First trip to Brazil: how many days and which itinerary?

The most common mistake on a first trip to Brazil is trying to see too much. The distances are enormous: a flight from Rio to Manaus takes about four hours, roughly the same as New York to Denver. So every extra stop costs half a day of travel, sometimes more.

Our basic rule: plan at least two to three nights per stop, and one stop for every four to five days of travel.

In 9 to 10 days: the essentials

With about ten days, three stops are enough to discover three faces of the country: Rio de Janeiro for its landscapes between sea and mountains, Iguazu Falls for nature, and Salvador for history and Afro-Brazilian culture. That’s the idea behind our Classic Brazil tour.

Brazil Vip tip: On a first trip, keep at least one free day in Rio: the city is also best discovered by wandering, on the beach or in neighborhoods like Santa Teresa.

In 2 weeks: add the great outdoors

With two weeks, you can add a fourth, wilder stop. Two options come up often: a few days at an Amazon lodge, or the dunes and lagoons of the Lençóis Maranhenses, combined with the Parnaíba Delta and Jericoacoara along the Route of Emotions.

If you can’t decide between beach and culture, the combination of Rio, Paraty and Ilha Grande offers a nice balance without too many flights, with a side trip to Iguazu Falls.

In 3 weeks: travel more slowly

Three weeks let you combine several regions without rushing: for example Rio, the Amazon, the Lençóis Maranhenses and Jericoacoara, as in our Natural wonders of Brazil tour, or a trip focused on the Northeast, from Salvador to Jericoacoara by way of Chapada Diamantina.

• 9 to 10 days — Suggested number of stops: 3 — Sample tour: Classic Brazil: Rio, Iguazu, Salvador
• 11 to 14 days — Suggested number of stops: 4 — Sample tour: Falling for Brazil: Rio, Iguazu, Paraty, Ilha Grande
• 13 to 15 days — Suggested number of stops: 4 to 5 — Sample tour: Route of Emotions or Discover Brazil
• 15 days or more — Suggested number of stops: 5 to 6 — Sample tour: Natural wonders of Brazil or Ecotourism in the Northeast

What really shapes the itinerary

The season matters as much as the length of the trip: the lagoons of the Lençóis, the water levels in the Amazon and the wildlife of the Pantanal all depend on the time of year. Budget plays a role too, mainly because of domestic flights, which add up when the stops are far apart.

Finally, think about your international flights: arriving in Rio and leaving from Salvador or Fortaleza often saves you from backtracking and gains you a day.

Brazil Vip tip: Our tours are starting points. We adapt them to your dates, your pace and your budget, and we advise you on the best combination of flights.