Traveling to Brazil with kids: our tips

Brazilians adore children, and you feel it everywhere: in restaurants, in pousadas and even on the street. The country also offers a rare variety of experiences, from Iguazu Falls to the dunes of the Northeast. The key is to balance distances and travel times carefully.

Slowing down

With children, we recommend planning three nights per stop, and rarely fewer. Domestic flights, transfers and waiting at the airport can easily take up half a day. Three or four well-chosen stops are better than six at a breakneck pace. Keep some afternoons free for the pool or the beach, too.

Destinations kids love

Iguazu Falls impress all ages, and the nearby Parque das Aves lets you get close to toucans and macaws. Bonito, in Mato Grosso do Sul, is a paradise for families: you snorkel in crystal-clear rivers, surrounded by fish. Praia do Forte, north of Salvador, is home to a Projeto Tamar center devoted to protecting sea turtles.

The Northeast is also a big hit: kids slide down the dunes of the Lençóis Maranhenses as if they were water slides, the lagoons of Jericoacoara are perfect for swimming, and buggy rides are fun for young and old alike. Finally, a lodge in the Amazon or a fazenda in the Southern Pantanal turns the trip into a real adventure.

Brazil Vip tip: Some activities have a minimum age: long hikes, diving, certain excursions in the Amazon or the Pantanal. Tell us your children’s ages and we’ll choose activities and accommodations accordingly.

• Iguazu and the Parque das Aves — For kids: the falls and the tropical birds — Suggested stay: 2 nights
• Bonito — For kids: swimming in crystal-clear rivers — Suggested stay: 3 nights
• Praia do Forte — For kids: sea turtles and natural pools — Suggested stay: 3 nights
• Jericoacoara and the Lençóis — For kids: dunes, lagoons and buggies — Suggested stay: 5 to 6 nights

Health and safety

See your doctor before departure, especially about the yellow fever vaccine, which is recommended for certain regions and subject to age rules. Plan for mosquito protection, the sun, which is very strong in the tropics, and good hydration. Travel insurance covering medical expenses is essential.

Accommodations and transfers

Family rooms and apartments are available in most destinations, but they book up quickly in high season. Private transfers, with child seats on request, make travel days much easier.

Brazil Vip tip: Brazilian school vacations, from December to February and in July, are the busiest and most expensive times. If your dates are flexible, Thanksgiving week or spring break is often a very good compromise.