprocity, which means that if Brazilian citizens don’t need a visa to enter your home country, you don’t need a visa to enter Brazil. However, citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan, and the U.S. are currently exceptions to this rule and do not need a visa to visit Brazil. You will simply need a valid passport. Visits are limited to 90 days per entry in Brazil. Contact the nearest Brazilian Embassy or Consulate for advice and consular assistance before booking your trip.
If you are planning to travel during peak season (mid-December through end of February) we recommend to book your trip 12-15 months in advance. If you are planning to travel during mid-season you can start booking 8-6 months in advance. As soon as you know when you want to go, contact us and we will help you with the planning and booking process.
WiFi is available in big cities and in most towns/villages so you can rely on having access a few times a week during your trip. However, in Fernando de Noronha island you will have limited, if any, internet access. Few hotels have WI-FI access. Don’t expect any internet cafes on Fernando de Noronha. The government is making every effort to provide all services to visitors without compromising on the eco-system of the island.
Tour rates do not include international flights. We find that it is usually less expensive for travelers to book these separately, and this also allows you the flexibility to choose the schedule and routing that is most convenient for you. Alternatively, we can help you arrange these flights.
Yes. We publish special offers periodically throughout the year. Check out our Offers page for the latest offers and on-going discounts.
Yes. You are required to have full travel insurance cover. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that also includes trip cancellation and other travel mishaps (e.g. flight cancellations or delays, trip interruption, theft or loss of luggage and personal effects).