Where to go in Brazil

Rio de Janeiro

Corcovado and the Christ the Redeemer statue, Sugarloaf mountain, the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana, the Tijuca forest above the city and the colonial streets of Santa Teresa. Rio is the natural opening or closing of a first trip, and three nights is a comfortable minimum.

Salvador de Bahia and the Northeast coast

Salvador is the historic heart of Afro-Brazilian culture, with the pastel facades of the Pelourinho, capoeira and candomblé. South of the city, the coast of Bahia offers quiet beaches and islands, and further north the Northeast stretches to the fishing villages and dunes of Ceará.

The Amazon

From Manaus, river lodges and small boats give access to flooded forest, pink river dolphins and riverside communities. High water from roughly January to June allows canoe trips through the trees, low water from July to December opens beaches and trails.

The Pantanal

One of the largest wetlands on Earth and the easiest place in South America to see wildlife: caimans, capybaras, giant otters, hundreds of bird species and, in the north around Porto Jofre, jaguars. The dry season from July to October concentrates animals along the rivers.

Iguaçu Falls

Hundreds of waterfalls on the border with Argentina, protected on both sides by national parks listed by UNESCO. The Brazilian side gives the panoramic view, the Argentine side the walkways over the water. We combine both in two nights, often with Uruguay or Argentina.

Lençóis Maranhenses

A national park of white dunes filled with rainwater lagoons between June and September, in the state of Maranhão. Reached from São Luís, it is one of the most unusual landscapes in the country and works well with the Northeast coast.

Fernando de Noronha

A volcanic archipelago off the Northeast coast with some of the clearest water in the Atlantic, spinner dolphins and sea turtles. Visitor numbers are limited and accommodation is small-scale, so it needs to be planned early.

Paraty, the Costa Verde and Minas Gerais

Between Rio and São Paulo, the colonial port of Paraty and the islands of the Costa Verde make a slow coastal interlude. Inland, the baroque towns of Minas Gerais, Ouro Preto among them, tell the story of the gold rush.

Planning your trip to Brazil

When to go to Brazil

Brazil has no single best season. The south and Rio are pleasant year-round and driest from May to October, with heat and afternoon storms in summer from December to March. The Pantanal is at its best in the dry season from July to October. The Amazon is worth visiting all year, with different experiences at high and low water. The Lençóis lagoons are full from June to September. Carnival, in February or March, is unforgettable and expensive, and needs to be booked months ahead.

How long to stay

Twelve days is the minimum for two regions, for example Rio and Iguaçu plus one beach stop. Two to three weeks allow three or four regions, such as Rio, Salvador, the Amazon and the Pantanal, without spending every other day in an airport. Brazil rewards fewer stops and longer stays.

Getting around Brazil

Distances are continental, so domestic flights connect the regions and private transfers with English-speaking guides take over locally. Boats are the only way around the Amazon and river lodges organise their own logistics. A rental car makes sense on the Costa Verde or in Minas Gerais, rarely elsewhere. Domestic flights included in a programme are always part of the AZORA price.

Budget and what a quotation covers

We do not publish indicative prices for Brazil because the range between a beach itinerary and a Pantanal and Amazon safari is too wide to be meaningful. Your quotation is calculated for your dates, group size and hotel category and covers land services only. International flights are handled separately through our flight desk.

How AZORA builds your trip to Brazil

There is no catalogue to choose from. Here is how a trip to Brazil comes together with AZORA.

1. Tell us what you have in mind

Use the form on this page or our quotation page and share your dates, the number of travellers, your budget range, your pace and the experiences you do not want to miss. Nothing is fixed at this stage.

2. We design a first itinerary

Within a few days you receive a day-by-day proposal with hotels, transfers and activities, priced for your dates and group size. Every element can be swapped, added or removed.

3. We refine until it fits, then we handle the ground

Once the programme is right, AZORA books everything, coordinates our local partners and stays reachable throughout your trip. International flights are arranged separately so you keep control over your routing.

Frequently asked questions about travelling to Brazil

When is the best time to travel to Brazil?

It depends on the regions you combine. Rio and the south are driest from May to October, the Pantanal is best for wildlife from July to October, the Lençóis lagoons are full from June to September and the Amazon is worth visiting all year. Carnival takes place in February or March.

How many days do you need in Brazil?

Twelve days for two regions, two to three weeks for three or four. Distances are long and every extra region usually means a domestic flight, so fewer stops with longer stays make a better trip.

Is Brazil a good destination for families?

Yes, with the right pace. Rio, the Costa Verde, Iguaçu and the Pantanal all work well with children. We keep transfers short, avoid overnight travel and choose lodges with family rooms.

Can you combine Brazil and Argentina in one trip?

Yes. The Iguaçu Falls sit on the border, and a Rio to Buenos Aires itinerary with two nights at the falls is one of the most natural combinations in South America. Uruguay can be added by ferry from Buenos Aires.

Do I need to speak Portuguese?

No. Our guides and most hotels speak English, and we brief you before departure. A few words of Portuguese are always appreciated outside the main tourist areas.

Does AZORA sell ready-made circuits in Brazil?

Not yet. Every trip to Brazil is built from scratch around your dates, your budget and your interests. This is the same tailor-made approach we use in Costa Rica, Panama or India, without a predefined starting itinerary.

Are international flights included?

No. Our quotations cover land services only: accommodation, transfers, activities and, when relevant, domestic flights. International flights are arranged separately so you keep full control over your routing and departure airport.

How far in advance should I book a trip to Brazil?

Three to six months ahead is comfortable for most itineraries. For peak periods and for lodges with limited capacity, earlier is better. If your dates are closer, ask anyway: we tell you immediately what is still realistic.