Overview
Brazil is bigger than the contiguous United States, and its highlights are thousands of kilometers apart: Rio de Janeiro's beaches and mountains, the thundering Iguaçu Falls on the Argentine border, colonial Salvador in the northeast, the Amazon rainforest and the wildlife-rich Pantanal wetlands. You'll need to fly between regions. Ten days covers Rio, Iguaçu and one more region; two to three weeks lets you add the Amazon or Pantanal and a stretch of northeastern coast.
Main regions
Rio de Janeiro and the Costa Verde. Start with our Rio de Janeiro destination page and the 4-day Rio itinerary. Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, and the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. South of the city, the colonial town of Paraty and the car-free island of Ilha Grande are on the rainforest-covered Costa Verde.
Iguaçu Falls. Around 275 waterfalls on the border with Argentina. The Brazilian side has the best panoramic views, the Argentine side the closest walkways. Both are worth a day.
Salvador and Bahia. Brazil's first capital and the heart of Afro-Brazilian culture: the pastel Pelourinho old town, capoeira, and Bahian food. Inland, Chapada Diamantina has canyons, waterfalls and multi-day hikes.
The Amazon. Manaus is the gateway to jungle lodges and river trips on the Rio Negro and Amazon, where the "meeting of the waters" sees dark and sandy rivers run side by side for kilometers.
The Pantanal. The world's largest tropical wetland and the best place in South America to see wildlife, including jaguars along the rivers in the dry season.
The northeast coast and the south. The white dunes and seasonal lagoons of Lençóis Maranhenses, the kite-surfing village of Jericoacoara, and the protected island of Fernando de Noronha; in the south, Florianópolis's beaches and São Paulo's museums and food.
Best time to visit
Brazil spans the tropics, so the best time depends on the region.
- Rio: April to June and August to November bring warm, drier weather and fewer crowds. December to March is hot and humid, often above 35°C, and peak season, with Carnival in February (early February in 2027) sending prices soaring.
- Iguaçu: year-round. The falls carry the most water from about December to March, but it's hot and humid.
- Pantanal: the dry season, July to October, is best for wildlife and jaguar sightings.
- Amazon: year-round. Water levels are highest from about May to July, when boats glide through flooded forest, and lowest from September to November, when there are beaches and more hiking trails.
- Lençóis Maranhenses: June to September, when the lagoons between the dunes are full.
Getting around
- Domestic flights: essential. LATAM, GOL and Azul connect the main cities. Rio to Iguaçu takes about 2 hours, Rio to Salvador about 2, and Rio to Manaus about 4.
- Long-distance buses: comfortable and cheap for shorter trips, such as Rio to Paraty (about 4 hours).
- In cities: use Uber or 99 rather than hailing taxis, especially at night. Rio's metro is clean, safe and useful for the beach neighborhoods and downtown.
- Driving: useful on the Costa Verde, but city traffic is heavy, and it isn't recommended at night on rural roads.
Visa basics
Since 10 April 2025, citizens of the US, Canada and Australia need an e-visa, applied for online through the official portal. For US citizens it costs US$80.90 and is valid for multiple entries over ten years. Citizens of the UK and EU countries can visit visa-free for up to 90 days. Your passport needs at least six months' validity. A yellow fever vaccination is recommended for the Amazon, Pantanal and Iguaçu regions; carry your certificate if you're traveling on to countries that require it.
Typical daily costs
Prices as of September 2026, at about 5.20 reais to the US dollar:
- Budget (R$250–380, about $48–73): hostel dorm or pousada room, "por quilo" buffet lunches (you pay by weight), buses and the metro.
- Mid-range (R$600–1,000, about $115–195): a 3–4 star hotel near the beach, restaurant meals, Uber, one tour a day.
- Comfort (R$1,800+, about $350+): beachfront luxury hotels, fine dining and private guides.
Amazon and Pantanal lodges are usually sold as all-inclusive packages and cost far more than city travel, often several hundred dollars a night per person. Christ the Redeemer costs around R$95–135 depending on how you go up (train, van or official shuttle). Cards are accepted almost everywhere, and many places use Pix instant payments. Restaurants usually add a 10% service charge, so no extra tip is needed.
Top destinations
- Rio de Janeiro: start with the Rio destination guide and the full Rio de Janeiro travel guide for neighborhoods, beaches and viewpoints.
- Iguaçu Falls: both sides of the falls in two days.
- Salvador: Pelourinho, music and Bahian cuisine.
- The Pantanal: jaguars, caimans and giant otters.
- Paraty and Ilha Grande: colonial streets, jungle trails and island beaches.
Continuing through South America? Buenos Aires is about three hours from Rio by air, and Lima, the gateway to Machu Picchu, about five. Or let our trip planner build a day-by-day Brazil route around your dates.