The Loop Itinerary for Brazil
The Loop

Recommended Brazil Travel Itineraries

Brazil is a massive country that requires a fair amount of dedication to travel completely.  Personally, I spent 3 months in the country and felt like I could have spent a year exploring each nook and cranny.  I would like to say that I hit nearly every major spot in the country during my exploration, but that isn’t to say that I couldn’t have visited more places.  I have included below a number of travel itineraries that I recommend for Brazil.  They have been put together in a way to make sure that you get the most out of your time in Brazil.  Whether you only have 10 days or 2 months, there is a Brazil travel itinerary set up for you.  These itineraries are written as though your means of transportation is bus but, of course, there is always more than one way to skin a cat.  Personally, I travel nearly all the time over land, but air travel in Brazil is widely popular and quite affordable if booked in advance.

Of course, these travel itineraries for Brazil are meant as a guide and are by no means the only way to travel the country.  If you have any questions about travelling Brazil in any capacity please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Itinerary 1: The Loop (39 Days)

The loop itinerary is meant to give you the most extensive possible travel experience in Brazil.  This itinerary offers a little bit of everything: beaches, cities, wildlife and natural wonder.  If you have a lot of time to spend in Brazil this might be the itinerary for you.  You might also want to check itinerary 6 if you have a lot of time and prefer not to do a loop.

The Loop Itinerary for Brazil
The Loop
  • Days 1-4 Rio de Janerio
  • Days 5: Bus to Ilha Grande
  • Days 6-7: Explore the island, maybe go for a hike
  • Day 8: Bus to Paraty
  • Day 9: Explore Paraty
  • Day 10: Visit beaches nearby Paraty
  • Day 11: Bus to Sao Paulo
  • Day 12: Explore Sao Paulo (Football museum is a must)
  • Day 13: Morning in Sao Paulo with night bus to Florianopolis
  • Day 14: Arrive in Floripa, head to Barra Lagoa
  • Days 15-17: Florianopolis
  • Day 18: Bus to Curitiba
  • Day 19: Curitiba
  • Day 20: Morning in Curitiba, Afternoon bus to Iguazu Falls
  • Day 21: Iguazu: Brazilian site
  • Day 22: Take day trip to Argentinean side of falls
  • Day 23: Bus to Campo Grande
  • Day 24-26: Pantanal wildlife tour
  • Day 28: Night bus to Brasilia
  • Days 29-30: Brasilia
  • Day 31: Night bus to Salvador de Bahia
  • Days 32-34: Salvador
  • Day 35: Bus to Porto Seguro
  • Day 36-37: Porto Seguro and Trancoso
  • Day 38: Night bus to Rio
  • Day 39: End in Rio de Janeiro

Itinerary 2: The Southern Loop (24 Days)

The southern loop itinerary is meant to give visitors to Brazil a quick look at the highlights of the country without over extending all too much.  This itinerary still gives travellers the chance to see some of the most amazing places in the country while not travelling the massive distance to get to the north of the country.  This itinerary is meant for those who do not have a whole lot of time in the country but still want to experience a little of everything.

The Southern Loop Brazil Travel Itinerary
The Southern Loop
  • Days 1-4 Rio de Janerio
  • Day 5: Bus to Paraty
  • Day 6: Explore Paraty
  • Day 7: Visit beaches nearby Paraty
  • Day 8: Morning in Paraty, night bus to Curitiba
  • Day 9: Curitiba
  • Day 10: Bus to Florianopolis
  • Days 11-13: Florianopolis
  • Day 14: Night bus to Iguazu Falls
  • Day 15: Iguazu: Brazilian site
  • Day 16: Take day trip to Argentinean side of falls
  • Day 17: Bus to Campo Grande
  • Days 18-20 Pantanal Wildlife tour
  • Day 21: Bus to Sao Paulo
  • Day 22: Explore Sao Paulo
  • Day 23: Morning in Sao Paulo with night bus to Rio
  • Day 24: End in Rio de Janeiro

Itinerary 3: Cultural Brazil (19 Days)

Cultural Brazil Travel Itinerary
Cultural Brazil

If you find yourself on a search for history rather than a hunt for beach destinations than you might want to consider the “Cultural Brazil” travel itinerary.  This itinerary guides visitors to some of the more important historical regions of Brazil while still offering some time on the beach to catch a bit of that Brazilian sun.  Obviously, with a little bit more time one could also include a trip to the famous Iguazu Falls to this trip.  Brazil has a lot of offer in terms of history and culture and this itinerary will be sure to fill your spirits with the Brazilian character.

  • Days 1-4: Rio de Janeiro
  • Day 4: Bus to Paraty
  • Day 5: Explore Paraty
  • Day 6: Explore beaches near Paraty or historical hiking trail
  • Day 7: Bus to Sao Paulo
  • Days 8-9: Explore Sao Paulo
  • Day 10: Overnight bus to Belo Horizonte (10hrs)
  • Days 11-12 Belo Horizonte
  • Day 13: Night bus to Salvador de Bahia
  • Days 14-16 Salvador
  • Day 15: Bus to Porto Seguro
  • Days 16-17: Porto Seguro
  • Day 18: Bus to Rio
  • Day 19: End in Rio de Janeiro

Itinerary 4: From Uruguay to Rio (24 Days)

From Uruguay to Rio
From Uruguay to Rio

If you are coming from Uruguay and heading to Rio de Janeiro you will basically have everything laid out for you in terms of Brazilian destination hot spots.  This is probably the most popular route of travel, especially for travellers that fall in the class of backpackers.  If you don’t really care about visiting Florianopolis, and prefer not to cross Uruguay, this itinerary is also possible if you start from the Argentinean side of Iguazu Falls.

  • Day 1: Arrive in Porto Alegre
  • Day 2: Porto Alegre
  • Day 3: Bus to Florianopolis
  • Days 5-7: Florianopolis
  • Day 8: Night bus to Foz do Iguacu
  • Day 9: Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls
  • Day 10: Day trip to the Argentinean side of Iguazu Falls
  • Day 11: Night bus to Curitiba
  • Day 12: Curitiba
  • Day 13: Night bus to Sao Paulo
  • Days 14-15: Sao Paulo
  • Day 16: Bus to Paraty
  • Days 17-18: Paraty
  • Day 19: Bus to Rio
  • Days 20-23: Rio de Janeiro
  • Day 24: End in Rio

Itinerary 5: From Bolivia to Rio (27 Days)

Coming from Brazil and travelling to Rio perhaps gives you the greatest swath of available destination opportunities starting with the wildlife rich Pantanal and ending with some of the world’s most beautiful beaches.  This itinerary will give you a great means of exploring the best of what Southern Brazil has to offer.

From Bolivia to Rio
From Bolivia to Rio
  • Day 1: Arrive in Campo Grande from Bolivia
  • Days 2-4: Pantanal wildlife tour
  • Day 5: Campo Grande and Night bus to Iguazu Falls
  • Day 6: Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls
  • Day 7: Day trip to the Argentinean side of Iguazu Falls
  • Day 8: Bus to Curitiba
  • Day 9: Curitiba
  • Day 10: Bus to Florianopolis
  • Days 11-13: Florianopolis
  • Day 14: Night bus to Sao Paulo
  • Days 15-16: Sao Paulo
  • Day 17: Bus to Paraty
  • Days 18-19: Paraty
  • Day 20: Bus to Ilha Grande
  • Days 21-22: Ilha Grande
  • Day 23: Bus to Rio de Janeiro
  • Days 24-26: Rio
  • Day 27: End in Rio de Janeiro

Campo Grande-Iguasu-Curitiba-Florianopolis-Sao Paulo-Parati-Ihla Grande-Rio

Itinerary 6: Complete Brazil: From Uruguay to Venezuela (73 Days)

When I travelled Brazil, I basically did a variation of this Itinerary Although my itinerary was different since I left Brazil for French Guyana instead of Venezuela (although I did eventually cross the border from Brazil to Venezuela).  This trip is a true adventure if you have the time, or if like myself, you are circumnavigating South America trying to see all its glory.  Quite obviously, this itinerary can be manipulated with a quick flight back to Rio de Janeiro at the end if you are trying to avoid Venezuela.  This itinerary is extensive and long, however, if you are up to it, this is a great adventure.

From Uruguay to Venezuela
From Uruguay to Venezuela
    • Day 1: Porto Alegre
    • Day 2: Bus to Florianopolis
    • Days 3-5: Folianopolis
    • Day 6: Bus to Curitiba
    • Day 7: Curitiba
    • Day 8: Catch the train to the coast and boat to Ilha do Mel
    • Day 9-10: Ilha do Mel
    • Day 11: Bus back to Curitiba and overnight bus to Foz do Iguasu
    • Day 12: Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls
    • Day 13: Day trip to Argentineans side of Iguazzu Falls
    • Day 14: Bus to Campo Grande
    • Days 15-17: Panatanal wildlife tour
    • Day 18: Bus to Sao Paulo
    • Days 19-20: Sao Paulo
    • Day 21: Bus to Parati
    • Days 22-23: Parati
    • Day 24: Bus to Ilha Grande
    • Days 25-27: Ilha Grande
    • Day 28: Bus to Rio de Janeiro
    • Days 29-32: Rio de Janeiro
    • Day 33: Bus to Belo Horizonte
    • Days 34-36: Belo Horizonte
    • Day 37: Bus to Porto Seguro
    • Days 38-40: Porto Seguro and Trancoso
    • Day 41: Bus to Salvador de Bahia
    • Days 42-44: Salvador de Bahia
    • Day 45: Bus to Recife
    • Days 46-48: Recife and Olinda
    • Day 49: Bus to Fortaleza
    • Days 50-51: Fortaleza
    • Day 52: Bus to Jericoacoara
    • Days 53-56: Jericoacoara
    • Day 57: Bus to Belem
    • Days 58-60: Belem
    • Days 61-62: Boat to Santarem
    • Days 63-65: Santarem
    • Days 66-67: Boat to Manaus
    • Days 68-71: Manaus and Wildlife excursion
    • Day 72: Bus to Boa Vista
    • Day 73: Bus to Venezuela

Travel Advice for Brazil

I wanted to end this post with some bits of travel advice for Brazil.  Hopefully this guide to travelling Brazil has helped you plan your trip here.

  • Accommodation: In Brazil you have options for hotels, and hostels. Some places also offer an ultra-budget option to hang up your own hammock. I will say, though, that I’ve found hotels to be just as good a value as hostels in Brazil.  The hostels aren’t incredible, and unless you’re hoping to meet other travellers, the hotels are great.  For either hotel or hostel, I use this site for the cheapest prices.
  • Tours: If you’re looking to book your local tours at places like Iguazu Falls or Rio de Janeiro, check out Get Your Guide. You can book everything online to make things easier.
  • Flights: Flights within Brazil are quite cheap. There’s lots of competition between the major airlines (TAM, Gol, and Azul) But, the earlier you book the better.  Personally, I use Kiwi for my flights in Brazil.
  • Buses: If you’re travelling by bus in Brazil, you sort of have to go to the bus station to book your tickets. As far as I know, there’s not a great online option.
  • Money: Most of Brazil takes credit card and debit card these days. Aside from street stands, you’ll be able to use your cards almost everywhere.  Where you can’t, there are always ATMs nearby.