Brazil rewards slow travel. From Rio’s cinematic coastline to the rainforest canyons of Iguaçu and the golden light over Salvador’s colonial hills, this 21-day itinerary balances famous landmarks with local moments—great coffee, neighborhood eateries, and time to simply sit by the sea.

Founded in 1502 (Rio), 1549 (Salvador), and settled later around the Falls, these destinations map Brazil’s history: Portuguese baroque, African heritage, and bold 20th-century urbanism. You’ll ride cable cars and rainforest trains, stroll UNESCO-old squares, and taste everything from feijoada and moqueca to brigadeiros and specialty espresso.

Practical notes: the Brazilian Real (BRL) is the currency; card payments are common. Ride-hailing is widespread in major cities. Check current visa policies before travel. For long distances, fly—Brazil is vast. This plan assumes morning departures between cities to maximize your afternoons.

Rio de Janeiro

Welcome to Rio, where mountains plunge into the Atlantic and everyday life plays out on the sand. Christ the Redeemer watches over neighborhoods from bohemian Santa Teresa to music-soaked Lapa. Between dramatic viewpoints and jungle hikes, you’ll find time for perfectly pulled espresso and sunsets that pause the city.

How to arrive: Book your international flight into GIG or SDU via Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Typical economy fares from North America run ~$650–1,100 roundtrip depending on season. Airport to Copacabana/Ipanema by taxi/Uber: 30–60 minutes, ~$12–25.

Where to stay (mid-budget friendly picks, plus a splurge):

• Ibis Rio de Janeiro Centro – Simple, central, good value for city touring.
• Selina Lapa Rio de Janeiro – Lively hybrid hotel/hostel near samba clubs and the Selarón Steps.
• Windsor Barra Hotel – Big beachfront rooms in Barra for quieter sands.
• Belmond Copacabana Palace – The classic splurge with art-deco glamour.

Browse more stays: VRBO Rio de Janeiro | Hotels.com Rio de Janeiro

Days 1–3: Icons, beaches, and a taste of the city

• Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf: Cover the big two with a small-group experience for efficient timing and local insight.

  

  Book: The Best Half Day in Rio with Christ Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Hill.
• Beach time: Walk the Ipanema–Leblon promenade, stake out a spot by Posto 8–9, and try a matte tea with biscoito Globo like a local. For mellow sands, head to early-morning Copacabana by Posto 6.
• Coffee and bites: Start at Confeitaria Colombo (1894) for gilded mirrors and pastries like pastel de nata; sip espresso at The Slow Bakery (Botafogo) with naturally leavened breads; and watch waves at Café 18 do Forte inside Forte de Copacabana with pão de queijo and ocean views. Dinner ideas: Braseiro da Gávea (picanha and farofa), Adega Pérola (old-school bar for seafood petiscos), or Aprazível in Santa Teresa for a garden setting and Brazilian produce.
• Evening in Lapa: See the illuminated Arcos da Lapa and dance at a samba house. Order a caipirinha with cachaça from Minas.

Days 4–5: Tijuca rainforest hikes and hillside neighborhoods

• Tijuca Rainforest hike: Waterfalls, caves, and wildlife minutes from the city. A guided hike keeps you on scenic trails and adds natural history context.

  

  Book: Tijuca Rainforest Hike: Explore Waterfalls & Caves.
• Dois Irmãos viewpoint: Hike up from Vidigal (go in daylight, ideally with a local guide) for one of Rio’s best panoramas over Ipanema, the lagoon, and the city’s rugged skyline.
• Santa Teresa + Selarón Steps: Ride up to Santa Teresa for ateliers and bohemian cafes; descend via the Escadaria Selarón, the artist’s vibrant mosaic tribute to Brazil and the world.
• Fuel stops: Brunch at Café do Alto (northern Brazilian tapiocas and juices), espresso at Cafeína (Zona Sul staple), and sweets at Casa Cavé (traditional Arabic-influenced confections).

Days 6–7: Unique perspectives—hang gliding and sunset sailing

• Hang gliding or paragliding from Pedra Bonita lands you on São Conrado Beach—an unforgettable way to understand Rio’s topography.

  

  Book: Experience Asa Delta or Parapente in the River.
• Sunset sail on Guanabara Bay: Glide past fortresses and the Niterói skyline as Sugarloaf ignites at golden hour. Drinks included.

  

  Book: Rio de Janeiro Sunset Sailing Tour with Drinks.
• Beach escape to Prainha & Grumari: These protected coves feel a world away—come early, bring cash for rustic kiosks, and enjoy Atlantic Forest backdrops.
• Dinner ideas: Cervantes (legendary lombo com abacaxi sandwiches post-beach), seafood moqueca at Brazinha de Ipanema or skewers and craft beer at Botafogo’s bar circuit.

Days 8–9: Museums, markets, and one last viewpoint

• Museum morning: MAR (Art Museum of Rio) and MAM (Museum of Modern Art) show contemporary Brazil; stroll Olympic Boulevard for the giant Eduardo Kobra mural.
• View from Sugarloaf at sunset: If you skipped earlier, time the cable car for late light and city sparkles. Consider a skip-the-line ticket if visiting at peak times.
• Final night: Sample Northeastern flavors at Baixo Gávea bars or catch live music in Lapa. Try caipirinha variants (with passionfruit or cashew fruit).

Travel to Foz do Iguaçu (Day 10, morning): Fly 2:00–2:20 hours nonstop (SDU/GIG → IGU), typically $70–180 one-way when booked early via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Overnight buses exist (20–24 hours, ~$35–60), but flying saves a full day.

Foz do Iguaçu

One of the natural wonders of the world, Iguaçu roars along a basalt horseshoe where Brazil meets Argentina and Paraguay. Trails thread through tropical forest to balconies shrouded in mist and rainbows. Base yourself in town or, for a splurge, inside the national park.

Where to stay:

• Belmond Hotel das Cataratas – Inside the park; empty-trail sunrises and after-hours access.
• Vivaz Cataratas Hotel Resort – Pools and family-friendly amenities near attractions.
• Mabu Thermas Grand Resort – Thermal pools, good for downtime after hiking.
• Tetris Container Hostel – Affordable, design-forward, social.

Browse more: VRBO Foz do Iguaçu | Hotels.com Foz do Iguaçu

Days 10–11: Brazilian-side trails and the bird park

• Parque Nacional do Iguaçu: Walk the Trilha das Cataratas to balconies facing the Devil’s Throat. Plan 3–4 hours with photo stops.
• Helicopter over the falls: A short, breathtaking flight that reveals the full horseshoe that trails can’t.

  

  Book: Panoramic Helicopter Flight over Iguassu Falls.
• Parque das Aves: Next door to the park gate, this sanctuary focuses on Atlantic Forest conservation—walk-through aviaries bring you eye-to-eye with toucans and macaws.
• Eats & coffee: Empório com Arte (cozy café-gallery for cappuccinos and cakes), Cheiro Verde (well-loved vegetarian buffet lunch), La Mafia Trattoria (homemade pastas), and Capitão Bar (draft beer and Brazilian bar snacks) for the evening.

Days 12–13: More trails, Itaipu Dam, and sunset viewpoints

• Poço Preto trail: Look for capuchin monkeys and coatis; consider renting a bike for a deeper forest feel.
• Itaipu Binacional: One of the world’s largest hydroelectric plants—engineering buffs will enjoy the panoramic tour and museum. Time your day to catch golden-hour light over the reservoir.
• Marco das Três Fronteiras: An easy sunset outing with cultural performances and a view across three countries at once.
• Dinner: Bufalo Branco for classic churrasco or wood-fired pizzas at Vó Bertila.

Travel to Salvador (Day 14, morning): Fly IGU → SSA in ~4–6 hours (usually 1 stop via São Paulo), ~$120–250 one-way via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Airport to Barra/Rio Vermelho: 40–70 minutes, ~$10–20 by app-based taxi.

Salvador (Bahia)

Salvador is Brazil’s soul in technicolor: baroque churches glazed in gold, Afro-Brazilian drums echoing through Pelourinho, and coconut palms framing the Baía de Todos-os-Santos. Eat acarajé from street stalls, watch capoeira circles, and linger over moqueca with ocean breezes.

Where to stay:

• Fasano Salvador – Designer rooms in a restored building overlooking the bay; rooftop pool and piano bar.
• Hotel Bahia do Sol – Solid value near museums and the coast, good for explorers on a mid-budget.
• Vila Galé Salvador – Oceanfront leisure hotel near Ondina with a palm-fringed pool.

Browse more: VRBO Salvador | Hotels.com Salvador

Days 14–16: Pelourinho, baroque treasures, and bay views

• Pelourinho: Wander cobblestones lined with sherbet-colored buildings; visit the gilded Igreja e Convento de São Francisco and watch capoeira rodas in the squares.
• Elevador Lacerda & Mercado Modelo: Drop from the Upper City to the waterfront for crafts and local snacks—try cocada (coconut candy) and tropical fruit juices.
• Coffee & bites: Cafélier (bay-view terrace for espresso and cakes in Santo Antônio), Feito a Grão (Salvador-born specialty roaster; great flat whites), and Café do Farol at Barra Lighthouse for oceanfront breakfasts.
• Dinner: Casa de Tereza (chef-driven Bahian classics like moqueca and bobó de camarão), Dona Mariquita (heritage recipes, manioc-based sides), and street-side acarajé from Bahiana vendors—ask for “com pimenta” if you like heat.

Days 17–18: Beaches and island time

• Porto da Barra & Farol da Barra: Calm waters and sunsets that stop time—go early for swimming, return late for the sky show.
• Praia do Flamengo/Stella Maris: Wider Atlantic beaches with beach-club infrastructure; perfect for a long, lazy day with moqueca or grilled fish lunches.
• Bay excursion: Take a local boat across the Baía de Todos-os-Santos for swimming coves and fresh seafood—return via Ponta de Humaitá for a postcard sunset.

Days 19–21: Local rhythm and neighborhoods

• Bonfim & Ribeira: Tie a ribbon at the Igreja do Bonfim (a symbol of Bahian faith), then walk the Ribeira waterfront for ice cream and neighborhood vibes.
• Rio Vermelho: Salvador’s bohemian quarter—bars, live music, and the iconic Acarajé da Cira stall. Excellent for a final night out.
• Coffee & lunch: Pop into Feito a Grão in Pituba for a last Brazilian pour-over and pick up beans; enjoy a seaside lunch at Amado (modern Bahian plates and cacao desserts).
• Free time: Shop for lacework and woodcarving, return to a favorite beach, or book a percussion workshop to feel Salvador’s heartbeat.

Departure: Fly home from Salvador (SSA) or add a short hop back to Rio/São Paulo for onward international flights—search fares via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Aim for an early morning departure to buffer any connections.

Budget tips: With a mid-range budget (50/100), prioritize city-center lodging and fly between cities to save time. Eat like a local at lunchtime “prato feito” spots, use ride-hailing for safety at night, and book headline activities in advance (especially weekends and holidays).

This three-week Brazil travel plan threads together Rio’s scenery and hikes, the spectacle of Iguaçu Falls, and Salvador’s joyous culture and beaches. You’ll return with sand in your shoes, rainforest mist in your hair, and a playlist of samba and axé that keeps Brazil close.