Brazil carries a rhythm you feel before you hear it—samba drifting from Lapa’s old arches, Atlantic waves rolling onto golden crescents, rainforest breathing up to the city’s cliffs. This 12-day itinerary stitches together three classic experiences: Rio de Janeiro’s icons, the island-city of Florianópolis in Santa Catarina, and the world-wonder drama of Iguaçu Falls.

In Rio, baroque churches and modernist dreams coexist beneath the open arms of Christ the Redeemer. Florianópolis (to locals, Floripa) offers Azorean fishing villages, stellar oysters, sandboard-ready dunes, and trails to secret coves. Foz do Iguaçu finishes the arc with jungle catwalks and the thundering Garganta del Diablo.

Expect a cuisine tour—moqueca and feijoada, market-fresh oysters, churrasco done right. Carry a card for ride-hailing, use reef-safe sunscreen, and pack mosquito repellent (dengue can spike in warm months). Portuguese is the language; the real is the currency; a 10% service fee is often included on bills.

Rio de Janeiro

Rio needs little introduction: a city framed by granite peaks, Atlantic beaches, and a rainforest national park within city limits. Mornings promise mountain views; afternoons belong to Copacabana and Ipanema; nights hum with chorinho and samba in Lapa and Santa Teresa.

Top sights include Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf’s cable cars, the colorful Selarón Steps, the neoclassical belle-époque of downtown, and Tijuca Forest’s waterfalls. Between sights, refuel with açaí, pastel de camarão, and a cold mate gelado on the sand.

Days 1–5: Icons, neighborhoods, beaches, and the urban rainforest

• Christ & Sugarloaf without the guesswork: Cover the icons and beat timing hassles with a compact guided outing.
  The Best Half Day in Rio with Christ Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Hill

  

  Visit Corcovado early for softer light, then ride the classic twin-stage cable car up Sugarloaf for a harbor panorama that made aviators swoon a century ago.
• Sunset by sail: Watch the city trade gold for violet from Guanabara Bay, skirting historic forts and Urca cliffs.
  Sunset Sailing Tour in Rio de Janeiro

  

  Bring a light jacket; winds pick up after dusk.
• Into Tijuca Forest: An open-top Jeep ride brings you from city streets to giant ferns, capuchin monkeys, and the Vista Chinesa lookout in minutes.
  Jeep Adventure: Guided Tour through Tijuca Rain Forest

  

  Ideal for a cooler morning before beach time.
• Neighborhood time: Linger in Santa Teresa’s ateliers, Lapa’s Arcos and samba bars, and Urca’s mureta (seawall) with an ice-cold beer at sunset. Stroll the botanical garden’s imperial palms and the minimalist beauty of Parque Lage.
• Beach rhythm: Copacabana for people-watching, Ipanema for surf and Morro Dois Irmãos views, Leblon for quieter sands. Rent chairs/umbrella; try queijo coalho (grilled cheese) and matte-lemon on the beach.

Where to stay (Rio):

• Classic beachfront: Belmond Copacabana Palace
• Modern Barra beachfront: Windsor Barra Hotel
• Creative, social hub in Lapa: Selina Lapa Rio de Janeiro
• Value near downtown sights: Ibis Rio de Janeiro Centro
• Browse more stays: VRBO Rio de Janeiro | Hotels.com Rio de Janeiro

Coffee, breakfast, and dining (Rio):

• Confeitaria Colombo (Centro): 1894 belle-époque salon for brigadeiros, pastel de nata, and strong espresso—go early to admire the stained glass ceiling without the lunch rush.
• Café 18 do Forte (Copacabana Fort): Eggs and pão na chapa with a postcard view of the curve of Copacabana.
• Braseiro da Gávea: Old-school picanha, farofa, and batata portuguesa; a carioca rite of passage since the 1970s.
• Aprazível (Santa Teresa): Elevated Brazilian classics (try moqueca) served in treehouse-style pavilions overlooking Guanabara Bay—book for sunset.
• Adega Pérola (Copacabana): Counter piled with seafood petiscos—marinated octopus, codfish bolinhos, and stuffed olives; pair with a cold chopp.
• Nightlife: Rio Scenarium hosts live samba in a whimsical antiques-filled mansion; Bip Bip is intimate, music-first, with a framed photo history on the walls.

Getting in and around: Fly into GIG or SDU. Compare fares on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. Within Rio, use ride-hailing for hills (Santa Teresa, Urca), Metrô for Zona Sul–Centro, and yellow cabs after beach hours.

Travel to Florianópolis (morning of Day 6): Fly RIO–FLN (1h30–2h nonstop; ~$90–$180). Check options on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. Aim for an early flight to hit the beach by afternoon.

Florianópolis (Santa Catarina)

Florianópolis is an island-city with 40+ beaches, dunes straight out of the Sahara, and an Azorean heritage that lingers in tile-front villages and fishing boats. Surfers chase swells at Joaquina; hikers trace coastal ridges to secret coves; food-lovers come for oysters pulled from the bay that morning.

The city splits between historic Centro and beach neighborhoods. Lagoa da Conceição is the lively, central base with easy access to dunes and the east coast beaches; the south charms with wooden piers, octopus stews, and slow sunsets in Ribeirão da Ilha.

Days 6–9: Beaches, hikes, oysters, and island villages

• Beach circuit: Start at Joaquina for surf and sandboarding on nearby dunes; head to Praia Mole for rollers and beach kiosks; finish at Barra da Lagoa for a family-friendly swim and a short canal-side trail to tiny natural pools.
• Lagoinha do Leste hike: One of southern Brazil’s classic treks—crest over scrubby headlands to a wild crescent beach framed by hills. Pack water, reef-safe sunscreen, and sturdy shoes.
• Ilha do Campeche: Dayboat from Praia do Campeche to glass-clear shallows with snorkel-friendly trails and archaeological rock engravings. Tickets are sold at beach kiosks; seas can be choppy—go early in calm weather.
• Ribeirão da Ilha & oyster route: Explore 18th-century chapels, photogenic piers, and sample local oysters (raw, Rockefeller-style, or grilled) as the sun slides behind oyster farms.
• Sunset villages: Santo Antônio de Lisboa and Sambaqui mingle Portuguese tilework, calm bays, and seafood terraces made for golden-hour caipirinhas.

Where to stay (Florianópolis):

• Adults-only peninsula hideaway: Ponta dos Ganchos Exclusive Resort (north of the island; for special-occasion stays).
• Great value downtown base: Hotel Porto da Ilha
• Resort with beach and trails: Costão do Santinho Resort
• Browse more stays: VRBO Florianópolis | Hotels.com Florianópolis

Coffee, breakfast, and dining (Florianópolis):

• Café Cultura (various): Island roaster pouring sleek flat whites and pão de queijo; great for early surf days.
• Mercado Público (Centro): Share grilled shrimp, pastel de camarão, and cold beer at Box 32; live samba roda spills in on weekends.
• Ostradamus (Ribeirão da Ilha): The oyster temple—start raw with a squeeze of local limão, then try baked with manioc farofa.
• Bar do Arante (Pântano do Sul): Homey seafood joint with handwritten notes pinned to the ceiling and generous moquecas.
• Ponta das Caranhas (Lagoa): Lagoon-side terrace for tainha (mullet) in season and a mellow sunset vibe.

Getting there/around: FLN airport is 15–30 minutes from most bases. Ride-hailing works well; in high season (Dec–Feb), start early to beat traffic to beaches. For flexible beach-hopping, a rental car helps—search on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Travel to Foz do Iguaçu (morning of Day 10): FLN–IGU is often 2.5–4 hours with a connection via GRU or VCP; expect ~$120–$220. Compare on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. Aim to land by late morning for the Bird Park or a sunset dam visit.

Foz do Iguaçu

Where Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay meet, the Paraná and Iguaçu rivers unleash one of Earth’s great spectacles. Metal catwalks weave through jungle spray, coatis pad along the path, and rainbows bloom and vanish in seconds.

Base yourself near the park entrance for easy morning access, or in town for broader dining options. Don’t miss Parque das Aves, a respected Atlantic Forest bird sanctuary across from the national park gate.

Days 10–12: Brazilian and Argentine sides, birds, and a helicopter flyover

• Brazilian side first: Start with the panoramic overview—cliff-edge catwalks face the full amphitheater of falls and end at the Devil’s Throat belvedere.
• Cross to Argentina: Take the train inside Iguazú National Park and walk the upper/lower circuits to feel the power of Garganta del Diablo. Bring passports for the border; check daily water-level updates.
• Full-day guided combo: Let a guide handle borders, routes, and timing.
  Full Day Iguassu Falls Both Sides - Brazil and Argentina

  

• Take to the air: A short scenic flight reveals the immensity of the horseshoe gorge and rainforest canopy.
  Panoramic Helicopter Flight over Iguassu Falls

  

• Parque das Aves: Walk-through aviaries protect toucans, macaws, and harpy eagles while supporting rehabilitation and Atlantic Forest conservation—plan 1–2 hours.
• Itaipu Dam by sunset: The world’s second-largest hydroelectric facility offers scenic viewpoints and an evening illumination tour that turns turbines into theater.

Where to stay (Foz do Iguaçu):

• Inside the national park: Belmond Hotel das Cataratas (walk to viewpoints at dawn)
• Family-friendly resort with pools: Vivaz Cataratas Hotel Resort or Mabu Thermas Grand Resort
• Design-forward budget option: Tetris Container Hostel
• Browse more stays: VRBO Foz do Iguaçu | Hotels.com Foz do Iguaçu

Coffee, breakfast, and dining (Foz do Iguaçu):

• Empório com Arte: Cozy café-gallery for espresso, tapioca crepes, and cakes between park visits.
• La Mafia Trattoria: Handmade pastas and a deep wine list set in a moody, cinema-styled dining room—reserve for post-falls comfort food.
• Capitão Bar: Ice-cold draught beers, grilled river fish, and Brazilian bar snacks; lively at night.
• Cheiro Verde: Long-running vegetarian buffet popular with locals and guides alike.

Departing Brazil: IGU has flights to São Paulo and other hubs; allow extra time if connecting internationally. Check fares via Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights.

Practical notes: Sunny months (Oct–Mar) are beach-perfect but humid; shoulder seasons are ideal for hiking. For safety, keep phones pocketed curbside, use ATMs inside banks or malls, and rely on licensed taxis/ride-hailing at night. Pack light rain layers for Iguaçu spray and quick-dry clothing for coastal hikes.

In 12 days, you’ll trace Brazil’s broad spectrum: mountains and music in Rio, oyster-rich bays and dunes in Florianópolis, and the awe of Iguaçu’s rainforest amphitheater. It’s a route that balances headline sights with local textures—one you’ll remember every time you smell sea salt or hear a samba beat.