Brazil is a country of superlatives—larger-than-life landscapes, rhythms that spill into the streets, and a cuisine that turns simple ingredients into celebrations. This 7-day itinerary pairs two of its powerhouses: Rio de Janeiro, the seaside dazzler, and São Paulo, Latin America’s art-and-culinary capital. You’ll meet Christ the Redeemer, climb Sugarloaf, sip caipirinhas at sunset, and sample some of the best food in the hemisphere.

From colonial boulevards and samba-scored nights in Rio to São Paulo’s cutting-edge galleries and graffiti alleys, we balance headline sights with local favorites. Expect beach time in Ipanema, rainforest trails in Tijuca National Park, and museum-hopping along Avenida Paulista. Along the way, taste feijoada, pão de queijo, brigadeiros, a proper Brazilian barbecue, and coffee roasted by obsessive specialists.

Practical notes: Use rideshare or licensed taxis at night, keep valuables out of sight, and carry a digital copy of your passport. For flights into Brazil and between cities, compare fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Pack breathable layers, strong SPF, and comfortable shoes—Brazilian days start sunny and end with dancing.

Rio de Janeiro

Rio is a city sculpted by nature: jungle-draped mountains plunge into turquoise bays, neighborhoods curl around lagoons, and sunsets paint the granite domes pink. Carioca life happens outdoors—on the calçadão sidewalks, in botecos serving ice-cold chope, and atop viewpoints where the city unfurls like a postcard.

Top highlights include Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Ipanema and Copacabana beaches, the bohemian hills of Santa Teresa, and the mosaic-tiled Selarón Steps. For a wilder side, Tijuca National Park offers waterfalls, caves, and rainforest peaks only minutes from the shore.

• Stay: Search apartments and beachside stays on VRBO Rio de Janeiro or hotels via Hotels.com Rio de Janeiro.
• Hotel picks: Beachfront icon Belmond Copacabana Palace, great-value Ibis Rio de Janeiro Centro, family-friendly Windsor Barra Hotel, or the artsy Selina Lapa Rio de Janeiro for nightlife lovers.
• Arriving flights: Fly into GIG (Galeão) or SDU (Santos Dumont). Nonstops from some U.S. hubs take ~9–10 hours; typical roundtrip fares range ~$650–$1,100. Compare on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Day 1: Arrival, Lagoon Walk, and Sunset on the Rocks

Afternoon: Land in Rio and check in. Shake off the flight with a stroll around Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas; rent a bike or grab an açaí bowl from a kiosk. Coffee stop: Cafeína in Leblon for a strong espresso and brigadeiros.

Evening: Walk Ipanema’s calçadão to Arpoador for a classic sunset over Morro Dois Irmãos. Dinner nearby: Braseiro da Gávea (succulent picanha and farofa), Zazá Bistrô (Brazil-meets-Asia small plates), or Bar do Beto for unfussy, well-executed moquecas. Nightcap at Bar Astor on the waterfront—order a limey caipirinha.

Day 2: Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, City Sights (Guided)

Maximize your time with a comprehensive guided day covering the icons, transport, and tickets included.

Full Day: Christ Redeemer, Sugarloaf, City Tour & Barbecue Lunch

Expect a morning train or van up Corcovado to see Christ the Redeemer, sweeping bay views, a drive past the Maracanã exterior and the Sambadrome, plus time in the historic center and the Selarón Steps. Ride the cable cars to Sugarloaf for jaw-dropping panoramas, then feast on a churrasco lunch.

Evening (after tour): Celebrate in Urca—perch on the seawall outside Bar Urca with shrimp empadas—or dive into Santa Teresa’s Aprazível for Amazon-inspired dishes amid treetops. For samba and vintage décor, Rio Scenarium in Lapa delivers live music most nights.

Day 3: Rainforest Adventure in Tijuca + Beach Time

Morning: Trade sand for jungle on a guided eco-hike in Tijuca National Park—waterfalls, caves, and wildlife within city limits.

Rainforest Hike in Rio: Tijuca Waterfalls & Caves

Afternoon: Reward yourself with beach hours. Ipanema’s Posto 9 is lively; Posto 11–12 in Leblon is calmer. Snack like a local: queijo coalho (grilled cheese on a stick), biscoito Globo, and fresh coconut water from beach vendors.

Evening: Dinner at Academia da Cachaça (feijoada and a deep cachaça list) or Cervantes in Copacabana (legendary roast pork and pineapple sandwich). If it’s a Monday, street samba at Pedra do Sal is electric; otherwise, bop through Lapa’s bar circuit.

Day 4: Fly, Sail, or Soak In the Views

Morning (thrill option): Soar over the forest and coastline tandem hang-gliding from Pedra Bonita, landing on São Conrado Beach.

Experience Asa Delta or Parapente in the River

Afternoon: Wander the Rio Botanical Garden to spot towering palms, orchids, and cheeky marmosets; croissants at La Bicyclette inside are a treat. Alternatively, museum-hop at the futuristic Museum of Tomorrow by Praça Mauá.

Evening (golden-hour option): Toast sunset under sail on Guanabara Bay—views of Sugarloaf, Niterói’s curves, and the city skyline.

Rio de Janeiro Sunset Sailing Tour with Drinks

Prefer a show? Book the city’s buzzy dinner-and-show experience for a glitzy finale.

Rio DE Janeiro : Official Roxy Dinner Show - Dinner + Show

São Paulo

São Paulo is Brazil’s creative engine: sprawling, multicultural, and endlessly tasty. Here, you’ll find heavyweight museums like MASP and the Pinacoteca, leafy Ibirapuera Park, and a dining scene that rivals any world capital—from Amazonian flavors to Japanese izakayas.

Neighborhoods feel like mini-cities: Liberdade channels Tokyo, Jardins is polished and gallery-packed, Centro hides Belle Époque gems, and Vila Madalena is a maze of murals and bohemian bars. Bring your appetite and curiosity.

• Stay: Browse apartments on VRBO São Paulo or hotels via Hotels.com São Paulo.
• Hotel picks: Design-forward Hotel Unique (don’t miss the Skye rooftop), budget-smart Ibis Budget São Paulo Paulista, business-friendly Novotel São Paulo Morumbi, or the refined Hotel Fasano São Paulo.
• Getting there from Rio: Take the “ponte aérea” shuttle SDU–CGH; flight time ~55 minutes, fares from ~$40–$120 one way. Search and book via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Morning departures make for an easy transfer and full afternoon in São Paulo.

Day 5: Fly to São Paulo, Paulista Icons, and Skye Sunset

Morning: Depart Rio on an early SDU–CGH flight (~55 minutes). Drop bags and fuel up with pão na chapa and pingado at Padaria Bella Paulista or grab third-wave coffee at KOF (King of the Fork) in Pinheiros.

Afternoon: Stroll Avenida Paulista. Visit MASP for its floating architecture and superb European/Latin American collection, then cross to Trianon Park’s pocket of Atlantic Forest. Book lovers should browse cultural center IMS Paulista.

Evening: Dinner in Jardins: A Casa do Porco (nose-to-tail tasting menu, reserve ahead), Figueira Rubaiyat (steaks beneath a 100-year-old fig tree), or Nino Cucina (lively Italian). Cap with skyline views and a cocktail at Skye Bar atop Hotel Unique.

Day 6: Mercado Municipal, Historic Core, and Street Art

Morning: Head to the Mercado Municipal (Mercadão) for tropical fruit tastings and the famous mortadella sandwich at Hocca Bar or Bar do Mané. Walk the historic core: Theatro Municipal’s façade, Martinelli Building’s early skyscraper story, Sé Cathedral, and Pátio do Colégio where the city began.

Afternoon: Explore Vila Madalena’s Beco do Batman for photogenic murals and studios. Coffee crawl at Coffee Lab (sensorial flights), Futuro Refeitório (industrial-chic bakery and espresso), or Sofá Café (classic Brazilian roasts).

Evening: Drinks at SubAstor (serious mixology under the classic Bar Astor) or São Cristóvão Bar (soccer shrine vibes) on Rua Aspicuelta. For dinner, try Banzeiro (Amazonian tambaqui ribs and tucupi) or Bráz Pizzaria for São Paulo’s beloved pies.

Day 7: City Highlights with a Private Guide, Then Departure

Morning: See more in less time with a customizable private tour—tailor stops to your interests (Pinacoteca, Ibirapuera Park’s Oscar Niemeyer pavilions, Japanese Liberdade, or the football-centric Museum at Pacaembu when open).

Amazing São Paulo overview in 4 or 5 hours with a private guide

Afternoon: Late lunch before heading to the airport: Mocotó (northeastern comfort classics), Dalva e Dito (Brazilian staples reimagined), or a quick pastel de feira from a street market if time is tight. Transfer to CGH or GRU for your flight—compare rides and schedules on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Optional Extras if You Have More Time

• Rio add-on: Swap Day 2 for a shorter hit of the icons with this half-day small-group tour if you prefer free time later: The Best Half Day in Rio with Christ Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Hill

  

• Heli wow-factor: Book a scenic helicopter flight over Rio for the most dramatic cityscapes: Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Tour – Scenic Flights Over Landmarks

  

Where to eat and drink across both cities, at a glance:

• Rio breakfasts: Talho Capixaba (buttery croissants, pão de queijo), Confeitaria Colombo (Belle Époque coffees and pastries) in Centro.
• Rio lunches: Bar Urca (seafood by the bay), Delirio Tropical (fresh, fast salads and sides), and Adega Pérola (petiscos—tapas-style seafood).
• Rio dinners: Aprazível (Amazonian ingredients, hilltop views), Oteque or Lasai for tasting menus if you’re splurging; casual Cervantes for late-night sandwiches.
• São Paulo breakfasts: KOF, Coffee Lab, or Padaria Bella Paulista for classic bakery spreads.
• São Paulo lunches: Mercado Municipal sandwiches, Mocotó (northeastern Brazilian), or Balaio IMS (modern Brazilian).
• São Paulo dinners: A Casa do Porco (book early), Banzeiro (Amazonian), Bráz Pizzaria (paulistano pizza), and Izakaya Issa (cozy Japanese).
• Nightlife: Rio’s Lapa for samba and forró; São Paulo’s Vila Madalena for bars, or Skye for skyline cocktails.

In one vivid week you’ll trace Brazil’s greatest hits—from Rio’s peaks and beaches to São Paulo’s museums and markets. The mix of iconic sights, rainforest escapes, and unforgettable meals will have you planning a return before your wheels lift off.