Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Rio — first steps in the Marvelous City
Morning Arrivée à l'aéroport Galeão et transfert
Land at Tom Jobim International Airport (GIG). Transfer to the southern neighborhoods (Copacabana, Ipanema) takes 30-60 min depending on traffic. First glimpse of Rio's green morros and the vast Guanabara Bay.
Afternoon Plage de Copacabana et promenade
Dive into the vibe of Copacabana, the world's most famous beach. The wavy black-and-white mosaic sidewalk, caipirinha vendors, footvolley players, and the Sugarloaf view create a permanent spectacle.
Evening Dîner de churrasco dans une churrascaria
Experience Brazilian churrasco at a rodízio restaurant — waiters circulate with skewers of grilled meats (picanha, alcatra, costela) carved at your table. All-you-can-eat: flip the red/green marker to control the flow.
Day 2 Rio — Christ the Redeemer and the heights
Morning Cristo Redentor — Corcovado
Climb Corcovado (710m) to reach Christ the Redeemer, one of the New Seven Wonders. The cog train traverses Tijuca Forest in 20 minutes. The 38-meter statue offers a 360° panorama over the bay, Sugarloaf, Copacabana, and the morros.
Afternoon Quartier de Santa Teresa et Escadaria Selarón
Walk down to bohemian Santa Teresa with its artist studios, bars in colonial houses, and sweeping downtown views. The Escadaria Selarón, 250 steps covered in colorful tiles from around the world by Chilean artist Jorge Selarón, is a Rio icon.
Evening Soirée samba à Lapa
Lapa comes alive at night with rodas de samba (musician circles) and live music clubs under the old aqueduct arches. Pedra do Sal, samba's historic birthplace, hosts free open-air samba circles every Monday and Friday. The vibe is electric and contagious.
Day 3 Rio — Sugarloaf and Ipanema
Morning Téléphérique du Pain de Sucre
Take the cable car (bondinho) for both stages up Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar). The first stop at Morro da Urca (220m) offers great views and a hiking trail. The summit (396m) provides a dazzling panorama over Guanabara Bay, Corcovado, and the beaches.
Afternoon Plage d'Ipanema et Arpoador
Ipanema, made famous by Tom Jobim's bossa nova, is Rio's trendiest beach. Each stretch has its tribe: families, surfers, LGBTQ+, athletes. Pedra do Arpoador rock is THE sunset spot — Cariocas applaud when the sun dips into the ocean.
Evening Dîner gastronomique à Leblon
Leblon, next to Ipanema, has Rio's best restaurants. Contemporary Brazilian cuisine at its finest. CT Boucherie serves exceptional meats, Sushi Leblon is one of South America's best Japanese restaurants. Chic but relaxed vibe.
Day 4 Rio — Botanical Garden and favela
Morning Jardim Botânico et forêt de Tijuca
Visit Rio's Botanical Garden, founded in 1808 by King João VI of Portugal. The 750-meter Royal Palm Avenue is iconic. Over 6,500 tropical plant species, rare orchids, a Japanese garden, and free-roaming capuchin monkeys. Adjacent Tijuca Forest is the world's largest urban forest.
Afternoon Visite guidée de la favela Rocinha
Join a respectful guided tour of Rocinha, Latin America's largest favela (70,000+ residents). Local guides, often residents, show you community life, commerce, crafts, and the creativity of these self-built neighborhoods. A perspective-changing experience.
Evening Dîner et bossa nova à Urca
Urca, at the foot of Sugarloaf, is one of Rio's most charming neighborhoods. Bar Urca, a local institution, serves petiscos (Brazilian tapas) on a wall facing Guanabara Bay. Intimate atmosphere — locals gather at sunset with beer and bolinho de bacalhau.
Day 5 Road to Paraty — the colonial pearl
Morning Route Rio → Paraty via la Costa Verde
Drive to Paraty (4-5h) via the Costa Verde, one of Brazil's most beautiful coastal roads. The BR-101 winds past turquoise bays, deserted beaches, and tropical islands. Stop at Mangaratiba or Angra dos Reis for coffee with views of the bay's 365 islands.
Afternoon Centre historique de Paraty
Paraty, an 18th-century colonial town and UNESCO World Heritage site, is a gem. Irregularly paved streets, white houses with colorful windows, and baroque churches create a setting unchanged since the gold route era. The center is pedestrian-only.
Evening Dîner dans une ruelle coloniale de Paraty
Paraty's restaurants occupy former colonial houses with inner courtyards and gardens. Cuisine blends Portuguese, indigenous, and African traditions — grilled fish, moqueca (coconut milk fish stew), and plantains. Candlelit streets at night create a unique romantic atmosphere.
Day 6 Paraty — paradise beaches and cachaça
Morning Excursion en bateau — îles et plages secrètes
Board a schooner (escuna) for a cruise around Paraty Bay. The boat stops at 4 deserted beaches and islands with crystal-clear water: Praia Vermelha, Lagoa Azul, Ilha Comprida. Snorkeling, swimming, and lazing on white sand — Brazil at its dreamiest.
Afternoon Alambic de cachaça et cascade Tobogã
Visit an artisanal cachaça distillery in the hills around Paraty — the region produces some of Brazil's finest cachaças. Then cool off at Tobogã waterfall, a natural rock slide where you glide into a fresh water pool surrounded by Atlantic Forest.
Evening Dernière soirée à Paraty — rues illuminées
Enjoy a last evening in Paraty's cobblestone streets lit by golden streetlamps and restaurant lights. Have a cachaça cocktail in a historic center bar and soak in this timeless town's peaceful atmosphere. A farewell dinner of shrimp moqueca is perfect.
Day 7 Return to Rio and flight to Iguaçu
Morning Route Paraty → Rio et vol vers Foz do Iguaçu
Return to Rio (4-5h) then domestic flight to Foz do Iguaçu (2h). The flight crosses southern Brazil's vast green expanses. On arrival, the atmosphere changes — humid subtropical air, red earth, and lush vegetation announce the falls.
Afternoon Parc des Oiseaux (Parque das Aves)
Visit Parque das Aves (Bird Park), a tropical wildlife sanctuary next to the national park entrance. Walk through enormous aviaries where you can get close to toucans, macaws, parrots, and flamingos. The park helps conserve many endangered Atlantic Forest species.
Evening Dîner et repos avant les chutes
Dinner at a Foz do Iguaçu restaurant. Southern Brazilian cuisine is influenced by gaúcho traditions — wood-fire grilled meats, polenta, and chimichurri. Rest up for tomorrow morning's falls.
Day 8 Iguaçu Falls Brazilian side — nature's power
Morning Chutes d'Iguaçu — côté brésilien
Enter Iguaçu National Park for one of Earth's most powerful natural spectacles. 275 waterfalls span 2.7km, pouring 1,500 m³/s of water. The Brazilian panoramic trail offers a sweeping view. The walkway extending over the Garganta do Diabo (Devil's Throat) is vertigo-inducing.
Afternoon Bateau Macuco Safari sous les chutes
Board a Macuco Safari zodiac that takes you to the base of the falls for an unforgettable tropical shower. The boat gets as close as possible — you'll be soaked head to toe but the adrenaline and emotion are incomparable. The permanent rainbow in the mist is magical.
Evening Dîner et spectacle au Rafain Churrascaria Show
Rafain Churrascaria Show combines a grilled meat rodízio with a Latin American dance show — samba, tango, Guarani folklore. The dinner is hearty and the show is colorful and energizing. A great way to celebrate the falls day.
Day 9 Iguaçu Falls Argentine side — heart of the cascades
Morning Chutes d'Iguazú — côté argentin, circuit supérieur
Cross the border to see the falls from the Argentine side — a complementary and essential experience. The upper circuit places you above the falls with plunging views. The roar of water and mist on your face are overwhelming. More walkways than the Brazilian side.
Afternoon Circuit inférieur et Isla San Martín
The lower circuit takes you to the base of the falls for a completely different perspective — water's power is even more impressive from below. If water levels allow, take the free boat to Isla San Martín for a unique view surrounded by cascades.
Evening Dîner argentin à Puerto Iguazú
Take advantage of the Argentine side for dinner in Puerto Iguazú. Argentine cuisine is renowned for its grilled meats (asado) and Mendoza wines. The village is charming with outdoor restaurants. A Malbec with bife de chorizo is the perfect end to an epic day.
Day 10 Return to Rio — shopping and culture
Morning Vol retour Iguaçu → Rio
Fly back to Rio (2h). Landing at Santos Dumont Airport (SDU), located downtown on Guanabara Bay, offers a spectacular approach between the morros and Sugarloaf.
Afternoon Museu do Amanhã et boulevard olympique
Visit the Museu do Amanhã (Museum of Tomorrow), Santiago Calatrava's architectural masterpiece on Pier Mauá. The interactive museum explores the planet's future — science, technology, and sustainability. The adjacent Olympic Boulevard has giant murals and bay views.
Evening Dîner de feijoada et dernière soirée carioca
End your trip with Brazil's national dish: feijoada, a black bean and pork stew simmered for hours, served with rice, collard greens, farofa, and oranges. Casa da Feijoada in Ipanema is an institution. Finish with a last Arpoador sunset.
Day 11 Rio — last discoveries and shopping
Morning Feira de São Cristóvão — marché du Nordeste
Visit the Feira de São Cristóvão, a huge covered market dedicated to Brazil's Northeast culture. 700+ stalls offer crafts, forró music, and Northeastern cuisine (carne de sol, acarajé, tapioca). The festive, authentic atmosphere is deep Brazil in the heart of Rio.
Afternoon Dernière plage et açaí
Enjoy a last afternoon on Rio's beaches. Order an açaí na tigela (açaí bowl with granola and banana) from a beach kiosk — Brazil's iconic snack. Shop for souvenirs: havaianas (Brazilian flip-flops), Canga swimwear, or Brazilian coffee.
Evening Dernière caïpirinha et dîner d'adieu
For your last evening, enjoy a caipirinha with views of the illuminated bay. Bar do Mineiro in Santa Teresa or Aprazível (a restaurant perched in the forest) are perfect for a memorable farewell dinner. Brazil marks you deeply — you'll want to return.
Day 12 Departure — Brazilian saudade
Morning Dernière baignade et café carioca
Enjoy a last morning swim in the Copacabana or Ipanema waves. Have a café carioca (strong and sweet) at a padaria (bakery) with pão de queijo (cheese bread) — the typical Brazilian breakfast you'll miss back home.
Afternoon Transfert vers l'aéroport et vol retour
Take a taxi or VTC to Galeão Airport (GIG) for your international flight. The ride from Zona Sul takes 30-60 minutes. Duty-free shops offer cachaça, Brazilian coffee, and Havaianas at good prices.
Evening Vol retour — souvenirs du Brésil
Your international flight marks the end of 12 unforgettable days in Brazil. From Rio to Paraty to Iguaçu Falls, you've experienced this continent-country's incredible diversity — beaches, tropical forests, colonial towns, and one of the world's natural wonders. Brazil gave you its contagious joie de vivre.