Brazil is vast, vibrant, and endlessly varied. In two weeks you’ll taste its essence: the rhythm of Rio de Janeiro, the raw power of Iguaçu Falls, and the soul of Salvador in Bahia. This itinerary balances big landmarks with neighborhood wanderings, so you leave with both postcard photos and lived-in memories.

Rio’s story arcs from colonial port to modern beach city, crowned by Christ the Redeemer and the granite dome of Sugarloaf. Foz do Iguaçu brings one of the world’s great natural spectacles, where 275 waterfalls roar through subtropical jungle. Salvador, the first colonial capital, is the cradle of Afro-Brazilian culture—capoeira, Candomblé, and the flavors of dendê oil and moqueca.

Practical notes: domestic flights are fast and good value, ride-hailing is common in cities, and beach culture is casual (bring a lightweight sarong). Keep an eye on belongings in busy areas, use ATMs inside banks or malls, and sample regional cuisine wherever you land—each state tastes different.

Rio de Janeiro

Rio seduces with peaks, jungle, and sea—urban drama framed by Tijuca Forest. Start with the classics (Christ and Sugarloaf), then linger in hillside Santa Teresa’s ateliers and at sunset tables along Urca’s waterfront. Between mornings on Copacabana and afternoons on Ipanema, Rio’s botecos (neighborhood bars) keep the conversation flowing with cold chopp and plates made for sharing.

Getting there: Most international flights land at GIG (Galeão) or SDU (Santos Dumont). Search fares via Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Expect 30–60 minutes by taxi/Uber into the South Zone depending on traffic.

Days 1–6: Iconic views, beaches, jungle, and neighborhoods

• Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf: Kick off with the city’s hall-of-fame highlights and sweeping views. Choose a guided day with tickets included for a stress-free first day.

Full Day: Christ Redeemer, Sugarloaf, City Tour & Barbecue Lunch — all the big sights in one day, with a classic churrasco lunch.

The Best Half Day in Rio with Christ Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Hill — a shorter option so you can add beach time.

• Beach and bay: Walk Copacabana’s wave mosaic, then cross to Leme’s quieter sands. Late afternoon, head to Urca; sit on the seawall with a pastel and beer from Bar Urca while the bay turns gold. Consider a sunset aboard a yacht for a new angle on the city’s skyline.

Rio de Janeiro Sunset Sailing Tour with Drinks — glide across Guanabara Bay past forts and the Niterói MAC.

• Tijuca Forest: Swap sand for rainforest. Trails reveal waterfalls, toucans, and views back over the city. Choose your adventure level—leisurely jeep safari or a proper hike.

Jeep Adventure: Guided Tour through Tijuca Rain Forest — easy access and great lookouts.

Rainforest Hike in Rio: Tijuca Waterfalls, Wildlife & Caves — for hikers who want trails, caves, and swims.

• Santa Teresa + Lapa: Ride the tram, browse ateliers, and linger over a caipirinha with hilltop views at Aprazível. Stroll down to the Selarón Steps—one artist’s love letter in ceramic—and check out live music in Lapa’s historic bars.
• Optional thrill: If you’ve dreamt of flying over beaches and jungle, tandem flights in São Conrado are a Rio classic.

Experience Hang Gliding or Paragliding in Rio — launch from Pedra Bonita and land on the sand.

Where to eat and drink:

• Breakfast/coffee: Confeitaria Colombo (since 1894; Belle Époque mirrors and custard tarts), The Slow Bakery in Botafogo (naturally leavened breads and strong espresso), and Café 18 do Forte (by Copacabana Fort, ocean view).
• Casual lunches: Galeto Sat’s (rotisserie chicken, farofa, and cold draft beer), Tacacá do Norte (Amazonian bowls like tacacá and açaí), and Braseiro da Gávea (legendary picanha for two).
• Dinner: Oteque (seafood-forward tasting menus, two Michelin stars), Oro by Felipe Bronze (contemporary Brazilian tasting menu), and Aprazível (Bahian-leaning flavors with treehouse views in Santa Teresa). For nightlife, try Rio Scenarium’s live samba and for sunset beers, the seawall at Urca.

Stay in Rio:

• Belmond Copacabana Palace — Rio’s grand dame across from Copacabana.
• Windsor Barra Hotel — beach-facing comfort in Barra da Tijuca.
• Ibis Rio de Janeiro Centro — value near downtown sights.
• Selina Lapa Rio de Janeiro — sociable base by Lapa’s music scene.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com Rio | VRBO Rio

Next stop: Foz do Iguaçu (Day 7, morning flight): Fly RIO→IGU. Nonstops are ~2h15; typical fares run ~$70–190 one-way. Check options on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Plan an 08:00 departure to land late morning and check in before lunch.

Foz do Iguaçu

Around you, the world thunders. Iguaçu’s 275 cascades straddle Brazil and Argentina, with walkways so close you feel the spray. Between park gateways lie bird sanctuaries and the monumental Itaipu Dam; across town, a lively dining scene fueled by travelers swapping waterfall stories.

Days 7–9: Falls, forest, and a bird’s-eye view

• Brazilian side: Start here for the grand panorama. The catwalk ends at Garganta do Diabo viewpoints—bring a light rain jacket. Consider the on-site boat ride if you want to get drenched.
• Argentine side: A full day of trails (Upper, Lower, and Devil’s Throat via train) places you over and under the falls. Bring water, snacks, and time.

Full Day Iguassu Falls Both Sides – Brazil and Argentina — transport and guidance simplify border formalities.

Panoramic Helicopter Flight over Iguassu Falls — 10–20 minutes aloft adds an unforgettable perspective.

More to do: Visit Parque das Aves for close-up encounters with toucans and macaws. Time permitting, book Itaipu Dam’s panoramic or night-illuminated tour for modern-meets-megascale engineering.

Where to eat:

• Vó Bertila: Cozy spot for wood-fired pizzas and handmade pastas—friendly prices and big portions.
• Churrascaria Búfalo Branco: Traditional all-you-can-eat barbecue with a strong salad bar and endless skewers of beef, lamb, and chicken.
• Capitão Bar: Casual craft beers, Brazilian petiscos, and hearty mains—great for groups after a long day walking the trails.

Stay in Foz do Iguaçu:

• Belmond Hotel das Cataratas — inside the national park; first on the trails and last at sunset.
• Vivaz Cataratas Hotel Resort — family-friendly with pools and spa.
• Mabu Thermas Grand Resort — thermal pools and resort amenities.
• Tetris Container Hostel — design-forward budget stay.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com Foz do Iguaçu | VRBO Foz do Iguaçu

Next stop: Salvador (Day 10, morning flight): Fly IGU→SSA (usually via São Paulo or Rio). Total travel time ~5–7 hours including the connection; fares often ~$120–260. Search on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Aim to arrive by mid-afternoon for a Pelourinho sunset.

Salvador

Salvador wears history on its sleeve and music in its step. Cobbled Pelourinho is a UNESCO-listed maze of pastel façades where drummers rehearse, capoeiristas spin, and church bells mark the hours. Out on the edges, beaches at Barra and Itapuã offer sea swims and easygoing kiosks.

Days 10–14: Pelourinho, moqueca, and Bahian sunsets

• Old Town essentials: Ride the Elevador Lacerda from upper town to Mercado Modelo; shop for crafts and learn the meaning of Bonfim ribbons before visiting the basilica itself. Pop into São Francisco Church for gilded Baroque interiors.
• Afro-Brazilian Salvador: Join an evening percussion workshop or a capoeira roda to understand the city’s rhythms. Look for acarajé stands run by Baianas (fried black-eyed-pea fritters split and stuffed with vatapá, shrimp, and salad) on Largo de Santana in Rio Vermelho.
• Beaches and bays: Swim at Praia do Porto da Barra in the morning when waters are calm. Time a Farol da Barra lighthouse sunset—locals applaud when the sun slips beneath the horizon. If you want a day trip, hire a boat to Ilha dos Frades for white-sand coves and clear snorkel water.

Where to eat and drink:

• Breakfast/coffee: Cafelier (Santo Antônio Além do Carmo; terrace over the bay), Coffeetown Salvador (modern brews, pastries, light brunch plates).
• Lunch: Dona Mariquita (heritage Bahian recipes like efó and xinxim), Amado (bayfront contemporary plates; great for executive lunch), and Yemanjá (crowd-pleasing moquecas; ask for moqueca de camarão or peixe with farofa and rice).
• Dinner: Casa de Tereza (chef-driven takes on Bahian classics; book ahead), Mistura Contorno (seafood, crudo, and stunning bay views), and Boteco do França in Rio Vermelho (laidback, perfect for beer and bolinhos).
• Sweet finish: Sorveteria da Ribeira (since 1931; try umbu, graviola, or taperebá fruit flavors).

Stay in Salvador:

• Fasano Salvador — glamorous address in a landmark building with Baía de Todos-os-Santos views.
• Hotel Bahia do Sol — well-located for Barra and the historic center.
• Vila Galé Salvador — oceanfront stays with a pool facing the Atlantic.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com Salvador | VRBO Salvador

Flying out: Depart from SSA. Compare fares on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com. If your route is international, consider an evening departure to enjoy a final lighthouse sunset and moqueca lunch.

Practical tips:

• Carry a small waterproof pouch for phones at the falls and beaches.
• Tap water isn’t typically consumed; order bottled or filtered still water.
• ATMs: use machines inside banks/shopping centers during business hours.
• Ride-hailing is widely used in all three cities; avoid hailing unlicensed cabs on the street late at night.

Two weeks in Brazil gives you mountains, jungle, surf, and drumbeats. From Rio’s cinematic vistas to the mist of Iguaçu and Salvador’s golden-hour streets, this itinerary concentrates Brazil’s greatest hits with time to savor the flavors in between. You’ll leave with a camera full of views— and a head full of rhythms.