Brazil is a continent-sized country of samba, street art, and rainforest, where every neighborhood has a rhythm. From Rio de Janeiro’s granite peaks and golden beaches to the world’s most thunderous waterfalls at Iguaçu and the culinary sprawl of São Paulo, you’ll feel the country’s pulse in busy mercados and laid-back botecos alike.

Historically, Brazil was shaped by Indigenous nations, Portuguese colonization, and African diasporic culture—threads you’ll see in Rio’s samba, Bahia-inspired dishes, and São Paulo’s Afro-Brazilian and Japanese influences. Iconic sights—Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, and Iguaçu Falls—anchor the trip, while neighborhood strolls and family-run eateries keep it delightfully local.

Practical notes: card payments are widely accepted, tipping is typically 10% service when not included, and ride-hailing works well for late nights. Pack light layers, reef-safe sunscreen, and comfortable shoes; keep valuables secure on beaches and at night, especially in Lapa and downtown.

Rio de Janeiro

Rio is a city of postcard peaks and everyday rituals—morning pão de queijo, beach football, and sunset applause at Arpoador. Neighborhoods feel like villages: bohemian Santa Teresa with its art studios, Urca’s waterfront “mureta,” and Ipanema’s beach postos where tribes of locals stake their sand.

• Top sights: Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Selarón Steps, Tijuca National Park, Ipanema & Copacabana.
• Local flavors: Boteco snacks at Adega Pérola (seafood petiscos), charcoal chicken at Galeto Sat’s, Amazonian açaí and tacacá in Botafogo.
• Fun fact: Tijuca is one of the world’s largest urban rainforests—replanted in the 1800s after coffee plantations devastated the hillsides.

Stay (mid-range budget picks + options):

• Ibis Rio de Janeiro Centro (value, easy transit to Lapa and downtown sights)
• Selina Lapa Rio de Janeiro (creative hub, cowork + rooftop near samba spots)
• Windsor Barra Hotel (beachfront comfort in Barra da Tijuca)
• Search more stays: Hotels.com – Rio de Janeiro | VRBO – Rio de Janeiro
• Splurge option: Belmond Copacabana Palace (Old Hollywood glam on the beach)

Getting to Rio: Search international and domestic flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Aim for GIG (Galeão) for long-haul arrivals; SDU (Santos Dumont) is ideal for quick domestic hops.

Day 1 – Arrival, Arpoador Sunset, and Boteco Bites

Afternoon: Land in Rio and check in. Shake off the flight with a stroll along Copacabana, then walk to Arpoador between Ipanema and Copacabana for the city’s beloved sunset applause.

Evening: Grab a casual, local-first dinner: try Adega Pérola (standout marinated octopus and codfish cakes) or Galeto Sat’s (juicy charcoal-roasted chicken with farofa and vinaigrette). Nightcap on the mureta da Urca with a cold beer from Bar Urca, sitting on the seawall like a true carioca.

Day 2 – Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, and Lapa’s Nightlife

Morning: Coffee and pastries at Confeitaria Colombo (ornate Belle Époque café, try the pastel de nata). Then join this small-group highlights tour of Rio’s icons:

The Best Half Day in Rio with Christ Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Hill

Afternoon: Ride the Santa Teresa tram, wander cobblestone lanes, and photo-stop at the Selarón Steps. Snack on tapioca crepes at Largo dos Guimarães.

Evening: Lapa for samba—Rio Scenarium layers antiques and live bands across multiple floors. For pre-show fuel, grab a cheesy escondidinho (cassava pie) at a nearby boteco. Keep valuables zipped—crowds can be pickpocket-prone.

Day 3 – Tijuca Rainforest and Beach Life in Ipanema

Morning: Go green with a guided jungle hike—waterfalls, caves, and city views inside Tijuca:

Tijuca Rainforest Hike: Explore Waterfalls & Caves

Afternoon: Refuel with Amazonian flavors at Tacacá do Norte (tucupi broth, açaí bowls). Live like a local on Ipanema Beach: sit near Posto 9, order mate tea and queijo coalho from vendors, and join a casual beach volley game.

Evening: Sunset beers on the Urca seawall, then dinner at Braseiro da Gávea (sizzling picanha, hearts of palm salad, farofa d’água). Late gelato at Mil Frutas in Ipanema.

Day 4 – Day Trip: Angra dos Reis & Ilha Grande

Swap city skylines for emerald islands and clear coves on this full-day island-hopping escape (hotel pickup included):

Exploring Angra Dos Reis and Ilha Grande in One Day

Expect multiple swim stops, snorkel time, and a seafood lunch (often included). You’ll be back in Rio around 8–9 PM—grab a late steak sandwich from Cervantes in Copacabana.

Foz do Iguaçu

On Brazil’s western frontier, Foz do Iguaçu is the launch point for the planet’s most spectacular waterfalls. Jungle mist kisses the trails, toucans perch near viewpoints, and the Iguazu River roars through basalt canyons.

• Top sights: Iguaçu National Park (Brazilian side), Parque das Aves (Bird Park), Itaipu Dam, Buddhist Temple and Omar Ibn Al-Khattab Mosque.
• Local flavors: Borderland bites—chipa (cheesy bread), Paraguayan sopa, and Brazilian churrasco.
• Unique experience: A helicopter orbit of the falls for bird’s-eye drama.

Stay:

• Tetris Container Hostel (budget-cool, designy shipping containers)
• Vivaz Cataratas Hotel Resort (family-friendly pools, easy park access)
• Mabu Thermas Grand Resort (hot spring pools, good for kids)
• Search more stays: Hotels.com – Foz do Iguaçu | VRBO – Foz do Iguaçu
• Splurge inside the park: Belmond Hotel das Cataratas (walk to falls before/after hours)

Getting from Rio to Foz do Iguaçu: Morning flight from GIG or SDU to IGU, ~2h. Expect ~$60–$150 one-way depending on season. Book via Trip.com Flights.

Day 5 – Fly to Foz, Brazilian-Side Waterfalls

Morning: Fly Rio → Foz do Iguaçu (~2h; plan a 9:00 AM departure). Check in and drop bags by early afternoon.

Afternoon: Enter Iguaçu National Park (Brazil side). Walk the clifftop trail with ever-bigger panoramas, ending on catwalks drenched in spray near Salto Floriano with views toward the Devil’s Throat.

Evening: Casual dinner at Empório com Arte (crafts + hearty sandwiches) or go for classic churrasco at Bufalo Branco. Try a locally-loved chipa from a bakery for dessert.

Day 6 – Bird Park, Helicopter Flight, and Boat Thrills

Morning: Start at Parque das Aves to get close to toucans, macaws, and flamingos in immersive aviaries. It’s conservation-focused and great for all ages.

Midday: Soar above the entire horseshoe of the falls on this scenic helicopter:

Panoramic Helicopter Flight over Iguassu Falls

Afternoon: Optional Macuco Safari boat ride to the base of cascades—expect to get soaked. Late lunch at Porto Canoas inside the park (riverside buffet with great views).

Evening: Sunset at Marco das Três Fronteiras (Brazil-Argentina-Paraguay viewpoint) with a folkloric show. Dinner at La Mafia Trattoria (cozy, homemade pasta) or riverside at Pier 35.

Day 7 – Itaipu Dam and Culture on the Frontier

Morning: Tour the colossal Itaipu Binacional hydroelectric dam—learn how this 1980s project powers much of Paraguay and southern Brazil.

Afternoon: Visit the serene Buddhist Temple (rows of golden statues) and the Omar Ibn Al-Khattab Mosque for architecture and cultural context. Coffee break back in town at Trigo & Cia.

Evening: Street-food sampler along Avenida Brasil: grab pastel de carne seca and caldo de cana (fresh sugarcane juice). Craft beers and live music at Zeppelin Old Bar.

São Paulo

Latin America’s culinary capital hums with art, design, and nightlife. Skyscrapers shade Japanese bakeries in Liberdade, Afro-Brazilian history anchors museums in Ibirapuera Park, and street art explodes in Vila Madalena.

• Top sights: Paulista Avenue and MASP, Ibirapuera Park, Municipal Market (Mercadão), Pinacoteca, Beco do Batman.
• Local flavors: Mortadella sandwiches at the Mercadão, rodízio pizza, and destination dining from botecos to Michelin stars.
• Live like a local: Bike Paulista on Sunday when the avenue closes to cars, and end with samba at a tiny bar.

Stay:

• Ibis Budget São Paulo Paulista (value steps from Paulista Ave and metro)
• Novotel São Paulo Morumbi (quiet riverside views, family-friendly)
• Search more stays: Hotels.com – São Paulo | VRBO – São Paulo
• Splurge options: Hotel Unique (architectural icon) or Hotel Fasano São Paulo (refined weekend treat)

Getting from Foz do Iguaçu to São Paulo: Morning flight IGU → GRU or CGH ~1h45m; expect ~$50–$120. Book via Trip.com Flights.

Day 8 – Fly to São Paulo, Street Art & Samba

Morning: Flight to São Paulo; drop bags near Paulista or Pinheiros for easy metro access.

Afternoon: Explore Vila Madalena and Beco do Batman for ever-changing murals. Coffee tasting at Coffee Lab (barista-led flights) and pão na chapa at a neighborhood padaria.

Evening: Dinner in Pinheiros: try Boteco São Conrado (excellent picanha on the griddle) or a veggie feast at Comedoria Gonzales-style Peruvian stalls’ successors in the area (ceviche and causal plates). End with live samba at intimate Ó do Borogodó.

Day 9 – Historic Downtown, Mercadão Lunch, and Rooftop Views

Morning: Walk the historic core: Pátio do Colégio, Catedral da Sé, and the Theatro Municipal’s exterior. Duck into cafés like Casa Mathilde for Portuguese sweets.

Afternoon: Lunch at the Municipal Market (Mercadão): the famous mortadella sandwich at Bar do Mané or the pastel de bacalhau at Hocca Bar. Then head to MASP on Paulista for masterpieces suspended on crystal easels.

Evening: Book (or queue) for A Casa do Porco downtown—creative nose-to-tail plates with a surprisingly affordable tasting menu. Toast the skyline at Terraço Itália or mingle at Mirante 9 de Julho (open-air culture space).

Day 10 – Ibirapuera Park and Departure

Morning: Stroll or cycle Ibirapuera Park and visit the Museum of Afro Brazil for essential context on music, religion, and diaspora art. Brunch at Padoca do Mani (pão de queijo, cakes, strong coffee).

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping along Rua Oscar Freire or at Feira da Benedito Calixto (weekends, antiques and vinyl). Depart in the afternoon—GRU has the widest international options; check fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Additional Rio Tools & Tickets (optional)

Prefer to focus your own pace at the icons? Consider advance tickets to skip queues or enjoy golden-hour timing.

Skip-the-Line: Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car Ticket

Rio de Janeiro Sunset Sailing Tour with Drinks

City-to-City Travel Times & Budget Notes

• Rio → Foz do Iguaçu: ~2h flight; ~$60–$150; taxi/ride-hail from IGU to town ~20–30 min.
• Foz do Iguaçu → São Paulo: ~1h45m flight; ~$50–$120; GRU has the most connections.
• Daily food budget (mid-range): $25–$45 per person (mixing botecos and one nicer dinner).
• Metro/ride-hail: Rio and SP metros are efficient by day; ride-hail at night for convenience.

With beaches, rainforest trails, waterfall thunder, and late-night samba, this 10-day plan balances big-ticket icons with neighborhood rituals and family-run kitchens. You’ll leave with salt on your skin, music in your ears, and the taste of brigadeiro and mortadella on your tongue—already plotting your return.