Custom travel to Brazil

Brazil is one of Latin America's most extraordinary destinations. A continent-country of 8.5 million km² and 215 million inhabitants, independent from Portugal since 1822 and the only Lusophone country in the Americas, it lines up world-unique sites. Rio de Janeiro, the « cidade maravilhosa » (UNESCO landscape 2012), unfolds Copacabana and Ipanema, the Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado and Sugarloaf, and gave birth to samba and bossa-nova. Iguaçu Falls (UNESCO 1986, one of the 7 new wonders of the world 2011) lines up 275 waterfalls over 2.7 km, with a flow four times that of Niagara. The Brazilian Amazon covers 60% of the world's rainforest and hosts pink dolphins, jaguars and sloths from the Anavilhanas or Mamirauá lodges. The Pantanal, one of the world's largest wetlands, is the world's best jaguar destination — 80% observation chance in the dry season (June-October), versus 5-10% in the Amazon. Add Salvador de Bahia (UNESCO 1985), former colonial capital between Afro-Brazilian capoeira and candomblé, the white dunes and turquoise lagoons of Lençóis Maranhenses (June-September, a surreal landscape), and the UNESCO archipelago of Fernando de Noronha for dolphins and diving. Allow 14 to 21 days to combine Rio, Iguaçu, Pantanal or Amazon and Bahia. A fundamental destination for those who love nature, music and Brazilian human warmth.

Highlights

  • Rio de Janeiro (Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, beaches)
  • UNESCO Iguaçu Falls (275 falls, 2.7 km)
  • Pantanal (world top for jaguar observation)
  • Brazilian Amazon (60% of world forest)
  • UNESCO Salvador de Bahia (Afro-Brazilian heritage)
  • Lençóis Maranhenses (dunes and turquoise lagoons)

Sample itineraries

Essential Brazil: Rio, Iguaçu, Salvador

Duration : 12 days

Route : Rio de Janeiro (4 nights) → Iguaçu flight (2 nights, Brazilian and Argentine sides) → Salvador de Bahia flight (3 nights, UNESCO) → Praia do Forte (2 nights, Bahia beaches)

Brazil nature: Pantanal jaguars + Amazon

Duration : 14 days

Route : Rio (3 nights) → Iguaçu (2 nights) → Cuiabá Pantanal flight (4 nights, jaguar safari) → Manaus Amazon flight (4 nights, jungle lodge) → return Rio (1)

Complete Brazil: Rio, Iguaçu, Pantanal, Bahia, Lençóis

Duration : 21 days

Route : Rio (4) → Iguaçu (2) → Pantanal (4) → Lençóis Maranhenses (3, dunes and lagoons) → Salvador Bahia (3) → Praia do Forte or Fernando de Noronha (4) → return

When to go

May-October is the best period (dry season, pleasant temperatures 22-30 °C). PANTANAL JAGUARS: June-October (peak July-September, 80-95% observation chance). LENÇÓIS MARANHENSES: July-September (lagoons maximally filled). RIO and IGUAÇU: year-round (Iguaçu max flow December-March). FERNANDO DE NORONHA: August-November (optimal diving visibility). Avoid January-March (rainy season, strong heat 35-40 °C, flooded Pantanal so difficult for jaguars).

  • Cool dry season (ideal) (May – August) — Pantanal jaguars, Iguaçu, Rio, Salvador
  • Lençóis Maranhenses peak (July – September) — Lençóis Maranhenses (unique landscape in world)
  • Hot dry season (October – November) — Fernando de Noronha diving, end Pantanal season
  • Rainy season (Carnival) (December – April) — Rio Carnival (February-March), Iguaçu max flow

Practical information

Vigilance Rio and São Paulo (favelas, pickpockets — leave jewelry at hotel, no visible phones in street, taxi-Uber instead of walking at night). Rest of country safe in tourist areas (Iguaçu, Pantanal, Salvador center, Lençóis). No visa for French citizens (90-day stay, passport valid 6 months). RECOMMENDED yellow fever vaccine (mandatory if Amazon/Pantanal trip). Antimalarial for Pantanal and Amazon. Avoid tap water. Cards accepted everywhere in hotels and restaurants. Portuguese omnipresent (limited English outside tourist hotels). Tipping: 10% in restaurants (often included '10% serviço'), $5-$10/day for guides and drivers.

Frequently asked questions

When?

May-October (dry season). Pantanal jaguars: July-October. Lençóis Maranhenses: July-September. Avoid January-March (rainy season, strong heat).

How long?

12 days for essential Brazil (Rio + Iguaçu + Salvador). 14 days with Pantanal jaguars. 21 days for complete version with Lençóis and Fernando de Noronha.

Budget?

€4,200-€5,500 per person for 12 days in comfort, excluding flights. Premium: €8,500-€12,000. Flights: €800-€1,200.

Visa?

No visa for French citizens (90-day stay, passport valid 6 months).

Brazil safety?

Vigilance Rio and São Paulo (favelas, pickpockets). Rest of country safe in tourist areas (Iguaçu, Pantanal, Salvador center).

Family?

Ideal for families (Rio, Iguaçu, Bahia beaches, Pantanal for curious children). Pantanal jaguars from age 10 (concentration needed).

How to get around?

LATAM/Gol/Azul domestic flights ESSENTIAL (country is 8.5 million km²). 4×4 with Portuguese-English-speaking driver at Rio, Salvador, Pantanal.

Iguaçu: 1 or 2 sides?

BOTH SIDES — complementary. Brazil offers PANORAMIC VIEW (4-5 h), Argentina offers CLOSE-UP EXPERIENCE (6-8 h). Ideally 1 day each.

Combine?

Yes: Brazil + Argentina (common Iguaçu, Patagonia), Brazil + Peru (Cusco), Brazil + Uruguay (Punta del Este), Brazil + Bolivia.

Tips?

10% in restaurants (often included '10% serviço' on bill). $5-$10/day for guides and drivers.