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)

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.