Brazil is a continent-sized country of music, mountains, rainforest, and rhythm. From the granite peaks and golden beaches of Rio de Janeiro to the thunder of Iguassu Falls and the drumbeats of Salvador, this 21-day itinerary stitches together the country’s most cinematic landscapes and culture.

Rio dazzles with Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, and world-class beaches wrapped in rainforest. Iguassu delivers raw spectacle—275 cascades straddling Brazil and Argentina. Salvador, Brazil’s first colonial capital, blends Baroque churches, capoeira, candomblé, and some of the country’s best cooking.

Practical notes: Portuguese is the language; credit cards are widely accepted. The Brazilian real (BRL) is the currency. Keep valuables discreet, use registered taxis/Uber, and check current entry rules—an e-visa for some nationalities is expected to resume in 2025; verify before booking. Shoulder seasons (Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov) mean milder weather and fewer crowds.

Rio de Janeiro

Few skylines rival Rio: granite domes, rainforest ridges, and a deep-blue bay that once made 19th-century visitors gasp. Here, mornings begin with fresh pão de queijo and end with bossa nova breezes on the promenade.

Base yourself near Copacabana/Ipanema for beach time, Lapa/Santa Teresa for nightlife and arts, or Urca/Botafogo for postcard views. Carioca life is lived outdoors—on the sand, in neighborhood botecos, and along trails in Tijuca National Park.

Arrive in Rio (Day 1)

Fly into Rio (GIG or SDU). Search competitive fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Expect 10–12 hours nonstop from the U.S. East Coast, often overnight.

Days 1–3: Icons of Rio—Christ, Sugarloaf, and Historic Center

• Christ the Redeemer and Tijuca Forest: Go early for clear views. Consider a guided experience to streamline tickets and shuttles.

  

  Skip the Line Christ the Redeemer Admission Ticket trims wait times and lets you focus on the views over Guanabara Bay.

• Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar): Ride both cable cars for a sunset glow over Copacabana and Urca.

  

  Skip-the-Line: Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car Ticket gives you flexible time at the summit for photos and trails.

• Downtown & Lapa: See the candy-colored Escadaria Selarón, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and colonial façades around Praça XV. Cap it with a samba night in Lapa or Monday rodas at Pedra do Sal.

Coffee & bites: Start at Confeitaria Colombo (1894 belle époque café) for espresso and pastéis; grab a pão de queijo at The Bakers (Copacabana). Lunch at Bar Urca (eat cod fritters on the wall facing the bay) or Aconchego Carioca (legendary bolinho de feijoada).

Dinner: Aprazível (treehouse vibes in Santa Teresa, contemporary Brazilian), Cervantes (late-night roast pork with pineapple sandwiches in Copacabana), or Cipriani at Belmond Copacabana Palace for a special-occasion tasting menu.

Days 4–5: Beach Day, Neighborhood Strolls, and Sunset Sail

• Copacabana & Ipanema: Rent chairs at Posto 8–9 in Ipanema, then browse Feira Hippie (Sundays) for crafts. Detour to Arpoador for a famous sunset applause.
• Santa Teresa & street art: Ride the tram, visit ateliers, and pause for coffee at Cafecito. Explore the revived Praça Mauá and the futuristic Museum of Tomorrow’s exterior for skyline photos.
• Sunset on the water:

  

  Rio de Janeiro Sunset Sailing Tour with Drinks glides past fortresses and Niterói’s MAC for golden-hour panoramas.

Eats: Zazá Bistrô (playful Brazilian fusion near the beach), Churrascaria Palace (classic rodízio close to Copacabana), and Os Imortais (craft beer and bar food, memorabilia-lined).

Days 6–7: Adventure Rio—Tijuca Trails or Hang Gliding

• Tijuca National Park: Hike to Vista Chinesa or Taquara for rainforest views.

  

  Tijuca Rainforest Hike pairs waterfalls with wildlife spotting, ideal for nature lovers.

• Catch thermals above São Conrado:

  

  Hang Gliding in Rio launches from Pedra Bonita for bird’s-eye views of rainforest and sea.

Where to stay (Rio): Browse VRBO Rio or Hotels.com Rio. Standouts: Belmond Copacabana Palace (legendary seafront glamour), Windsor Barra Hotel (modern rooms on Barra’s long beach), Ibis Rio de Janeiro Centro (value near sights), Selina Lapa Rio de Janeiro (social hub for creatives).

Travel to Foz do Iguaçu (Day 8 morning)

Fly RIO→IGU, ~2h20 nonstop (often $80–$180). Compare options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Aim to arrive before lunch to walk the Brazilian side in the afternoon.

Foz do Iguaçu

Welcome to the brink. Iguaçu National Park protects an Atlantic rainforest teeming with toucans and coatis—and the world’s largest waterfall system roaring along the Brazil–Argentina border.

Base in town for dining variety, or splurge on the park lodge to hear the falls after hours. Don’t skip the bird park and a thrilling boat ride beneath the spray.

Days 8–9: Brazilian Side—Catwalks, Bird Park, and Boat Adventure

• Cataratas do Iguaçu (Brazil): The cliff-hugging walkway leads to the Devil’s Throat viewpoint—so bring a light rain jacket.
• Parque das Aves: A conservation-focused bird park featuring macaws and harpy eagles; pairs perfectly with the falls.
• Boat beneath the falls: The classic Macuco-style adventure gets you thrillingly close to the cascades—expect to get soaked.

Tour pick:

Full Day Iguassu Falls Both Sides efficiently covers both countries with logistics handled.

Day 10: Argentina Side—Devil’s Throat Walkways

• Garganta del Diablo: Boardwalks across the river deliver a face-to-face encounter with the falls’ most thunderous chasm.

Alternative with boat:

Iguazu Falls Full Day (Boat Adventure) adds a thrilling ride under the spray.

Day 11: Itaipu & Local Flavors

• Itaipu Dam panoramic tour: One of the world’s hydroelectric giants; the scale is staggering.
• Stroll and sip: Sample tereré (iced yerba mate) like locals on a warm afternoon.

Coffee & dining: Breakfast at Empório com Arte (excellent cakes and espresso). Lunch at Cheiro Verde (vegetarian, homestyle). Dinner picks include La Mafia Trattoria (handmade pasta) or Bufalo Branco (classic churrascaria).

Where to stay (Foz do Iguaçu): Compare VRBO Foz do Iguaçu or Hotels.com Foz do Iguaçu. Top picks: Belmond Hotel das Cataratas (inside the park, after-hours access), Vivaz Cataratas Hotel Resort (family-friendly with pools), Mabu Thermas Grand Resort (thermal pools), or Tetris Container Hostel (design-forward budget stay).

Travel to Salvador (Day 12 morning)

Fly IGU→SSA, typically via São Paulo, ~5–7 hours total; fares ~$150–$260. Book on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Choose a morning departure to catch sunset at Farol da Barra.

Salvador (Bahia)

Salvador is Brazil’s soul: azulejo-clad churches, candomblé rhythms, and capoeira circles spinning at dusk. It’s where moqueca simmers with dendê oil and the breeze tastes faintly of the sea.

Stay in the cobbled lanes of Pelourinho for history, Barra for beaches and sunsets, or Rio Vermelho for nightlife and restaurants. Plan lazy beach days between church-hopping and live music.

Days 12–14: Pelourinho, Baroque Churches, and Bahian Flavors

• Pelourinho wander: Colorful colonial houses, the gold-leaf interior of São Francisco Church, and street percussion that turns corners into stages.
• Elevador Lacerda & Mercado Modelo: Ride down to the Lower City for bay views and crafts shopping.
• Bahian cuisine 101: Try acarajé (black-eyed pea fritters) from a baiana vendor, then dive into moqueca (fish stew) and bobó de camarão (cassava shrimp).

Coffee & lunch: Cafélier (Santo Antônio) for espresso and ocean views; Cuco Bistrô (Pelourinho) for moqueca at midday; Amado (Avenida Contorno) for refined bayfront lunches.

Dinner: Casa de Tereza (Rio Vermelho, slow-food Bahian classics), Yemanjá (beloved for moqueca and crab dishes), and Origem (contemporary tasting menus riffing on Bahian terroir). Catch live music at Largo Tereza Batista or a capoeira roda at sunset.

Days 15–17: Beaches, Island Day Trips, and Sunset Rituals

• Barra & Farol da Barra: Swim at Praia do Porto da Barra, then watch the sun sink behind the lighthouse’s white walls.
• Praia do Flamengo & Stella Maris: Long strands with beach clubs, coconut water, and grilled cheese on a stick—the quintessential Bahia beach day.
• Islands of the Bay: Take a schooner to Ilha dos Frades (crystal waters) and Itaparica (laid-back villages). Return for a caruru dinner in Rio Vermelho.

Snacks & sips: Sorvetes da Ribeira (traditional ice creams), Cubana (classic cafés with guava pastries), and bars around Rio Vermelho square for cold beers and caipirinhas.

Days 18–21: Bonfim, Art & Afro-Brazilian Heritage, and Praia do Forte

• Basílica do Senhor do Bonfim: Tie a wish ribbon on the fence and explore the devotionals inside.
• MAM Bahia (Modern Art Museum): Go late for sunset on the pier and occasional jazz in the sculpture garden.
• Day trip to Praia do Forte: Fishermen’s village, turtle conservation project, and calm swimming beaches; lunch on grilled fish with pirão.

Food trail: Dona Mariquita (heritage recipes from the Bahian hinterlands), Preta’s cuisine when visiting islands (book well ahead), and Uauá (regional Northeastern plates, hearty and homestyle).

Where to stay (Salvador): Explore VRBO Salvador or Hotels.com Salvador. Favorites: Fasano Salvador (historic square, rooftop pool), Vila Galé Salvador (oceanfront, good for families), and Hotel Bahia do Sol (solid value near museums).

Getting home

Depart from Salvador (SSA) or add an open-jaw ticket. Check fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If returning to Rio or São Paulo first, allow 2–3 hours connection time.

Optional swap or add-on (time-permitting)

• Extra Rio day: Museum-hopping in Barra/Niterói or a food tour through botecos.
• Beach upgrade: Two nights in Morro de São Paulo or Boipeba from Salvador for car-free sands and tide pools.

Why this route works

It minimizes backtracking while balancing urban energy, rainforest spectacle, and Afro-Brazilian culture. Flight connections are frequent; each base has diverse dining and neighborhoods you can sink into for multiple days.

Summary: Three weeks in Brazil bring you from Rio’s granite peaks and samba bars to Iguassu’s mist and thunder, ending among Salvador’s churches, drums, and seas. With smart flights, handpicked hotels, and targeted tours, you’ll savor Brazil’s icons and its everyday flavors in equal measure.