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There’s no denying Brazil is a powerhouse. The largest country in South America, the largest Portuguese-speaking country in the world and the world’s 8th largest economy. In the urban realm, Brazil is home to the world’s 4th largest metropolis and largest city in the Southern Hemisphere. While in terms of its nature, Brazil hosts the world’s largest rainforest, the second-longest river and the mighty Iguazu Falls. In short, Brazil is larger than life.
For travelers, this often makes planning a Brazil travel itinerary extremely overwhelming. With a 2 week Brazil itinerary, it’s often difficult to know where to begin. Distances are huge, and it can often be surprisingly difficult to find English-language travel material.
But don’t worry, we’re in Brazil fairly often and have visited much of the country – from countless visits to the great cities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo to more obscure corners of the Amazon or Northeast, we’re here to help you curate the ideal 2-week Brazil itinerary.



It goes without saying that you could spend months, if not years, traveling across Brazil. This 2 week Brazil itinerary is designed to give you the greatest variety of experiences across Brazil’s unique ecosystems and urban centres. But if you would prefer to concentrate on one region, for example, the Amazon or Northeast, you’ll still find some useful information below.
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Days 1-4: Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro needs no introduction. One of the great cities of our planet, Rio is one of those cities where it’s hard to believe people live ordinary lives. Much like Miami, Cape Town or Sydney, in Rio life centres around the beach and there is an eternal atmosphere of festa.
Rio de Janerio neighborhood guide
In my opinion, to get the most out of Rio de Janerio you’ll want to ensure you visit the different neighborhoods – each with their own character and iconic sites.
If you’re tight for time, I generally recommend doing a one-day city tour to cover the big sites (Christ the Redeemer, Lapa Steps and Downtown Rio). This way, you’ll free up your other days to simply explore and enjoy the beachside neighborhoods.



To help you plan your time, we’ve prepared this brief table of the main tourist-friendly neighborhoods of Rio de Janeiro:
Neighborhood | Atmosphere and attractions |
Ipanema & Leblon | Rio’s premier beachside neighborhoods, home to boutique shops, glitzy apartment building and some of Rio de Janeiro’s best restaurants. |
Copacabana | It’s all in the name. 1960s glamour, buzzing botecos (family-owned bars) and the iconic Copacabana Palace. |
Jardim Botânico & Lagoa | Huge green spaces, monkeys and small coffee shops (don’t miss La Bicyclette) – it’s hard to believe you’re still in a major city. |
Santa Teresa & Lapa | The Bohemian hilltop heart of Rio, with street art, murals, hipster cafes and excellent views at every turn. Famous Selarón steps take you to Rio’s most famous nightlife district (more on that below), |
Botafogo & Urca | Quieter beachside neighborhoods, offering a less-touristy, more youthful beach experience. Lots of students = cheap bars and vibrant nightlife. |
Centro | ‘Downtown’; churches, museums and more. A little rough around the edges, but great for a rainy day. |



Travel tip: Nowhere does beach culture quite like Rio. To truly experience the variety of subcultures, take your time hopping between different beaches.
Favela tours
To understand the complexities of Rio (and Brazil more generally), you can’t ignore the extremely photogenic favelas perched on the mountains. Favelas are often translated as ‘slums’ or ‘shantytowns’ but are probably better understood as mini-cities home to citizens from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
In recent years, many of Rio’s more famous favelas have opened up for ‘tourism’. Now, of course, there are important ethical questions before going on a tour of one of Brazil’s poorest neighborhoods.
Before visiting Rio, make sure to watch Cidade de Deus (City of God) for a deep insight into life in the favelas.

We won’t tell you what is or isn’t right, but we can share our own experiences. I generally try to avoid the large-scale favela tours which often operate like a ‘human safari’ bringing large groups of tourists on open-air trucks through the favela.
Rather, if you are keen to understand how the favelas function and operate, there are a number of smaller, boutique companies which are run by individuals who live in the favela and form part of the favela community. For example, Favela Walking Tours in Rocinha or Vidigal Walking Tour by Russo (who lives in the favela).
Another option to experience and learn about life in the favelas is to take an Uber to one of the bars or restaurants operating in the favelas. My favorite is easily Alto Vidigal in Vidigal, which is safe and offers some of the best views over Rio. To get here, take an Uber to Praça do Vidigal. From the small plaza, minivans will shuttle you up to the bar (taxis and ubers cannot ascend the favela). Mirante Rocinha in Rocinha is another great option.

While these bars and restaurants are used to tourists, as a general rule I would avoid entering any major favela on your own and always seek local advice from your hotel or guesthouse .
Nightlife in Rio de Janeiro
Brazilians know how to party and there’s no question that Rio is one of the greatest nightlife cities in the world.
If you are visiting Rio on a weekend (and if I were you, I’d plan around this), on Fridays and Saturdays head to Lapa where rows of bars and dance-halls open onto a busy pedestrian street. This is one of the few areas of the city where Rio’s richest citizens mingle with the favela residents. There’s no greater joy than drinking a fresh caiprinha out of a plastic cup as you dance samba in the streets of Rio.

Another great option is Pedra do Sal, a small plaza often referred to as ‘Little Africa’. The streets surrounding Pedra do Sal are usually full of people drinking and dancing samba most nights of the week. Be warned though, it can often get very, very busy here…
You’ll also see people selling tickets to ‘funk parties’ (Baile Funk) – a unique musical genre often associated with the favelas. These parties generally take place in Rocinha, Rio’s largest favela.
Travel tip: If you’re after a quieter night on the town, take your time exploring the heritage botecos (family-run bars) of Copacabana including the Pavão Azul, Cervantes and Boteco da Garrafa.

At night, always bring as little valuables as necessary. Rio is not the safest city and tourists often make easy targets in Rio’s nightlife hubs. If you’re keen to go with a local, I recommend joining either this organized Lapa bar crawl or organized Pedra do Sal samba tours.
Days 5-6: Ouro Preto
From Rio de Janeiro, can take an overnight bus to Ouro Preto. There is usually only one bus a day, so I highly recommend booking in advance.
This small colonial town is testament to the wealth generated out of Brazil during the colonial-era. In many ways, Ouro Preto is the most refined and beautiful of Brazil’s colonial town centres. With more churches than you can count and a strong culinary emphasis on local cheeses and produce.



In these two days, I recommend getting lost in the hilly alleyways, shopping for souvenirs of copper and stone in front of the church of San Francisco de Assisi and eating more pão de queijo than you thought possible.
Local tip: Don’t miss out on trying the local goiabada (guava paste) which hsas a delicious quince-like texture.

From Ouro Preto, you’re only about 1.5 hours from Belo Horizonte, a major airport in Brazil. If you have a few days, you may want to check out the architectural gem of Pampulha and Belo Horizonte’s vibrant dining scene. Otherwise, you’ll find taxis running straight from Ouro Preto to Belo Horizonte Airport.
Days 7-10: Northeast Brazil
In my opinion, every trip to Brazil must include some time in Northeast Brazil. The heart of Afro-Brazilian culture, Northeast Brazil offers the best of Brazilian music, Carnival-esque atmosphere and, most importantly, endless swathes of magnificent rugged beach.
If you are on a tight 2-week Brazil itinerary, where to spend your 3 days in Northeast Brazil can be tricky. I generally recommend either:
- Salvador: The heart of Afro-Brazilian Brazil, with the magnificent Pelourinho (old town). If you’re keen for some beach time, Salvador offers close access to the legendary beaches of Bahia; or
- Recife: One of the first cities in the Americas, Recife’s colonial grandeur offers insights into the Brazil of yesteryear.
The honest truth is that you can’t go wrong with either and I would probably recommend whichever lines up better with flights and your schedule. If I had to choose, I’d probably lean towards Recife – as access to the magnificent colonial town of Olinda is a real drawcard. For more details, don’t miss our comprehensive 3-days in Recife and Olinda itinerary.



An alternative itinerary would be to spend 10 days or so driving from Salvador to Recife. This itinerary would include a deeper dive into other popular Northeastern cities like Maceio and Aracaju, while going deeper into the colonial towns, cultures and beaches of my favorite part of Brazil.
Days 11-12: Iguazu Falls
Next up you’re heading to the other side of the country to visit the legendary Iguazu Falls. If you are coming off our Ultimate 2 week Argentina itinerary, you may want to swap things around. For example, you could start your 2 week Brazil itinerary in Iguazu Falls before continuing on towards Rio.
For the ultimate Iguazu experience, don’t miss out on taking a helicopter ride over Iguazu Falls.
You’ll want to allocate at least two days for visiting the Iguazu Falls. I recommend at least half a day on the Brazilian side of the falls, which offers more panoramic viewpoints to experience the breadth and grandeur of Iguazu. You’ll also find a popular bird park (Parque das Aves) in Foz do Iguacu. If you aren’t heading deeper into the Amazon, this is a great spot to get up close to Brazil’s legendary birdlife.

On your second day, cross to the Argentinian side of the falls for a full day of exploring walking tracks and boat rides.
Days 12-14: Choose your own adventure
You’d need months to see all of Brazil, and in any 2-week Brazil itinerary, it’s important that you include attractions which are of interest to you. For your last few days, I recommend you follow your interests and create your own Brazil travel itinerary.
Again, Brazil is huge and flight or bus schedules don’t always match up with our plans. You may want to swap some days around to create your perfect 2 week Brazil itinerary.
If you’re interested in the Amazon
Head inland to Manaus, the starting off point for day-trips down the mighty Amazon river. Learn about indigenous cultures, swim with pink river dolphins and marvel at the Amazon’s very own opera theatre.



Those with a bit more time up their sleeve may want to consider staying at an eco-lodge deep in the Amazon.
An alternative option is the small Amazon beach town of Alter do Chão, about an hour from the city of Santarem. This isn’t a wildlife or indigenous Amazon experience, but rather an idyllic beach town set around the beautiful Ilha do Amor. It’s not every day you can say you went to an Amazon beach resort.
If you’re interested in Brazil’s most exclusive island
Fernando de Noronha Island sits off the coast of Northeast Brazil and is accessible by plane from Recife and Natal. With specific fees and permits for those visiting the island, this is easily Brazil’s most exclusive island. Add a world-class dining scene and some extremely fancy hotels and you’ll soon understand why Fernando de Noronha is called the playground of Brazil’s rich and famous.



For more information on planning your island getaway, don’t miss our 4-day Fernando de Noronha itinerary.
If you’re interested in Oscar Niemeyer, Brazilian Modernism and architecture
Oscar Niemeyer revolutionized Brazilian architecture and left his mark on many cities around the country. Nowhere more so than Brasilia, Brazil’s custom-made capital. Architecture lovers will enjoy visiting the major architectural gems of Brasilia, including the Metropolitan Cathedral and JK Memorial.
In my opinion, Belo Horizonte offers another hidden architectural gem of Brazil – with the purpose-built neighborhood of Pampulha (one of the top things to see in Belo Horizonte). Luckily for you, we’ve curated an expert self-guided walking through Pampulha.



If you’re interested in beach culture, surfing and hippy vibes
Florianopolis offers over 42 beaches across a long stretch of island. Beyond having a different beach for every day of the week, Floripa (as its lovingly known) is home to Brazil’s most Bohemian enclaves, with yoga studios, vegan eateries and a general laid-back vibe.

A note on São Paulo
Travelers often avoid São Paulo. This megapolis is home to over 23 million people and some of the world’s worst traffic. Beyond this, I’d struggle to think of another major world city of this size without any globally recognizable icons.

Despite all of this, I absolutely adore spending time in São Paulo. Full disclaimer here: I am a big city guy. However, if your flight is arriving into or leaving from São Paulo, consider spending one or two days here – particularly if you are interested in learning more about urban culture and contemporary Brazil.
With a few days, I’d recommend visiting:
- Beco de Batman: a hub of contemporary street art, hipster culture and São Paulo’s best galleries.
- Paulista Avenue: São Paulo’s major boulevard and the heart of Brazil’s economy.
- Any of São Paulo’s excellent museums. My favorites include the Pinacoteca, MASP and Museu Afro Brasil.
- Rooftop bars: in a city of skyscrapers, there’s nowhere better than to be at the top. Some of my favorites include Skye, The View Bar and Esther Rooftop.



If you’re overwhelmed with where to stay in São Paulo, I always opt for either Jardins (and this article will convince you why) or Villa Madalina.
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