Brazil is a country of superlatives—home to art deco icons, rainforest peaks, and one of the planet’s mightiest waterfalls. In Rio de Janeiro, granite mountains drop into golden arcs of sand while samba drifts out of neighborhood bars. In Foz do Iguaçu, hundreds of cataracts thunder through subtropical forest where toucans flash across the mist.

Across three weeks, this itinerary anchors you in two ideal bases—Rio and Foz do Iguaçu—for a mix of culture, cuisine, hiking, sailing, and beach time. You’ll ride the Sugarloaf cable car, taste classic feijoada, hike Tijuca National Park, cruise Guanabara Bay at sunset, and stand before Iguazu’s roaring curtain of water.

Practical notes: Brazil is tropical; pack sun protection and light rain layers. Uber and licensed taxis are widely used in cities; avoid entering favelas without a vetted guide. Credit cards are common, but keep a small stash of reais for markets and kiosks. Caipirinhas are strong—hydrate and pace yourself, especially in the midday heat.

Rio de Janeiro

Rio is equal parts postcard and lived-in joy: Christ the Redeemer blessing the skyline, cable cars gliding to Sugarloaf, and neighborhood botequins passing plates of salgadinhos as locals argue football. The city was Brazil’s capital from 1763–1960; today it’s the country’s most cinematic stage, where rainforest meets city and sea.

Arrive ready for early starts—Rio’s viewpoints shine in morning light—and long, lazy afternoons by the water. Evenings are for Lapa’s live music, Santa Teresa’s hilltop restaurants, and the ritual of sunset applause at Arpoador.

Getting to Rio: Most international flights land at GIG (Galeão). Search fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. From the U.S. East Coast, nonstop flights are roughly 8–10 hours.

Days 1–6: Icons, beaches, and classic flavors

• Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf: Start with a guided day that strings together the essentials, minimizing transit time and queues. Consider:
  Full Day: Christ Redeemer, Sugarloaf, City Tour & Barbecue Lunch

  

  
  Prefer a shorter window?
  The Best Half Day in Rio with Christ Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Hill

  

  
  DIY? Buy skip-the-line tickets:
  Skip the Line Christ the Redeemer Admission Ticket

  

  
  Skip-the-Line: Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car Ticket

  

• Beach rhythm: Alternate between Copacabana’s timeless promenade and the youthful energy of Ipanema and Leblon. Stake a spot near Posto 9, rent a chair, and order a matte with lime and a Globo biscuit from passing vendors.
• Downtown & Lapa: Visit the golden-belle époque Confeitaria Colombo (since 1894) for a brigadeiro and espresso under stained glass. Walk to the Selarón Steps, then return at night for live music at Rio Scenarium or samba at tiny, iconic Bip Bip.
• Where to eat:
  • Breakfast/coffee: The Slow Bakery (sourdough and cold brew in Botafogo); Café do Alto (Nordestino breakfast—tapioca wraps, macaxeira fries—in Santa Teresa); Talho Capixaba (classic Rio bakery in Leblon).
  • Lunch: Bar Urca (order the caldo de frutos do mar and sit on the seawall facing Sugarloaf); Aconchego Carioca (famous bolinho de feijoada and feijoada Wednesdays/Saturdays); Cervantes (late-night pernil sandwich with pineapple).
  • Dinner: Aprazível (treehouse-like dining with Brazilian terroir in Santa Teresa); Oro (two Michelin stars, tasting menu celebrating Brazilian ingredients); Azumi (old-school Japanese in Copacabana with pristine sashimi).
  • Drinks: Academia da Cachaça (Leblon; compare aged cachaças in a flight), Bar Astor (Ipanema sunset cocktails), Selina Lapa Rooftop (views and DJs).

Days 7–9: Tijuca Rainforest, viewpoints, and sailing

• Tijuca National Park: Hike beneath jackfruit and palm to Pico da Tijuca or cool off at Cascatinha Taunay. Choose guided options for nature and safety:
  Tijuca Rainforest Hike: Explore Waterfalls & Caves

  

  
  Jeep Adventure: Guided Tour through Tijuca Rain Forest

  

• Adrenaline with a view: Soar above São Conrado and the Atlantic Forest on a tandem flight:
  Experience Asa Delta or Parapente in the River

  

• Sunset on Guanabara Bay: Cap a day with a small-group sailing cruise as the city turns gold:
  Rio de Janeiro Sunset Sailing Tour with Drinks

  

• Food breaks: Try Tacacá do Norte (Amazonian soups in Copacabana) midday and Ferro e Farinha (neo-Neapolitan pizza) at night.

Days 10–13: Green Coast escape—Angra dos Reis & Ilha Grande

• Island hopping day tour: Emerald water, jungle islets, and chill swims—the Green Coast is a different Brazil. Book a full-day boat trip from Rio:
  Exploring Angra Dos Reis and Ilha Grande in One Day

  

• Optional overnight: Stay 1–2 nights on Ilha Grande (Abraão village) for quiet beaches like Lopes Mendes. Search stays on VRBO (Ilha Grande) or Hotels.com (Ilha Grande). For Angra dos Reis mainland options, browse VRBO (Angra dos Reis) or Hotels.com (Angra dos Reis).
• How to get there: From Rio’s South Zone, private transfer or bus to Angra (2.5–3.5 hours), then boat to Ilha Grande (30–90 minutes).
• Eat & drink: On Ilha Grande, try grilled fish with farofa and moqueca at beachfront spots; in Angra, seek moqueca capixaba (lighter, with urucum) at local seafood casas.

Days 14–15: Culture day—Downtown to Niterói

• Museum morning: Praça Mauá’s Museu do Amanhã (Museum of Tomorrow) brings science and design together in a dramatic waterside building; pair it with MAR (Art Museum of Rio) across the plaza.
• Niterói loop: Cross the bay to Oscar Niemeyer’s saucer-like MAC Niterói for views back to Rio. If seas are calm, continue to Itacoatiara beach; snack at Mercado São Pedro (simple, fresh fish).
• Evening show: Make it festive with:
  Rio DE Janeiro : Official Roxy Dinner Show - Dinner + Show

  

Where to stay in Rio:

• Belmond Copacabana Palace — glam icon on the beach; old-world service, refined pool scene.
• Windsor Barra Hotel — modern high-rise on quieter Barra da Tijuca sands; great for runners and long walks.
• Ibis Rio de Janeiro Centro — value near downtown tram and sights.
• Selina Lapa Rio de Janeiro — social, design-forward base steps from nightlife.
• Browse apartments on VRBO (Rio de Janeiro) or wider picks on Hotels.com (Rio de Janeiro).

Travel Day (Morning, Day 16): Rio → Foz do Iguaçu

Fly from GIG or SDU to IGU (about 2 hours nonstop; typical one-way $70–$180). Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Check into your hotel and head straight to the national park for afternoon light.

Foz do Iguaçu

Shared by Brazil and Argentina, Iguazu is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world’s true natural spectacles. On the Brazilian side, a panoramic trail faces the full horseshoe, ending at a catwalk into the spray—an unforgettable perspective.

Plan for two days on the Brazilian side to walk the boardwalks, visit Parque das Aves, and (weather permitting) soar above the falls by helicopter. Add Itaipu Dam for an engineering contrast and a sunset over the Itaipu Lake shoreline.

Days 16–18: Water, forest, flight

• Iguaçu National Park (Brazil side): Ride the park bus to the trailhead and stroll 1–2 hours with constant viewpoints. Wear quick-dry clothes, protect your camera, and don’t feed the coatis. Lunch at Porto Canoas near the upper viewpoint is convenient between photo stops.
• Helicopter perspective: The classic 10-minute flight is short, spectacular, and worth it on a clear day:
  Panoramic Helicopter Flight over Iguassu Falls

  

• Birds and butterflies: Across from the park entrance, Parque das Aves focuses on Atlantic Forest conservation—colorful toucans, macaws, and safe, immersive aviaries.
• Itaipu Dam: One of the world’s largest hydropower plants offers panoramic tours; time sunset at the Itaipu Lake promenade afterward.
• Where to eat:
  • Empório com Arte — cozy café for espresso, pão de queijo, and cakes; great after the park.
  • La Mafia Trattoria — homemade pasta and a deep wine list in a speakeasy-style room; reserve for dinner.
  • Churrascaria Bufalo Branco — classic all-you-can-eat grilled meats with a big salad bar.
  • Cheiro Verde — beloved vegetarian counter for hearty plates at lunch.

Where to stay in Foz do Iguaçu:

• Belmond Hotel das Cataratas — inside the park; walk to viewpoints before/after day crowds.
• Vivaz Cataratas Hotel Resort — family-friendly, pools, near the park road.
• Mabu Thermas Grand Resort — expansive resort built around thermal pools.
• Tetris Container Hostel — design-forward hostel with a social vibe.
• See more on VRBO (Foz do Iguaçu) or Hotels.com (Foz do Iguaçu).

Travel Day (Morning, Day 19): Foz do Iguaçu → Rio

Return flight to Rio (about 2 hours). Check fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Drop your bags and head to the shore for a last stretch of sand and a coconut water.

Days 19–21: Farewell Rio—art, football, and one last view

• Maracanã & neighborhood life: Even if there’s no match, a guided visit (many city tours include an exterior pass-by) gives context to Brazil’s football heart. After, graze at Feira de São Cristóvão for Northeastern bites and forró rhythms.
• Helicopter doors-off finale (optional splurge): If the weather is clear, see the city from above:
  Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Tour without Doors

  

• Last bites: Lunch moqueca at Casa da Feijoada (yes, they do more than feijoada); gelato at Vero Ipanema; toast sunset at Arpoador with a final caipirinha.

Rio lodging (final nights): Consider returning to Belmond Copacabana Palace for a grand finale, or switch scenes to Windsor Barra Hotel for wide, quiet sands. For budget, Ibis Rio de Janeiro Centro keeps you near the VLT tram for museums.

Costs & timing at a glance:

• Domestic flights (Rio–Foz–Rio): ~2 hours each way; ~$70–$180 per leg depending on season and advance purchase.
• Guided city/park days in Rio: many run $60–$140 per person; sailing and helicopter/hang-gliding are higher-ticket experiences.
• Angra/Ilha Grande day trip: typically a full day (12–14 hours door to door).

That’s three weeks of Brazil distilled: world-famous views, rainforest trails, island swims, and the roar of Iguazu. You’ll leave with sand in your shoes, samba in your head, and a camera full of peaks and mist.